Patents by Inventor Akio Oki

Akio Oki 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: 20230194488
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes a suction inlet, a housing communicating with the suction inlet, a gas sensor array disposed in an inside of the housing, and a suction unit disposed at an end of the housing. The suction unit is configured to perform a first suction conveying a gas component in air to the gas sensor array through the suction inlet, and perform a second suction conveying the gas component to the gas sensor array at a flow rate smaller than a flow rate of the first suction. The suction unit is configured to perform the second suction together with the first suction. The gas sensor array is configured to operate while the suction unit performs the second suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: AKIO OKI
  • Patent number: 10845348
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a cell array which includes a plurality of cells disposed in rows and columns; a read-out circuit which reads out signals from the plurality of cells; and a signal processor which processes the signals read out. Each of the plurality of cells includes: a gas molecule detector which is electrically isolated between adjacent ones of the plurality of cells; and an amplifier circuit which is electrically connected to the gas molecule detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Okino, Yutaka Hirose, Yoshihisa Kato, Akio Oki
  • Publication number: 20180292347
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a cell array which includes a plurality of cells disposed in rows and columns; a read-out circuit which reads out signals from the plurality of cells; and a signal processor which processes the signals read out. Each of the plurality of cells includes: a gas molecule detector which is electrically isolated between adjacent ones of the plurality of cells; and an amplifier circuit which is electrically connected to the gas molecule detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Toru OKINO, Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Akio OKI
  • Patent number: 9500589
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sample holding carrier allowing samples to be measured accurately, and a fluorescence detection device for use with the sample holding carrier. A biosensor substrate includes a base substrate, a plurality of wells formed on a first surface side of the base substrate; and grooves formed on the first surface side of the base substrate separately from the wells and generating fluorescence under exposure to excitation light. The fluorescence detection device applies excitation light to the grooves, thereby figuring out the level of the fluorescence to be detected from the biosensor substrate. As a result, the fluorescence detection device can amplify the detection signals of the fluorescence generated when the excitation light is applied to the wells to an appropriate level, thereby accurately detecting the fluorescence generated in the samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Morio Nakatani, Masaya Nakatani, Yoshiyuki Matsumura, Kenji Nagatomi, Akio Oki
  • Patent number: 9377408
    Abstract: A sample holding carrier includes: a substrate to which irradiation light is entered from an under face; a first reflective film disposed on a top face side of the substrate and having electrical conductivity; a sample accommodating portion disposed on a top face side of the first reflective film and having a bottom portion; and a first current carrying part configured to apply a voltage to the first reflective film from an outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagatomi, Morio Nakatani, Masaya Nakatani, Akio Oki
  • Publication number: 20150276606
    Abstract: A sample holding carrier includes: a substrate to which irradiation light is entered from an under face; a first reflective film disposed on a top face side of the substrate and having electrical conductivity; a sample accommodating portion disposed on a top face side of the first reflective film and having a bottom portion; and a first current carrying part configured to apply a voltage to the first reflective film from an outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Kenji NAGATOMI, Morio NAKATANI, Masaya NAKATANI, Akio OKI
  • Patent number: 9128056
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sample holding carrier that can accurately measure a sample with a simple configuration, and a fluorescence detection system and device that use the same. Biosensor substrate includes: base substrate on which excitation light is incident from a lower surface; reflecting film that is arranged on an upper surface of base substrate to partially reflect the excitation light; and plural wells that are arranged on an upper surface side of reflecting film and have bottom surface portions. The excitation light is converged to be incident on base substrate. Distance from reflecting surface that is of a boundary between reflecting film and base substrate to bottom surface portion of well is less than or equal to a focal depth of the excitation light. Therefore, the sample accommodated in bottom surface portion of well can surely and efficiently be irradiated with the excitation light, and accurately be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Matsumura, Kenji Nagatomi, Masaya Nakatani, Akio Oki, Morio Nakatani, Takuya Hayashi, Masaaki Hayama
  • Publication number: 20150048256
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sample holding carrier that can accurately measure a sample with a simple configuration, and a fluorescence detection system and device that use the same. Biosensor substrate includes: base substrate on which excitation light is incident from a lower surface; reflecting film that is arranged on an upper surface of base substrate to partially reflect the excitation light; and plural wells that are arranged on an upper surface side of reflecting film and have bottom surface portions. The excitation light is converged to be incident on base substrate. Distance from reflecting surface that is of a boundary between reflecting film and base substrate to bottom surface portion of well is less than or equal to a focal depth of the excitation light. Therefore, the sample accommodated in bottom surface portion of well can surely and efficiently be irradiated with the excitation light, and accurately be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki MATSUMURA, Kenji NAGATOMI, Masaya NAKATANI, Akio OKI, Morio NAKATANI, Takuya HAYASHI, Masaaki HAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150031121
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sample holding carrier allowing samples to be measured accurately, and a fluorescence detection device for use with the sample holding carrier. A biosensor substrate includes a base substrate, a plurality of wells formed on a first surface side of the base substrate; and grooves formed on the first surface side of the base substrate separately from the wells and generating fluorescence under exposure to excitation light. The fluorescence detection device applies excitation light to the grooves, thereby figuring out the level of the fluorescence to be detected from the biosensor substrate. As a result, the fluorescence detection device can amplify the detection signals of the fluorescence generated when the excitation light is applied to the wells to an appropriate level, thereby accurately detecting the fluorescence generated in the samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Morio NAKATANI, Masaya NAKATANI, Yoshiyuki MATSUMURA, Kenji NAGATOMI, Akio OKI
  • Publication number: 20140231274
    Abstract: A single-molecule detection device includes a substrate having a through-hole therein, a first chamber configured to accommodate a first electrolytic solution therein, a second chamber configured to accommodate a second electrolytic solution therein, an electrode pair provided around the through-hole, and a chimeric protein immobilized to one end of the through-hole. The chimeric protein includes a target sequence configured to allow the biomolecule to act thereon, a first protein provided at one end of the target sequence, and a second protein provided at another end of the target sequence. The chimeric protein is immobilized at the one end of the through-hole via the first protein. This device can readily detect a single biomolecule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Oki, Hiroaki Oka, Ken Shimono
  • Publication number: 20140054170
    Abstract: A biosensor device which is possible to be downsized and potable, is free of the problem of solution outflow, and enables detection accurately and stably is realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Norihito Tsukahara, Keiko Ikuta, Akio Oki
  • Patent number: 8097013
    Abstract: Provided are skin incision instrument to efficiently incise minimal portions and a method for incising skin with the skin incision instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Oki, Hiroaki Oka
  • Patent number: 8062489
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for stably forming an artificial lipid membrane while suppressing the leakage and evaporation of an electrolytic solution. The present invention is an artificial lipid membrane forming method for forming an artificial lipid membrane using an artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus. The artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, a dividing wall, and an artificial lipid membrane forming portion. Each of the first chamber and the second chamber has a capacity of not smaller than 10 pl and not larger than 200 ?l. The artificial lipid membrane forming method of the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing the artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus; adding to the first chamber a first electrolytic solution having a viscosity of not lower than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Oki, Norihito Tsukahara, Masato Suzuki, Hiroaki Oka
  • Patent number: 8056395
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting easily and efficiently a chemical substance contained in a gas sample at an ultralow amount. The present invention is directed to detecting method of a chemical substance contained in a gas sample, using an analyzing device with electrostatic atomizer. The analyzing device comprises a vessel, a inlet, a cooling part, an atomizing electrode, a counter electrode, an intermediate electrode, a liquid detecting part, and a detecting electrode. According to a detecting method of the present invention, the gas sample is condensed as a first condensate liquid at the surface of the atomizing electrode. The first condensate liquid is configured to be electric-charged fine particles to obtain a second condensate liquid at the surface of the counter electrode. The resulted second condensate liquid is brought in contact with the detecting electrode and a current voltage is applied between the counter electrode and the detecting electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Oki
  • Patent number: 7972277
    Abstract: Handling of the condensate collecting vessel in conventional breath analysis apparatuses having a cold condensation mechanism is complicated, and time consuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Oki, Hiroaki Oka
  • Publication number: 20110083793
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for stably forming an artificial lipid membrane while suppressing the leakage and evaporation of an electrolytic solution. The present invention is an artificial lipid membrane forming method for forming an artificial lipid membrane using an artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus. The artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, a dividing wall, and an artificial lipid membrane forming portion. Each of the first chamber and the second chamber has a capacity of not smaller than 10 pl and not larger than 200 ?l. The artificial lipid membrane forming method of the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing the artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus; adding to the first chamber a first electrolytic solution having a viscosity of not lower than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio OKI, Norihito Tsukahara, Masato Suzuki, Hiroaki Oka
  • Publication number: 20110072887
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting easily and efficiently a chemical substance contained in a gas sample at an ultralow amount. The present invention is directed to detecting method of a chemical substance contained in a gas sample, using an analyzing device with electrostatic atomizer. The analyzing device comprises a vessel, a inlet, a cooling part, an atomizing electrode, a counter electrode, an intermediate electrode, a liquid detecting part, and a detecting electrode. According to a detecting method of the present invention, the gas sample is condensed as a first condensate liquid at the surface of the atomizing electrode. The first condensate liquid is configured to be electric-charged fine particles to obtain a second condensate liquid at the surface of the counter electrode. The resulted second condensate liquid is brought in contact with the detecting electrode and a current voltage is applied between the counter electrode and the detecting electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akio OKI
  • Patent number: 7866220
    Abstract: The present invention of collecting a gaseous sample employs a sealable container, an inlet mounted at a part of the container, an outlet mounted at another part of the container, an atomizing electrode mounted in the container, a primary refrigerator mounted adjacent to the atomizing electrode, an opposite electrode mounted in the container, an acicular capture electrode mounted adjacent to the opposite electrode, and a secondary refrigerator mounted adjacent to the capture electrode. Charged microparticles are prepared by chilling the gaseous sample and producing condensate of the same. Such charged microparticles are collected by the capture electrode with static electricity, and they are condensed by chilling them. This method prevents the capture electrode from spreading solution thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Oki, Hiroaki Oka
  • Patent number: 7833173
    Abstract: Provided are skin incision instrument to efficiently incise minimal portions and a method for incising skin with the skin incision instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Oki, Hiroaki Oka
  • Patent number: 7828947
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily forming an artificial lipid membrane in a short period of time and an artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus suitable for carrying out such method. The present invention relates to a method for forming an artificial lipid membrane using an artificial lipid membrane forming apparatus. The apparatus comprises a substrate, a first spacer, a first thin film, a second spacer, a second thin film, and a cover, wherein a first chamber is formed between the substrate and the first thin film, the first thin film has a first through hole, a second chamber is formed between the first thin film and the second thin film, the second thin film has a second through hole, and the cover has an inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Oki, Hiroaki Oka