Apparatuses and methods for wireless monitoring and control of supplies for environmental sampling and chromatographic apparatuses

摘要

A method and system is disclosed for streamlined purchase of consumable chromatographic columns and efficient instrument management. Purchase orders for chromatographic columns are entered into based on estimating usage for a fixed period. An initial partial shipment is made of tagged columns as the columns are used. An RFID transmits trigger signals until an order point is reached at which time a new partial shipment is made. This process is repeated until the end of the fixed period. A general control system is in wireless communication with a plurality of apparatuses to ensure prompt and accurate supply of consumables used by the apparatus. As the apparatus uses the consumables, the instrument management system sends indicia from the apparatus to the general control which controls and monitors the number of specific consumables sent to the apparatus.

主权项

1. A method for automated replenishment of an inventory of pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns, comprising:
estimating a usage of consumable chromatographic columns during a preset period; receiving an indication of a pre-purchase of the estimated usage of consumable chromatographic columns; attaching a non-volatile memory to each of the pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns; recording an identification to each attached non-volatile memory, the identification including at least one of: a customer, a calibration curve, a retention time, a packing, history, a lot number, a chromatogram, a past separation condition and a preferred container holder for the pre-purchased consumable chromatographic column; recording the identification in a database stored by a central source; recording an amount of pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns to be supplied within the preset period by the central source to a customer in the database in association with the identification; providing a single shipment portion of the pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns to the customer; transmitting at least one signal indicating the use of the pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns by the customer, the transmitting accomplished without action by the customer, the at least one signal generated by a liquid chromatographic system of the customer, the signal transmitted to the database stored by the central source; receiving the signal at the central source; storing the signal in the database at the central source; determining an order point from at least one of a plurality of trigger points, the order point for automated replenishment of the pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns, the trigger point based on the at least one signal and at least one of: the estimated usage, a usage included in an initial agreement and a single use of the pre-purchased consumable chromatographic column; initiating a first shipment portion in response to a first order point, wherein a single purchase agreement between the central source and the customer results in a supply of pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns for the preset period; initiating a second shipment portion in response to a second order point, the second shipment portion including an amount of pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns sufficient to meet the estimated usage of pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns during the preset period, the second shipment portion further configured in excess of the estimated usage of pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns during the preset period, a sum of all shipment portions during the preset period does not exceed an end limit of pre-purchased consumable chromatographic columns.