Disclosed are methods for improving compound detection and characterization. Methods for characterizing a sample are disclosed. The methods can include providing a sample to a liquid chromatography system capable of sample separation to generate sample components; analyzing sample components by multiplexed targeted selected ion monitoring (SIM) to generate an inclusion list; and performing iterative mass spectral data-dependent acquisition (DDA) from the inclusion list, to identify individual sample components thereby characterizing the sample. In one example, multiplexed targeted SIMs and iterative MS2 DDA acquisition is used to increase robust compound identification for cell culture medium analysis.

A gas analysis device suited for e.g. medical analysis of exhaled breath from a subject. A gas inlet receives a gas sample to a flow path for guiding the gas sample to two or more gas separators, e.g. gas chromatography columns, with respective molecule selectivity properties which are different. One or more detectors, each with a sensor, are arranged to generate respective responses to outputs from the two or more gas separators. A communication module generate output data in response to the respective responses from the one or more detectors, e.g. data indicative of selected molecules in the gas sample, e.g. data indicative of one or more diseases identified as a result of identified biomarkers in the gas sample. The device is suitable as a compact device, e.g. a handheld breath analysis device, since the use of a plurality of gas separators allows use of very molecule specific gas separators which can be implemented with a small size. E.g. a flow path with several parallel paths each comprising one or more gas separator may be used.

Provided is a gas chromatograph including a column which separates a sample; a detector which is configured to alternately introduce a carrier gas containing a sample component separated by the column and a carrier gas alone into a detection unit by changing an inflow point of the carrier gas to acquire a signal; an analysis information input unit with which analysis information is input; a data retaining unit which retains data indicating a relationship between a column flow rate and a carrier gas flow rate which is obtained in advance; and calculation unit which is configured to calculate the carrier gas flow rate on the basis of the analysis information input from the analysis information input unit and calculate the carrier gas flow rate according to the calculated column flow rate by using the calculated column flow rate and the data retained in the data retaining unit.

The present invention makes it possible to realize an analysis apparatus having a plurality of liquid chromatographs capable of judging separation performance and the like at the right timing and improving analysis performance early. Analysis starts and a mixed sample is prepared by adding a non-retaining ingredient to a measurement object sample and is introduced into an analysis flow path (S401 to S404). The mixed sample is separated into components by a separation column, the components are outputted as chromatogram data by a detector, and the analysis finishes (S404 to S406). Retention time and peak information are acquired from the chromatogram outputted from the detector, whether or not a measurement result is within an allowable range is judged, and the process shifts to next analysis when the measurement result is within the allowable range (S407 to S409). An amount of transit time t.sub.0 of a non-retaining ingredient shifted from an allowable value is confirmed when separation performance is outside an allowable range at step S408 and a separation column replacement instruction is outputted to an output unit when fluctuation of the transit time t.sub.0 is within an allowable range (S410, S411). A device maintenance instruction is outputted to the output unit when the fluctuation is outside the allowable range at step S410 (S412).

Disclosed are methods for improving compound detection and characterization. Methods for characterizing a sample are disclosed. The methods can include providing a sample to a liquid chromatography system capable of sample separation to generate sample components; analyzing sample components by multiplexed targeted selected ion monitoring (SIM) to generate an inclusion list; and performing iterative mass spectral data-dependent acquisition (DDA) from the inclusion list, to identify individual sample components thereby characterizing the sample. In one example, multiplexed targeted SIMs and iterative MS2 DDA acquisition is used to increase robust compound identification for cell culture medium analysis.

Provided is a gas chromatograph including a column which separates a sample; a detector which is configured to alternately introduce a carrier gas containing a sample component separated by the column and a carrier gas alone into a detection unit by changing an inflow point of the carrier gas to acquire a signal; an analysis information input unit with which analysis information is input; a data retaining unit which retains data indicating a relationship between a column flow rate and a carrier gas flow rate which is obtained in advance; and calculation unit which is configured to calculate the carrier gas flow rate on the basis of the analysis information input from the analysis information input unit and calculate the carrier gas flow rate according to the calculated column flow rate by using the calculated column flow rate and the data retained in the data retaining unit.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining a chromatogram. The method includes a first step where a sample is inserted in two separation columns (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein for each separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), a corresponding part of the sample is inserted in the respective separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) with a corresponding insertion device (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) which is controlled by a corresponding modulation function for generating a corresponding modulated part of the sample in the respective separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein the modulation functions with which the parts of the sample are modulated in the separation columns (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) differ from each other. Furthermore, the method includes a second step where each modulated part of the sample is guided through the respective separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), a third step where a signal of each modulated part of the sample is measured with a same detector (4) after having passed the respective separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), and a fourth step where for each separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), a correlation of the signal and the modulation function with which the corresponding part of the sample is modulated in the respective separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is calculated in order to determine the chromatogram of the respective separation column (2.1, 2.2, 2.3).

A method of multiplexing the operation of a sample preparation and analysis system is disclosed. The system includes a sample preparation system capable of preparing a first sample in accordance with a first assay that is selected from a database containing a plurality of unique assays and preparing a second sample in accordance with a second, different assay. The method includes separately transporting the first and second prepared samples to an analysis station having first and second separation channels and an analyzer comprising a mass spectrometer. The method further includes simultaneously analyzing the first prepared sample with the analyzer in accordance with the first selected assay and separating the second prepared sample with the second separation channel in accordance with the second selected assay.

[Purpose] To improve a throughput by shortening a time required for a series of measurements in a liquid chromatograph in which a sample is measured under a plurality of conditions by alternatively using a plurality of columns

[Solving means] Provided is a liquid chromatograph including a plurality of columns 17 and 27, fluid supply units 11 and 21 each configured to feed a predetermined solution in parallel with inlet side flow paths of the plurality of columns 17 and 27, a sample injection unit 70 capable of selectively injecting a sample into one of the inlet side flow paths of the plurality of columns 17 and 27, and a flow path switching unit 100 disposed on exit sides of the plurality of columns 17 and 27 and configured to selectively connect one of outlet side flow paths of the plurality of columns 17 and 27 to a flow path connected to a detector 101 arranged on a downstream side of the flow paths switching unit 100 and connect outlet side flow paths of other columns to a waste liquid flow path.

A sample preparation and analysis system. The system 10 includes a sample preparation system 12 and a sample analysis system 14. The sample preparation system 12 prepares samples in accordance with an assay that is selected from a database containing a plurality of unique assays. The sample analysis system 14 includes an analyzer 110 that is dynamically reconfigurable based on the selected assay so as to analyze the prepared sample in accordance with that selected assay. A data communication link 27 communicates data from the sample preparation system 12 to the sample analysis system 14 to reconfigure the analyzer 110 in accordance with the selected assay.