Open Solution: Open Access Environment by Web Browser

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1 C146-E129 Open Solution: Open Access Environment by Web Browser Technical Report vol An Environment Supporting around LC and LC/MS Analysis LC and LC/MS are used across a wide range of fields, from pharmaceuticals and foods to environmental and chemicals, etc., with great numbers of analyses being conducted. Some of these analyses are dependent on high-performance hardware, while others require multifunctional software, and many require both. With regard to hardware, as introduced in Technical Report No. 24 "Reduced Solvent Consumption and Operational Costs with Ultra High Speed Analysis", growing concern for the environment is spurring interest in introducing high-performance analysis to reduce solvent conservation and contribute to lessening the impact of waste solvent on the environment. Regarding software, there is growing demand for multifunctional software that can be used to not only set conditions and perform high-level analysis, but to do these easily and intuitively. 2. "What Is Easy-To-Use Software?" Just what would be the ideal software that could easily be used by anyone? From the viewpoint of day-to-day operations, access to the Internet is now considered essential in order to communicate by and access readily available Web-based information. Fig. 1 illustrates an example Web-based information being viewed with Microsoft s "Internet Explorer" Web browser, an application that is used nearly universally to access information in countless businesses Note 1). This widespread use can be attributed to the fact that it can be operated nearly effortlessly with barely a thought, and further, that it can be used on any PC without incurring any additional expense. If this effortless operation of Internet Explorer could be used for LC and LC/MS analysis, not only would it reduce or perhaps even eliminate the cost of training required to impart the expertise required to operate software, there would be no need for software licensing for each PC or each user, thereby even further reducing the overall cost associated with analysis-related operations. Fig. 1: Example of Internet Explorer Window

2 3. Conducting Analysis Using Internet Explorer Might it be possible to use Internet Explorer for LC and LC/MS analysis? At this time, there is probably little advantage to be gained by running the currently used LC and LC/MS software in their current states under the Internet Explorer environment, since the software operations would remain basically unchanged. In general, the following criteria would need to be satisfied for Internet Explorer to be effectively employed for controlling analysis. (1) The ability to construct an open access environment (2) The ability to display sufficient information in the Internet Explorer window. (3) The ability to output information in printed as well as electronic format (PDF output) Note 1). Once these problems are resolved, analysis using Internet Explorer will become a reality. 4. Merits of Open Access The ability to construct an open access environment within the Internet Explorer environment, as indicated in (1) above, is critical. "Open access" refers to access by whomever, whenever, wherever, with respect to any data, and for whatever reason, while satisfying a given set of security conditions. The possibilities become greatly extended if this open access environment is achieved using an Ethernet network, as this overcomes positional and geographical restrictions to allow information sharing from any PC on the network. This is what defines a true open-access environment. 5. Achieving Open Access Using Open Solution Open Solution is a newly developed software application that achieves the open access environment described above Note 2). Open Solution is software that enables control of the Shimadzu high-performance liquid chromatograph Prominence and ultra fast liquid chromatograph Prominence (UFLC (XR)), in addition to the LCMS-2020 mass spectrometer, not through direct operation of their control software, but via open access. Open Solution utilizes Internet Explorer, thereby eliminating to need to install special software on every PC terminal, and eliminating the requirement for additional software licenses. Therefore, by just installing Open Solution on the PC directly connected to the analytical instrument, operations such as viewing analysis results and outputting reports can be conducted from any PC on the network. Furthermore, since Open Solution runs only on the PC that is directly connected to the analytical instrument, it can also run in standalone mode, so any future lab network construction could be accomplished without wasting past investments. 6. Analysis Start in Just Three Steps The elimination of every mouse click possible is a desire shared among lab personnel. Analysts believe, rightly so, that their job is to conduct analysis, not operate instruments, and there is justifiable frustration with the complicated PC operations that actually impede the efficiency with which analysis might otherwise be conducted. Open Solution pushes the limit to achieve a simplified level of PC operation. From login to analysis start, the process is reduced to a level that is equivalent to operating a simple lab device like a ph meter or electronic balance. In fact, the PC operations are reduced to One-Two-Three: (Step 1) Log in (Step 2) Specify number of vials, and set vials in place (Step 3) Start That s it (see Fig. 2). The rest can be left to the instrument. The analysis might even be completed by the time the analyst returns to the office. 7. Quickly Check Analysis Results In addition to simplifying PC operation to the greatest extent possible, the ease with which analysis results can be checked is also important to increase analysis throughput. Since analysis results are displayed in the Internet Explorer window when using Open Solution, the information to be displayed can be limited only to that which is required without performing complicated operations (see Fig. 3 and 5). The information in this window is organized in a simple, easy-to-understand manner. For example, the sample rack and loaded vials are displayed graphically, so just a quick glance allows a comparison of the samples (vials) with the analysis results. And of course, the window layout can be changed to suit individual preferences (see Fig. 6). In addition, when outputting the analysis results, not only can the information displayed in this window be printed, it can easily be output in a format that was specified beforehand (see Fig. 4). The ability to perform these kinds of operations from any PC on the network is certainly one of the big advantages of open access. 2

3 Step 1 Log in to Open Solution Step 2 Specify the number of vials, confirm injection volume and method name, and set vials in the specified positions. Fig. 2: Open Access Environment Provided by Open Solution 8. Use of The ease with which data can be retrieved is also important for improving analysis throughput. This pertains to the situation in which data from a previous analysis might be required for verifying the suitability of conditions to be used in the current analysis, and those particular data might have to be located among huge amounts of analysis data. The time taken to search for those data could very well erase any efficiency gains achieved up to that point. In such a situation, the Windows Note 1) search function would typically be used, but this could be very time consuming depending on the file structure and other factors. Open Solution addresses this limitation using the hyperlink function to achieve high-speed access to analysis results. For example, an massage is generated and transmitted to inform that an analysis is completed, but along with that notification is the URL specifying the location of the stored results. Just clicking on that URL hyperlink will display the analysis results in the Internet Explorer window. Moreover, by clicking on a vial in the sample rack diagram, the display switches to the analysis results obtained from that sample. Thus, the analysis results obtained from another vial in the same rack can also be viewed instantaneously. 9. Benefits Provided by Open Solution Open Solution supports Prominence system configurations including the pumps, the autosampler, column oven and detectors Note 2). And, because all of the detectors are supported, from the SPD-20A UV detector, SPD-M20A photodiode array detector, RF-10AXL fluorescence detector, and ELSD-LT2 evaporative light-scattering detector to the LCMS-2020 mass spectrometer, measurement using multiple detectors simultaneously is also supported. Furthermore, rather than just a single system, multiple systems can be used in the open access environment provided by Open Solution. And, if collective data management is required in such a situation, use of a server PC is also supported Note 2) (see Fig. 7). 3

4 Analysis Start Click on the link below to view experiment results. rowser/index.asp?experimentid=14 Notification by of analysis completion Step 3 Click button to start analysis. Click on the URL in the to view analysis results in Internet Explorer window. Size of chromatograms and spectra can be enlarged / reduced using Zoom. Print output and PDF file creation are possible. Click on a peak in the mass chromatogram to display the spectrum at that time. Chromatogram (MS) Mass spectrum Sample rack Click on a peak in the PDA data to display the spectrum at that time. Chromatogram (LC) UV spectrum Click on a target peak in the peak table to color the corresponding peak in the chromatogram and display the spectrum of that peak. Peak table If a target compound is detected, the corresponding mass is indicated with a green check mark in the target MS table. Target mass table Click on a target vial to display the corresponding results (chromatograms, spectra, peak table). Fig. 3: Analysis Results Display Window Output of information displayed in Internet Explorer window Fig. 4: Output Examples Output of data in format specified beforehand 4

5 Fig. 5: Display of Analysis Results The window layout can be selected as desired from 3 different layouts, including the layout shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 6: Changing Among Analysis Results Layouts 5

6 10. Extendibility of Open Solution Open Solution can effectively fill the requirements of a preparative LC or preparative LC/MS open access environment. In the case of LC/MS, for example, the mass of a target compound can be used to obtain a higher purity fraction than is possible with a UV detector, but the seamless synchronization of the LC/MS and fraction collector provided with Open Solution allows fractions to be easily verified and reliably collected at very high speed. As described above, there are great advantages to be realized in an open access system comprising a closed network in a laboratory that is linked to an open network in a separate office environment. The introduction of Open Solution provides an open access environment which can be utilized to its maximum to achieve great efficiencies in LC and LC/MS analysis in the analytical laboratory. <<Simple Network Example>> <<Large-Scale Network Example>> Laboratory Office Server PC Fig. 7: Open Solution Setup Examples (Note 1) Microsoft, Windows, and Internet Explorer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Acrobat is the trademark or registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and other countries. (Note 2) Please contact a Shimadzu representative for details regarding supported instruments and software, etc. The information contained in this report is protected by copyright by the publisher, Shimadzu Corporation ( Shimadzu ). The sale, use, reproduction or alteration of this information for any purpose is forbidden without Shimadzu s express written consent, which may be granted or withheld at Shimadzu s sole discretion. Moreover, although the information contained herein has been reviewed, Shimadzu makes no warranty or representation as to its accuracy or completeness. Therefore, if some sort of business or contract is to be entered into in reliance upon this published report and the information contained therein, a Shimadzu business representative must be contacted beforehand for authorization and contractual purposes. This report was created based upon information available to Shimadzu when it was issued, and Shimadzu reserves the right to make revisions to the form and content of this published report without prior notice. First Edition: April, 2009 Founded in 1875, Shimadzu Corporation, a leader in the development of advanced technologies, has a distinguished history of innovation built on the foundation of contributing to society through science and technology. We maintain a global network of sales, service, technical support and applications centers on six continents, and have established long-term relationships with a host of highly trained distributors located in over 100 countries. For information about Shimadzu, and to contact your local office, please visit our Web site at JQA-0376 SHIMADZU CORPORATION. International Marketing Division 3. Kanda-Nishikicho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo , Japan Phone: 81(3) Fax. 81(3) URL The contents of this brochure are subject to change without notice. Printed in Japan A-NS