Patents by Inventor Kaoru Hirai

Kaoru Hirai 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: 9707664
    Abstract: This invention provides a zinc-based alloy shot having a new formation and it also provides a method of manufacturing it. The zinc-based alloy shot has Cu added, and it is likely to have a relatively high hardness, and it is less likely to corrode (reduce color change) when it functions as a shot. The zinc-based alloy shot of the present invention comprises Cu as the main additive element for increasing the Vickers hardness, etc., and Fe as a co-additive element for increasing the Vickers hardness and for preventing corrosion. It gives a Vickers hardness of 40-150 HV. The chemical composition of the zinc-based alloy shot is usually Cu: 0.1˜13.0%; Fe: 0.0025˜0.25%; Zn: balance; and 1?Cu/Fe (measured in mass)?1000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishikawa, Kaoru Hirai
  • Publication number: 20130259737
    Abstract: This invention provides a zinc-based alloy shot having a new formation and it also provides a method of manufacturing it. The zinc-based alloy shot has Cu added, and it is likely to have a relatively high hardness, and it is less likely to corrode (reduce color change) when it functions as a shot. The zinc-based alloy shot of the present invention comprises Cu as the main additive element for increasing the Vickers hardness, etc., and Fe as a co-additive element for increasing the Vickers hardness and for preventing corrosion. It gives a Vickers hardness of 40-150 HV. The chemical composition of the zinc-based alloy shot is usually Cu: 0.1˜13.0%; Fe: 0.0025˜0.25%; Zn: balance; and 1?Cu/Fe (measured in mass)?1000.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishikawa, Kaoru Hirai
  • Patent number: 8021855
    Abstract: A method of assaying a glycated protein in a sample with the use of redox reaction, in which highly reliable measurement can be obtained. A sample containing a glycated protein is treated with protease in the presence of a sulfonic acid compound, so that the glycated protein is degraded. The glycated portion of the resultant glycated protein degradation product is reacted with fructosyl amino acid oxidase, and this redox reaction is measured, thereby determining the amount of glycated protein. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be used as the sulfonic acid compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ARKRAY Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yonehara, Kaori Ishimaru, Kaoru Hirai
  • Patent number: 7794966
    Abstract: The present invention aims to enable highly reliable measurement of a glycated amine. A fructosyl amino acid oxidase (FAOD) is added to a sample to remove a non-analyte glycated amine that is present in the sample and different from an analyte glycated amine. Thereafter, a protease is added to the sample to degrade the analyte glycated amine, and the degradation product of the analyte glycated amine reacts with the FAOD that has already been added to the sample. By measuring this redox reaction, the amount of the analyte glycated amine can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Hirai
  • Publication number: 20090325315
    Abstract: A new detection method, for detecting a target substance using formation of an aggregate due to binding of a target substance and a binding substance that binds thereto, that is excellent in detection accuracy, and sensitivity, and a new detection reagent used for the same are provided. Modifying substances having a maximum diameter of about 50 nm or less bind to a binding substance that binds to a target substance, and a modified binding substance is prepared as a binding reagent. A target substance in a sample is detected by bringing this modified binding reagent into contact with the sample, and optically detecting an aggregate that is formed by binding of the modified binding substance and the target substance in the sample. Preferably, the modifying substance includes biotin or a biotin derivative and further includes avidin or an avidin derivative, and the avidin or the avidin derivative binds to the biotin or the biotin derivative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Kaoru HIRAI, Yasunori SHIRAKI
  • Patent number: 7354732
    Abstract: A method for measuring an analyte in a sample by using a redox reaction is provided, which gives values with excellent reliability. Prior to the redox reaction, at least one of a sulfonic acid compound and a nitro compound is added to the sample to eliminate the influence of hemoglobin and any hemoglobin degradation products as reducing substances contained in the sample. Subsequently, a reducing or oxidizing substance derived from the analyte is caused to generate, and the amount thereof is measured by the redox reaction. The amount of the analyte is determined from the measurement value. The sulfonic acid compound may be sodium lauryl sulfate, and the nitro compound may be 4-nitrophenol, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yonehara, Kaori Ishimaru, Kaoru Hirai
  • Publication number: 20070134754
    Abstract: The present invention aims to enable highly reliable measurement of a glycated amine. A fructosyl amino acid oxidase (FAOD) is added to a sample to remove a non-analyte glycated amine that is present in the sample and different from an analyte glycated amine. Thereafter, a protease is added to the sample to degrade the analyte glycated amine, and the degradation product of the analyte glycated amine reacts with the FAOD that has already been added to the sample. By measuring this redox reaction, the amount of the analyte glycated amine can be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Hirai
  • Patent number: 7201871
    Abstract: A test strip having the capability of separating blood cells from whole blood, wherein it has a porous reagent layer comprising beads, an inorganic gel and a reagent that causes a detectable reaction with a substance to be detected, and a substrate that supports the reagent layer, wherein the beads are adhered to each other with the inorganic gel, and interstices are formed between the beads to trap a solid. The test strip can thus be used for separating blood cells from a whole blood including blood cells and plasma and detecting a substance to be detected, such as glucose, contained in plasma. The use of the test strip allows the measurement of a substance to be detected even by measurement of a transmitted light, the exhibition of good oxygen permeability, and thus can be used for measuring a substance to be detected with improved accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Arkray Inc.
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirai, Satoshi Yonehara
  • Publication number: 20070031910
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing a hemolyzed sample that does not affect an accuracy of determination in a measurement even after the sample is left standing at room temperature, and a hemolysis reagent solution used therefor are provided. Using a hemolysis reagent solution in which a surfactant is contained and carbon dioxide is dissolved, blood cells are hemolyzed so as to prepare a hemolyzed sample. Even after the thus prepared hemolyzed sample is stored at room temperature, for example, glycated proteins or the like can be measured with an accuracy of determination similar to that for the hemolyzed sample immediately after preparation. The concentration of the carbon dioxide dissolved in the hemolyzed sample at 2° C. to 35° C. is at least 8 mmol/L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirai, Satoshi Yonehara
  • Publication number: 20050260735
    Abstract: A method of assaying a glycated protein in a sample with the use of redox reaction, in which highly reliable measurement can be obtained. A sample containing a glycated protein is treated with protease in the presence of a sulfonic acid compound, so that the glycated protein is degraded. The glycated portion of the resultant glycated protein degradation product is reacted with fructosyl amino acid oxidase, and this redox reaction is measured, thereby determining the amount of glycated protein. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be used as the sulfonic acid compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Satoshi Yonehara, Kaori Ishimaru, Kaoru Hirai
  • Publication number: 20050221415
    Abstract: A method for measuring an analyte in a sample by using a redox reaction is provided, which gives values with excellent reliability. Prior to the redox reaction, at least one of a sulfonic acid compound and a nitro compound is added to the sample to eliminate the influence of hemoglobin and any hemoglobin degradation products as reducing substances contained in the sample. Subsequently, a reducing or oxidizing substance derived from the analyte is caused to generate, and the amount thereof is measured by the redox reaction. The amount of the analyte is determined from the measurement value. The sulfonic acid compound may be sodium lauryl sulfate, and the nitro compound may be 4-nitrophenol, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Satoshi Yonehara, Kaori Ishimaru, Kaoru Hirai
  • Publication number: 20040063213
    Abstract: A method of determining an analyte in a sample utilizing a redox reaction is provided, by which a highly reliable determined value can be obtained. In this method, a tetrazolium compound is added to a sample in the presence of a surfactant prior to a redox reaction so as to eliminate an effect of hemoglobin and a hemoglobin degradation product as reducing substances in the sample. Thereafter, a reducing or oxidizing substance derived from an analyte is produced and the amount thereof is determined by the redox reaction. Then, the amount of the analyte in the sample is determined based on the amount of the reducing or oxidizing substance thus determined. According to this method, cloudiness due to the coexistence with the hemoglobin can be prevented by the surfactant and thus an increase in the absorbance due to the cloudiness can be inhibited as shown in FIG. 1. As the surfactant, polyoxyethylene ether and the like can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirai, Tsuguki Komori
  • Publication number: 20030044316
    Abstract: A test strip having the capability of separating blood cells from whole blood, wherein it has a porous reagent layer comprising beads, an inorganic gel and a reagent that causes a detectable reaction with a substance to be detected, and a substrate that supports the reagent layer, wherein the beads are adhered to each other with the inorganic gel, and interstices are formed between the beads to trap a solid. The test strip can thus be used for separating blood cells from a whole blood including blood cells and plasma and detecting a substance to be detected, such as glucose, contained in plasma. The use of the test strip allows the measurement of a substance to be detected even by measurement of a transmitted light, the exhibition of good oxygen permeability, and thus can be used for measuring a substance to be detected with improved accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirai, Satoshi Yonehara