Fraction Collector Method Editor
This program is a user window that resides in the Aria™
OS main program. It is used to create command lists for the robotic
fraction collector instrument.
- Created using LabVIEW
8.20
- Writes/Reads XML data files to and from hard disk
- Allows user to view and manipulate data in text or graphical
format
- Provides full user menu, including printing, configuration,
and help menu options
Purpose and Features
The Fraction Collector Method Editor was specified to provide
an interface for the lab scientist to create methods (command
lists) for the fraction collector instrument. The primary functions
required were:
- Provide a medium for the user to organize basic fraction collector
commands, including Collect and Clean Syringe commands
- Write/Read command lists to and from a file format that can
be accessed during sample execution
The following features were programmed in addition to the basic
requirements to aid the user in developing methods:
- File checksum signatures that certify data integrity for security
and auditing purposes
- File method printing and export options (word document (*.doc),
text file (*.txt))
- Help menu option that loads an online help menu
- Automatic limit settings for all user controls that adapt
to the configuration of the particular instrument, thus avoiding
potential problems during a sample run
- Configuration window to set these limits to a particular fraction
collector instrument, an inclusive range of both instruments,
or neither
- Graphical timeline representation of the method to aid in
method development
Screenshot of Fraction Collector Method Editor (Image provided
by permission of Cohesive Technologies®)
Program Details
The following sections contain some more detailed
information about the features of the Fraction Collector Method
Editor.
 Menu
Bar
The menu bar contains many of the standard items
found in most Windows applocations (New, Open, Save, etc.),
but was modified to contain several additional features for
the user's convenience, including:
-
A most recently used file list, which allows
the user to directly open one of the four most recently loaded
method files through selection in the File menu. These files
were tracked and updated within the application to remain
up to date, and were written to an INI (configuration file)
when the application was exited.
- An export option that reformatted the method data into a Word
(*.doc) or text (*.txt) file for report purposes.
- A check method for errors option that scans the method for
technical errors and reports them to user, avoiding costly delays
during sample execution.
- Help menu option that loads an online help menu
Command Parameters
The command parameters are controls for the user
to select the specific metrics for the fraction collector operation
to be performed. These numeric controls were automatically bounded
to adapt to the configuration of the fraction collector instrument,
thus avoiding potential problems during a sample run. Additionally,
a configuration window let the user set these limits to pertain
to a particular fraction collector instrument, an inclusive
range of both instruments, or an unbounded range option.
 Method
Table
The Method table is used to contain the command
list for the fraction collector instrument. However, if the
user clicked on the dropdown button above the table (FC Method
Table), and selected "LC Method View", the table would
be replaced by a graphical representation of the method, overlapping
a corresponding LC method of the user's choice.
This display is more intuitive to the user and
it allows for direct mapping to the LC method, from which the
user can modify event times to capture important data. Additional
features include:
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