JP7536475B2 - Liquid chromatograph - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid chromatograph device.

Some of the chemicals and solvents used in liquid chromatography (HPLC) devices are designated as toxic substances, and for safety and health reasons, workers may wear gloves during measurements. Therefore, they must remove their gloves every time they touch the keyboard or mouse that operates the device, which is not appropriate in terms of workability or safety.
Furthermore, in health checkups such as blood tests, it is necessary to measure the body fluids of a number of subjects, and there is a risk that the body fluids may adhere to the keyboard, mouse, etc., which creates a hygiene problem.

Meanwhile, a technology has been developed in which a barcode reader connected to an immunochromatography device reads a barcode attached to the subject's arm, and the subject's sample is automatically loaded into a designated position in the device and measured based on the barcode information (Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 5462567

In the case of the technology of Patent Document 1, after reading the barcode, the sample is automatically loaded into a loading section determined for each sample and measured as is, but the user (operator) cannot change the measurement conditions after that. Also, once the barcode is read, the measurement is automatically performed according to a predetermined procedure, so it is not possible to change or interrupt the measurement, for example, to perform maintenance before measurement depending on the state of the device.
On the other hand, because the mobile phase of a liquid chromatograph is liquid, it takes time for the instrument to stabilize, and the condition of the mobile phase and separation column are prone to change or deterioration. When the mobile phase or separation column is replaced, it is necessary to change procedures, such as checking the normality of the instrument by measuring with a standard sample or re-measuring the calibration curve.
However, if such changes are made using a keyboard, mouse, or the like, problems arise such as the need to remove gloves each time as described above, and the subject's bodily fluids contaminating the input device and soiling it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a liquid chromatograph device that can change the operation it performs depending on the state of the device, etc., and can improve operability and safety.

In order to achieve the above object, the liquid chromatograph apparatus of the present invention is a liquid chromatograph apparatus including a display unit, a control unit, a storage unit, and an external interface to which an external image reading device can be connected, wherein the storage unit stores operation information relating to a plurality of operations of the liquid chromatograph apparatus, and when data of a predetermined image is read by the image reading device connected to the liquid chromatograph apparatus after startup of the liquid chromatograph apparatus, the control unit acquires the operation information corresponding to the data, and displays the operation assigned to the operation information to be set by a user in accordance with the acquired information as a display image readable by the image reading device on the display unit, The image , which includes information about a component constituting a liquid chromatograph apparatus and can be read by the image reading device, is displayed near the component, and the operation information includes setting information about the component.When data of the image including information about the component is read by the image reading device, the control unit determines whether or not the information included in the read image data matches the setting information, and if the determination is negative, causes the display unit to display a message that the component is unsuitable, and if the determination is positive, causes the display unit to display the operation set in the operation information so that the user can set it when the component is suitable, as the display image readable by the image reading device.

According to this liquid chromatograph, when a user reads data of a predetermined image using an image reader, the control unit causes the display unit to display the display image as an operation set by the user in response to the data. This allows the user to proceed to the next operation by reading the display image on the display unit, and to return to the previous operation by not reading the display image. As a result, the operation of the device after startup is not uniformly determined, and the operation performed by the device can be changed depending on the state of the device 100 (lack of maintenance, etc.).
In addition, the control unit causes the display unit to display the next operation set by the user according to the information obtained from the image as a display image. This allows the user wearing gloves after startup to hold only the image reading device to read the displayed image, and does not need to remove the gloves to operate input devices such as a keyboard or mouse each time an operation is instructed. In addition, it is possible to prevent chemical solutions, samples, etc. from getting on these input devices, thereby improving operability and safety.
Furthermore, according to this liquid chromatograph, by displaying images in the vicinity of the above-mentioned components, the user can read the state of each component of the liquid chromatograph using an image reading device, eliminating the need to remove gloves.

In the liquid chromatograph apparatus of the present invention, the display image displayed on the display unit may represent, as an image , an action related to a decision or selection made by the user.
According to this liquid chromatograph, the user can make a decision or selection operation using only the image reader.

In the liquid chromatograph of the present invention, the member may include one or more members selected from the group consisting of a column, a mobile phase container, a waste liquid container, a sample container, and a holder for individually holding the sample container.
With this liquid chromatograph, the user can easily use the image reader to grasp the state of components such as columns, mobile phase containers, waste liquid containers, sample containers, and holders, whose changes in state can have a large effect on measurement accuracy.

In the liquid chromatography device of the present invention, the memory unit stores the operation information regarding a plurality of operations in a time series, and the control unit causes the operation set in the operation information to be set by the user to be displayed on the display unit as the display image readable by the image reading device, and may also display a series of operations that occur chronologically before and after the operation in question in the vicinity of the display image in a manner that cannot be read by the image reading device.
According to this liquid chromatograph, it is possible to prevent erroneous setting of a series of operations that are chronologically preceding or following an operation by reading an image.

In the liquid chromatography apparatus of the present invention, the image may be displayed on the sample container and at a position in the holder near the sample container, and when the image reading device reads the data of the image displayed on the sample container and the holder, the control unit may automatically obtain the type of sample to be measured and its position within the holder, and perform measurement of the sample container as the operation.
According to this liquid chromatograph, once the image data is read, the measurement of the sample container can be carried out automatically.

In the liquid chromatograph apparatus of the present invention, after performing a measurement, the control unit displays a change instruction image for changing the data processing conditions of the chromatogram near the chromatogram, which is the measurement result displayed on the display unit, and when a user causes the image reading device to read the change instruction image , the control unit displays a change image indicating that the data processing conditions will be changed, and when the change image is read by the image reading device, the control unit changes the data processing conditions of the chromatogram, which is the measurement result.
In liquid chromatography, samples that move in a liquid mobile phase are separated in a column, so the detection time is long (peak detection range is wide) and it is easily affected by noise and drift of the mobile phase and detector. In liquid chromatographic separation analysis, it is important to detect the peaks of separated components, but if noise or drift occurs, the data processing conditions for peak detection specified in advance may not match the actual measurement situation, and the peaks may not be determined correctly.
Therefore, if an image is displayed near the chromatograph of the measurement results, it becomes possible to change the data processing conditions by using an image reader.

In the liquid chromatograph apparatus of the present invention, after performing a measurement, the control unit may cause an approval instruction image to be displayed on the display unit to confirm the chromatogram data which is the measurement result, and when a user causes the image reading device to read the approval instruction image, the control unit may confirm the chromatogram data which is the measurement result.
According to this liquid chromatograph, the user can use the image to confirm the chromatographic data, which is the measurement result, and the data can be prevented from being changed or tampered with.

In the liquid chromatograph of the present invention , when chromatogram data, which is a measurement result, is confirmed, the control unit may automatically output the chromatogram data.
According to this liquid chromatograph, when a user uses an image to confirm chromatographic data, which is a measurement result, the data can be automatically output.

In the liquid chromatography device of the present invention, the image may be a barcode, and the image reading device may be a barcode reader.

The present invention makes it possible to change the operation of a liquid chromatograph device depending on the device's condition, etc., and to improve workability and safety.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a liquid chromatograph apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a time-series measurement procedure including operation information of the liquid chromatograph device. FIG. 2 is a front view (left side) of a liquid chromatograph with an image attached, and a screen (right side) of a display unit 10. This is a continuation of Figure 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image relating to the next step (operation) that is displayed on the display unit by the control unit having acquired image data representing the completion of step P4. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen showing the status of a conditioning operation. FIG. 13 shows an image prompting a decision on a QC measurement action. FIG. 13 shows sample setup for QC measurement operation. FIG. 13 shows an image prompting a final decision on whether or not to perform a QC measurement. FIG. 1 shows the results of a QC measurement and an image prompting the user to decide whether or not to accept the results. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image prompting a decision on a calibration curve measurement operation. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image showing the results of calibration curve measurement. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the operational status of setting and selecting an unknown sample. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the screen of the display unit during a measurement operation. This is a continuation of Figure 14. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by reading the images in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another screen displayed by reading the images of FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by reading the image in FIG. 17; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image prompting a decision on an approval action for the measurement results. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image for specifying a printing destination of the measurement results. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image for specifying a storage destination for measurement results.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a liquid chromatograph device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The liquid chromatography apparatus 100 comprises a data processing device (control unit) 7 that controls the entire system, a mobile phase (a mixed solution of eluent and solvent) 1, a pump 2 that delivers the mobile phase 1, an autosampler 3 that injects samples, a column 4 that separates components, a column oven 5 that keeps the column 4 at a constant temperature, a detector 6 that detects the separated components, and a display unit 10.
The data processing device 7 is composed of a computer having a control unit (CPU) 9 that executes the analysis and analyzes the analysis results, a memory unit (hard disk or the like) 8 that stores the analysis results, and an input unit 22 such as a keyboard through which a user (operator) inputs instructions. A display unit (monitor) 10 displays the analysis results.

The data processing device 7 also includes an external interface (not shown) (such as a USB port), and an external image reading device (barcode reader) 20 is connected to this external interface.
The control unit 9 is then able to obtain data of the image (barcode) read by the image reading device 20 .

The detector 6 has an element for detecting the signal intensity, and detects the signal intensity with respect to time. As the detector, a three-dimensional detector having a plurality of detection elements and capable of simultaneously acquiring signals at a plurality of wavelengths can also be used.
A sample is injected from an injector (not shown) of an autosampler 3, passes through a column 4 together with a mobile phase 1 delivered by a pump 2, and is separated into various components in the sample.
The sample separated into its components is detected by a detector 6. A signal from the detector 6 is sent to a data processing device 7 where data processing is performed.
The column 4 is a device generally used as a separation section for separating components of a sample present in the mobile phase 1. Examples of the column 4 include a packed column and a monolith column. Various types of column packing materials can be used for the column 4, such as an adsorption type, a distribution type, and an ion exchange type. The column 4 is desirably placed in a column oven 5 so that the column 4 can be kept at a constant temperature and the sample can be separated with good reproducibility.

In order to quantitatively or qualitatively analyze samples, the memory unit 8 stores measurement conditions for each type of sample, calibration curve data, and the like.
The storage unit 8 also stores operation information related to a plurality of operations of the liquid chromatograph apparatus 100. Examples of the operations include checking the state of the mobile phase and column, maintenance, adjustment (conditioning), selecting or deciding the type of measurement (QC measurement, calibration curve measurement, measurement of an unknown sample), setting the measurement conditions, deciding whether or not to perform a remeasurement, displaying or confirming the measurement results, and outputting or saving the measurement results.

In this example, each operation is associated with a measurement procedure of the liquid chromatograph 100, and depending on the result of a user's setting (determination, selection, etc.) of one operation, the next operation to be set by the user is assigned to the operation information. The operation set by the user is automatically executed by the control unit 9.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in this example, measurement procedures P4 to P22 of the liquid chromatograph device 100 are determined in chronological order as operation information.
First, when the power supply of the device 100 is turned on (started up), the first procedure is maintenance (start-up inspection) P4, followed by setting (selection) of measurement conditions P6 and conditioning P8, in that order.
Although details will be described later, maintenance P4 is a procedure whose operation involves checking the mobile phase and column conditions, the amount of waste liquid, etc. Setting (selection) measurement conditions P6 is a procedure whose operation involves setting the measurement conditions for the sample. Conditioning P8 is a pretreatment (preparation) procedure in which a specified solution is run through the column to achieve equilibrium, and the operation involves deciding whether or not to perform conditioning.

Following conditioning P8, QC measurement (checking measurement accuracy) P10 is a procedure in which a specified measurement is performed using a standard sample to check whether the measurement accuracy of the device is sufficient. The operation involves determining (selecting) the standard sample for the QC measurement, and determining whether the QC measurement should be performed and whether remeasurement is required.
Following the QC measurement P10, a calibration curve measurement using a standard sample P12 is a procedure for performing a calibration curve measurement using a standard sample, and the operation involves determining the standard sample for which the calibration curve measurement is performed.
Following the calibration curve measurement P12, an unknown sample setting P14 is a procedure in which the operation contents include registration of an unknown sample and setting of measurement conditions.
Following the setting of the unknown sample P14, a measurement P16 is a procedure whose operation is to decide the start and stop of the measurement of the unknown sample.

Display of measurement results P18 is a procedure for displaying the measurement results of an unknown sample, and the operation involves deciding (selecting) the measurement to be displayed.
Changing data processing conditions P20 is a procedure for changing conditions such as the baseline for obtaining measurement results, and the operation involves setting (selecting) these conditions.
Approval, printing and saving of measurement results P22 is a procedure for approving the measurement results as correct, printing them, and saving them as data. The operation involves giving or not approving them, and specifying (selecting) the printer to print on and the destination to save them.

Next, the operation content in each procedure and the processing performed by the control unit 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the operations included in the maintenance (start-up inspection) step P4 and the measurement condition setting (selection) step P6 in Fig. 2 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5. Note that the left side of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show a front view of the liquid chromatograph 100, and the right side shows the screen of the display unit 10.
As shown in Fig. 3, three printed images 110, 112, and 114 are attached to the front door of the liquid chromatograph 100. Of these, image 110 is attached to the lower left door that houses the standard sample 12 in Fig. 4 and a waste tank (not shown), image 112 is attached to the front of the shelf on which the mobile phase 3 in Fig. 4 is placed, and image 114 is attached to the right door that houses the column 4 in Fig. 4.
In this example, the image is a two-dimensional barcode.

First, the user (operator) operates the input unit 22 to start up the liquid chromatograph device 100. This start-up operation is performed before coming into contact with chemicals or solvents, and so there is no need to wear gloves yet, and so the user may operate the input unit 22. Then, after start-up, the operator puts on the gloves.
After the activation, the user puts on the gloves and is prompted from the screen of the display unit 10 to read, by the image reading device 20, the three images 110, 112, and 114 attached to the front door of the device 100. The user holds the image reading device 20 while wearing the gloves.

Specifically, the display unit 10 displays "Is the waste tank empty?", so the user opens the lower left door that houses the waste tank to check, and if it is OK, the image 110 is read by the image reading device 20. As a result, the control unit 9 determines that the "waste tank is empty" and displays a check mark on the display unit 10 next to "Is the waste tank empty?"
Similarly, the display unit 10 displays "Mobile phase present" and "Are there any leaks?", so the user visually checks the shelf on which the mobile phase container 1v is placed, opens the right door that houses the column 4 to check, and if it is OK, reads the images 112 and 114 with the image reader 20. As a result, the control unit 9 determines that "Mobile phase present" and "No leaks" are present, and displays a check mark next to "Mobile phase present" and "Are there any leaks" on the display unit 10, indicating that the check has been confirmed.

Next, based on the above-mentioned preparatory operations, the control unit 9 further displays "Column: C18", "Mobile phase: A", and "Standard sample: CBZ20" on the display unit 10 as shown in FIG.
The user visually checks the display and reads the images 120, 122a, 122b, and 124 attached to the column 4, mobile phase container 1v, and standard sample container 12, respectively, using the image reader 20.
The control unit 9 judges whether the data of each image that has been read matches "column: C18,""mobile phase: A," and "standard sample: CBZ20."
Specifically, for example, if the current measurement is set to use a column type "C18," it is determined whether the data in image 120 is "C18." The same applies to images 122a, 122b, and 124. Note that in this example, there are two types of mobile phase container 1v (two containers), and by reading both images 122a and 122b, it is determined whether the data is compatible with product number "A," which contains two types of solutions.

If the data of each image matches "Column: C18", "Mobile phase: A", and "Standard sample: CBZ20", the control unit 9 will display a confirmed check mark on "Column: C18", "Mobile phase: A", and "Standard sample: CBZ20" on the display unit 10.
Furthermore, the control unit 9 determines that the maintenance (start-of-work inspection) P4 procedure has been completed, and causes the display unit 10 to display an image 126 near the "Confirmation Completed" display to prompt the user to acknowledge the completion of the P4 procedure.
The user reads the image 126 with the image reading device 20. As a result, the control unit 9 determines that the procedure of P4 is completed, and reads out from the storage unit 8 the operation information included in the next procedure P6 (see FIG. 2).
On the other hand, if the user is unable to read image 126 using image reading device 20 within the specified time, control unit 9 determines that maintenance has not been completed and causes display unit 10 to re-display a screen (on the right side of Figures 3 and 4) prompting the user to read images 120, 122a, 122b, and 124.

As described above, when the user sets the operation to be performed by the liquid chromatograph device 100 (control unit 9) after starting up the device 100, the image displayed on the display unit 10 can be read by the image reading device 20.
3 and 4, when the user reads images 110 to 124 with image reading device 20, control unit 9 causes display unit 10 to display image 126 prompting the user to select "verification complete" as the corresponding operation to be set by the user. This allows the user to proceed to the next step P6 if he or she reads "verification complete" image 126, and on the other hand, allows the user to return to the previous step P4 if he or she does not read image 126. As a result, the operation of the device after startup is not uniformly determined, and the operation performed by the device can be changed depending on the state of device 100 (lack of maintenance), etc.

Furthermore, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display the next operation set by the user according to the information acquired from the images 110 to 124 as an image 126. This allows the user wearing gloves after startup to hold only the image reading device 20 to read the image 126, and does not need to remove the gloves and operate the input device 22 such as the keyboard or mouse every time an operation is instructed. In addition, it is possible to prevent the input device 22 from being contaminated by a liquid medicine or a sample, thereby improving workability and safety.
Since the image reading device 20 is externally connected to the device 100, even if a chemical solution, sample, or the like adheres to it, it can be easily removed from the device 100 after the measurement is completed and cleaned.

The standard sample container 12, the column 4, and the mobile phase container 1v correspond to the "components" in the claims. The images 120, 122a, 122b, and 124 correspond to the "images including information on the components" in the claims.
"Column: C18", "Mobile phase: A", and "Standard sample: CBZ20" correspond to the "component setting information" in the claims.
In this way, by displaying the images 110 to 124 in the vicinity of the above-mentioned components, the user can read the state of each component of the liquid chromatograph device 100 using the image reading device 20, and there is no need to remove gloves.

The operations included in the steps from P6 onwards are explained below, but the purpose and effect of the invention are similar to the steps and operations of P4.

FIG. 5 shows images 130 to 134 relating to the next step (operation), “Setting (selecting) measurement conditions P6,” which are displayed on the display unit 10 by the control unit 9, which has acquired data for image 126 indicating completion of step P4.
Specifically, there are three types of samples (compounds) to be measured: CBZ, PHT, and LTG, and images 130, 132, and 134 are displayed near the respective display sites.
Then, the user reads the image of the sample to be measured from among the images 130 , 132 , and 134 using the image reading device 20 .

The control unit 9 recognizes the type of sample (compound) to be measured from the image read by the user, and reads out from the storage unit 8 the operation information contained in the next step P8 (see FIG. 2).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, as the operation of conditioning P8, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display an image 140 prompting the user to decide whether or not to perform conditioning.
When the user wishes to perform conditioning, the image 140 is read by the image reader 20, and the control unit 9 executes the conditioning operation.
The left side of FIG. 6 shows an image 140 displayed on the display unit 10, and the right side is a screen showing the status of the conditioning operation that the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display when the image 140 is read.
Next, when the user reads the image 140 with the image reading device 20 as described above, the control unit 9 executes a procedure (operation), and further reads out from the storage unit 8 the operation information included in the following procedure P10 (see FIG. 2).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, as an operation of QC measurement (checking measurement accuracy) P10, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display an image 150 prompting the user to decide whether or not to perform QC measurement.
When a user wishes to perform QC measurement, the user reads image 150 using image reading device 20, and then control unit 9 causes display unit 10 to display a screen (hereinafter, "sample setting screen") prompting the user to perform an action (setting and selecting a QC measurement sample) as shown in Figure 8 (not shown).

8, the user reads the image 152a of the printed matter affixed to the side of the standard rack (holder) 16, which is to be the installation position (second from the left) of the QC measurement sample container 14, with the image reading device 20. Furthermore, the user reads the image 152b of the printed matter affixed to the outer surface of the vial of the QC measurement sample container 14 with the image reading device 20, and installs the QC measurement sample container 14 in the installation position of the standard rack 16 (second from the left).
From the image 152a, the control unit 9 acquires the installation position of the QC measurement sample container 14 in the standard rack 16. Furthermore, from the image 152b, the control unit 9 recognizes the type of sample to be QC measured ("QC" in this example). This makes it possible to automatically recognize from which position of the autosampler 3 the type of QC measurement sample should be collected, thereby preventing setting errors.

Furthermore, when the images 152a and 152b are acquired, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display an image 154, as shown in FIG. 9, prompting the user to make a final decision as to whether or not to perform QC measurement.
Then, when the user reads the image 154 with the image reading device 20, the control unit 9 executes the operation of the QC measurement.
Here, the QC measurement sample container 14 and the standard rack 16 correspond to the "components" in the claims, and the images 152a and 152b correspond to the "images including information related to the components" in the claims.
The sample position (in this example, the second from the left) in the standard rack 16 included in image 152a and the type of QC measurement sample (in this example, "QC") included in image 152b correspond to the "component setting information" in the claims.

In this way, by reading the images 152a and 152b, the control unit 9 can automatically obtain the type of sample to be measured and the position of the sample container in the rack, and perform sample collection using the autosampler 3.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the QC measurement is completed, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display the measurement results and also causes the display unit 10 to display an image 156 prompting the user to decide whether or not to approve the results.
When the user reads image 156 with image reading device 20, control unit 9 determines that the QC measurement is completed, and further reads out from storage unit 8 the operation information included in the next step P12 (see FIG. 2).
On the other hand, if the user is unable to read image 156 using image reading device 20 within the specified time, control unit 9 determines that the user wishes to re-measure the QC, and causes display unit 10 to re-display the screen in Figure 8 prompting the user to select a QC measurement sample (not shown).

In addition, if the QC measurement is not performed normally and an error occurs (such as an abnormal value being detected), the control unit 9 redisplays the image 154 in FIG. 9 and prompts the user to perform the measurement again.

This allows the user to proceed to the next step P12 by reading the "QC measurement completed" image 156, and to return to the previous step P10 by not reading the image 156. As a result, the operation performed by the device can be changed depending on the state of the device 100 (whether or not the QC measurement has been completed), etc.
Furthermore, the user only needs to hold the image reading device 20 and perform the operation of reading the image 156 to set whether or not "QC measurement is completed," and does not need to remove gloves each time an operation is instructed.

Next, by reading the image 156, the control unit 9 reads out from the storage unit 8 the operation information included in the next step P12 (see FIG. 2).
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, as an operation of calibration curve measurement P12 using a standard sample, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display an image 160 prompting the user to decide whether or not to perform calibration curve measurement.
When a user wishes to perform a calibration curve measurement, the user reads image 160 using image reading device 20, and control unit 9 causes display unit 10 to display a “sample setting screen” that prompts the user to perform the next action (setting or selecting a calibration curve measurement sample) or an image indicating the next action (not shown).

In FIG. 11, conditioning, QC measurement, and calibration curve measurement are operations (procedures) P8 to P12 arranged in chronological order.
Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display the selection operation of the calibration curve measurement to be performed by the user as an image 160, and also displays the conditioning and QC measurements which occur chronologically before and after the operation in an unreadable manner near the image 160 (i.e., no image is displayed, and only the item "conditioning, QC measurements" is displayed).
This makes it possible to prevent the user from erroneously setting conditioning or QC measurement in the calibration curve measurement setting image 160.

In order to set and select a sample for calibration curve measurement, the user reads, in the same manner as in the QC measurement, an image 162a of a printed matter affixed to the installation position (in this example, the third position from the left, "CBZ") of the calibration curve measurement sample container (not shown) on the standard rack 16 in Fig. 8 using the image reading device 20. Furthermore, the user reads, with the image reading device 20, an image of a printed matter (not shown) affixed to the outer surface of the vial of the calibration curve measurement sample container.
Next, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display an image (not shown) that prompts the user to make a final decision on whether or not to perform a calibration curve measurement, similar to the QC measurement in Fig. 9. Then, when the user reads the image with the image reading device 20, the control unit 9 executes the operation of the calibration curve measurement.

12, when the calibration curve measurement is completed, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display an image 164 showing the measurement result. The image 164 indicates whether the measurement result is normal (black) or erroneous (red) by its color, and is also an image that prompts the user to decide whether or not to accept the result. An error in the measurement result may be, for example, when a reasonable value is defined in advance as the peak area of a standard sample with a known concentration, and the measured value is outside this range.
Then, when the user reads image 164 with image reading device 20, control unit 9 determines that calibration curve measurement is completed, and further reads out from storage unit 8 the operation information included in the next step P14 (see FIG. 2).
On the other hand, if the user is unable to read image 164 using image reading device 20 within the specified time, control unit 9 determines that the user wishes to remeasure the calibration curve and causes display unit 10 to re-display the screen prompting the user to select the calibration curve measurement sample described above (not shown).
Moreover, if the calibration curve measurement is not performed normally and an error occurs (such as detection of an abnormal value), the control unit 9 redisplays the image 160 in FIG. 11 and prompts the user to perform the measurement again.

In setting the unknown sample P14, the control unit 9 first displays a "sample setting screen" on the display unit 10 (not shown) that prompts the user to perform an action (setting and selecting an unknown sample).

In order to set and select an unknown sample, the user reads an image 170 of a printed matter affixed to the installation position (second from the left in this example) of the unknown sample container 31 in the unknown sample rack 30 in Fig. 13, in the same manner as in the QC measurement, using the image reading device 20. Furthermore, the user reads an image 172 of a printed matter affixed to the outer surface of the vial of the unknown sample container 31 using the image reading device 20.
Next, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display an image (not shown) that prompts the user to make a final decision on whether or not to measure an unknown sample, similar to the QC measurement in Fig. 9. Then, when the user reads the image with the image reading device 20, the control unit 9 executes the operation of measuring an unknown sample.

Here, the unknown sample rack 30 and the unknown sample container 31 correspond to the "components" in the claims, and the images 170 and 172 correspond to the "images including information on the components" in the claims.
The sample position in the unknown sample rack 30 shown in image 170 (in this example, the second from the left), and the type of unknown sample and its measurement conditions shown in image 172 (in this example, "UNK123" and its measurement conditions) correspond to the "component setting information" in the claims.

In this way, by reading the images 170 and 172 , the control unit 9 can automatically obtain the type of sample to be measured and the position of the sample container in the rack, and perform sample collection using the autosampler 3 .
13, in this example, when image 170 is read, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 10 to display the sample setting screen 11, which displays the position of the sample container of the sample to be measured in the rack ("vial position 2"). Then, when image 172 is read, the control unit 9 displays the type of unknown sample ("UNK123" in this example), which is the information of image 172, in the sample setting screen 11.
This makes it easier for the user to recognize the unknown sample setting information.

Furthermore, a "Set" image 174a for approving the setting of the unknown sample and a "Cancel" image 174b for cancelling the setting of the unknown sample are displayed on the sample setting screen 11. When the user reads the image 174a, the control unit 9 determines that the setting of the unknown sample has been approved, and further reads out from the storage unit 8 the operation information included in the next step P16 (see FIG. 2).
On the other hand, when the user reads 174b using the image reading device 20, the control unit 9 determines that the user wishes to remeasure the unknown sample, deletes the current setting information ("vial position 2"), and causes the display unit 10 to re-display the above-mentioned "sample setting screen" (not shown).

This allows the user to proceed to the next step P16 by reading image 174a, and to reconfigure by reading image 174b, thereby changing the operation of the device.
Generally, after different unknown sample containers 31 are first set at the multiple sample positions of the unknown sample rack 30, the next step P16, "measurement", is performed on the multiple unknown sample containers 31 in order.
13, for example, when the setting of "vial position 2" is approved by reading image 174a, the screen of display unit 10 prompts the user to set the next "vial position 3", and the user sets "vial position 3" in the same manner. Then, when the settings of all the installation positions of the unknown sample rack 30 (five in FIG. 13) are completed, the user may proceed to "measurement", which is the next step P16, at the point when the setting of the last "vial position 5" is approved.

Fig. 14 shows the screen 12 of the display unit 10 during the "measurement" operation. Measurements are automatically performed in order from "1" to "5" in each circled section 12a indicating each vial position (vial position 1: the leftmost in Fig. 13) in the unknown sample rack 30 in Fig. 13.
On the screen 12, for a sample for which measurement has been completed, an image 12b is displayed within a circled portion 12a.
Similarly, FIG. 15 shows that measurements have been completed for vial positions 1 to 3, and that measurement for vial position 4 is currently being performed.

When the images 12d and 13d displayed for the sample being measured in FIGS. 14 and 15 are read, the screen 14 in FIG.
A measurement stop image 14a and a pause image 14b are displayed on the screen 14, and the measurement can be stopped or paused by reading either of them. Moreover, the measurement can be resumed by reading the image 14a or the image 14b again.
When the measurement is completed, the images 12d and 13d disappear, and the images 12b and 13b are displayed in the circled areas 12a and 13a.

17 shows a state in which an image 15b of the sample in vial position 3 for which measurement has been completed is read on the screen 15. Image 15b is similar to images 12b and 13b.
When image 15b is read, screen 16 showing a chromatogram of the measurement results of the sample at vial position 3 is displayed on screen 15 of display unit 10 or on a separate screen.
That is, when image 15b is read, the process proceeds to step P18 for displaying the measurement results.
The image 15b indicates whether the measurement result is normal (black) or erroneous (red) by changing the color. An erroneous measurement result may be, for example, when the measurement result is outside a range of appropriate concentration that is defined in advance for the sample .
Moreover, image 15b in FIG. 17 shows that the measurement result is normal (black).

On the other hand, FIG. 18 shows a screen 16 that is displayed when the image 15b in FIG. 17 is read in the case where the measurement result of the image 15b is an error (red).
In liquid chromatography, a sample moving in a liquid mobile phase is separated in a column, and therefore the detection time is long (the peak detection range is wide) and it is easily affected by noise and drift of the mobile phase and the detector.
In liquid chromatographic separation analysis, it is important to detect the peaks of separated components. However, if noise or drift occurs, the pre-specified data processing conditions for peak detection may not match the actual measurement conditions, resulting in incorrect peak determination.

Therefore, in FIG. 18, image 16a is displayed near the peak of the chromatogram of the measurement results, image 16b is displayed near the baseline, and image 16c is displayed near the display area of the sample concentration calculated from the peak.
When the error image 15b is read, the process simultaneously advances to a step P18 for displaying the measurement results and a step P20 for changing the data processing conditions.

For example, if the user wishes to change the baseline, scanning image 16b causes image 16e of "Improved baseline detection" to be displayed on screen 16X. Then, scanning image 16e causes a chromatogram with the changed baseline detection conditions to be displayed on screen 16, and the changed baseline detection conditions A to be displayed on screen 16X for reference.
When this change is made, the process proceeds to the procedure for approving the measurement results P22, and the approval screen 17 shown in Fig. 19 is displayed. When the user reads the image 17a displayed on the approval screen 17, the measurement results after the change are approved as correct.
When image 15b showing normal (black) measurement results is read and measurement result screen 16 is displayed as shown in FIG. 17, the process moves to approval P22 and approval screen 17 of FIG. 19 is displayed in the same manner.

Furthermore, after the measurement result screen 16 is displayed, when the user reads the image 17a displayed on the approval screen 17, the control unit 9 may be controlled to prohibit any subsequent changes to the measurement results (for example, displaying the image 16a, etc. on the screen 16 to change the baseline detection conditions, etc.).
Also, when the user reads the image 17a, the control unit 9 may automatically output the approved measurement results together with the above-mentioned process of prohibiting changes. This output may include the following printing, data storage, etc.

In this way, the measurement results of the measured sample are approved, but if in step P22 the measurement results are to be printed or saved as data, this can be done as shown in Figs. 20 and 21.
As shown in Fig. 20, printed images 18a to 18c are attached to the three printers, respectively. Also, as shown in Fig. 21, printed images 19a to 19b are attached to the hard disk and USB memory, respectively. The printers, hard disk, and USB memory are connected to the computer of the liquid chromatograph 100 directly or via a network, etc.
If the user wishes to print the measurement results, the user can simply read any of images 18a to 18c and specify the printer to which the results will be printed.If the user wishes to save the measurement results as data, the user can simply read any of images 19a to 19b and specify the destination to which the results will be saved.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers various modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For example, the motion information is not limited to the above.
The image may be a barcode such as a two-dimensional barcode, and the image reading device may be a barcode reader, but is not limited to these.

1v Mobile phase container 4 Column 8 Memory unit 9 Control unit 10 Display unit 12, 14, 31 Sample container 16, 30 Holder 20 Image reader 12a to 12d, 13a to 13d, 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a to 16e, 17a, 18a to 18c, 19a to 19b, 110, 112, 114, 120, 122a, 122b, 124, 126, 130 to 134, 140, 150, 152a, 152b, 154, 156, 160, 162a, 164, 170, 172, 174a, 174b, Readable image 100 Liquid chromatograph

Claims (9)

A liquid chromatograph apparatus comprising a display unit, a control unit, a storage unit, and an external interface to which an external image reading device can be connected,
the storage unit stores operation information related to a plurality of operations of the liquid chromatograph device;
After the liquid chromatograph is started, data of a predetermined image is read by the image reader connected to the liquid chromatograph,
the control unit acquires the operation information corresponding to the data, and displays the operation assigned to the operation information to be set by a user in accordance with the acquired information as a display image readable by the image reading device on the display unit;
an image including information about a component constituting the liquid chromatograph and readable by the image reader is displayed near the component;
The operation information includes setting information of the member,
When the image data including the information about the member is read by an image reading device,
The control unit determines whether or not information included in the data of the read image matches the setting information;
If the determination is negative, a message indicating that the member is unsuitable is displayed on the display unit;
If the judgment is positive, the liquid chromatograph device displays on the display unit the operation set in the operation information to be set by the user when the component is compatible as the display image that can be read by the image reading device. The liquid chromatograph device according to claim 1, wherein the display image displayed on the display unit represents an action related to a decision or selection made by the user as an image. The liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the member includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a column, a mobile phase container, a waste liquid container, a sample container, and a holder for individually holding the sample container. The storage unit stores the motion information relating to a plurality of time-series motions;
The liquid chromatograph device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the operation set in the operation information to be set by the user as the display image readable by the image reading device, and displays a series of operations that chronologically precede and follow the operation in the vicinity of the display image in an unreadable manner by the image reading device. The image is displayed on the sample container and a position of the sample container in the holder,
When the image data displayed on the sample container and the holder is read by the image reading device,
4. The liquid chromatograph according to claim 3, wherein the control unit automatically acquires the type of sample to be measured and its position within the holder, and executes the measurement of the sample container as the operation. After the measurement,
the control unit causes a change instruction image for changing data processing conditions of the chromatogram to be displayed near the chromatogram, which is the measurement result displayed on the display unit;
When the user causes the image reading device to read the change instruction image , the control unit causes a change image to be displayed indicating that the data processing conditions are to be changed;
6. The liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the modified image is read by the image reading device, the control unit modifies data processing conditions for the chromatogram that is the measurement result. After the measurement,
The control unit causes the display unit to display an approval instruction image for confirming the chromatogram data, which is the measurement result;
7. The liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when a user causes the image reading device to read the approval instruction image, the control unit confirms the chromatogram data that is the measurement result. When the chromatogram data, which is the measurement result, is confirmed,
The liquid chromatograph according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit automatically outputs the chromatogram data. The liquid chromatograph apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image is a barcode and the image reading device is a barcode reader.

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