Abstract: A method of analyzing blood using a near infrared apparatus, in which monochromatic near infrared light in a wavelength range of 700 nm-1100 nm from the slit of the near infrared apparatus is applied to a ceramic plate through an optical fiber to measure a transmitted light intensity of the ceramic plate, which is a reference material for spectrum measurement. Next, in place of the ceramic plate, a blood collection tube containing a blood sample which has been stabilized at a predetermined temperature by a water bath has the near infrared light applied thereto. A so-called near infrared absorption spectrum in which absorbance has been plotted against wavelengths is obtained and information about object characteristics of the blood is extracted from the spectrum data using a calibration equation predetermined using the near infrared apparatus in relation to blood specimens with different, known object characteristics.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for efficiently manufacturing microspheres having a uniform particle diameter. The apparatus comprises: case 1 having a lower body 1a and an upper body 1b. A seal ring 3, a first plate 4 which is comprised of a transparent plate such as a glass plate or a plastic plate, an annular spacer 5, an intermediate plate 6 which is comprised of a silicon substrate or the like, an annular spacer 7, a second plate 8 and a seal ring 9 are inserted in this order into a concave portion 2 formed in the lower body 1a. The upper body 1b is superposed thereon. Further, the upper body 1b is attached to the lower body 1a with bolts or the like.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to produce emulsions containing a material that are insoluble or that have low solubility with respect to water and oil in a high concentration, so as to obtain emulsions which can be preserved for a long period of time. More specifically, ethanol, to which polyglycerol oleic acid ester (PG) is added, and vegetable oil, are stirred with a homogenizer or an emulsification method such as a membrane emulsification or a microchannel emulsification, thereby obtaining E/O type emulsions or E/O/W type emulsions wherein ethanol drops in which polyphenol is dissolved in a high concentration are dispersed into vegetable oil.

Abstract: A method to efficiently and continuously produce microspheres of natural oils and fats having a high melting point, the average particle diameter of which is in dozens of &mgr;m and is uniform, comprising the steps of heating oils and fats having a high melting point to a temperature greater than the melting point thereof to liquify same holding the oils and fats in a liquid state, forming a dispersed phase of the liquid oils and fats, pressurizing the dispersed phase and forming emulsions by dispersing the dispersed phase into a continuous phase via a plurality of microchannels, and isolating microspheres of the oils and fats having a high melting point by removing the continuous phase from the emulsions.

Abstract: A microchannel apparatus includes a plural partition walls 4 formed as extensions of plural microchannels 1 toward a continuous phase, and a flow path 5 is formed between adjacent ones of the partition walls 4. A dispersed phase pumped into a continuous phase via each microchannel 1 generates nearly perfect spheres in the course of passing through the microchannel and the flow path 5 in between the partition walls 4, thereby producing emulsions comprising fine and homogenous microspheres.

Abstract: Cross-flow microchannel apparatus for producing emulsions includes a pump 9 and a pump 11 which are driven to respectively supply a continuous phase to a concave portion 4 via a supply pipe 10, a supply hole 6 and a supply port 18 and a dispersed phase to a space between the outside of a base 3 and the inside of a concave portion 2 formed in a case 1 via a supply pipe 12 and a supply hole 7. Then, by applying a predetermined pressure to the dispersed phase, the dispersed phase is formed into fine particles via a microchannels 21 and mixed with the continuous phase, thereby forming emulsions. The emulsions are withdrawn to a tank and so on via a withdrawal port 19, a withdrawal hole 8, and a withdrawal pipe 13 for emulsions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for continuously manufacturing microspheres, a dispersed phase (O) is supplied to a chamber 27 for the dispersed phase inside of a bulkhead member 26 via a supply port 23. Thereafter, the dispersed phase enters into a gap 31 between a plate 22 via a supply port 29 in a base 25. The dispersed phase which enters into the gap 31 grows microspheres (particles) having a certain diameter while passing through a microchannel 33 by pressure applied by, for example, a pump, and is mixed with a continuous phase (W), so that microspheres are produced. The thus-produced microspheres float or are suspended in the continuous phase without needing any particular external force in response to their specific gravity, allowing the microspheres to be generated and withdrawn from a withdrawal port 32 at a significantly reduced pressure in comparison to conventional methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A dispersed phase (O) supplied inside a bulkhead member (17) through a supply port (14) enters a gap (20) between a plate (16) and a base (18) through a supply port (19) of the base (18) and the dispersed phase (O) having entered the gap (20) then enters a continuous phase (W) through a boundary section (21) by virtue of pressure applied by a pressurizing means such as a pump. Then, the dispersed phase is made into a particle having a predetermined diameter by a microchannel (24) in passing through this boundary section (21), thereby forming an emulsion (E) in which the dispersed phase (O) of the predetermined diameter is dispersed in the continuous phase (W).

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously pasteurizing liquid by continuously flowing the liquid within a high electric field, comprises a body of electrical insulator material forming a wall, opening portions formed in the wall body as passages for the liquid therethrough, at least a pair of electrode wires laid across the opening portions, and a mechanism for applying an alternating current voltage across the pair of electrode wires. Joints and pipes may be connected to the wall body and together with the opening portions define a fluid passage through which the liquid continuously flows for being pasteurized. A method of continuous liquid pasteurization using the apparatus involves applying an alternating current voltage between the pair of electrode wires under the conditions of 2000.ltoreq.H/d.ltoreq.200 where d (mm) is the distance between the wires and H (volt) is the voltage applied thereacross, and such that the liquid is heated.

Abstract: A continuous liquid pasteurizing apparatus and method for effectively pasteurizing microbes or bacteria having heat-resistance and/or pressure-resistance, such as sporangium, with low temperature or by maintaining a high temperature for a short time, wherein an electricity conducting unit (9) for pasteurizing the liquid is provided within a pressurized container (1), and an upper end portion of the electricity conducting unit(9)is connected to a supply opening (3)for liquid, while a lower end portion thereof is connected to a reservoir portion(10)which is cooled by a cooling mechanism involving heat exchange with cooling water(7). The thus-pasteurized liquid is reserved in a reservoir portion (10)and is taken out from an outlet opening(4)through a conduit (11)outside the container(1).