Patents by Inventor Hitoshi Tokieda
Hitoshi Tokieda 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).
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Publication number: 20120294765Abstract: There is provided an analysis apparatus in which congestion does not occur and whose analysis efficiency is high as a whole even when the apparatus is an automatic analyzing apparatus to which a plurality of functional modules having different functions and process performances from each other are connected. Also, there is provided an automatic analysis system in which, even when a new functional module is added, it is not required to consider influence on the existing functional modules and restructure a carrying plan or others for improving process performances as a whole. Buffer units paired with the respective functional modules are connected to a specimen carrying line, and an operating-section computer issues an instruction for carrying to the respective functional modules in accordance with requests for specimens, so that carrying-in/out operations are performed as managing respective carrying-possible states among the buffer units and functional modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Osamu Watabe, Masashi Akutsu, Hitoshi Tokieda
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Publication number: 20120294764Abstract: A sample-processing system that improves total system processing efficiency, and reduces a sample-processing time, by establishing a functionally independent relationship between a rack conveyance block with rack supply, conveyance, and recovery functions, and a processing block with sample preprocessing, analysis, and other functions. A buffer unit with random accessibility to multiple racks standing by for processing is combined with each of multiple processing units to form a pair, and the system is constructed to load and unload racks into and from the buffer unit through the rack conveyance block so that one unprocessed rack is loaded into the buffer unit and then upon completion of process steps up to automatic retesting, unloaded from the buffer unit. Functional dependence between any processing unit and a conveyance unit is thus eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Hitoshi TOKIEDA, Yoshimitsu TAKAGI, Takeshi SHIBUYA, Masashi AKUTSU
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Patent number: 8252233Abstract: A sample-processing system that improves total system processing efficiency, and reduces a sample-processing time, by establishing a functionally independent relationship between a rack conveyance block with rack supply, conveyance, and recovery functions, and a processing block with sample preprocessing, analysis, and other functions. A buffer unit with random accessibility to multiple racks standing by for processing is combined with each of multiple processing units to form a pair, and the system is constructed to load and unload racks into and from the buffer unit through the rack conveyance block so that one unprocessed rack is loaded into the buffer unit and then upon completion of process steps up to automatic retesting, unloaded from the buffer unit. Functional dependence between any processing unit and a conveyance unit is thus eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Yoshimitsu Takagi, Takeshi Shibuya, Masashi Akutsu
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Publication number: 20120070343Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a plurality of reagent disks having reagent containers thereon, a reaction disk having a plurality of reaction cuvettes and a plurality of reagent dispensing probes arranged on each of the reagent disks. Each of the dispensing probes includes a first arm rotatable about a first rotary shaft and a second arm rotatable about a second rotary shaft arranged on the first arm with the arms being rotatable independently of each other. A mechanism analyzes reactions of the reagents and samples in the cuvettes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa
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Patent number: 8071025Abstract: An automatic analyzer having a smaller size, allowing a larger number of reagents to be loaded, and having a higher processing capability. Reagent disks are disposed inside and outside a reaction disk. Reagent probes are disposed to be able to suck reagents from the reagent disks and eject the reagents at common positions. A plurality of reagent probes are alternately accessed one by one to each of the reagent disks per cycle. Each reagent probe comprises two arms rotatable independently of each other so that the reagent probe is able to access a plurality of points and interference between the plurality of reagent probes can be avoided. A first reagent and a second reagent can be loaded on each of the reagent disks, and the number of loadable reagents can be increased without enlarging an overall system size. Thus, an automatic analyzer having a shorter cycle time and a higher processing capability can be realized.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa
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Publication number: 20110256022Abstract: An automatic analyzer is provided that can promptly process a request for additional test items for a sample being analyzed or an error that has occurred in the sample. The automatic analyzer has functions of outputting measurements of a sample analyzed, determining whether or not re-analyzing is necessary, and performing the re-analyzing. To achieve these functions, the automatic analyzer includes a buffer area for standby until analysis is completed and measurements are outputted. Each of analysis units includes a pair of buffer units that can randomly access the buffer area. The automatic analyzer further includes a position disposed near the buffer area, at which a sample can be unloaded and reloaded. A rack that is mounted with the sample in question and that stands by within the buffer area is unloaded onto the unloading position by a command to unload issued by an operator operating an operation section. Operations required for the sample are performed from above the unloaded rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Masashi Akutsu, Shigeki Matsubara, Yoshimitsu Takagi, Hitoshi Tokieda
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Publication number: 20110162438Abstract: In a sample-processing system having function modules and buffer units each combined as a pair with one another, in case of device stoppage due to failure, since a number of sample racks are held in the buffers, resetting involves a huge amount of time for storage of the racks. In addition, if the system configuration includes a plurality of buffer units, the resetting time increases with the number of buffer units. Sample rack ID reading means is provided in each buffer unit and during resetting, IDs of the sample racks in the buffer unit are read in the buffer unit. The buffer unit then uses the read information to make an inquiry to a control unit as to transport destinations of each sample rack. After this, sample processing based on transport destination instructions from the control unit is restarted using the buffer unit as a restarting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Yoshimitsu Takagi, Masashi Akutsu, Shotaro Sagawa
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Patent number: 7749441Abstract: An automatic analyzer is disclosed that dispenses a sample and a reagent into each of a plurality of reaction vessels to allow them to react with each other, and that measures the liquid formed as a result of the reaction. This automatic analyzer includes a first reagent storage case for storing the reagent to be used for the reaction, a second reagent storage case for storing the reagent for supplemental purpose, and a reagent conveying unit for conveying the reagent from the second reagent storage case to the first reagent storage case.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignees: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Masaaki Hanawa, Isao Yamazaki, Hitoshi Tokieda, Masaharu Nishida, Masaki Shiba, Heino Eikmeier, Dietmar Kappelhoff, Christoph Möllers, Stephan Sattler
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Publication number: 20090162247Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sample-processing system that can improve total system processing efficiency, and reduce a sample-processing time, by establishing a functionally independent relationship between a rack conveyance block with rack supply, conveyance, and recovery functions, and a processing block with sample preprocessing, analysis, and other functions. A buffer unit with random accessibility to multiple racks standing by for processing is combined with each of multiple processing units to form a pair, and the system is constructed to load and unload racks into and from the buffer unit through the rack conveyance block so that one unprocessed rack is loaded into the buffer unit and then upon completion of process steps up to automatic retesting, unloaded from the buffer unit. Functional dependence between any processing unit and a conveyance unit is thus eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Hitoshi TOKIEDA, Yoshimitsu TAKAGI, Takeshi Shibuya, Masashi Akutsu
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Publication number: 20060062692Abstract: An automatic analyzer having a smaller size, allowing a larger number of reagents to be loaded, and having a higher processing capability. Reagent disks are disposed inside and outside a reaction disk. Reagent probes are disposed to be able to suck reagents from the reagent disks and eject the reagents at common positions. A plurality of reagent probes are alternately accessed one by one to each of the reagent disks per cycle. Each reagent probe comprises two arms rotatable independently of each other so that the reagent probe is able to access a plurality of points and interference between the plurality of reagent probes can be avoided. A first reagent and a second reagent can be loaded on each of the reagent disks, and the number of loadable reagents can be increased without enlarging an overall system size. Thus, an automatic analyzer having a shorter cycle time and a higher processing capability can be realized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Inventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa
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Publication number: 20050207938Abstract: An automatic analyzer is disclosed that dispenses a sample and a reagent into each of a plurality of reaction vessels to allow them to react with each other, and that measures the liquid formed as a result of the reaction. This automatic analyzer includes a first reagent storage case for storing the reagent to be used for the reaction, a second reagent storage case for storing the reagent for supplemental purpose, and a reagent conveying unit for conveying the reagent from the second reagent storage case to the first reagent storage case.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2004Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventors: Masaaki Hanawa, Isao Yamazaki, Hitoshi Tokieda, Masaharu Nishida, Masaki Shiba, Heino Eikmeier, Dietmar Kappelhoff, Christoph Mollers, Stephan Sattler
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Publication number: 20050142040Abstract: A reagent container used for automatic analysis in an automatic analyzer, which enables reagents to be set with ease and which can increase flexibility in selecting combinations of the reagents. In an automatic analyzer for analyzing components of a biological sample by using two or more kinds of reagents, reagent containers containing the two or more kinds of reagents are jointed into one reagent cassette with the aid of a recess and a projection provided in and on the reagent containers, a reagent holder, bonding, tape binding, etc. Thus, a plurality of reagents used for one analysis item are combined with each other in one cassette corresponding to one analysis item. A reagent container for use in automatic analysis, which is easy to handle and highly flexible in setting of reagents, can be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2004Publication date: June 30, 2005Inventors: Masaaki Hanawa, Isao Yamazaki, Hitoshi Tokieda, Tomonori Mimura, Tadashi Oishi, Yoshiaki Igarashi, Masaharu Nishida, Takeshi Sato
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Patent number: 6764650Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Katsushi Takahashi, Hitoshi Tokieda, Toshiyuki Ikeda, Susumu Kai
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Publication number: 20020028157Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventors: Katsushi Takahashi, Hitoshi Tokieda, Toshiyuki Ikeda, Susumu Kai
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Patent number: 6337050Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Katsushi Takahashi, Hitoshi Tokieda, Toshiyuki Ikeda, Susumu Kai
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Patent number: D631975Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Mitsuru Oonuma, Hitoshi Tokieda, Yoshimitsu Takagi, Takeshi Shibuya
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Patent number: D631976Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Mitsuru Oonuma, Hitoshi Tokieda, Yoshimitsu Takagi, Takeshi Shibuya
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Patent number: D637730Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Mitsuru Oonuma, Hitoshi Tokieda, Yoshimitsu Takagi, Takeshi Shibuya