Empower Tip: Dissolution Option in Empower

In this tip, we start a new series on using the Dissolution Option for Empower. The Dissolution option is dependent on using the Sample Set Method Wizard, therefore, this tip illustrates how to use the wizard to create a Sample Set Method.

You can create a new Sample Set Method either from the Methods tab in the project window or from the Run Sample window.

Once the wizard launches, select the Create a Sample Set Method using this wizard radio button and click Next.

On the Select Sample Set Method Type screen, select LC and the No Dissolution radio button for this example. Click Next.

On the Select Location of Standards screen, you have several options for where the standard injections will occur in the Sample Set. When you select an option, the picture on the left will change. For example, if you select At Start of Sample Set, the first flag turns into a calibration curve. Additionally, you need to select what position the first standard vial occupies in the autosampler.

Another example is Throughout Sample Set (average all). In this case, the calibration curve would be based on all the standards run throughout the sample set. Please consult the Empower online help for further information on the selections on this screen. Click Next.

On the Specify Calibration Options screen, select whether each standard vial will contain a different amount of analyte (first option) or if different levels will be created by varying the injection volume of a stock solution (second option). For Location of Standards in Tray, this depends on the selection made in the previous screen. If you select At Start of Sample Set (as in figure 4) then the Location of Standards in Tray is not available because all standards are at the beginning. If you select one of the other choices, then you can select where the vials containing standards are located. Click Next.

On the Describe Standard Bracket screen, you specify the number of standard vials, the number of injections per vial, Injection volume, Run time, and Method Set. Number of Levels in each standard group will be available if you had selected Different standard levels are created with different injection volumes using an autosampler as in figure 6. Otherwise, this will not be available.

If you click Options, you can define Sample Weight, Dilution, Data start, and Next injection delay. Click Next.

On the Describe Samples screen, you specify the number of sample vials, the number of injections per vial, Injection volume, Run time, and Method Set. Once again, the Options button allows you to define Sample Weight, Dilution, Data start, and Next injection delay.

Depending on the number of Sample Custom Fields in the project, you will be prompted to enter the appropriate information in the Identification screens. For example, Figure 10, Figure 11, and Figure 12 allow you to enter a chromatographic column name, column serial number, and Sample Matrix (used in some applications).

[figures 10 – figures 12]

Among the Identification screens, the SampleName prompts you for a root name for the standards which can then be incremented with a prefix or suffix. Likewise, you can enter a root name for the samples which can be incremented with a prefix or suffix. Click Next.

On the Describe Runtime Options screen, select the Run Mode and specify the Interactive System Suitability mode. Click Next.

On the Summary screen, we see a summary at the top of the screen. This is based on the information we entered on each screen of the wizard. There is an option to display the Component Editor after completing the wizard and an Options button.

If you click Options, you can add additional lines to the Sample Set Method such as Equilibrate lines, and so forth. These additional lines can be added to the Beginning of Sample Set, End of Sample Group, End of Standard Group, or End of Sample Set.

Once you click Finish, the completed Sample Set Method appears with the Component Editor in the foreground. Enter any necessary information in the Component Editor and click OK.

To save the Sample Set Method from the Project window, select File > Save As. To save the Sample Set Method from the Runs Samples window, select File > Save Sample Set Method As….

It’s that easy!