CHRONOS Version 4.1 Platform for all CTC Sample Handlers

Significance of the Topic

In modern analytical laboratories, instruments often remain idle while complex sample preparation precedes injections. Prolonged waiting times reduce throughput and increase costs. CHRONOS offers an advanced scheduling platform for CTC PAL sample handlers to orchestrate sample preparation in parallel with analysis, significantly improving laboratory efficiency.

Objectives and Study Overview

This article presents CHRONOS Version 4.1, a software solution for automating intricate sample preparation workflows on CTC PAL platforms. The primary goal is to integrate sampler control with chromatography and mass spectrometry data systems to optimize time management, minimize idle periods, and maximize system throughput.

Methodology and Instrumentation

CHRONOS interfaces with popular data systems such as Agilent ChemStation, Thermo Xcalibur, DANI MasterLab, and MassHunter. It supports a configurable XML sample list format compatible with Excel and LIMS imports. The software controls all PAL operations via serial interfaces or networks, enabling tasks such as dilutions, headspace, SPME, SPE, derivatization, and multi-dimensional chromatography. Recommended system requirements include a 2 GHz processor, Windows XP/7/8.1, and one serial port per PAL.

Main Results and Discussion

By staggering preparation and analysis steps, CHRONOS achieves up to 70% reduction in total runtime. Graphical representations of optimized schedules help users visualize sequence timing and idle periods. The parallel processing algorithms ensure high precision and accuracy while enabling continuous operation of GC(-MS) and LC(-MS) systems.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Increased throughput and reduced instrument downtime
• Flexible sample list creation and priority handling
• Integration with multiple PAL samplers and data systems
• Support for advanced techniques such as fast GC, UHPLC, ITEX-2, and on-line SPE
• Automated method generation using predefined tasks

Future Trends and Opportunities

Laboratories will increasingly adopt parallelized workflows to match shorter run times of fast GC and UHPLC. Integration of AI-driven scheduling, real-time analytics feedback, and cloud-based sample list management are poised to further enhance efficiency. Expansion into additional hardware interfaces and LIMS integration will broaden CHRONOS applications.

Conclusion

CHRONOS Version 4.1 revolutionizes sample handling by synchronizing preparation and analysis tasks on CTC PAL platforms. Its open architecture, broad compatibility, and intelligent timing algorithms deliver substantial time savings, higher throughput, and streamlined laboratory workflows.

Used Instrumentation

• CTC PAL samplers (HTS PAL, CombiPAL, RTC PAL, etc.)
• Agilent ChemStation, Thermo Xcalibur, DANI MasterLab, MassHunter
• Windows XP/7/8.1 environment, 2 GHz CPU, RS-232 or network connection

References

None provided.