Method for automatic optimization of liquid chromatography autosampler

A method for optimizing the operation of an autosampler coupled to a liquid chromatography (LC) system com having a plurality of simultaneously operating LC channels, the method comprising:

• reading, from a database on an electronic memory storage device, a pre-injection time value pertaining to the performing of a sample analysis procedure on a sample and corresponding to the time required for the autosampler to perform preparatory operations including at least moving a syringe into position over a sample container and drawing a sample from the sample container into the syringe;
• retrieving or calculating a respective remaining sample analysis time for each of the plurality of LC channels;
• calculating an autosampler delay time from the pre-injection time value and from a minimum value of the remaining sample analysis times;
• performing the autosampler preparatory operations after delaying said autosampler operations for a time corresponding to the autosampler delay time;
• measuring a time value of the preceding performing of autosampler preparatory operations;
• replacing the pre-injection time value stored in the database with the measured time value of the preceding performing of autosampler preparatory operations if the measured time value of the preceding performing of autosampler preparatory operations is greater than the pre-injection time value stored in the database;
• and
• injecting the sample from the autosampler into an LC channel that corresponds to the minimum value of the remaining sample analysis times after receipt of a signal from the LC system by the autosampler.

A liquid chromatography system comprising:

• a liquid chromatograph (LC) configured to analyze liquid samples;
• an LC control process electrically coupled to the LC;
• an autosampler configured to inject liquid samples to the LC;
• an autosampler control process electrically coupled to the autosampler;
• and
• a computer-readable memory module electrically configured so as to provide data to and receive data from each of the LC control process and the autosampler control process,
• wherein the autosampler control process is configured to:
• cause the austosampler to perform pre-sampling operations pertaining to and transport operations upon a sample in accordance with a sample analysis procedure after delaying operation for a time corresponding to a calculated autosampler delay time;
• measure a time value of the performing of the pre-sampling and transport operations;
• cause the autosampler to inject the sample into an injection port of the LC after receipt of a signal from the LC;
• and
• wherein one of the LC control process and the autosampler control process is configured to:
• read, from a database on the computer-readable memory module, a pre-injection time value comprising a previously measured time required for the autosampler to perform the pre-sampling and transport operations;
• calculate the autosampler delay time from the read pre-injection time value, a start time of a previously-started LC sample analysis and a duration time value of the previously-started LC sample analysis;
• replace the pre-injection time value stored in the database with the measured time value of the performing of the pre-sampling and transport operations if the measured value of the performing of the pre-sampling and transport operations is greater than the pre-injection time value stored in the database.