A sample separation network includes a server node, a plurality of client nodes coupled with the server node, a plurality of sample separation devices coupled with the server node, wherein each of the sample separation devices includes device-specific control software configured for controlling specifically the respectively assigned sample separation device, wherein at least one of the server node and the client nodes includes generic control software configured for generically controlling sample separation devices in a non-device-specific way, and wherein at least one of the server node and the client nodes and the sample separation devices is configured for loading device-specific control software from a sample separation device to at least one of the server node and the client nodes upon connection of said sample separation device to the sample separation network.

In one aspect, a method for automated analysis of samples from a bioreactor is provided herein, the method including: drawing at least one sample from a bioreactor; pressurizing the drawn at least one sample into a sample flow; purifying at least one target protein in the sample flow using a first liquid chromatography apparatus to create a purified sample flow; splitting the purified sample flow into a purified sample fraction flow and an effluent flow; and, analyzing the at least one target protein in the purified sample fraction flow using a second liquid chromatography apparatus. Advantageously, the subject invention provides for an automated two-step liquid chromatography process utilizing first dimension liquid chromatography for purification and second dimension liquid chromatography for analysis.

A chromatography analysis system includes a liquid delivery pump (2), an autosampler (4), a separation column (12), a column oven (6), a detector (8). The chromatography analysis system further comprising a shutdown execution part (22) configured to start shutdown to finally stop driving of the liquid delivery pump (2) and temperature control operation of the column oven (6) at a time when a predetermined situation occurs, by controlling operation of the liquid delivery pump (2) and the column oven (6), and a column protection temperature setter (24) configured to set a column protection temperature for preventing deterioration of the separation column (12) due to overheating. The shutdown execution part (22) is configured to stop driving of the heater (14) in a state where the liquid delivery pump (2) is driven when the shutdown is started, and then, stop driving of the liquid delivery pump (2) after a temperature of the internal space detected by the temperature sensor (18) becomes equal to or less than the column protection temperature.

Techniques and apparatus for evaluating analytical device performance and data quality are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to generate an analysis method to be performed by an analytical device, the analysis method comprising a plurality of method segments comprising at least one performance assessment process and at least one sample analysis process, and link the at least one performance assessment process with the at least one sample analysis process. Other embodiments are described.

A method of performing mass spectrometry includes accumulating, over an accumulation time, ions produced from components eluting from a chromatography column and transferring the accumulated ions to a mass analyzer. During an acquisition, a mass spectrum of detected ions derived from the transferred ions is acquired. An elution profile is obtained from a series of acquired mass spectra including the acquired mass spectrum and a plurality of previously-acquired mass spectra. The elution profile includes a plurality of detection points representing intensity of the detected ions as a function of time. A current signal state of the elution profile is classified based on a subset of detection points included in the plurality of detection points. The accumulation time for a next acquisition of a mass spectrum is set based on the classified current signal state of the elution profile.

Methods and systems for sensing headspace vial presence are described herein. In one embodiment, a system can include a sample probe, a fluid source in fluid communication with the sample probe, one or more of a pressure sensor and a flow sensor in fluid communication with the sample probe, and a processor configured to: (a) receive a first set of signals from the one or more of the pressure and flow sensors, execute an ejection procedure to remove a sample vial from the sample probe, receive a second set of signals from the one or more of the pressure sensor and the flow sensor during step (b), (d) detect whether the ejection procedure is successful from the first set of signals and the second set of signals, and (e) in response to the detecting, initiate one or more actions selected from the group consisting of: a remediation and an alert.

A chromatography system includes a gradient delay volume defined as an overall fluid volume between where gradient is proportioned until an inlet of a chromatography column, a pump pumping a flow of gradient; and at least one valve located downstream from the pump, the at least one valve having a plurality of ports including an inlet port that receives the flow of gradient from the pump and an outlet port through which the flow of gradient exits the at least one valve, the at least one valve having at least two positions. A first position of the at least two positions of the at least one valve increases the gradient delay volume of the chromatography system relative to when the at least one valve is in a second position.

A sample separation device for separating a fluidic sample includes a fluid drive for driving a mobile phase and the fluidic sample when injected in the mobile phase, a sample separation unit for separating the fluidic sample in the mobile phase, and a control unit configured for bracketing the fluidic sample between two mobile phase portions of the mobile phase. At least one of the mobile phase portions is arranged directly next to the fluidic sample and has a higher solvent strength compared to a solvent of the fluidic sample.

A container assembly for use with a high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument is disclosed, in which the container assembly, when coupled to a source of pressurized gas, provides fluid medium to the HPLC instrument at positive pressure. The container assembly has an external exterior container shell, an internal fluid container for holding fluid medium, an interstitial volume between the external exterior container shell and the internal fluid container, a port for fluidly connecting the volume to a pressurized gas source, and a port for fluidly connecting the internal fluid container to the HPLC instrument. As a pressurized gas in the interstitial volume increases, fluid medium flows out of the port connected to the internal fluid bag and container assembly at a positive pressure. A system incorporating the container assembly, and method of use of the same, are also disclosed.

To make it easy to address the case in which a chromatograph does not appropriately operate. A chromatograph (liquid chromatograph 100) for analyzing a sample by supplying an eluent and the sample and separating a component contained in the sample to detect the component, the chromatograph including: a detection portion (controller 170) configured to detect a fault in the analysis; and an operation controller (controller 170) configured to cause a constituent element related to the analysis to perform at least one of an operation for identifying a factor of the fault and an operation for avoiding the fault.