cytiva UNICORN 7.9 User manual

UNICORN™ 7.9
System Control Manual
cytiva.com

Table of Contents
1Introducing UNICORN System Control ............................................................ 3
1.1 About this manual ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 About System Control of UNICORN ........................................................................................................ 5
1.3 Important user information ....................................................................................................................... 6
1.4 Associated documentation ....................................................................................................................... 7
2 General UNICORN operation ............................................................................. 8
2.1 Log on and log off routines ......................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Help functions ................................................................................................................................................. 11
3 The System Control module .............................................................................. 12
3.1 System Control module overview ............................................................................................................ 13
4 How to perform a run .......................................................................................... 15
4.1 Connect to system ........................................................................................................................................ 16
4.2 Start a method run ........................................................................................................................................ 17
4.3 Monitor a run ................................................................................................................................................... 21
4.4 Manual system control ................................................................................................................................ 27
4.5 Method queue, Design of Experiments, Scouting and BufferPro runs ...................................... 29
5 System Settings .................................................................................................. 32
6 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 35
Table of Contents
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 2

1 Introducing UNICORN System
Control
About this chapter
This chapter contains:
•A general introduction to System Control using the UNICORN™ system control
software .
•Information about the user documentation for UNICORN, including an overview of
related documents describing the use of the software.
In this chapter
Section See page
1.1 About this manual 4
1.2 About System Control of UNICORN 5
1.3 Important user information 6
1.4 Associated documentation 7
Software declaration of conformity
UNICORN 7.9 is technically compatible with all relevant sections of FDA 21 CFR Part 11.
A part 11-system assessment checklist is available on request from your local Cytiva
representative.
1 Introducing UNICORN System Control
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 3

1.1 About this manual
Purpose of this manual
The purpose of the UNICORN System Control Manual is to provide a guide describing
the general system control functions in UNICORN. It includes general operation,
system settings and instructions on how to perform a chromatography run. It covers
the features and tools included in the System Control module of the UNICORN soft-
ware with practical instructions.
The manual covers the following:
•general UNICORN operation, including log on and log off.
•how to perform a run
•how to change system settings.
Refer to the instrument's Operating Instructions for further information on how to
perform a run.
Note: The UNICORN System Control Manual does not describe the functions of
every command in all panes and dialog boxes of the user interface. Refer to
the online help for information about commands that are not described in
this manual. The online help in the System Control module is accessed
either by clicking help buttons in software dialog boxes, by pressing the F1
key, or clicking Help for System Control on the Help menu.
Typographical conventions
Menu commands, field names and other text items from the software are quoted
exactly as they appear on the screen, in a bold italic typeface:
Example: Result Navigator, Method Navigator, Method Navigator, UNICORN
User Setup etc.
Menu paths are shown in a bold italic typeface with a separating colon between each
level:
Tools →UNICORN User Setup i.e., the menu option UNICORN User Setup from the
Tools menu.
Controls on the instrument, computer or keyboard keys are shown with a bold, regular
typeface:
Example: Press the Delete key.
Text that the user must either type exactly as shown in the manual, or that UNICORN
displays as a response (not a regular part of the graphic user interface), is represented
by a monospaced typeface:
Example: Connection change
File system paths are represented by a monospaced typeface:
Example: C:\Program Files\Cytiva\UNICORN\
1 Introducing UNICORN System Control
1.1 About this manual
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 4

1.2 About System Control of UNICORN
Introduction
This section is a brief introduction to the control system used in UNICORN.
What is UNICORN?
UNICORN is a complete software package for:
•control and supervision of chromatography systems.
•evaluation and analysis of the results from separation runs.
Description of the System Control
module
The System Control module is used to start, monitor and control a chromatography
run.
Runs can be performed in three different ways, as listed below:
•Using a preprogrammed method without any manual interactions.
•Interact with the instrument during a method run by performing manual instruc-
tions.
•Perform manual runs. This approach may be useful for simpler procedures such as
priming tubing with buffer.
1 Introducing UNICORN System Control
1.2 About System Control of UNICORN
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 5

1.3 Important user information
Read this before running System
Control
All users must read the entire Operating Instructions before installing, oper-
ating or maintaining the chromatograpy system, and running System Control.
Always keep the Operating Instructions at hand when operating System Control.
Do not operate the chromatograpy system in any other way than described in the user
documentation. If you do, you may be exposed to hazards that can lead to personal
injury and you may cause damage to the equipment.
1 Introducing UNICORN System Control
1.3 Important user information
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 6

1.4 Associated documentation
Introduction
This section describes the user documentation that is delivered with UNICORN.
User documentation
The user documentation listed in the table below is available from the Help menu in
UNICORN and as printed books.
Document Main contents
UNICORN Method
Manual
Overview and detailed descriptions of the method
creation features in UNICORN. Instructions on how to
use the software. Workflow descriptions for common
operations.
UNICORN Evaluation
Manual
UNICORN Administration
and Technical Manual
Overview and detailed description of network setup
and complete software installation. Administration of
UNICORN and the UNICORN database.
UNICORN System
Control Manual
Overview and detailed description of the system
control features in UNICORN. Includes general opera-
tion, system settings and instructions on how to
perform a run.
UNICORN Contextual
Help
Dialog box descriptions for UNICORN (from the Help
menu).
1 Introducing UNICORN System Control
1.4 Associated documentation
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 7

2 General UNICORN operation
About this chapter
This chapter includes a description of general UNICORN operation which includes log
on and log off UNICORN, how to structure files and folders and how to use the Online
Help.
In this chapter
Section See page
2.1 Log on and log off routines 9
2.2 Help functions 11
2 General UNICORN operation
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 8

2.1 Log on and log off routines
Start UNICORN and log on
Follow the instructions to start UNICORN and log on to the program. A valid e-license
must be available for the workstation. See UNICORN Administration and Technical
Manual for more information about e-licenses.
Step Action
1Double-click the UNICORN icon on the desktop.
Result:
The Log On dialog box opens.
Note:
If there is no connection to the database it is still possible to log on to
UNICORN and control a running system. The Log On dialog box will give the
option to start System Control without a database. Click Start System
Control to proceed to the next Log On dialog box.
2In the Log On dialog box:
a. Click a user name in the User Name list
and
b. enter the password in the Password field.
Note:
It is also possible to select the Use Windows Authentication check box
and enter a network ID in the User Name box.
2 General UNICORN operation
2.1 Log on and log off routines
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 9

Step Action
c. select which UNICORN modules to start.
d. click OK.
Result:
The selected UNICORN modules open.
Log off or exit UNICORN
Follow the instruction to log off or exit UNICORN. This can be performed from any of the
UNICORN modules.
If you want to... then...
log off UNICORN on the File menu, click Log off.
ResultAll open UNICORN modules close and the Log On
dialog box opens.
exit UNICORN on the File menu, click Exit UNICORN.
ResultAll open UNICORN modules close.
Note: If an edited method or result is open and not saved when you try to exit or
log off UNICORN, you will see a warning. Click Yes to save, No to exit without
saving, or Cancel to stay logged on.
2 General UNICORN operation
2.1 Log on and log off routines
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 10

2.2 Help functions
Default installation folders
In this document, "Program Files Path" is used to represent the default path for the
program files installation folder, depending on the Windows version. For example, the
default path to the program files folder where UNICORN is installed in a 64-bit installa-
tion of Windows 10 is C:\Program Files (x86).
For example, if the path is written as below you have to replace Program Files Path with
the correct path for your version of Windows:
Program Files Path \Cytiva\UNICORN\.
2 General UNICORN operation
2.2 Help functions
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 11

3 The System Control module
In this chapter
Section See page
3.1 System Control module overview 13
About this chapter
This chapter gives an overview of the System Control module.
3 The System Control module
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 12

3.1 System Control module overview
Illustration of the System Control
user interface
The illustration below shows the different panes and areas of the System Control
module.
Part Description
1Run Data: Presents current run data values.
2Chromatogram: Illustrates data as curves.
3Process picture: Illustrates the current flow path.
4Status bar: Shows information on instrument and database connection.
3 The System Control module
3.1 System Control module overview
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 13

Select panes to display
The following instruction describes how to display panes:
Step Action
1On the View menu.
2Select which panes to display.
Result:
Selected panes will be displayed on the screen. The Method Navigator with
folders and methods will be displayed at the left side.
Instrument states
Information about the status of instrument connections and chromatography runs are
displayed as states. The different states are displayed in the System Control module
in Run Data and in the Status bar.
3 The System Control module
3.1 System Control module overview
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 14

4 How to perform a run
About this chapter
This chapter includes a description of how to use the System Control module to
connect to a system and how to perform and monitor a run.
In this chapter
Section See page
4.1 Connect to system 16
4.2 Start a method run 17
4.3 Monitor a run 21
4.4 Manual system control 27
4.5 Method queue, Design of Experiments, Scouting and
BufferPro runs
29
4 How to perform a run
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 15

4.1 Connect to system
Connect instrument to UNICORN
Follow the instruction to connect the instrument to UNICORN.
Step Action
1In the System Control module,
•click the Connect to Systems button,
or
a. on the System menu, click Connect to Systems.
Result:
The Connect to Systems dialog box opens.
4 How to perform a run
4.1 Connect to system
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 16

4.2 Start a method run
Select a method to run
Step Action
1In the Method Navigator pane in the System Control module, select the
method to run.
2•click the Run button in the toolbar,
or
•on the File menu click Run.
Result:
•If a Start Protocol was chosen when the method was created, the first
page of the Start Protocol opens. Default is Result Name and Loca-
tion.
•If no Start Protocol has been chosen, the Select Columns dialog box
opens.
•If Column type Any was chosen in the Method Settings phase, the
Select Columns dialog box does not open and the run starts immedi-
ately.
•If Column Logbook is not activated the Select Columns dialog box
does not open and the run starts immediately.
The Start protocol
The following table describes the different pages of the Start Protocol that can be
selected in the Method Settings phase when a method is created. Some pages are
system specific.
Page Description
Fraction collector Displays the Fraction collector setup; tube type and
position.
Variable List Displays a list of all method variables and allows
changing of variable values.
4 How to perform a run
4.2 Start a method run
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 17

Page Description
Scouting Displays a list of all scouting parameters and allows:
•Changing of parameter values.
•Inserting or removing scouting parameters.
•Inserting or removing scouting runs.
Text instructions Displays the text instructions of the method
Notes •A start notes tab allows adding of free text.
•A method notes tab allows viewing of text added at
method creation.
Note:
Run and Evaluation Notes will be available for adding of
free text during method run and evaluation respectively.
All notes will be present in the documentation in Evalua-
tion.
Gradient Displays the gradient programmed for the method. The
X-axis shows the theoretical duration of the method.
BufferPro Displays Q-inlet positions, used for BufferPro, and
descriptions for preparation of stock solutions included
in the selected BufferPro recipe.
Column Displays the column type chosen for the method as well
as column run parameters and ordering information.
Note:
To get information about the chosen column position,
see Variable List.
Evaluation Displays a list of available evaluation procedures.
Selected procedures will be run at the end of the method
run. The selected evaluation procedures may be edited
from this list. See UNICORN Evaluation Manual for more
information.
Method information •A properties tab displays information about creation
and modification of the method: dates and users.
•A method duration tab displays information about
approximate run time and volume.
•A signature tab displays information about method
signatures, if applicable.
System Settings Displays a list of current system settings.
Calibration Displays a list of the latest performed calibrations.
4 How to perform a run
4.2 Start a method run
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 18

Page Description
Questions Displays predefined questions and reminders.
Note:
Questions are defined when the method is created in the
Method Editor.
Changeable Batch ID Allows the user to change the Batch ID.
Note:
The Batch ID is displayed in the beginning of the run log.
Result Name and
Location
Displays run info, result location and name. Allows:
•Changing result location by using the browser.
•Changing name of Design of Experiment or Scouting
directory.
•Changing of result name.
Navigate in the Start protocol
Step Action
1Make the necessary changes in the displayed page.
2To proceed to next page, click Next.
3In the last displayed page in the start protocol, click Start.
Result:
The Select Columns dialog box opens.
Note:
If Column Logbook is not activated or column type Any was chosen in the
Method Settings phase, the run starts immediately.
Column handling and method start
The following instruction assumes that:
•Column Logbook is activated.
•A Column type has been selected when the method was created.
•A valid column license is used.
To register a column, see UNICORN Method Manual.
4 How to perform a run
4.2 Start a method run
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 19

Step Action
1Click Start on the last page of the Start Protocol.
Result:
The Select Columns dialog box opens.
2Select or enter a column ID according to one of the following options.
If you want to... then...
select a column
from a list
select Select ID and select the column to be used
from the list.
enter column ID
manually
select Enter ID and manually enter the column
code in the Code box.
enter column ID
using the 2D
Barcode scanner
•select Enter ID
•make sure the cursor is in the first position of
the Code box.
•point the Barcode scanner towards the data
matrix tag on the column.
•press and hold the trigger to create a beam.
•when the Barcode scanner beeps, the column
ID is registered and displayed in the dialog box.
3Click OK.
Result:
The run starts.
4 How to perform a run
4.2 Start a method run
UNICORN 7.9 System Control Manual 29722732 AA 20