Patents Assigned to Kobe University
  • Patent number: 9297799
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring oocyst of protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium, in an environment sample with high sensitivity at low cost within a short period of time; and a detecting reagent for use therein. Magnetic fine particles of 5 to 500 nm particle diameter having, immobilized thereto, binding factors for specific recognition of oocyst are added to an analyte containing a protozoan oocyst to form oocyst/binding factor/magnetic fine particle complexes by using a binding reaction to the oocyst, the formed complexes are recovered by a magnetic separation, and the protozoan oocysts contained in the complexes are assayed. Further, there is provided, for conducting the above method, a reagent for detecting protozoan oocysts comprising magnetic fine particles of 5 to 500 nm particle diameter having, immobilized thereto, antibodies against oocysts or binding factors for recognizing the antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, JNC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyuki Ohnishi, Hirotaka Furukawa, Hideyuki Hata, Kageaki Matsui, Takako Nogami, Hideo Nishizawa, Akihiko Kondo
  • Publication number: 20160071271
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical imaging analyzer includes an imaging unit, a calculator, and an analyzer. The imaging unit divides an area including an object of a subject to be captured into a plurality of partial areas such that the partial areas overlap each other to form an overlapping area, and administers a contrast agent to each of the partial areas to capture a plurality of time-series images. The calculator calculates, based on the transition of the pixel value in one of the time-series images having the overlapping area, the transition of the pixel value in the other time-series image having the overlapping area. The analyzer analyzes the time-series images based on the transition of the pixel value in the one and the other of the time-series images to obtain the hemodynamics of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kobe University
    Inventors: Yasuko FUJISAWA, Naoki SUGIHARA, Shigeharu OHYU, Yoshiharu OHNO
  • Publication number: 20160022240
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes an image storage memory, a calculation circuitry, a level decision circuitry, and an output interface circuitry. The image storage memory stores data of a plurality of images in different respiratory phases. The calculation circuitry calculates a motion amount of a region between the plurality of images for each pixel or area. The level decision circuitry decides a level concerning a severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for each pixel or area. The output interface circuitry outputs information concerning the decided level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hitoshi YAMAGATA, Yoshiharu OHNO
  • Publication number: 20160018484
    Abstract: A distribution analyzing device (20) includes: an obtaining unit (21) which obtains measurement data of a field measured, through a sensor sensing area, independently at each of rotation angles and at each of grid coordinate positions of the sensor sensing area; and a calculation unit (22) which calculates a distribution of the field from the measurement data, using an arithmetic expression obtained by deriving a target harmonic function, which indicates the distribution of the field, using a condition that a convolution of the target harmonic function and a shape function, which indicates a shape of a cross section of the finite sensor sensing area along a plane parallel to the measurement plane, is equal to a provisional harmonic function derived by solving the Laplace equation using the measurement data and a size of the sensor sensing area in a direction perpendicular to the measurement plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Kenjiro KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20160017379
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing ethanol efficiently even in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor in a saccharified biomass. The present invention provides a method for producing ethanol from biomass, comprising: culturing a transformed xylose-utilizing yeast to overexpress the gene for at least one pentose phosphate pathway metabolic enzyme, with a saccharified biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Akihiko Kondo, Tomohisa Hasunuma, Tomoya Sanda
  • Publication number: 20150366500
    Abstract: A medical-image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes an extracting unit, a dividing unit, and an estimating unit. The extracting unit extracts a disease candidate region from a medical image. The dividing unit divides the disease candidate region into multiple partial regions. The estimating unit uses the feature value of each of the partial regions to estimate the disease state of the disease candidate region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, National University Corporation Kobe University
    Inventors: Kota AOYAGI, Hitoshi YAMAGATA, Mizuho NISHIO, Sumiaki MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20150335803
    Abstract: An axial flow blood pump comprises: an impeller (2) that rotates around an axis and is provided with axial flow blades on the peripheral surface thereof, a permanent magnet inside the impeller (2), and a dynamic bearing or a pivot bearing; a first casing (5) that surrounds the peripheral surface of the impeller (2) and is provided with an intake port (11); an annular fixed element (6) that generates a rotating magnetic field in the impeller (2) and can be fitted onto the outer surface of the first casing (5); an outlet port (12); a second casing (3) that is provided with guide vanes (diffusers) (31) in the inner surface thereof; and a socket member (4) that is fittably and securely mounted onto the outer peripheral surface of the second casing (3) and is provided with a joining portion that can join with the fixed element (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Takashi YAMANE
  • Patent number: 9183764
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional molded model that can reproduce the feel of an organ. A three-dimensional shape of a body site subject to molding is extracted from brightness information of two-dimensional data obtained from medical diagnostic devices, and three-dimensional molding data of the body site and the internal structure site thereof is created. The three-dimensional shape data is edited using a modeling function. Respective touch equivalent parameter tables are created. The material type and the formulation ratio of the modeling material used for molding each body site and internal structural site are defined, and added to the touch equivalent parameter tables. Primitive shape data is generated from the parameters of the touch equivalent parameter tables, and a Boolean operation is performed on the body site data and internal structure site data as well as on the primitive shape data. Molding is performed using the defined materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, FASOTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Maki Sugimoto, Takeshi Azuama, Kinichi Watanabe, Shukichi Shimada
  • Patent number: 9101409
    Abstract: An inter-spinous implant includes an approximately conical screw portion, further having a screw thread, which can be screwed between spinous processes; a head portion of an approximate inverted frustum shape of the same axis as the screw portion; a spacer portion that is formed between the screw portion and the head portion in the axial direction; and a through hole that passes through the axial center of the screw portion, the spacer portion, and the head portion. At least one slit is formed in the major axial direction of the total shape of the implant, having at least one-third the length of the total length of the major axial direction, the depth whereof reaching the through hole. Disposing the slit in the major axial direction of the implant proper imparts flexibility and elasticity to the implant overall, simplifies the installation and insertion of the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kobe University
    Inventor: Kotaro Nishida
  • Publication number: 20150218592
    Abstract: Provided is a method for efficiently producing ethanol by ethanol fermentation from xylose using a saccharified biomass, which contains various fermentation inhibitors. A method for producing ethanol from biomass of the present invention includes the step of culturing a xylose-utilizing yeast transformed so as to overexpress a gene for an acetic acid -responsive transcription factor in combination with a saccharified biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: National University Corporation Kobe University
    Inventors: Akihiko Kondo, Tomohisa Hasunuma, Yuri Sakihama
  • Patent number: 9066721
    Abstract: A gutclamper includes two hard rod-like bodies having flexible belts on one ends, a joint at which the rod-like bodies are joined, and at least one through hole made in one of the belts. The gut tract is clipped by using the two hard rod-like bodies and the joint as a pivot. By clipping the gut tract by side surfaces of the rod-like bodies, it can be clipped while the width of the gut is pressed and widened, so that the gut is prevented from being excessively clamped and torn. In addition, the two rod-like bodies are made different in length from each other, a through hole is made in the belt connected to the shorter rod-like body, and the tip end of the longer rod-like body is fit into the through hole and locked, so that reliable clipping is realized without an excessive burden being placed on an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kobe University
    Inventors: Takao Ichihara, Moriatsu Takada, Yoshikazu Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20150164940
    Abstract: A liquid medicine of the present invention comprising liquid having carbon dioxide dissolved therein, said liquid being administered by using means of liquid injection, and a method of treatment of the present invention using a liquid medicine comprising liquid having carbon dioxide dissolved therein, said liquid being administered by using means of liquid injection can reduce or eliminate tumors with few side effects. When the liquid medicine of the present invention comprising liquid having carbon dioxide dissolved therein, said liquid being administered by using means of liquid injection, and the method of treatment of the present invention using a liquid medicine comprising liquid having carbon dioxide dissolved therein, said liquid being administered by using means of liquid injection are used in combination with surgical therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy of tumors, effects can be enhanced or side effects can be reduced compared with monotherapy or multidisciplinary therapy thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicants: NEOCHEMIR INC., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, CO2BE MEDICAL ENGINEERING K.K.
    Inventors: Masaya Tanaka, Masahiko Miwa, Masahiko Fujii, Masato Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9056862
    Abstract: The present invention provides an anticancer drug having a Ras function inhibitory action. The present invention provides a Ras function inhibitor comprising a compound represented by the formula (I?): wherein each symbol is as defined in the present specification, or a salt thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, KNC LABORATORIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru Kataoka, Fumi Shima, Masahiro Neya, Daisuke Sasahara
  • Patent number: 8976638
    Abstract: Provided is an information encoding method and a holographic memory device which increase the amount of information per page of a holographic memory and reduce the bit error rate to ensure a larger multiplexing number. The holographic memory information encoding method expresses information of signal page data in a holographic memory as a multi-stage data using different resolution by block coding, and superimposes each data on a single page of signal page data. The multi-stage data using different resolution is realized by light amplitude data and phase data. The amplitude data is divided by area through block coding. When n odd-numbered ON bits exist in a divided area of the phase data, a phase of 2?s/n (where n and s are natural numbers) is imparted as s-th phase information to one value of binary data, and the same phase is imparted to the other value of binary data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kobe University
    Inventor: Osamu Matoba
  • Patent number: 8962287
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell capable of efficiently producing scyllo-inositol from myo-inositol and a simple method of manufacturing scyllo-inositol using the cell. The above-mentioned object is achieved by a Bacillus subtilis cell, in which a function of a protein having a scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase activity is lost, and the manufacture of scyllo-inositol using the cell, based on a novel finding that the protein having a scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase activity and a protein having a 2-keto-myo-inositol ketoreductase function are present in Bacillus subtilis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: National University Corporation KOBE University
    Inventors: Kenichi Yoshida, Hitoshi Ashida
  • Publication number: 20150047756
    Abstract: Provided is an Mg alloy and a method for producing same able to demonstrate high strength without requiring an expensive rare earth element (RE). The high-strength Mg alloy containing Ca and Zn within a solid solubility limit and the remainder having a chemical composition comprising Mg and unavoidable impurities is characterized in comprising equiaxial crystal particles, there being a segregated area of Ca and Zn along the (c) axis of a Mg hexagonal lattice within the crystal particle, and having a structure in which the segregated area is lined up by Mg3 atomic spacing in the (a) axis of the Mg hexagonal lattice. The method for producing the high-strength Mg alloy is characterized in that Ca and Zn are added to Mg in a compounding amount corresponding to the above composition and, after homogenization heat treating an ingot formed by dissolution and casting, the above structure is formed by subjecting the ingot to hot processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL INSITITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota Washio, Akira Kato, Toshiji Mukai, Alok Singh, Hidetoshi Somekawa
  • Patent number: 8957181
    Abstract: A preparation process for a cyclic conjugated polymer, includes the steps of deprotonating a monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound of a 5- to 7-membered ring using a deprotonation catalyst comprising secondary amine represented by R1NHR2 (R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each a branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or a phenyl group) and a Grignard reagent represented by R3MgX (X is a halogen atom selected from chlorine, bromine and iodine, and R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and polymerizing the deprotonated monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Kobe University
    Inventors: Syuji Okamoto, Hikaru Meguro, Atsunori Mori
  • Publication number: 20140377156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a CO2 permselective membrane 1 having an amino acid ionic liquid and a porous membrane impregnated with the amino acid ionic liquid, wherein the amino acid ionic liquid contains a certain range of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicants: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, RENAISSANCE ENERGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Okada, Nobuaki Hanai, Eiji Kamio, Shohei Kasahara, Hideto Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8873868
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for classifying targets into a known-object group and an unknown-object group. The apparatus includes a speech/image data storage unit configured to store a spoken sound of a name of an object and an image of the object; a unit configured to calculate a speech confidence level of a speech for the name of the object with reference to a spoken sound of a name of a known object; a unit configured to calculate an image confidence level of an image of an object with respect to an image of a known object; and a unit configured to compare an evaluation value, which is obtained by combining the speech confidence level and image confidence level, with a threshold value, and classify a target object into an object group determined according to whether the spoken sound of the name and the image are known or unknown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co. Ltd., National University Corporation Kobe University
    Inventors: Mikio Nakano, Naoto Iwahashi, Yasuo Ariki, Yuko Ozasa, Takahiro Hori, Ryohei Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20140249814
    Abstract: An object recognition system is applicable to practical use, and utilizes image information besides speech information to improve recognition accuracy. The object recognition system comprises a speech recognition unit to determine candidates for a result of speech recognition on input speech and their likelihoods, and an image model generation unit to generate image models of a predetermined number of the candidates having the highest likelihoods. The system further comprises an image likelihood calculation unit to calculate image likelihoods of input images based on the image models, and an object recognition unit to perform object recognition using the image likelihoods. At the time of generating the image model of the candidate, the image model generation unit first searches an image model database, and, when the image model of the candidate is not found in the database, the image model generation unit generates said image model from image information on the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mikio NAKANO, Hitoshi NISHIMURA, Yuko OZASA, Yasuo ARIKI