Amid increasing calls for improved work efficiency and a more flexible working style, ideas of LC analysis are changing. The time has come for an HPLC that delivers rugged, reliable results with less frequent interaction by the analyst. The new, integrated i-Series LC system maintains the excellent performance of its predecessor while addressing the need for automation efficiency.
Analytical Intelligence functions, such as FlowPilot and mobile phase monitoring, and LabSolutions™ Direct can provide an automated workflow together with remote operation and monitoring from instrument startup to analysis completion.
Automated workflows incorporate the work-style habits of experienced analysts. The result is reliable data collected over extended periods.
LabSolutions CS allows remote operation and monitoring of all instruments on the analytical network from any locations, even from home.∗ Analysis data and reports are managed on a centralized database where administrative authorization allows managers to assign appropriate operational restrictions to operators, depending on their expertise and rank.
∗ Must have a network in place that is appropriate for the workflow.
Making sure you have sufficient mobile phase in the system—before batch analysis—is critical to keeping your lab running smoothly. If you run out of mobile phase mid-batch, you have to stop the batch and take corrective action, resulting in costly workflow delays and potential loss of samples.
To overcome this challenge, the Mobile Phase Monitor*1 enables real-time, gravimetric monitoring of mobile phase levels to ensure maximum uptime. Levels for mobile phase or autosampler rinse solution may be monitored in up to six containers*2. A large bottle version is also available. The containers can also be checked remotely from a smart device (PC/iOS/Android).
∗1 Optional
∗2 Monitors up to 6 liquids when using 1-liter bottles, and up to 3 liquids when using large-volume bottles (2- to 5-liter bottles).
UHPLC columns can be damaged by sudden pump starts and extreme gradient changes, especially true with polymeric packings. Smart Flow Control (FlowPilot) increases the flow rate gradually to the method set point according to the status of the column oven, extending the life of your columns.
Using LabSolutions Direct, analysts can operate instruments remotely and implement pre-configured methods and batch analyses using the web browser of a computer or a smart device. Instrument status and chromatograms can also be monitored remotely to reduce the time and labor required to travel to and from the laboratory for improved work efficiency.
Analytical Intelligence is not limited to automating an analytical workflow or remote operations. By aggregating and automating the knowledge and skills of experienced analysts, Analytical Intelligence enables anyone to obtain reliable data and analytical results. Analytical Intelligence is also designed for high levels of compatibility with other instruments and comes with a method migration function, thereby providing an environment where anyone is equally able to obtain data without the need for complex procedures related to data compatibility between different systems.
The manual integration of un-resolved peaks is a labor-intensive process and prone to inconsistent results depending upon the experience level of the user. Shimadzu’s proprietary i-PeakFinder peak integration algorithm is perfect for such situations. i-PeakFinder processes large volumes of data with high precision in a single step, saving a lot of time and increasing the consistency of results.
Migrating a test method (analytical conditions or method) from one instrument to another while obtaining the same chromatogram can be a challenging process. The i-Series is designed with the same internal system volumes as previous Shimadzu systems and competitor systems to ensure system compatibility and data reproducibility. An Analytical Condition Transfer and Optimization (ACTO) function also adjusts gradient start time automatically, so analysts can make adjustments to separations obtained by gradient analysis easily.
The i-PDeA II peak deconvolution function uses a multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) method to enable qualitative and quantitative analysis of peaks not fully separated by the column. The i-PDeA II can also be used to check the purity of target peaks. (Only available when using a PDA detector and LabSolutions.)
The user interface replicates the system flow channel and is used to visually check the operating status of the system. Method editing can also be performed from the same screen. With its intuitive design, even users who are completely new to liquid chromatography can navigate the user interface with minimal training.
Reading a QR Code® shown on the touch panel directs the user to a website with instructional videos on maintenance. This feature helps improve system availability and increases efficiency.
An auto-validation function means anyone can follow a set procedure and verify the instrument condition easily. The auto-validation function examines solvent delivery stability, wavelength accuracy, absorbance accuracy, gradient accuracy, the presence of any drift/noise, and other parameters. Also, an instrument check function automatically carries out the routine inspections performed before instrument operation and creates a report showing system self-diagnostic results along with a record of consumables usage, including total solvent volume delivered by the delivery pump, total number of injections performed by the autosampler, and the number of hours the lamp has been illuminated. The system check function also manages auto-validation results, making it easy to accurately determine the operating status of the instrument.
Procedures, mobile phases, and other information necessary for validation are displayed on the screen, allowing you to perform inspections by simply following the instructions.
Validation results can be viewed from the i-Series main unit. Validation results can also be output in a report format from a workstation.
A direct access mechanism on sample racks allows the user to place the sample on racks that are not involved in sample injection even during analysis. Furthermore, racks can be shared by multiple analysts, without interrupting the analysis of samples placed by others. Overall, this function enhances work efficiency.
System status and chromatograms can be viewed remotely from smart devices and home computers. Situations can be checked without needing to visit the laboratory.
Window on a Smartphone
In addition to the temperature control function for flow cells, the i-Series employs new temperature control technology for detector optical systems, known as TC-Optics (Temperature Controlled Optics). This ensures a more stable baseline that is less susceptible to room temperature variation and increased precision during verification testing and quantitative testing of trace components.
Shimadzu’s proprietary flow channel design, parts, and materials reduce the carryover effects of sample residue to almost zero. Ultra-low carryover performance has been improved to 0.0025% (chlorhexidine, assigned conditions), thereby providing highly precise quantitative performance when analyzing complex samples.
