DLImport  
   Data Import Routine for PerkinElmer’s DissolutionLab Application

The DissolutionLab Data Import Utility (DLImport) is an option that allows measured values to be entered into DissolutionLab via keyboard or via the Windows clipboard. This is possible for single-component systems following a method that has been defined within DissolutionLab in advance. Data are typically taken from manual spectrometer readings, from UVWinLab readings, or from readings taken with other analytical techniques, e.g. HPLC.
The entered data are transformed to a DissolutionLab raw data file and subsequently can be evaluated by the DissolutionLab report generating function. The DLImport routine requires that UVWinLab and DissolutionLab applications be installed in the computer.
The DLImport routine installs automatically in the UVWinLab directory and can then be started from the UVWinLab application menu. Note, however, that DLImport must not be started while a dissolution run is proceeding.

Principles of operation

After startup, DLImport displays the method selection window. This window is equivalent to the Method Selection window of DissolutionLab. The methods included in the DissolutionLab method directory are listed.

 This window allows one of the existing dissolution methods previously created within the DissolutionLab software to be selected. The method defines the conditions of the dissolution run from which data are entered. These are mainly the type of calibration, channel organization, timings, cell path length, solvent volumes, and sample weights. Other method entries such as wavelength and other instrument settings are irrelevant and are not observed.
After selecting a method, clicking the OK button proceeds to the Setup Dissolution Data Import window. This window is equivalent to the Setup Dissolution Run window of DissolutionLab. In this window the user is requested to enter a data filename (mandatory) and other parameters such as operator name, sample identification, sample weights, and reference concentration (if required for the method). If a report method file is selected, a report will automatically be generated after data input is finished if DissolutionLab has not yet been started.
After the inputs are accepted with the OK button, the Enter Dissolution Data window is opened. This window presents a spreadsheet table with the channels (vessels) as columns and the time-points of sampling as rows. Readings are now entered in every required cell of the table. Editing and correction of entered values is possible. After all data have been entered correctly, accepting the input with the OK button generates a DissolutionLab data file with the selected filename (extension .dld) and optionally evokes DissolutionLab for generating the report. The data file is stored in the current DissolutionLab data directory. The report method file is taken from the current DissolutionLab method directory.

Entering data from the Windows clipboard

 If an appropriate data file is pasted in the Windows clipboard, this file can be inserted into the data entry table using the standard Windows function (Ctrl/V or Shift/Insert). The data file can be created by a spreadsheet program, by a word processor, or by UVWinLab (see below). The data file consists of tables of numerical values with the figures separated by a space, semicolon or other separator. Data are inserted from cell 1/1 successively row by row. If tabular data are provided, the number of columns must be appropriate to the method.
If a specific spreadsheet cell is highlighted, data insertion will begin at this position. In this way it is possible to enter data from the clipboard in sections.

Entering data generated by the UVWinLab Wavprog and Conc functions

 Results files as generated by UVWinLab can also be inserted into the data entry table via the clipboard. Typically a wavelength program with one wavelength reading is applied.
As an example use the method diss1. Select the measurement wavelength, enter the required instrument parameters and enter the number of samples including blank readings and reference samples. The sample identity and sample information fields may describe the type of samples.
After all readings have been taken, the generated results table is copied to the clipboard by the Copy to Clipboard function of the UVWinLab File menu. Results files also can be saved to disk for later retrieval and transfer to the clipboard.

Defining the results text mask (template) for dissolution data entry

 The diss1.mwp wavelength program method uses the diss1.txt result text mask. This text mask contains vertical slashes (AltGr/pipe) to separate the text entries from the numerical entries. These separators are recognized by DLImport to extract the numericals for insertion into the data entry table. If the text mask is modified or if new text masks are generated for new methods (see online help about text masks), the use of the vertical slash must be considered.

Selecting calibration procedures and data

 Care should be taken to select the proper calibration procedure for the different possibilities of DLImport data entry.
 Typically, absorbance readings are entered to DLImport. These raw data are then transformed to concentration data and %D data by applying the method calibration data or the entered reference concentration.
For numerical calibration in the case of other analytical raw data, such as HPLC peak area values, the calibration factor must be recalculated to a value which is equivalent to the A1% value, i.e.
                           value = A1% * c*[g/100 mL].

If concentration data are entered, the A1% value must be selected to act as a dummy value. Since A1% involves the concentration [g/100 mL], an A1% value of 10000 must be selected, for example, when entering the concentration data as [mg/L].
It is not possible to apply the online calibration principle for concentration data input.