Patents by Inventor Hiroyuki Yonekawa

Hiroyuki Yonekawa 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: 20090004110
    Abstract: This invention is a continuing submission of multi-functional gelatin particle and its use, provisional patent application 60/880,734 filed at 01/17/2007. And this invention is related to former patent applications of 11/698,966, 11/788,829, 11/799,487. Multi-functional gelatin particle has been used for the variety of biological assays and applications. In this patent application, we extend to use multi-functional gelatin particles as for the in vivo & in vitro shuttle assay. We modified particle preparation steps and then, we can add extra functions in inside and outside of gelatin particles. Such multi-modified and functioned gelatin particles worked for the encapsulation of cells and serve subcutaneous injection too. Such Multi-functional gelatin particles can work as molecular indicator, target molecule isolator, and local area stimulator for the living cells also.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicants: Olympus America Inc. Scientific Equipment Group, Olympus Corporation Diagnostic systems group.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Publication number: 20080261298
    Abstract: This invention is used for the multiplex analysis method of cells or tissues by combination of multiple cubicles and permeable membrane. Utilizing the diffusion based reagents administration; cells and tissues in multiple cubicles receive signals evenly in their cubicles as parallel manner. This device makes efficient multiplex cells or tissues assays with simple plate layout. According to the molecular permeable mechanism, single spike of stimuli as chemical trigger, light activation, electric triggers or temperature shift can induce multiple cells or tissues response at once. Then accompanying with calibrator molecules as for the navigation of stimuli and assisted by suitable computer simulation, accurate kinetic cells or tissues response analysis is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Olympus American Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Publication number: 20080171381
    Abstract: This invention is used for the multiplex cells/tissues analysis using 3D cells/tissue culturing functional particles. Functional particle has been used for the variety of biological assays including immunology, biochemistry and molecular biology as well as cell biology. We combined different particles in same reaction vessel for realizing multiple assays for cells or tissues analysis. These particles are identified by their mark as different color or fluorescence. Then differently identified cells/tissues are analyzed according to their response to the outside signals evenly. We can apply any signals as chemical trigger, light activation, electric triggers, mechanical trigger or temperature shift. In this patent application, we extend to use these functional particles with permeable parts or permeable reaction vessel for the high trough put cells and tissues analysis. If the diffusion speed of these are calibrated correctly, we can measure complex kinetic of cells or tissues response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yonekawa, Osamu Joji
  • Publication number: 20070191715
    Abstract: This invention is cited to the method and device for the In Vivo observation of embedded cells or tissues. Using this device, we can observe cells or tissues in inside of living animal for long period with high quality of images. We can couple this device with electro-physiological devices or drug administration devices too. According to this invention, biological reactions of target cells or tissues in inside of animal are observed in real time. Then, arrayed multiplex form of device is also claimed. Such arrayed multiplex device works as high throughput analyzing device In Vitro as well as In Vivo. This device can be used for the drug screening and drug susceptibility test by adding second layer. According to this invention, multiple biological reactions as metastasis of cancer, immunological reaction, drug resistance or host-parasite interaction of target cells can be analyzed at once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Publication number: 20070134712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene examining apparatus utilizing a computer, the apparatus comprising (1) DNA microarrays in each of which a large number of fine liquid accommodating sections are two-dimensionally arranged so that openings of the fine liquid accommodating sections are located on the same plane, in which each of the liquid accommodating sections can three-dimensionally accommodate a liquid, and in which hybridization reaction occurs in the liquid accommodating section between a target nucleic acid already labeled with an optical marker substance and the nucleic acid probe, and (2) a microscope comprising a stage supporting the DNA microarrays set forth in (1), a temperature regulating section that regulates the temperature of each DNA microarray, and imaging means for picking up an image of an optical signal from the DNA microarray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yonekawa, Takami Shibazaki, Takatomo Satoh, Hiroko Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20060286623
    Abstract: This invention is used for the three dimensional microanalysis and observation of small object especially under microscope. This invention is applied on to the biomedical field as cell or tissue observation and manipulation. Three dimensional observation and manipulation method and device are cited in claim 1 and 2. And further cell or tissue manipulating technique as microinjecting, patch clumping and suctioning of living material is cited in claim 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Publication number: 20050079501
    Abstract: That invention provides a nucleic acid information detection method which, in a method wherein a target nucleic acid, and probes having a complementary sequence with at least a portion of the target nucleic acid sequence, are contacted with each other in order to form hybrids between the target nucleic acid and the probes, and the amount of signal generated depending on the amount of hybrids is measured in order to detect the information on the target nucleic acid, includes kinetically obtaining data of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Hisashi Koike, Tomonori Nagaoka, Takatomo Satoh, Yoshioki Kaneko, Midori Hatanaka, Morinao Fukuoka, Hiroko Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Publication number: 20040253614
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene examining apparatus utilizing a computer, the apparatus comprising (1) DNA microarrays in each of which a large number of fine liquid accommodating sections are two-dimensionally arranged so that openings of the fine liquid accommodating sections are located on the same plane, in which each of the liquid accommodating sections can three-dimensionally accommodate a liquid, and in which hybridization reaction occurs in the liquid accommodating section between a target nucleic acid already labeled with an optical marker substance and the nucleic acid probe, and (2) a microscope comprising a stage supporting the DNA microarrays set forth in (1), a temperature regulating section that regulates the temperature of each DNA microarray, and imaging means for picking up an image of an optical signal from the DNA microarray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yonekawa, Takami Shibazaki, Takatomo Satoh, Hiroko Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5388164
    Abstract: Particle patterns formed on an inclined bottom surface of a reaction vessel are photoelectrically detected to produce a two-dimensional image signal. The signal is processed to judge or classify the particle patterns into an agglutinated pattern, a non-agglutinated pattern or an uncertain pattern with the aid of a neural network. An image signal representing a particle pattern is first extracted, then the image signal is decomposed into a series of light intensity areas due to different contours of the inclined bottom surface. The integrated light intensities of each area are presented to a neural network. The neural network operates in a training mode and a classification mode. In the training mode the neural network is presented with numerous samples of decomposed images as well as their respective classification. In the classification mode the neural network will judge a decomposed image based on a generalization made during the training mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yonekawa, Christopher M. Skoldberg
  • Patent number: 5238852
    Abstract: Particle patterns formed on a conical bottom surface of wells formed in a microplate are photoelectrically detected to produce a two-dimensional image signal, and then the two-dimensional image signal is processed to judge or classify the particle patterns as agglutinated patterns, non-agglutinated patterns or uncertained patterns with the aid of the two-dimensional image processing. An image signal representing a particle pattern is first extracted, and then the true or typical agglutinated and non-agglutinated patterns are judged by at least two fast judgments. When the pattern is not definitely judged, the image signal of the relevant pattern is further subjected to at least two precise judgments. When the pattern is judged to be the agglutinated pattern by the precise judgments, the relevant pattern is finally judged to be the true agglutinated pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ko Sakai, Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 5192692
    Abstract: Particle patterns formed on a conical bottom surface of wells formed in a microplate are photoelectrically detected to produce a two-dimensional image signal, and then the two-dimensional image signal is processed to judge or classify the particle patterns as agglutinated patterns, non-agglutinated patterns or uncertain patterns with the aid of the two-dimensional image processing. An image signal representing a particle pattern is first extracted, and then the true or typical agglutinated and non-agglutinated patterns are judged by means of at least two fast judgments. When the pattern is not definitely judged, the image signal of the relevant pattern is further subjected to at least two precise judgments. When the pattern is judged to be the agglutinated pattern by the precise judgments, the relevant pattern is finally judged to be the true agglutinated pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ko Sakai, Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 5188968
    Abstract: A reaction kit is provided with a reaction zone of suitable cross-sectional area to aspirate a sample by capillarity and a transparent plate with a flat surface in at least part of the reaction zone, and a supporting base to incline the reaction zone at a specified angle. The reaction zone is normally a space formed by two opposite transparent plates and spacers inserted between these two transparent plates. A supporting base may be molded separately, the transparent plates and spacers being set on the base at the time of measurement, or alternatively the base may be molded integrally with at least one of the plates defining the reaction zone. Further, substances with specificity such as antigens or antibodies may be coated on a surface in the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokio Kano, Toshinobu Niimura, Hiroyuki Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 5066465
    Abstract: A reaction apparatus with sample inlet channel of suitable cross-sectional area for aspirating a sample into the interior of the apparatus by capillarity, a recess provided on the inner wall of the sample inlet channel, and a transparent plate with a flat surface arranged opposite the recess. The recess has sloping walls, and may for example, have a conical or hemispherical form. The recess may moreover be a V-shaped or U-shaped groove. Further, the inner wall of the recess may be coated with antibodies or antigens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokio Kano, Toshinobu Niimura, Hiroyuki Yonekawa