Abstract: PROBLEMS The present invention provides the hemoglobin quantifying apparatus which is capable of clearly quantifying the oxygen metabolic state of biological tissue by calculating and quantifying the hemoglobin amount of biological tissue in a non-contact and non-invasive manner. SOLUTION The present invention provides the light receiver unit 2 for receiving any two narrow wavelength band components and white components having reflection characteristics different according to the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, which are reflected from the biological tissue a, and the hemoglobin amount calculation unit 8 for calculating the hemoglobin amount based on the light components in the two narrow wavelength bands obtained from the received light components, and the hemoglobin amount calculation unit 8 for correcting the light components in the two narrow wavelength bands based on the blue and green components to calculate the hemoglobin amount.

Abstract: The current methods and systems for cleaning residual ultra-fine spherical toner from an image forming surface discloses the application of aspherical toner to a cleaning blade. The aspherical toner is generally larger than the ultra-fine spherical toner which provides a superior image on an image-carrying medium. According to one preferred embodiment of the current invention, the aspherical black toner is placed in a predetermined area outside of a desired image area where the ultra-fine spherical toner in multiple colors is placed. The aspherical toner is transported to the cleaning blade before the multi-color toner reaches the cleaning blade. Since the aspherical toner applied at a contacting edge of the cleaning blade provide an effective seal or trap between the cleaning blade and the image forming surface, the ultra-fine spherical toner is effectively removed from the image forming surface.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the type transferring a plurality of toner images of different colors sequentially formed on an image carrier sequentially to an endless intermediate transfer body one above the other by primary transfer, and then transferring the resulting composite color image to a transfer medium by secondary transfer, the intermediate transfer body is provided with surface energy, surface tension or adhering force which is greater than or equal to the corresponding value of the image carrier, but smaller than or equal to the corresponding value of the transfer medium.

Abstract: The current methods and systems for cleaning residual ultra-fine spherical toner from an image forming surface discloses the application of aspherical toner to a cleaning blade. The aspherical toner is generally larger than the ultra-fine spherical toner which provides a superior image on an image-carrying medium. According to one preferred embodiment of the current invention, the aspherical black toner is placed in a predetermined area outside of a desired image area where the ultra-fine spherical toner in multiple colors is placed. The aspherical toner is transported to the cleaning blade before the multi-color toner reaches the cleaning blade. Since the aspherical toner applied at a contacting edge of the cleaning blade provide an effective seal or trap between the cleaning blade and the image forming surface, the ultra-fine spherical toner is effectively removed from the image forming surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which insures stable image transfer at all times with no regard to aging and environment. An electrometer is located in close proximity to and opposite to a transfer region where an image carrier and a transfer medium face each other. A voltage to be applied to an electrode which applies a transfe voltage to the transfer medium is controlled in response to the output of the electrometer such that the electric field in the transfer region remains constant.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a plurality of developing containers for developing an electrostatic latent image of a latent image carrier by toners having colors different from each other except for black; a black developing container for color for storing black toner for color and operated when the developed image on the latent image carrier every color is overlapped and transferred onto a transfer material to provide a color image; a black developing container for a monochromatic image for storing black toner for a monochromatic image and operated when the monochromatic image is obtained; and a device for arranging the respective developing containers such that the developing containers are opposite to the latent image carrier. The other image forming apparatuses are also shown.