Abstract: An ammonia decomposition system includes: a reactor filled with a catalyst for a decomposition reaction where ammonia which is a raw material is decomposed into hydrogen and nitrogen; and a diluent gas supply line for supplying a diluent gas having a lower ammonia concentration than the raw material, such that the diluent gas is mixed with the raw material before the raw material flows into the catalyst.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.