CHROMATOGRAPHIC DATA PROCESSING DEVICE, DATA PROCESSING METHOD, AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS SYSTEM

Abstract

A chromatographic data processing device, data processing method, and chromatographic analysis system. When chromatographic analysis is performed, the data processing device obtains 3D data for time, wavelength, and strength from the PDA, and finds the assay value for the target component in the liquid sample by processing said data. If the peak top strength of the target component falls outside of the dynamic range, a dilution ratio for the liquid sample is determined by calculating the peak top strength of the target component using the ratio of the strength at the peak top wavelength on the spectrum for each point in time belonging to the peak to the strength of a separate wavelength.

Claims

1. A chromatograph analysis system, comprising: a chromatography instrument that performs 3D chromatography on a sample containing a target component to obtain 3D data for time, analysis parameters, and signal strength; and a chromatographic data processing device that processes the 3D data for time, analysis parameters, and signal strength obtained from the 3D chromatography, including a) a setting portion that sets an analysis parameter P1 for the peak top of the peak of the target component in a spectrum that traverses said peak top, and analysis parameter P2 separate from the analysis parameter P1 belonging to said peak, based on the 3D data, b) a calculation portion that calculates the ratio of the signal strength of the analysis parameter P1 to the signal strength of the analysis parameter P2 for the spectrum at each time under the peak, c) a correction value setting portion that sets the correction value based on the ratio of signal strength at each time calculated by the calculation portion, and d) a coefficient determining portion that finds the estimated value for the peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the peak top analysis parameter P1 based on the correction value and peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the analysis parameter P2, and determines the concentration adjustment coefficient such that the value thereof, when multiplied by said estimated value, falls within the range from a designated lower strength value limit to upper strength value limit for the 3D chromatography.

2. A chromatograph analysis system, comprising: a chromatography instrument that performs 3D chromatography on a sample containing a target component to obtain 3D data for time, analysis parameters, and signal strength; and a chromatographic data processing device that processes the 3D data for time, analysis parameters, and signal strength obtained from the 3D chromatography, including a) a setting portion that sets an analysis parameter P1 for the peak top of the peak of the target component in a spectrum that traverses said peak top, and analysis parameter P2 separate from the analysis parameter P1 belonging to said peak, based on the 3D data, b) a calculation portion that calculates the ratio of the signal strength of the analysis parameter P1 to the signal strength of the analysis parameter P2 for the spectrum at each time under the peak, c) a plotting portion that shows the relationship between the signal strength ratio and the time of the spectrums for which said signal strength ratio was found, d) a correction value selection portion that permits the user to select one value from among the plotted signal strength ratios as the correction value, and e) a coefficient determining portion that finds the estimated value for the peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the peak top analysis parameter P1 based on the correction value and peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the analysis parameter P2, and determines the concentration adjustment coefficient such that the value thereof, when multiplied by said estimated value, falls within the range from a designated lower strength value limit to upper strength value limit for the 3D chromatography.

3. The chromatographic analysis system set forth in claim 1, the chromatographic data processing device further comprising a judgment portion that judges whether or not the peak top strength of the peak of the target component exceeds a designated upper limit value, and said setting portion, in the event that the peak top strength exceeds the upper limit value, sets said peak top analysis parameter P1 and an analysis parameter whose strength is no greater than the designated upper strength value limit and no less than the designated lower strength value limit as analysis parameter P2.

4. The chromatographic analysis system set forth in claim 2, the chromatographic data processing device further comprising a judgment portion that judges whether or not the peak top strength of the peak of the target component exceeds a designated upper limit value, and said setting portion, in the event that the peak top strength exceeds the upper limit value, sets said peak top analysis parameter P1 and an analysis parameter whose strength is no greater than the designated upper strength value limit and no less than the designated lower strength value limit as analysis parameter P2.

5. Chromatographic data processing method, comprising: receiving 3D data for time, analysis parameters, and signal strength obtained from 3D chromatography performed for a sample containing a target component, and a) setting an analysis parameter P1 for the peak top of the peak of the target component in a spectrum that traverses said peak top and an analysis parameter P2 separate from the analysis parameter P1 belonging to said peak, based on the 3D data, b) calculating the ratio of the signal strength of the analysis parameter P1 to the signal strength of the analysis parameter P2 for the spectrum at each time under the peak, c) setting the correction value based on the signal strength ratio for each of the calculated times, d) finding the estimated value for the peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the analysis parameter P1 based on the correction value and on the peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the analysis parameter P2, and e) determining the concentration adjustment coefficient such that the value thereof, when multiplied by said estimated value, falls within the range from a designated lower strength value limit to upper strength value limit for the 3D chromatography.

6. Chromatographic data processing method, comprising: receiving 3D data for time, analysis parameters, and signal strength obtained from 3D chromatography performed for a sample containing a target component, and a) setting analysis parameter P1 for the peak top of the peak of the target component in a spectrum that traverses said peak top, and analysis parameter P2 separate from the analysis parameter P1 belonging to said peak, based on the 3D data, b) calculating the ratio of the signal strength of the analysis parameter P1 to the signal strength of the analysis parameter P2 for the spectrum at each time under the peak, c) displaying the relationship between the signal strength ratio and the time of the spectrums for which said signal strength ratio was found on a viewing screen, d) permitting the user to select one value from among the signal strength ratios displayed on the viewing screen as the correction value, e) finding the estimated value for the peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the analysis parameter P1 based on the correction value and on the peak strength of the target component in a chromatogram at the analysis parameter P2, and f) determining the concentration adjustment coefficient such that the value thereof, when multiplied by said estimated value, falls within the range from a designated lower strength value limit to upper strength value limit for the 3D chromatography.

7. The chromatographic data processing method set forth in claim 5, further comprising judging whether or not the peak top strength of the peak of the target component exceeds a designated upper limit value, and, in the event that the peak top strength exceeds the upper limit value, setting said peak top analysis parameter P1 and an analysis parameter whose strength is no greater than the designated upper strength value limit and no less than the designated lower strength value limit as analysis parameter P2.

8. The chromatographic data processing method set forth in claim 6, further comprising judging whether or not the peak top strength of the peak of the target component exceeds a designated upper limit value, and, in the event that the peak top strength exceeds the upper limit value, setting said peak top analysis parameter P1 and an analysis parameter whose strength is no greater than the designated upper strength value limit and no less than the designated lower strength value limit as analysis parameter P2.

9. The chromatographic analysis system as set forth in claim 1, further comprising e) an output portion that outputs the concentration adjustment coefficient, and f) a preprocessing portion that performs preprocessing of the sample based on a concentration adjustment coefficient output from the chromatographic data processing device, and a chromatographic analysis performance portion that performs 3D chromatography for the preprocessed sample.

10. The chromatographic analysis system as set forth in claim 2, further comprising e) an output portion that outputs the concentration adjustment coefficient, and f) a preprocessing portion that performs preprocessing of the sample based on a concentration adjustment coefficient output from the chromatographic data processing device, and a chromatographic analysis performance portion that performs 3D chromatography for the preprocessed sample.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the configuration of an embodiment of the analysis system including a chromatographic data processing device in this invention.

[0058] FIG. 2 is a schematic of the flow path serving to illustrate the operation of the autosampler comprising the analysis system in this embodiment example.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a brief flowchart of data processing in the chromatographic data processing device in this embodiment example.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a contour map showing 3D data obtained by the chromatographic data processing device in this embodiment example.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a spectrum along time T1 obtained from the aforesaid 3D data.

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a chromatogram along corrective wavelength 2 obtained from the aforesaid 3D data.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a 3D graph of time, wavelength, and strength indicating the processing principle when calculating the strength ratio.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows a spectrum at a given time t belonging to the target peak.

[0065] FIG. 9 is a graph indicating relationship between time and strength ratio, and chromatogram at peak top wavelength 1 and corrective wavelength 2.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the dynamic range of the detector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0067] Below, a chromatographic analysis system comprising a liquid chromatography instrument and the data processing device thereof will be described by way of example as an embodiment example of this invention.

[0068] FIG. 1 at (a) is a schematic illustration of the configuration of the analysis system equipped with a chromatographic data processing device in this embodiment example. This analysis system is furnished with a pump 2 that supplies the mobile phase at a constant flow from a mobile phase vessel 1 by suction, autosampler 3 that selects and collects samples from multiple liquid samples prepared on a rack in a designated sequence, and then performs the necessary preprocessing such as dilution, concentration, etc. before injecting the sample into the mobile phase supplied by the aforesaid pump 2, column oven 4 having a column 5 on the interior thereof into which the liquid sample is sent by the mobile phase that controls the temperature of said column 5, photodiode array detector (PDA) 6 that detects the spectrum for each component within the designated frequency range, and data processing device 7 that processes data output from the PDA 6. The pump 2, autosampler 3, column oven 4, and PDA 6 are controlled by an analysis control portion 9 based on instructions from an analysis operation portion 8. The pump 2, autosampler 3, column oven 4, column 5, PDA 6, analysis operation portion 8, analysis control portion 9, etc. together comprise the liquid chromatographic instrument in this invention.

[0069] Practically speaking, the data processing device 7 will be a standard computer comprising a CPU (central processing unit), memory, and storage device such as hard disk or SSD. Dedicated data processing software is installed on this computer, and this software is run to implement the functions of the strength judgment portion 71, wavelength setting portion 72, strength ratio calculation portion 73, plotting portion 74, correction value selection portion 75, component assay portion 76, coefficient determining portion 77, etc. shown in FIG. 1 at (b). Furthermore, an operating portion 79 consisting of a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or the like and a display portion 80 are connected to the data processing device 7.

[0070] FIG. 2 shows an example configuration of the autosampler 3 and a schematic of the flow path serving to illustrate the operation thereof. In FIG. 2, the injection valve (high-pressure valve) 30 is a rotary 6-port 2-position flow path switching valve with 6 ports 30a-30f, which can be switched to selectively connect to two adjoining ports. In short, it is possible to switch between two connection combinations, respectively indicated by the solid and dotted lines in FIG. 2 at (a). In contrast, the low-pressure valve 31 is a rotary 7-port 6-position valve with seven ports 31a-31g. When common port 31g, which is connected to measurement pump 32, is coupled to one of the other six ports 31a-31f, this causes the two designated adjoining ports from among ports 31a-31a to become coupled. For example, when common port 31g is coupled to port 31b, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 at (a), this causes ports 31a and 31f to become coupled.

[0071] The column flow path, which leads to the column 5, is connected to port 30b of the injection valve 30, and the mobile phase flow path, through which the pump 2 supplies the mobile phase, is connected to port 30c. One end of the sample loop 34 is connected to port 30d, and the other end is connected to port 30a across the needle 36 and the injection port 35. Port 30e and port 30f are connected to port 31b and port 31c of the low-pressure valve 31, respectively. The cleaning port 33 is connected to port 31a of this low-pressure valve 31, port 31e is connected to the measurement pump 32, and cleaning fluid is supplied to port 31d. The sample rack 38 houses multiple vials 39 that retain liquid samples, diluent, or the like. The needle 36 can be moved horizontally and vertically by a movement mechanism 37, such that it can be moved above the vial 39 and the cleaning port 33 and inserted into the liquid therein.

[0072] The basic operating sequence when introducing a sample into this autosampler 3 will be described. To collect a sample, the injection valve 30 and the low-pressure valve 31 are switched to the connection state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 at (a), and the needle 36 is moved above the vial 39 and inserted into the liquid sample therein (position at symbol 36). In this position, when the plunger of the measurement pump 32 is pulled, a liquid sample is aspirated from the vial 39 through the mobile phase (or cleaning fluid made of the same component) that fills the flow path leading from the measurement pump 32 to the needle 36, and that liquid sample is retained in the sample loop 34. The amount of liquid sample collected is equivalent to the aspiration volume of the measurement pump 32.

[0073] After a sample has been collected, the needle 36 is returned to its position above the injection port 35 and connected to the injection port 35. Next, the injection valve 30 is switched to the connection state indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2 at (a). This causes the mobile phase supplied by the pump 2 to be sent to the column 5 via the sample loop 34, needle 36, and injection port 35. At this time, the liquid sample that was previously retained in the sample loop 34 is sent into the column 5 together with the mobile phase.

[0074] The needle 36 is cleaned of liquid sample adhered thereto by this sample aspiration as follows. Namely, the injection valve 30 and the low-pressure valve 31 are switched to the connection state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 (b). This causes the plunger of the measurement pump 32 to be pulled, drawing cleaning fluid into the syringe. Next, the injection valve 30 and the low-pressure valve 31 are both switched to the connection state indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 2 at (a), causing the plunger to be pushed, discharging cleaning fluid from the measurement pump 32, causing cleaning fluid to be guided into and fill the cleaning port 33, with any excess cleaning fluid discharged from the drainage port of the cleaning port 33. Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the needle 36 is moved above the cleaning port 33 and immersed in the cleaning fluid retained in the cleaning port 33, where the needle 36 is cleaned for a fixed length of time before being returned to the injection port 35.

[0075] The above operations are only the most basic operations, and the sequence of operations will be rendered more complicated by the addition of preprocessing such as concentration or dilution of the target component in the sample, addition of reagent, etc. However, either way, the operations of each mechanism system, i.e. valves 30, 31, measurement pump 32, movement mechanism 37, etc., will be performed in sequence when the autosampler 3 carries out a sequence of operations.

[0076] Next, the operation of determining the concentration adjustment coefficient for the liquid sample, which is a characteristic operation of the chromatographic analysis system in this embodiment example, will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3.

[0077] Prior to determining the concentration adjustment coefficient, chromatographic analysis is conducted on a liquid sample in a designated vial 39 set in a sample rack 38 of a liquid chromatogra[phy] instrument. In short, the autosampler 3 collects a designated amount of liquid sample from a designated vial 39 in the sample rack 38, and introduces it into the column 5 of the liquid chromatography instrument. The operations from collecting the liquid sample to introducing said liquid sample into the column 5 are as described above. Moreover, at this time, preprocessing such as concentrating or diluting the liquid sample is not performed.

[0078] When the liquid sample is introduced into the column 5, each component contained in said liquid sample is chronologically separated, and a spectrum of a designated frequency range is detected for each component by the PDA 6. This detection data (spectrum data) is successively sent to the data processing device 7, and as a result, 3D data for time, frequency, and strength of the kind shown in FIG. 4 are obtained. (Step S1) The strength judgment portion 71 of the data processing device 7 determines whether or not the peak top strength of the peak of the target component in this 3D data (hereinafter the target peak) exceeds a designated upper limit value Pa. (Step S2) This upper limit value Pa is a value that has been pre-set in the data processing device 7 according to the dynamic range of the PDA 6, A/D converter (not shown), etc. Typically, the upper limit value of the dynamic range is used, but a safer value lower than this may be used instead, or a practically tolerable value slightly higher than this may be used instead.

[0079] In Step S2, if the peak top strength of the target peak does not exceed the upper limit value Pa, the component assay portion 76 of the data processing device 7 calculates the assay value of the target component (peak surface area or peak height) by the conventional method from a chromatogram along the peak top wavelength 1 of the target peak.

[0080] In contrast, in the event that the peak top strength of the target peak should exceed the upper limit value Pa, then even if the assay value of the target component were to be calculated from a chromatogram along the peak top wavelength 1 of the target peak, it would not be an accurate value. For this reason, the concentration adjustment coefficient of the liquid sample is determined by the following process.

[0081] In Step S3, the wavelength setting portion 72 sets a peak top wavelength 1 and a wavelength whose strength is no greater than a designated upper limit value Pb and no less than a designated lower limit value Pc (hereinafter the correction wavelength) 2 within the wavelength range belonging to the target peak in a spectrum that traverses the peak top of the target peak (the spectrum along time T1 in FIG. 4). (FIG. 5) This upper limit value Pb, like the aforesaid upper limit value Pa, is a value that has been pre-set in the data processing device 7 according to the upper limit value of the dynamic range of the PDA 6, etc. The upper limit value Pa used in Step S3 and the upper limit value Pb used in Step S4 may be the same, or they may be different. In this embodiment example, Pa=Pb.

[0082] Furthermore, the lower limit value Pc is a value set in advance in the data processing device 7 according to the lower limit value of the dynamic range, and although typically set to the lower limit value of the dynamic range, may instead be set to a value slightly higher than this.

[0083] The strength ratio calculation portion 73 produces a chromatogram at correction wavelength 2 from the aforesaid 3D data (correction chromatogram). (FIG. 6) Next, for each time t within the time span (Ta, Tb) under the target peak (FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) on this correction chromatogram, the strength I.sub.1(t) of wavelength 1 and the strength I.sub.2(t) of correction wavelength 2 are obtained (FIG. 8), and the strength ratio R(t) is calculated from the ratio thereof by the following formula. (Step S4) (strength ratio R(t))=(strength I.sub.1(t) at wavelength 1)/(strength I.sub.2(t) at correction wavelength 2)

[0084] The plotting portion 74 creates a graph of this strength ratio R(t) and displays it on the display portion 80. Strength ratio R(t), as shown in FIG. 9, falls outside of a uniform value, creating dissimilarity in the spectrum shapes, when at least one of either strength I.sub.1(t) or strength I.sub.2(t) fall outside of the scope of the dynamic range. In contrast, when both strength I.sub.1(t) and strength I.sub.2(t) fall within the scope of the dynamic range, the strength ratio R(t) attains a roughly uniform value. For this reason, the greatest similarity in spectrum shape is maintained when both strength I.sub.1(t) and strength I.sub.2(t) fall within the scope of the dynamic range, providing the greatest reliability. In this embodiment example, the correction value selection portion 75 automatically sets the correction value Rs to the median of the strength ratio R(t) when strength I.sub.1(t) and strength I.sub.2(t) fall within the scope of the dynamic range. (Step S5)

[0085] The coefficient determining portion 77 uses the correction value Rs set in this way to calculate the peak top strength PA of the chromatogram along the peak top wavelength 1 of the target peak to a value obtained by multiplying the peak top strength of the chromatogram of the correction wavelength 2 by the correction value Rs. (Step S6)

[0086] The concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D is then calculated so that, when this value is multiplied by the peak top strength PA of the target peak, this will produce a value that falls between the lower limit value Pc and the upper limit value Pa of the dynamic range. (Step S7) In this embodiment example, to ensure that the peak top strength of the target peak falls within the dynamic range, said concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D is calculated in such a way that the value obtained by multiplying the aforesaid peak top strength PA by the concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D falls within the correction strength range of no less than 3 times the lower limit value Pc and no greater than the upper limit value Pa. Moreover, D in the concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D corresponds to the dilution ratio. In this embodiment example, in order to facilitate preprocessing such as dilution/concentration of the liquid sample, D is an integer, and an integer D is found such that the value obtained by multiplying the peak top strength PA by 1/D (PA(1/D)) attains the largest possible value within the aforesaid correction strength range.

[0087] For example, if the dynamic range is 0.4 mAU to 2000 mAU, and the peak top strength PA of the target peak calculated in Step S6 is 5633 mAU, the integer D where PA(1/D) produces the largest possible value within the strength range of 1.2 mAU to 1000 mAU is 6. Accordingly, the coefficient determining portion 77 selects as the concentration adjustment coefficient.

[0088] The concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D found in Step S7 is output from the data processing device 7 to the analysis control portion 9. (Step S8) The analysis control portion 9 instructs the autosampler 3 to carry out preprocessing in accordance with the value of the concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D. Specifically, the autosampler 3 is controlled in such a way as to carry out the preprocessing of diluting the liquid sample with diluent by D times, and then introduce it into the column 5. Next, the processing in the above-described Steps S2 to S3 is carried out, but because the peak top strength PA of the target peak now falls within the range of the lower limit value Pc to the upper limit value Pa (the dynamic range) as a result of having carried out the process of diluting the liquid sample, the assay value for the target component in the liquid sample is calculated by the conventional method.

[0089] When the assay value for the target component has been calculated, the data processing device 7 divides said assay value by the concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D. This produces the assay value for the target component in the liquid sample.

[0090] Moreover, although in the above-described embodiment example the liquid sample was diluted at dilution ratio D after finding the concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D and then introduced into the column 5, the amount of the liquid sample introduced into the column 5 may alternately be changed to 1/D.

[0091] Furthermore, although in the above-described embodiment example a case was described in which the peak top strength of the liquid sample exceeded the upper limit value of the dynamic range, this invention may equally well be applied in cases where the peak top strength of the liquid sample falls below the lower limit value of the dynamic range. In this case, the concentration adjustment coefficient 1/D will attain a value larger than 1 (in other words, D will attain a value smaller than 1), so the liquid sample can either be concentrated at concentration ratio D as preprocessing prior to chromatographic analysis, or the quantity of the liquid sample introduced into the column can be increased by 1/D-fold. Doing this will cause the peak strength of the target component obtained from chromatographic analysis to fall within the dynamic range, making it possible to accurately find the assay value for the target component in the liquid sample.

[0092] Moreover, rather than having the correction value selection portion 75 automatically set the correction value Rs, it is also acceptable for the user to be made to select one strength ratio from the graph of strength ratios R(t) displayed on the display portion 80.

[0093] Alternately, correction wavelength 2 can be automatically determined by the wavelength setting portion 72 based on the 3D data. The following are methods of automatically setting correction wavelength 2. [0094] Obtain the spectrum at retention time T1 of the target peak. [0095] For this spectrum, use the wavelength at which the strength value on the + side (long-wavelength side) or side (short wavelength side) of the peak top wavelength 1 attains the correction wavelength strength set in advance by the user as the correction wavelength 2. (FIG. 5) The + or search direction can be specified by the user in advance, or can be determined by the system. (In FIG. 5, searching is towards the side)

[0096] Furthermore, although in the embodiment example described above a determination was made as to whether or not the peak top strength of the target component peak exceeds the upper limit value Pa, and the processing in Steps S3 to S7 was performed only if so, this processing may alternately be performed at all times.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCES

[0097] 1: Mobile phase bottle [0098] 2: Pump [0099] 3: Autosampler [0100] 4: Column oven [0101] 5: Column [0102] 6: Detector (PDA) [0103] 7: Data processing device [0104] 71: Strength judgment portion [0105] 72: Wavelength setting portion [0106] 73: Strength ratio calculation portion [0107] 74: Plotting portion [0108] 75: Correction value selection portion [0109] 76: Component assay portion [0110] 77: Coefficient determining portion [0111] 8: Analysis operation portion [0112] 9: Analysis control portion [0113] 30: Injection valve [0114] 31: Low-pressure valve [0115] 32: Measurement pump [0116] 33: Cleaning port [0117] 34: Sample loop [0118] 36: Needle [0119] 37: Movement mechanism [0120] 38: Sample rack [0121] 39: Vial