Patents by Inventor Kazunori Okano

Kazunori Okano 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).

  • Publication number: 20030111348
    Abstract: An electrophoresis chip is provided, which facilitates injection of a very small quantity of samples. A hydrophobic region 62, a thin and long hydrophilic region, electrodes 67a and 67b are formed on a surface of a substrate 61. The hydrophilic region, and the electrodes are surrounded with the hydrophobic region 62. A gel 64 is formed in the hydrophilic region by dropping and superposing gel precursor solution. A slit 65 for sample addition is provided in the midway of the gel. A droplet 72 of sample solution is adhered to a tip of a needle 71 and, when the droplet is passed through the slit 65 in contact with the hydrophobic region 62, the droplet of the needle connects the gel 64 in such a way as to bury the slit 65 of the gel 64. Then, electrophoresis is carried out by applying electric fields to the electrodes 67a and 67b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Okano, Kenji Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20030099961
    Abstract: Adenylation of a DNA fragment with a DNA polymerase occurs in the course of PCR, and thus two peaks are detected. To prevent the peak splitting, it is necessary to raise efficiency of adenulation a single peak to occur without changing reaction conditions. To this end, four types of PCR primers which, respectively, have an anchor sequence at 5′ terminus so that any of A, C, G or T is attached to at the 5′ terminus of the anchor sequence, and PCR is carried out by use of the respective primers to determine efficiencies of adenylation. Subsequently, an anchor sequence that is more likely to undergo adenylation is screened to decide an anchor sequence more likely undergo adenylation, followed by PCR by use of a primer having the decided anchor sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chihiro Uematsu, Kazunori Okano, Takashi Irie
  • Publication number: 20030087272
    Abstract: A method tests a gene and includes the steps of amplifying a target region to be analyzed of a double-stranded DNA using primers and dNTPs, enzymatically decomposing pyrophosphate formed in the former step and the primers and dNTP used therein, repeatedly synthesizing a complementary strand using primers specific to the sequence and mutation of the target region to be analyzed, and converting a pyrophosphate formed in the step of synthesizing into ATP, allowing the ATP to react with a chemiluminescent reagent to generate chemiluminescence, and monitoring the generated chemiluminescence to thereby detect the presence of the target to be analyzed. This method can easily and simply be performed with high sensitivity at low cost, in which a series of reactions can be performed in a homogenous measuring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kambara, Guohua Zhou, Keiichi Nagai, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20030049628
    Abstract: To provide a method and an apparatus for detecting DNA mutation without using electrophoresis, the presence or absence of specific sequence is detected by a method comprising a step of serially hybridizing a 5-base-long to 8-base-long short oligomer 6, which is capable of being engaged in the complementary strand extension reaction, and a long oligomer 61, which is capable of hybridizing with a target DNA but incapable of being engaged in the complementary strand extension reaction, with the target DNA 63; a step of carrying out the complementary strand extension reaction 66 starting from the short primer using four kinds of nucleic acid substrates and polymerase; and a step of detecting photo-emission, in which pyrophosphate 68 produced as a reaction by-product of the complementary strand extension reaction is converted into ATP and the photo-emission reaction is carried out using an enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kambara, Guohua Zhou, Kazunori Okano, Masao Kamahori
  • Patent number: 6514702
    Abstract: There are beforehand prepared a monomer having a reaction residue and a polynucleotide probe set comprising plural kinds of polynucleotide probes having a residue bonded to the reaction residue. The monomer is mixed with each kind of polynucleotide probes comprising any plural probes selected from the polynucleotide probe set. Each kind of the resultant mixtures is added to each of different small holes to make the mixture into gel matrix. Thus, a polynucleotide probe chip is produced. Sample DNA is forcibly migrated in the gels by electrophoresis. Laser light is projected onto the side face of the chip. The fluorescence emitted from the whole surface of the chip is collectively detected with a high-sensitive two-dimensional detector. Thus, the polynucleotide probe chip, holding various kinds of DNA probes, for detecting DNA can be provided. This chip has high hybridization-efficiency and makes high-sensitivity and high-speed DNA detection possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Okano, Hideki Kambara, Chihiro Uematsu, Hiroko Matsunaga, Takashi Irie, Tomoharu Kajiyama, Kenji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6485916
    Abstract: Focusing that abundant class genes abundantly present in a nucleic acid sample can comparatively easily be analyzed and readily be removed in a selective manner, a nucleic acid sample for expression analysis of rare expressed genes can be obtained by removing abundant genes therefrom, and analyses based upon the sample can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamichi Muramatsu, Takeshi Fujita, Masaharu Kiyama, Takashi Irie, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20020137066
    Abstract: A polynucleotide detecting cell provided with a first electrode (111) to which different DNA probes (13, 14, 15, 16) are fixed in luminous areas (3, 4, 5, 6) differing with the type of DNA probe and a second electrode (113-1, 113-2) opposite to the first electrode is used; target polynucleotides are trapped through hybridization of DNA probes fixed to luminous areas with target polynucleotides; an extending reaction is carried out using an ECL-labeled base (dNTP) to extend the hybridized DNA probes; ECL generated by the application of a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode is detected; and the presence or absence of any extended chain generated by the extending reaction is detected. The DNA detecting cell of simple apparatus configuration and the assay apparatus using it according to the invention are capable of high speed detection of hybridization between target DNA fragments and DNA probes, and a large volume of probe assaying can be accomplished in a short period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kajiyama, Yuji Miyahara, Hiroyuki Tomita, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20020132264
    Abstract: There is used at least one probe array obtained by arraying particles having various probes, respectively, fixed thereon (probe particles) in a definite order in a holder. A plurality of capillaries or grooves packed with various kinds, respectively, of probe particles are arrayed in parallel, and one of particles contained in each capillary or groove is injected into another capillary or groove to produce a probe array in which the various kinds of probe particles are arrayed in a constant and definite order. Various fluorophore-labeled DNA's are measured at the same time by attaching various probes to particles, respectively, of different sizes. A probe array composed of various fixed DNA probes can easily be produced, and there can be provided a probe array for detecting various DNA's which is composed of various fixed arbitrary DNA probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kambara, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20020102561
    Abstract: Focusing that abundant class genes abundantly present in a nucleic acid sample can comparatively easily be analyzed and readily be removed in a selective manner, a nucleic acid sample for expression analysis of rare expressed genes can be obtained by removing abundant genes therefrom, and analyses based upon the sample can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamichi Muramatsu, Takeshi Fujita, Masaharu Kiyama, Takashi Irie, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20020098490
    Abstract: The inventive method for assaying DNA fragments in mixture comprises
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chihiro Uematsu, Hideki Kambara, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20020090641
    Abstract: Different probes each having a specific base sequence are immobilized to each of independent areas formed on the surface of a substrate, complementary polynucleotides in a sample solution are hybridized to the probes, and each of the independent areas on the substrate is heated and then cooled in sequence, and hence the solution is recovered to extract different polynucleotides separately corresponding to individual probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Kazunori Okano, Hirokazu Kato
  • Patent number: 6391562
    Abstract: There is used at least one probe array obtained by arraying particles having various probes, respectively, fixed thereon (probe particles) in a definite order in a holder. A plurality of capillaries or grooves packed with various kinds, respectively, of probe particles are arrayed in parallel, and one of particles contained in each capillary or groove is injected into another capillary or groove to produce a probe array in which the various kinds of probe particles are arrayed in a constant and definite order. Various fluorophore-labeled DNA's are measured at the same time by attaching various probes to particles, respectively, of different sizes. A probe array composed of various fixed DNA probes can easily be produced, and there can be provided a probe array for detecting various DNA's which is composed of various fixed arbitrary DNA probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kambara, Kazunori Okano
  • Patent number: 6387632
    Abstract: Different probes each having a specific base sequence are immobilized to each of independent areas formed on the surface of a substrate, complementary polynucleotides in a sample solution are hybridized to the probes, and each of the independent areas on the substrate is heated and then cooled in sequence, and hence the solution is recovered to extract different polynucleotides separately corresponding to individual probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Kazunori Okano, Hirokazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20020055119
    Abstract: Different probes each having a specific base sequence are immobilized to each of independent areas formed on the surface of a substrate, complementary polynucleotides in a sample solution are hybridized to the probes, and each of the independent areas on the substrate is heated and then cooled in sequence, and hence the solution is recovered to extract different polynucleotides separately corresponding to individual probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Kazunori Okano, Hirokazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20020048771
    Abstract: Different probes each having a specific base sequence are immobilized to each of independent areas formed on the surface of a substrate, complementary polynucleotides in a sample solution are hybridized to the probes, and each of the independent areas on the substrate is heated and then cooled in sequence, and hence the solution is recovered to extract different polynucleotides separately corresponding to individual probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Kazunori Okano, Hirokazu Kato
  • Patent number: 6361953
    Abstract: Different probes each having a specific base sequence are immobilized to each of independent areas formed on the surface of a substrate, complementary polynucleotides in a sample solution are hybridized to the probes, and each of the independent areas on the substrate is heated and then cooled in sequence, and hence the solution is recovered to extract different polynucleotides separately corresponding to individual probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Kazunori Okano, Hirokazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20020009731
    Abstract: Focusing that abundant class genes abundantly present in a nucleic acid sample can comparatively easily be analyzed and readily be removed in a selective manner, a nucleic acid sample for expression analysis of rare expressed genes can be obtained by removing abundant genes therefrom, and analyses based upon the sample can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamichi Muramatsu, Takeshi Fujita, Masaharu Kiyama, Takashi Irie, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20010029017
    Abstract: Different probes each having a specific base sequence are immobilized to each of independent areas formed on the surface of a substrate, complementary polynucleotides in a sample solution are hybridized to the probes, and each of the independent areas on the substrate is heated and then cooled in sequence, and hence the solution is recovered to extract different polynucleotides separately corresponding to individual probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasuda, Kazunori Okano, Hirokazu Kato
  • Patent number: 6288220
    Abstract: There is used at least one probe array obtained by arraying particles having various probes, respectively, fixed thereon (probe particles) in a definite order in a holder. A plurality of capillaries or grooves packed with various kinds, respectively, of probe particles are arrayed in parallel, and one of particles contained in each capillary or groove is injected into another capillary or groove to produce a probe array in which the various kinds of probe particles are arrayed in a constant and definite order. Various fluorophore-labeled DNA's are measured at the same time by attaching various probes to particles, respectively, of different sizes. A probe array composed of various fixed DNA probes can easily be produced, and there can be provided a probe array for detecting various DNA's which is composed of various fixed arbitrary DNA probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kambara, Kazunori Okano
  • Publication number: 20010009763
    Abstract: There is used at least one probe array obtained by arraying particles having various probes, respectively, fixed thereon (probe particles) in a definite order in a holder. A plurality of capillaries or grooves packed with various kinds, respectively, of probe particles are arrayed in parallel, and one of particles contained in each capillary or groove is injected into another capillary or groove to produce a probe array in which the various kinds of probe particles are arrayed in a constant and definite order. Various fluorophore-labeled DNA's are measured at the same time by attaching various probes to particles, respectively, of different sizes. A probe array composed of various fixed DNA probes can easily be produced, and there can be provided a probe array for detecting various DNA's which is composed of various fixed arbitrary DNA probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kambara, Kazunori Okano