Abstract: A sample is flowed through a flow cell, the passage of particles is detected by a laser light beam, a flash lamp is turned on in response to the detection, still images of the particles are picked up by a TV camera, and the images are image-processed. A particle detection unit adjusting unit calculates the anticipated number of image-processed particles from the total number of detected particles, compares it with the number of actually image-processed particles, and changes a particle detection condition such that the calculated value is equal to the actual measurement value. In actual sample measurement, an operation condition of the apparatus can be determined and measurement result can be corrected using those parameters.

Abstract: In a gas sensor which uses CuO as a p-type semiconductor, by adding Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 in excess of 1 wt % relative to CuO, sensitivity to gases such as H.sub.2, NO, NO.sub.2 and SO.sub.2 is suppressed, whereby selectivity for CO is increased. Sensitivity to CO.sub.2 can also be obtained. In addition, by adding a sodium salt of tungstic acid or molybdic acid, CO.sub.2 sensitivity can be made lower than the CO sensitivity, and CO gas in the exhaust gases discharged from gas-fired water heaters or other combustion equipment can be selectively detected. It is therefore possible to detect incomplete combustion.

Abstract: In order to investigate particles in a fluid, a flow cell causes the fluid to flow past a sensor which receives light from a continuous light emission system. When the sensor detects a change in light, a particle detector is triggered, which in turn triggers a pulse generator and hence an intermittent light emission system. Light then illuminates the flow cell to allow a CCD camera to photograph the particle. The photographs taken by the CCD camera are analyzed by an image processor. In order to obtain an accurate particle concentration measurement, it is necessary to modify the initial concentration measurement derived from the analysis of particle images by the image processor by a compensation coefficient. This operation is carried out by a concentration compensator. The result may then be displayed. Additional analysis may be carried out by changing the magnification of the CCD camera, or by selecting for analysis only those particles of a selected size or type.

Abstract: A flow type particle image analytical method for feeding a particles-suspended sample by surrounding it by a cleaning solution, imaging particles in the sample by irradiating light to it, and automatically classifying the particles in the sample by analyzing the picked-up particle images, wherein the method comprises a means for designating the kind of particles to be reviewed beforehand among the classified particles, a means for storing only particles which are automatically classified to the designated particle kind in a review image memory, a means for displaying particles of the same kind on a CRT display in batch so as to review particle images, and a means for classifying each of the displayed particles finally by an operator or for changing the particle name.

Abstract: A particle image in a sample is formed at an imaging position by an objective lens of a microscope, projected on the image picking up plane of a TV camera via a projection lens and is subjected to photo-electric conversion. Image signals from the TV camera are supplied to an image memory via an A/D converter as well as to an image processing control unit. Image signals outputted from the image memory are supplied to a characteristic picking out unit and there a plurality of characteristics of the particle concerned are picked out. The picked-out characteristics are supplied to the classification unit and there classification of the sediment components is perfumed via a neural network with a learning capability. Accordingly, the classification unit performs provisionally an automatic classification of the objective sediment components by making use of the inputted characteristic parameters.

Abstract: A flow cell apparatus, useful in an apparatus for measuring particles suspended in a liquid, comprises a sample liquid, supply device, a sheath liquid supply device, a flow cell which has a flow passage passing through a transparent measuring portion, and a nozzle for causing the sample liquid, from the supply device to flow in the flow passage of the flow cell. The nozzle has at least one discharge port which is disposed in the flow passage in a spaced relation from the inner wall of the flow cell flow passage. The sheath liquid supply device causes the sheath liquid to flow around the nozzle discharge port and surround the sample liquid flow to form a sheath flow. The flow passage of the flow cell and the nozzle are so formed as to ensure a sample liquid flow of a fixed width through the measuring portion.

Abstract: A flow type particle image analyzing method and apparatus in which high-speed and high-precision image analysis can be achieved with a simple configuration are realized. A flow chamber is structured so that the dimension of the sample fluid in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the light beam remains substantially constant in a direction of flow in an imaging zone. Furthermore, when particles have small diameters, a power for imaging is set to a fixed high value. When particles have large diameters, the thickness of a sample fluid is increased in order to provide a sufficient number of sample particles. Accordingly, no switching operation of an optical systems is required.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for flow type particle image analysis generate a pulse light emission in any one of the odd and the even field image reading-out periods, and multiple exposure is prevented by prohibiting the next pulse light emission in the predetermined period after the emission. The method includes the steps of flowing a sample liquid in a flow cell, detecting particles passing through the flow cell by a laser beam, making a flash lamp emit light after the predetermined period from the particle detection, picking up a particle still image by a TV camera, and further preventing the multiple exposure by providing emission-prohibiting periods which are established by controlling the timings of flash lamp emission and image transfer with the TV camera, a flash lamp emission control circuit, and an image processing control circuit which are controlled by a central control part.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing cells in a biological liquid sample, such as blood, in which apparatus a flow passage in a sample pretreatment system can be shortened with a simple construction. A sample metering chamber, a mixing chamber and a measurement liquid extracting chamber are formed in a rotary sliding member of a pretreatment portion. The rotary sliding member is intermittently rotated so as to shift a sample from one chamber to another to perform a necessary treatment. Fluorescence or scattering light with respect to the sample, mixed with a reagent in the pretreatment portion, is detected by a flow cell.

Abstract: A pipetter capable of mixing liquids and dispensing the mixed liquid has a pipetting tube, an actuating device connected to the tube for sucking liquid into and discharging liquid from the tube, and a flow disturbance device in the tube spaced from the discharge and suction end thereof and adapted to cause longitudinal mixing of liquid in the tube when liquid is moved along the tube in at least one direction. Mixing is effected in the tube by causing a liquid body to move repeatedly to and fro along the tube so that during each such movement at least a portion of the liquid body passes the flow disturbance device and the liquid body is not discharged from the first end of the tube. The pipetter is useful for example in mixing a suspension of blood cells with a reagent prior to analysis.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the accuracy of particle size histograms produced from data relating to an impedance variation (Coutler Counter Method) caused by particles passing between electrodes disposed on either side of an orifice through which the particles pass is improved by excluding false data from the data used in producing the histograms, the false data resulting from more than one particle being resident in the orifice at a given data collection time. The preferred embodiment employs a light detecting method and apparatus to detect false readings and to provide correction information used to correct data obtained by the Coulter Counter Method and apparatus.

Abstract: Particles contained in a liquid sample are analyzed by moving the particles along a detection passage past a detector using a liquid flow in the detection passage. To reduce the time required for analysis of each sample, the sample is delivered at an input location at the upstream end of the detection passage by movement of a movable container carrying the sample to the input location. Immediately after the commencement of the delivery of the liquid sample, liquid flow is caused to occur in the detection passage. Washing liquid is supplied to the input location by a liquid supplier different from the movable container which carries the sample.

Abstract: In a film image reading out device, in which one surface of a film, where images are recorded, is scanned repeatedly with a laser light beam along a scanning line and images are read out by detecting continuously light, which has passed through the film, while moving the film with a low speed in the direction, which is perpendicular to the scanning line, a light diffusing member is disposed closely to the surface opposite to that of the film scanned with the laser light beam and the optical density of the film is detected continuously by leading transmitted and diffused light to a photodetector by means of a bundle of optical fibers.

Abstract: A circuit for correcting a variation in phase of a train of clock pulses detected from a pattern of a coding disc of a rotary encoder which detects the rotation angle of a rotating shaft, comprises an ROM in which data for correction of a phase variation corresponding to the rotation angles of the coding disc are preliminarily stored. The correction data are read from the ROM by designating addresses of the ROM by means of the counter which counts up a train of clock pulses from the rotary encoder before the clock pulse train is subjected to correction. The clock pulses are phase-modulated by the correction data from the ROM to provide a corrected train of clock pulses which correctly represent the rotation angles of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled telephone answering device displays a message number and the date and time received for each recorded message as the message is played back. Other features include a cue function for selecting messages as they are played back. The answering device can automatically rewind back and locate a cued message to replay that selected message. Also, digital function codes can be transmitted over a telephone by a remote control unit to control a large number of answering device functions from a remote location. Additional features include the capability for easily entering a new security code into both the answering device and the remote control unit.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled telephone answering device displays a message number and the date and time received for each recorded message as the message is played back. Other features include a cue function for selecting messages as they are played back. The answering device can automatically rewind back and locate a cued message to replay that selected message. Also, digital function codes can be transmitted over a telephone by a remote control unit to control a large number of answering device functions from a remote location. Additional features include the capability for easily entering a new security code into both the answering device and the remote control unit.

Abstract: A surgical equipment for transmitting surgical output power such as laser beam from a hand piece is provided with a pressure sensing element of which resistance changes with the force externally applied to the hand piece so that the pressure sensing element senses an operator holding the hand piece.

Abstract: In a laser surgical equipment consisting of a laser oscillator oscillating a laser output, an optical waveguide connected to the laser oscillator and transmitting the laser output and a hand piece connected to the optical waveguide and radiating the laser output to a diseased part to be radiated, the improvement comprising a detector for detecting the laser output from the hand piece, a comparator for comparing the output of the detector with a predetermined value and a controller for controlling the laser oscillator by the output of the comparator and for setting the laser output of the hand piece to the predetermined value.

Abstract: In a laser surgical apparatus having a laser oscillator operable to oscillate to produce a laser beam, and an optical path connected to the laser oscillator for transmission of the laser beam, a hand piece at the fore end of the optical path is equipped with a vibrator element comprised of a piezoelectric transducer, and the vibrator element applies a vibration to the hand piece.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled telephone answering device displays a message number and the date and time received for each recorded message as the message is played back. Other features include a cue function for selecting messages as they are played back. The answering device can automatically rewind back and locate a cued message to replay that selected message. Also, digital function codes can be transmitted over a telephone by a remote control unit to control a large number of answering device functions from a remote location. Additional features include the capability for easily entering a new security code into both the answering device and the remote control unit.