Patents by Inventor Kenta Imai

Kenta Imai 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).

  • Patent number: 11161118
    Abstract: The mixing of reagents with each other in the reagent storage flow paths of an automatic analyzer is suppressed before and after exchange of the reagents, which are capable of being replenished without stopping analysis. An exchangeable reagent container that accommodates a reagent is connected to a reagent storage flow path that stores a portion of the reagent. The reagent storage flow path has first and second flow paths in which the second flow path is branched from the first flow path. A reagent syringe applies a negative or a positive pressure to the first and second flow paths; and a valve controls the flow path through which the reagent is sent. As a result, the reagent supplied to a measurement portion at a predetermined timing is switched from the reagent container to the reagent storage flow path wherein the reagent can be supplied without stopping analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujita, Toshiharu Suzuki, Takenori Okusa, Shunsuke Sasaki, Yoshihiro Yamashita, Kenta Imai
  • Publication number: 20210270858
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis system that reduces a personnel burden and increases an operating rate using an autonomous mobile robot while suppressing an initial cost. The automatic analysis system includes: a plurality of devices that are disposed in an automatic analysis area 101 and includes analyzing units 103 and 104 included in an automatic analyzer; and a robot 102 that moves in the automatic analysis area, in which an operation screen of the analyzing unit has a first screen mode for an operator and a second screen mode for the robot and is switchable between the first screen mode and the second screen mode, and the robot obtains state information of the analyzing unit from the operation screen in the second screen mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kenta Imai, Tomoakira Kawai, Taku Sakazume, Shigeru Yano, Manabu Minegishi, Takahiro Suzuki, Atsushi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20210215728
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer in which a consumable is appropriately managed and efficiently used. An automatic analyzer includes: a housing container holder portion that holds a housing container housing a consumable; a transport mechanism that transports the consumable housed in the housing container; and a controller, in which the housing container contains a first consumable and a second consumable, and the controller determines a usage state of the housing container relating to the first consumable and a usage state of the housing container relating to the second consumable, determines whether or not the first consumable housed in the housing container is usable based on the usage state of the housing container relating to the first consumable, and determines whether or not the second consumable housed in the housing container is usable based on the usage state of the housing container relating to the second consumable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEKI, Takenori OKUSA, Shunsuke SASAKI, Kenta IMAI, Hiroki FUJITA
  • Patent number: 11014289
    Abstract: An ink supplying device is provided and supplies a functional ink to a droplet ejecting portion, including: a tube body through which the functional ink passes; a degasser that removes a dissolved gas from the functional ink; a first supply path in which the degasser is fitted to the tube body; a second supply path in which the degasser is not fitted to the tube body; and a controller that switches a supply path of the functional ink to the second supply path when a viscosity of the functional ink is higher than or equal to a predetermined value, and switches the supply path to the first supply path when the viscosity of the functional ink is lower than the predetermined value. The first supply path and the second supply path are coupled by an upstream side coupling portion and a downstream side coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyohei Maruyama, Yoshikazu Furukawa, Kenta Imai
  • Publication number: 20210073979
    Abstract: An image-processing device including: a determination unit that determines a captured image on the basis of a ratio of cells and a distribution of the cells in the captured image acquired by imaging a sample including cells; and an area setting unit that sets an area used for analyzing the cells of the sample on the basis of a result of the determination acquired by the determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mamiko MASUTANI, Kenta IMAI, Wataru TOMOSUGI, Takuro SAIGO, Chisako IWAMOTO, Masafumi YAMASHITA, Kenichi OHBA
  • Patent number: 10935497
    Abstract: A highly reflective light-guide system has a highly reflective light-guide surface for reflecting light that has been emitted from a sample and has entered from an entry port opposing a window material and propagating the same to an exit port opposing a light reception surface of a photodetector. An optical filter is provided in a space surrounded by the window material, the photodetector, and the highly reflective light-guide system and transmits the signal luminescence to be measured that is emitted from the sample between the window material and photodetector. The optical filter is fixed to the window material or photodetector by an adhesive, and the peripheral shape of the optical filter is smaller than the shape of the inside of a fitting part to which the optical filter is fitted and that is formed on the highly reflective light-guide system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunichiro Nobuki, Muneo Maeshima, Kenta Imai
  • Patent number: 10920821
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a terminal securing device the size of which can be reduced. [Solution] When a key lock 7 is positioned in a second position a key 6 and the key lock 7 are arranged at overlapping positions in the lengthwise direction of a rod 3, so a portion of a space for displacing the key lock 7 from the second position to a first position can be provided at a position overlapping the key 6 in the lengthwise direction of the rod 3. Thus, an increase in the size of a holder 4 in the lengthwise direction of the rod 3 can be avoided, so the size of the terminal securing device 1 can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenta Imai, Shinji Okamoto, Seiji Yamada
  • Patent number: 10768189
    Abstract: When a sample of biological origin in an aqueous solution is used as the measurement medium in analysis using an electrochemical process, and a voltage of +1.2 V or greater (with saturated silver-silver chloride electrode potential as a reference) is applied, there are instances in which bubbles are observed to be produced within the flow cell, due to an electrolysis reaction deriving from the measurement buffer. There is a possibility that bubbles produced on the electrode will cover the electrode surface, reducing the effective surface area of the electrode. Also, the distribution of magnetic particles captured on the electrode will be disturbed by the gas produced thereby, lowering the reproducibility of the results of the analysis. Deaeration of the measurement medium prior to introduction of the measurement medium into the detector minimizes the effects of bubble production in degrading the analytical capability makes it possible to carry out highly sensitive electrochemical analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Imai, Yoshinori Negishi, Toshinari Sakurai, Kyoko Imai
  • Publication number: 20200277983
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a terminal securing device the size of which can be reduced. [Solution] When a key lock 7 is positioned in a second position a key 6 and the key lock 7 are arranged at overlapping positions in the lengthwise direction of a rod 3, so a portion of a space for displacing the key lock 7 from the second position to a first position can be provided at a position overlapping the key 6 in the lengthwise direction of the rod 3. Thus, an increase in the size of a holder 4 in the lengthwise direction of the rod 3 can be avoided, so the size of the terminal securing device 1 can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Kenta Imai, Shinji Okamoto, Seiji Yamada
  • Publication number: 20200278367
    Abstract: To provide an automated analyzer capable of shortening analysis time. The automated analyzer includes a vessel which contains a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent; and a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer before the second operation, in which the control unit performs the first operation and the third operation in parallel. Alternatively, the automated analyzer includes a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer after the first operation, in which the control unit performs the second operation and the third operation in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Kenta IMAI, Shunsuke SASAKI, Hiroya UMEKI, Tatsuki TAKAKURA, Takenori OKUSA, Hiroki FUJITA, Taku SAKAZUME
  • Patent number: 10753953
    Abstract: Provided are an automated analyzer for analyzing a substance contained in an unknown sample and a liquid reservoir, the analyzer and the reservoir being capable of saving users' operation without remarkably increasing the number of components. A flow path outlet of an overflow portion of the liquid reservoirs projects closer to the inner circumferential side of a drain flow path than to an inner circumferential surface side of an outer wall of the drain flow path serving as a destination to which liquid overflows. In addition, the flow path outlet projects so as to come into contact with an outer wall of the inner pipe. The flow path outlet of the overflow portion projects into the drain flow path so as to be located below an upper end of the outer wall of the drain flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Reika Kuroda, Kenta Imai, Yukinori Sakashita, Yoshihiro Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20200249249
    Abstract: An automatic analysis device includes a probe that performs a dispensing operation including a suction process and a discharge process with respect to liquid; a syringe that generates a pressure change for dispensing liquid at the probe; a flow path that connects the probe and the syringe with each other; a pressure sensor that measures the pressure change in the flow path at the time of liquid dispensing; a storage portion that stores a pressure change of time-series when reference fluid is discharged as a reference discharge pressure waveform; and a determination portion that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the suction process of the sample from a relationship between a value of difference or a ratio between the reference discharge pressure waveform and the pressure waveform of a determination target at the time of discharge of liquid and normal range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Hiroya UMEKI, Kenta IMAI, Yoshihiro YAMASHITA, Shunsuke SASAKI, Akihiro ENDOU
  • Publication number: 20200240981
    Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a sample dispensing unit that dispenses a sample into a reaction vessel; a reagent dispensing unit that dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessel; a control unit that controls the sample dispensing unit and the reagent dispensing unit; and a measurement unit that measures a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent mixed in the reaction vessel. The reagent includes three types of reagents of: a first reagent that specifically binds to an antigen in the sample; a second reagent that specifically binds to a site different from that to which the first reagent binds with respect to the antigen and has a label to be detected by the measurement unit; and a third reagent that specifically binds to a site different from the binding site of the first reagent and the antigen and contains insoluble carriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Tatsuki TAKAKURA, Kenta IMAI, Takaaki HAGIWARA, Yoshihiro YAMASHITA, Taku SAKAZUME, Beatus OFENLOCH-HAEHNLE, Michaela WINDFUHR, Ursula PAUSELIUS-FUCHS, Rita HAERTEIS
  • Publication number: 20200241029
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic analysis device that can easily realize introduction and replacement of additional reagents in operation even in a small-scale configuration. The automatic analysis device includes a reagent dispensing mechanism 107 that dispenses a reagent from a reagent container 113 containing a reagent, and a normal reagent storage portion 130 that stores a reagent container and an additional reagent storage portion 111. The normal reagent storage portion 130 is positioned in a normal movable area 132, which is a portion of a movable area 131 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107 and the additional reagent storage portion 111 is positioned in an area excluding the normal movable area 132 in the movable area 131 of the reagent dispensing mechanism 107.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Kenta IMAI, Hiroya UMEKI, Shunsuke SASAKI, Yoshihiro YAMASHITA, Taku SAKAZUME
  • Publication number: 20190389135
    Abstract: An adjustment method of a shaping device including a table on which a stereoscopic shaped object is shaped, and an inkjet head that ejects ink toward the table to form the shaped object, the method including an electronic balance installation process of placing an electronic balance for measuring weight of an ink ejected by the inkjet head on the table, and an ink ejection amount setting process of measuring the weight of the ink ejected by the inkjet head by the electronic balance placed on the table, and adjusting and setting the amount of ink ejected by the inkjet head based on the measurement result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenta Imai
  • Publication number: 20190376952
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a determination unit configured to determine a type of autophagy induced in a cell, based on information indicative of autophagic activity in the cell present in a cell image in which the cell is image captured and based on information indicative of congestion of molecules in the cell present in the cell image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta IMAI, Mamiko MASUTANI
  • Publication number: 20190375160
    Abstract: A shaping apparatus that shapes a three-dimensional shaped object includes inkjet heads which are shaping material heads that eject materials of the shaped object; an inkjet head which is a support material head that ejects a material of a support layer that supports at least one part of the shaped object being shaped; and a mover that moves the shaped object together with the support layer toward a removal tank, which is a container for accommodating the shaped object at the time of removing the support layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Furuse, Kenta Imai, Takuya Matsushima, Masakatsu OKAWA
  • Publication number: 20190361041
    Abstract: An automated analyzer capable of continuously performing supply of consumables is realized while continuing measurement is performed, by a simple and small amount of mechanism. An automated analyzer includes a unit that executes processing necessary for sample analysis; a consumable supply unit that supplies consumables necessary for the sample analysis to the unit; and a control device that controls operations of the unit and the consumable supply unit, in which the consumable supply unit includes a consumable container holding portion that holds a consumable storage container in which consumables is aligned and accommodated, a preliminary storage portion that temporarily holds the consumables taken out from the consumable storage container, and a transport mechanism that transports the consumables to the unit, and in which the control device transports and stores at least a portion of the consumables taken out from the consumable storage container in the preliminary storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Shunsuke SASAKI, Takenori OKUSA, Yoshihiro YAMASHITA, Hiroki FUJITA, Kenta IMAI, Toshiharu SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20190351419
    Abstract: The mixing of reagents with each other in the reagent storage flow paths of an automatic analyzer is suppressed before and after exchange of the reagents, which are capable of being replenished without stopping analysis. An exchangeable reagent container that accommodates a reagent is connected to a reagent storage flow path that stores a portion of the reagent. The reagent storage flow path has first and second flow paths in which the second flow path is branched from the first flow path. A reagent syringe applies a negative or a positive pressure to the first and second flow paths; and a valve controls the flow path through which the reagent is sent. As a result, the reagent supplied to a measurement portion at a predetermined timing is switched from the reagent container to the reagent storage flow path wherein the reagent can be supplied without stopping analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Hiroki FUJITA, Toshiharu SUZUKI, Takenori OKUSA, Shunsuke SASAKI, Yoshihiro YAMASHITA, Kenta IMAI
  • Publication number: 20190308367
    Abstract: An ink supplying device is provided and supplies a functional ink to a droplet ejecting portion, including: a tube body through which the functional ink passes; a degasser that removes a dissolved gas from the functional ink; a first supply path in which the degasser is fitted to the tube body; a second supply path in which the degasser is not fitted to the tube body; and a controller that switches a supply path of the functional ink to the second supply path when a viscosity of the functional ink is higher than or equal to a predetermined value, and switches the supply path to the first supply path when the viscosity of the functional ink is lower than the predetermined value. The first supply path and the second supply path are coupled by an upstream side coupling portion and a downstream side coupling portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyohei Maruyama, Yoshikazu Furukawa, Kenta Imai