Patents by Inventor Isao Yamazaki

Isao Yamazaki has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9817013
    Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yanami, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa, Hitoshi Otake
  • Publication number: 20170199115
    Abstract: An automatic analysis device provided with: a sample disk mechanism; a reaction disk for accommodating the reaction cells; reagent disk mechanisms; a sample-supplying dispensation mechanism which supplies samples to the reaction cells; a reagent-supplying dispensation mechanism which supplies prescribed amounts of reagents to the reaction cells; a detection unit which irradiates, with light, the reaction cells having, formed therein, mixed solutions of the samples and the reagents, and detects the light transmitted through the reaction cells to detect the optical characteristics of the mixed solutions; a pollution prevention film formation mechanism which supplies a pollution preventing solution to the reaction cells to form pollution prevention films on the inner wall surfaces of the reaction cells; and a pollution prevention film removal mechanism which supplies a removal solution to the reaction cells to remove the pollution prevention films from the inner wall surfaces of the reaction cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Masayuki KOBAYASHI, Shinichi TANIGUCHI, Isao YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20170089938
    Abstract: A pressure signal process unit acquires data under a predetermined condition and a statistic distance between the acquired data and determination-purpose reference data stored in a storage unit is calculated. It is determined whether or not dispensing is abnormal and whether the determination-purpose reference data is suitable for an abnormality detection function to be properly fulfilled. If the determination-purpose reference data is not suitable for an abnormality detection function to be properly fulfilled, temporary determination-purpose reference data is prepared so as to be compared with the previously acquired data under a predetermined condition. If a difference therebetween is greater than a predetermined threshold value, a possibility that an automatic analyzer may have an abnormal component or that a failure may occur in the automatic analyzer is determined, and the result is transmitted to cause a display device to display an alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hideto TAMEZANE, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masaharu NISHIDA, Kumiko KAMIHARA
  • Patent number: 9599631
    Abstract: A plunger is moved downwardly in predetermined distance while the tip of the sample probe is immersed in a sample to suck the sample into the probe. A pressure sensor detects the pressure fluctuation during the suction operation, an AD converter converting the signals into digital signals to send the signals for a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit extracts feature variables data of a suction waveform to calculate the Statistical distance from normal group data. The Statistical distance an a threshold value are compared with each other, it is judged that there is an abnormality in the suction operation when the Statistical distance is more than or equal to the threshold value. When the Statistical distance is smaller than the threshold value, an operation is proceeded to a discharge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Yamazaki, Masaharu Nishida, Kumiko Kamihara, Hideto Tamezane
  • Publication number: 20160334432
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer has a washing tank providing water for washing a reagent or sample probe is. The washing water from a washing nozzle spreads from a throttle portion and is divided into right and left flows after colliding with a vent plate provided in an overflow portion of the washing tank. The washing water flows between the vent plate and the inner wall of the overflow portion, and the flows join behind the vent plate. After joining, the washing water flows downward along the vent plate and the inner wall of the overflow portion and then is drained. Because a space is created between the washing water which has collided with the vent plate and the washing water joined behind the vent plate, the washing water is prevented from completely covering the overflow portion, and the airflow can be secured during the drainage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru MIYAZAKI, Takamichi MORI, Kazuhiro NAKAMURA, Isao YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 9470570
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer which performs a suction operation a plurality of times on a same sample has a sample dispensing unit 9, a liquid level sensor which detects the liquid level of the sample in a sample vessel 8, an arithmetic unit 5 which computes a liquid level height h1 at the end of a first suction operation of the two consecutive suction operations from a liquid level height h0 and a sample suction volume V1 detected at the start of the first suction operation, a storage unit 7 which stores the liquid level height h1 computed by the arithmetic unit 5, and a determination unit 18 which compares a liquid level height h2 detected at the start of a second suction operation following the first suction operation with the liquid level height h1 at the end of the first suction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Nishida, Hideto Tamezane, Isao Yamazaki, Kumiko Kamihara, Tomonori Mimura
  • Patent number: 9389240
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer adapted to enhance sample/reagent dispensing accuracy, regardless of a difference in sample/reagent dispensing height of a dispensing probe. When the amount of sample in a sample container is small, tip height “h1” of a sample dispensing probe positioned immediately after it has aspirated the sample decreases below tip height “h?” of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample. The sample in this state takes a concave shape at the tip of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample. When the amount of sample in a sample container is large, tip height “h2” of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately after it has aspirated the sample increases above the tip height “h?” and the sample takes a convex shape at the tip of the sample dispensing probe positioned immediately before it discharges the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Isao Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9335335
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of detecting not only clogging and air suction of the dispensation probe but also a decrease in the dispensation quantity caused by a bubble film, air bubbles or a highly viscous sample. Each of a sample/reagent suction operation time and a sample/reagent discharge operation time of a probe is segmented into multiple time sections. For each of the time sections determined by the segmentation, a parameter is calculated by applying a detected pressure waveform to an approximation formula. For each of the time section, the presence/absence of a dispensation abnormality is judged by comparing the calculated parameter with a parameter in cases of normal dispensation. An automatic analyzer capable of judging the presence/absence of an abnormality specific to each time section and making abnormality judgments difficult for conventional techniques can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Mimura, Kumiko Kamihara, Isao Yamazaki, Hideto Tamezane
  • Publication number: 20150362514
    Abstract: The dispensing mechanisms dips a dispensing nozzle in a dispensing target contained in a container 11, 21, and 31, aspirates the dispensing target, and discharges the dispensing target to a reaction container 41. One item of determination-purpose reference data is selected from multiple items of the determination-purpose reference data which is stored in a storage unit 93 and used in determining whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal, based on the detection result from a pressure sensor 54 when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a reference dispensing target configured to contain a known ingredient; and whether or not the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 are abnormal is determined, based on the detection result from the pressure sensor 54 and the selected determination-purpose reference data when the dispensing mechanisms 50, 60, and 70 dispense a dispensing target used in analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Hideto TAMEZANE, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masaharu NISHIDA, Kumiko KAMIHARA
  • Patent number: 9194793
    Abstract: Using an LED element as a light source, a photometric unit including the light source, a light receiving element and other components therebetween is reduced in size. A holder 30 detachable from the device as a unit holds a light emission unit 15 formed of an LED and a light receiving element 21, and the holder is placed inside a thermostatic chamber 18 which holds a constant temperature fluid 17. Thus, the photometric unit is reduced in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Kunio Harada, Isao Yamazaki, Masaharu Kiyama, Takeshi Fujita
  • Publication number: 20150323557
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer that accurately detects dispensation abnormality in dispensation conditions with small suction quantities has a statistical distance calculation unit that calculates characteristic variables regarding a sucking operation in the first dispensation and calculates a statistical distance D from reference data to the characteristic variables extracted from a memory. A comparison unit compares the statistical distance D with a preset threshold value stored in memory and if the statistical distance D is less than the preset threshold value, the first discharging operation is performed. A controller judges whether a single-handed judgment based on a dispensation quantity condition of the second or subsequent dispensation is possible or not. If the single-handed judgment is impossible, reference data is selected based on a judgment quantity regarding the first dispensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Hideto TAMEZANE, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masaharu NISHIDA, Kumiko KAMIHARA
  • Publication number: 20150219680
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of detecting not only clogging and air suction of the dispensation probe but also a decrease in the dispensation quantity caused by a bubble film, air bubbles or a highly viscous sample. Each of a sample/reagent suction operation time and a sample/reagent discharge operation time of a probe is segmented into multiple time sections. For each of the time sections determined by the segmentation, a parameter is calculated by applying a detected pressure waveform to an approximation formula. For each of the time section, the presence/absence of a dispensation abnormality is judged by comparing the calculated parameter with a parameter in cases of normal dispensation. An automatic analyzer capable of judging the presence/absence of an abnormality specific to each time section and making abnormality judgments difficult for conventional techniques can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Mimura, Kumiko Kamihara, Isao Yamazaki, Hideto Tamezane
  • Publication number: 20150198525
    Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
  • Patent number: 9039970
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer having reagent disks disposed inside and outside a reaction disk. A plurality of reagent probes are alternately accessed one by one to each of the reagent disks per cycle. Each reagent probe comprises two arms rotatable independently of each other so that the reagent probe is able to access a plurality of points and interference between the plurality of reagent probes can be avoided. A first reagent and a second reagent can be loaded on each of the reagent disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa
  • Patent number: 9023282
    Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
  • Patent number: 8936754
    Abstract: There is provided a high-accuracy automatic analysis device achieving both of measurement in a wide concentration range and high sensitivity at a low concentration. The signals of a plurality of wavelengths ?1 to ?12 where the sensitivity of light absorption caused by fine particles is high from a light source 40 are converted to absorbances by a spectroscopic optical system (detector) 41. The absorbances are converted to a secondary parameter from in which a noise component is cancelled by using a previously-defined conversion table 54, so that a concentration of a measured material (predetermined component) is calculated by an operation unit (calculating means) 53 based on the secondary parameter. Thus, analysis being resistant to the noise even at the low concentration can be achieved in a range up to a high concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Yamazaki, Hiroaki Ishizawa, Sakuichiro Adachi
  • Publication number: 20140377853
    Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
  • Patent number: 8852511
    Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
  • Publication number: 20140220693
    Abstract: A plunger 66 is moved downwardly in predetermined distance while the tip of the sample probe 15 is immersed in a sample to suck the sample into the probe. A pressure sensor 26 detects the pressure fluctuation during the suction operation, an AD converter converting the signals into digital signals to send the signals for a signal processing unit 76. The signal processing unit 76 extracts feature variables data of a suction waveform to calculate the Statistical distance D from normal group data. The Statistical distance D an a threshold value th are compared with each other, it is judged that there is an abnormality in the suction operation when the Statistical distance D is more than or equal to the threshold value th. When the Statistical distance D is smaller than the threshold value th, an operation is proceeded to a discharge operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isao Yamazaki, Masaharu Nishida, Kumiko Kamihara, Hideto Tamezane
  • Publication number: 20140190253
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer which performs a suction operation a plurality of times on a same sample has a sample dispensing unit 9, a liquid level sensor which detects the liquid level of the sample in a sample vessel 8, an arithmetic unit 5 which computes a liquid level height h1 at the end of a first suction operation of the two consecutive suction operations from a liquid level height h0 and a sample suction volume V1 detected at the start of the first suction operation, a storage unit 7 which stores the liquid level height h1 computed by the arithmetic unit 5, and a determination unit 18 which compares a liquid level height h2 detected at the start of a second suction operation following the first suction operation with the liquid level height h1 at the end of the first suction operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaharu Nishida, Hideto Tamezane, Isao Yamazaki, Kumiko Kamihara, Tomonori Mimura