Patents by Inventor Masashi Fukaya

Masashi Fukaya 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: 11977050
    Abstract: An analysis unit 111 for automatically analyzing a sample comprises a sample dispensing nozzle 2 for dispensing the sample and an electrolyte measurement unit 114 for carrying out internal standard liquid measurement one or more times at least before measuring the electric potential of the sample. If the electrolyte measurement unit 114 is to carry out the electric potential measurement of the sample in succession, a different internal standard liquid measurement operation is carried out before the electric potential measurement than if the electric potential measurement is not to be carried out in succession and there are to be gaps between measurement intervals. This results in the provision of an automated analyzer, automatic analysis system, and automatic sample analysis method that make it possible to reduce the influence of ambient temperature on electrolyte measurement, ensure measurement accuracy, and enhance overall device processing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Fukaya, Akihiro Yasui
  • Publication number: 20240142487
    Abstract: To provide an automatic analyzer and a sample aspiration method in an automatic analyzer capable of analyzing a sample of further minute amount compared than before. In aspirating the sample, a sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 is controlled so as to detect the liquid level L1, to thereafter allow a dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be dropped and stopped below the liquid level L1, to thereafter allow the dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be elevated and stopped, and to thereafter allow the dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be further dropped while aspirating the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Yoshihiro KABE, Takuya TAKAHASHI, Masashi FUKAYA, Kenshiro SAKATA
  • Publication number: 20240103027
    Abstract: To provide an automatic analyzer which stabilizes light quantity before measurement in a short period while prolonging a long life of light source. An automatic analyzer of the present invention includes a light source with two or more LED elements each having a different wavelength, an analysis section for executing analysis based on light radiated to a reaction vessel, and a current adjustment section for adjusting quantity of current supplied to each of the LED elements. The current adjustment section reduces the quantity of current to each of the LED elements in a non-analytical state individually to be smaller than the quantity of current in an analytical state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Hiroshi HORIKAWA, Masashi FUKAYA
  • Patent number: 11933802
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic analysis device with a structure in which a measurement unit is less susceptible to disturbance as compared to a device in the related art, and a method of designing the automatic analysis device. A first rotation axis 301 of a reaction disk 1, a second rotation axis 302 of a reagent disk 9, and a measurement unit are arranged on the same straight line 311 when an automatic analysis device 100 is viewed from an upper surface side, the first rotation axis 301 of the reaction disk 1 is arranged between the second rotation axis 302 of the reagent disk 9 and the measurement unit, and the measurement unit is arranged on a front side to be accessed by a user of the automatic analysis device 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Yasui, Takeshi Setomaru, Akinori Kiyokawa, Masashi Fukaya
  • Publication number: 20230251280
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to avoid a decrease in dispensing accuracy of a sample, a reagent, or the like as a temperature changes. In an automatic analyzer, a dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from a sample container holding the sample and discharges the sample to a reaction container. A syringe pump controls an amount of change in a volume of water. A first pipe connects the dispensing nozzle and the syringe pump. An electromagnetic valve flows or stops the water. A second pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the syringe pump. A branch pipe branches the water. A third pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the branch pipe. A case accommodates at least the syringe pump, the first pipe, the electromagnetic valve, the second pipe, the branch pipe, and the third pipe. Further, the third pipe includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Shinji AZUMA, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masashi FUKAYA, Takumi ITO
  • Patent number: 11662358
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to avoid a decrease in dispensing accuracy of a sample, a reagent, or the like as a temperature changes. In an automatic analyzer, a dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from a sample container holding the sample and discharges the sample to a reaction container. A syringe pump controls an amount of change in a volume of water. A first pipe connects the dispensing nozzle and the syringe pump. An electromagnetic valve flows or stops the water. A second pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the syringe pump. A branch pipe branches the water. A third pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the branch pipe. A case accommodates at least the syringe pump, the first pipe, the electromagnetic valve, the second pipe, the branch pipe, and the third pipe. Further, the third pipe includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Azuma, Isao Yamazaki, Masashi Fukaya, Takumi Ito
  • Publication number: 20220236213
    Abstract: An automatic analysis device 100 includes an electrolyte measurement unit 114 that executes internal standard solution measurement once or more at least before potential measurement of the specimen, and when the potential measurement of the specimen is continuously executed by the electrolyte measurement unit 114, a measurement operation of the internal standard solution before the potential measurement is changed depending on whether there is a possibility that the specimen measured immediately before is a high concentration specimen. This provides an automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis method of a specimen that are capable of improving the processing capacity of the entire device by reducing the carry-over and ensuring measurement accuracy in performing electrolyte measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Masashi FUKAYA, Akihiro YASUI
  • Publication number: 20220206029
    Abstract: An automatic analysis apparatus includes: an automatic analysis unit 100 which includes a dispensing mechanism including a probe which is configured to dispense a sample or a reagent into a reaction container, a cleaning mechanism; and a control unit 124. The control unit includes a storage unit 124a configured to store count values which indicate weightings to contamination and are set in advance in accordance with a plurality of analysis conditions, a processing unit 124b configured to obtain a cumulative count for each dispensing of the sample or the reagent on the basis of the stored count values and to determine whether the obtained cumulative count exceeds a threshold value set in advance, and an instruction unit 124c configured to instruct an operation of the cleaning mechanism to clean the probe when a result of determination is that the cumulative count exceeds the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Misato KOIKE, Masashi AKUTSU, Masashi FUKAYA, Megumi KATO
  • Publication number: 20220196691
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer for making measurements for different analysis processes by a compact mechanism. The apparatus performs inspection for plural different analysis processes and includes: an incubator for holding plural reaction vessels on circumferential positions, first and second dispensing mechanisms each having a dispensing nozzle capable of arc-shaped movement around a rotational axis and vertical movement, in which a first locus of an arc-shaped movement of the dispensing nozzle of the first dispensing mechanism and a second locus of the arc-shaped movement of the dispensing nozzle of the second dispensing mechanism intersect the circumference of the incubator where the reaction vessels are arranged, while the first locus and the second locus do not intersect, the first dispensing mechanism is used in a first inspection having a first reaction period, and the second dispensing mechanism is used in a second inspection having a second reaction period longer than the first reaction period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Eiichiro Takada, Yoshihiro Yamashita, Hidetsugu Tanoue, Masashi Fukaya, Fumiya Nehashi
  • Patent number: 11360112
    Abstract: A cleaning water flow velocity during nozzle cleaning is momentarily changed by using a pressure changing mechanism, for example, a syringe. That is, after the start of cleaning, a solenoid valve is opened, and an aspirating operation of the syringe is momentarily performed by a fixed amount in a state where a flow of cleaning water in a nozzle is developed, whereby a nozzle flow velocity is momentarily decelerated. Immediately thereafter, the syringe is pushed back to a home position again, and the flow velocity in the nozzle is accelerated again. A cleaning effect can be improved by performing transition of velocity distribution to various states. Flow velocity control by the pressure changing mechanism can be realized without inhibiting a dispensing cycle, and the cleaning effect of the nozzle can be improved without changing the pressure of a liquid feeding pump or extending the cleaning time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Fukaya, Eiichiro Takada, Takuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11353473
    Abstract: Provided is a technique related to an automatic analyzer and capable of ensuring cleaning performance of a reaction container by a cleaning process including a tip suction step, and preventing decrease in analysis accuracy or improving the analysis accuracy. The automatic analyzer includes a control apparatus, a block suction mechanism that moves a suction nozzle and a suction block for suctioning a liquid in the reaction container up and down and suctions the liquid, and a block cleaning mechanism for cleaning the suction block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Ito, Shinji Azuma, Masashi Fukaya
  • Publication number: 20220170956
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic analysis device with a structure in which a measurement unit is less susceptible to disturbance as compared to a device in the related art, and a method of designing the automatic analysis device. A first rotation axis 301 of a reaction disk 1, a second rotation axis 302 of a reagent disk 9, and a measurement unit are arranged on the same straight line 311 when an automatic analysis device 100 is viewed from an upper surface side, the first rotation axis 301 of the reaction disk 1 is arranged between the second rotation axis 302 of the reagent disk 9 and the measurement unit, and the measurement unit is arranged on a front side to be accessed by a user of the automatic analysis device 100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Akihiro YASUI, Takeshi SETOMARU, Akinori KIYOKAWA, Masashi FUKAYA
  • Patent number: 11262371
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer controls a sequence including optical measurement and cleaning and includes a discharge mechanism including a discharge nozzle for discharging a liquid into a reaction vessel; and an overflow suction mechanism including an overflow suction nozzle for sucking an overflow amount of the liquid in the reaction vessel. In a liquid discharge step included in a cleaning process and interposed between a preceding step using a detergent and a succeeding blank value measurement step, the automatic analyzer establishes a first state where a lower end of the discharge nozzle is located in a height-wise lower part of the reaction vessel and a lower end of the overflow suction nozzle is located in an upper part of the reaction vessel, and provides control to carry out the discharge of liquid from the discharge nozzle and the suction of the overflow amount of liquid through the overflow suction nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Fukaya, Shinji Azuma, Takuya Takahashi, Takumi Ito
  • Publication number: 20220034927
    Abstract: In this invention, there are cleaning positions 25a, 25b, and 25c where cleaning tanks 19, 20, and 21 discharge cleaning water onto the surfaces of nozzles 10, 12, and 14 and drying positions 26a, 26b, and 26c where the cleaning water adhered to the surfaces of the nozzles 10, 12, and 14 is sucked up. During movement from the cleaning positions 25a, 25b, and 25c for the nozzles 10, 12, and 14 to the drying positions 26a, 26b, and 26c for the nozzles 10, 12, and 14, a control device 24 causes system water to be discharged from the nozzles 10, 12, and 14 for a first time, and during the sucking up of the cleaning water on the surfaces of the nozzles 10, 12, and 14 at the drying positions 26a, 26b, and 26c, the control device 24 causes the system water to be discharged from the nozzles 10, 12, and 14 for a second time. As a result, it is possible to effectively remove adhered water drops during nozzle cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Masashi Fukaya, Masaaki Hirano, Akihiro Yasui
  • Publication number: 20220018869
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to avoid a decrease in dispensing accuracy of a sample, a reagent, or the like as a temperature changes. In an automatic analyzer, a dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from a sample container holding the sample and discharges the sample to a reaction container. A syringe pump controls an amount of change in a volume of water. A first pipe connects the dispensing nozzle and the syringe pump. An electromagnetic valve flows or stops the water. A second pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the syringe pump. A branch pipe branches the water. A third pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the branch pipe. A case accommodates at least the syringe pump, the first pipe, the electromagnetic valve, the second pipe, the branch pipe, and the third pipe. Further, the third pipe includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Shinji AZUMA, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masashi FUKAYA, Takumi ITO
  • Publication number: 20210382000
    Abstract: An analysis unit 111 for automatically analyzing a sample comprises a sample dispensing nozzle 2 for dispensing the sample and an electrolyte measurement unit 114 for carrying out internal standard liquid measurement one or more times at least before measuring the electric potential of the sample. If the electrolyte measurement unit 114 is to carry out the electric potential measurement of the sample in succession, a different internal standard liquid measurement operation is carried out before the electric potential measurement than if the electric potential measurement is not to be carried out in succession and there are to be gaps between measurement intervals. This results in the provision of an automated analyzer, automatic analysis system, and automatic sample analysis method that make it possible to reduce the influence of ambient temperature on electrolyte measurement, ensure measurement accuracy, and enhance overall device processing capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Fukaya, Akihiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 11162965
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to avoid a decrease in dispensing accuracy of a sample, a reagent, or the like as a temperature changes. In an automatic analyzer, a dispensing nozzle sucks the sample from a sample container holding the sample and discharges the sample to a reaction container. A syringe pump controls an amount of change in a volume of water. A first pipe connects the dispensing nozzle and the syringe pump. An electromagnetic valve flows or stops the water. A second pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the syringe pump. A branch pipe branches the water. A third pipe connects the electromagnetic valve and the branch pipe. A case accommodates at least the syringe pump, the first pipe, the electromagnetic valve, the second pipe, the branch pipe, and the third pipe. Further, the third pipe includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Azuma, Isao Yamazaki, Masashi Fukaya, Takumi Ito
  • Patent number: 11112286
    Abstract: A thermal flowmeter includes a plurality of measuring units for stabilizing air flowing in a sub-passage, and improves noise performance or a pulsation characteristic of a flow rate sensor. The thermal flowmeter includes a flange fixed to an attachment part of a main passage, a sub-passage takes in a part of measured gas flowing in the main passage, a flow rate measuring unit measures a flow rate of the measured gas in the sub-passage, a circuit component controls the flow rate measuring unit, and the flow rate measuring unit and an electronic component are mounted on a circuit substrate. The sub-passage is formed in a substrate of the circuit substrate, the sub-passage on a surface side of the circuit substrate and a second space on a rear surface side are separated by the circuit substrate, and a pressure measuring unit and the circuit component are arranged in the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Uenodan, Masashi Fukaya, Tomoaki Saito, Shinobu Tashiro, Tsubasa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11009515
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer capable of controlling an interval between the tip of a sample nozzle and the bottom of a reaction container regardless of individual differences between reaction containers and sample nozzles and suppressing adhesion of a sample to the sample nozzle is disclosed. Sample nozzles 13a and 14a are moved toward the bottom surface of a reaction container 2, the movement of the sample nozzles is stopped at a point in time when a stop position detector 46 detects a stop position detection plate 45, the sample nozzles are ascended from the stop position to a position where the stop position detection plate 45 separates from a detection range of the stop position detector 46, and an arm 44 is moved upward by a moving distance stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Takahashi, Hitoshi Tokieda, Eiichiro Takada, Masashi Fukaya
  • Publication number: 20210080614
    Abstract: To predict a temporal change of weather with high accuracy. A weather prediction system including a prediction unit that calculates weather prediction data for an area including a point targeted for prediction, a correlation calculation unit that calculates a correlation between a weather variable of the weather prediction data at a predetermined time at the point targeted for prediction and a weather variable of the weather prediction data at a time different from the predetermined time at a point other than the point targeted for prediction, an observed value acquisition unit that acquires an observed value of an area including the point other than the point targeted for prediction, and a correction unit that corrects the weather prediction data for the area including the point targeted for prediction based on information on the correlation and the observed value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Masamichi NAKAMURA, Masashi FUKAYA