Patents by Inventor Masaaki Hanawa

Masaaki Hanawa 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: 10816564
    Abstract: A sample test automation system which is capable of reducing the workload of an operator and precisely carrying out necessary processes of each of samples without stagnation. In the sample test automation system, a sample tray 120 on which a plurality of samples 150 can be installed is prepared, an identifier for distinguishing the sample tray 120 is attached to the sample tray 120, a sample introducing unit 10 is provided with an identifier reading apparatus 111 which reads the identifier of the sample tray 120, and information about the samples 150 is switched based on the read identifier of the sample tray 120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Sasaki, Kenichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Ohga, Tatsuya Fukugaki, Shigeru Yano, Kenichi Yasuzawa, Nozomi Hasegawa, Masaaki Hanawa
  • Publication number: 20200141959
    Abstract: A reagent container transfer mechanism transfers a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in a second reagent container storage section to a first reagent container storage section. A controller controls the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from a second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Masaki SHIBA, Masaaki HANAWA, Masaharu NISHIDA, Hitoshi OTAKE
  • Patent number: 10605817
    Abstract: A reagent container transfer mechanism transfers a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in a second reagent container storage section to a first reagent container storage section. A controller controls the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from a second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Shiba, Masaaki Hanawa, Masaharu Nishida, Hitoshi Otake
  • Patent number: 10309979
    Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yanami, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa, Hitoshi Otake
  • Publication number: 20190072576
    Abstract: A reagent container transfer mechanism transfers a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in a second reagent container storage section to a first reagent container storage section. A controller controls the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from a second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Masaki SHIBA, Masaaki HANAWA, Masaharu NISHIDA, Hitoshi OTAKE
  • Patent number: 10151766
    Abstract: A reagent container transfer mechanism transfers a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in a second reagent container storage section to a first reagent container storage section. A controller controls the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from a second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Shiba, Masaaki Hanawa, Masaharu Nishida, Hitoshi Otake
  • Publication number: 20180038882
    Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Hideyuki YANAMI, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masaaki HANAWA, Hitoshi OTAKE
  • Publication number: 20170328926
    Abstract: A sample test automation system which is capable of reducing the workload of an operator and precisely carrying out necessary processes of each of samples without stagnation. In the sample test automation system, a sample tray 120 on which a plurality of samples 150 can be installed is prepared, an identifier for distinguishing the sample tray 120 is attached to the sample tray 120, a sample introducing unit 10 is provided with an identifier reading apparatus 111 which reads the identifier of the sample tray 120, and information about the samples 150 is switched based on the read identifier of the sample tray 120.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Takahiro SASAKI, Kenichi TAKAHASHI, Hiroshi OHGA, Tatsuya FUKUGAKI, Shigeru YANO, Kenichi YASUZAWA, Nozomi HASEGAWA, Masaaki HANAWA
  • Patent number: 9817013
    Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yanami, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa, Hitoshi Otake
  • Patent number: 9753048
    Abstract: A sample test automation system which is capable of reducing the workload of an operator and precisely carrying out necessary processes of each of samples without stagnation. In the sample test automation system, a sample tray 120 on which a plurality of samples 150 can be installed is prepared, an identifier for distinguishing the sample tray 120 is attached to the sample tray 120, a sample introducing unit 10 is provided with an identifier reading apparatus 111 which reads the identifier of the sample tray 120, and information about the samples 150 is switched based on the read identifier of the sample tray 120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sasaki, Kenichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Ohga, Tatsuya Fukugaki, Shigeru Yano, Kenichi Yasuzawa, Nozomi Hasegawa, Masaaki Hanawa
  • Publication number: 20170010292
    Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a first reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a regent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container stored in the first reagent container storage section; a second reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a reagent container transfer mechanism for transferring a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section; and a controller configured to control the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Masaki SHIBA, Masaaki HANAWA, Masaharu NISHIDA, Hitoshi OTAKE
  • Patent number: 9513302
    Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a first reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a regent dispensing mechanism for dispensing a reagent from a reagent container stored in the first reagent container storage section; a second reagent container storage section storing a plurality of reagent containers; a reagent container transfer mechanism for transferring a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section; and a controller configured to control the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from the second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Shiba, Masaaki Hanawa, Masaharu Nishida, Hitoshi Otake
  • Patent number: 9039970
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer having reagent disks disposed inside and outside a reaction disk. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa
  • Patent number: 8877128
    Abstract: An empty rack transport line is arranged at a lower stage and independent of a main transport line, a fast emergency line and a reverse line. In a rack stocker, an inclined transport line connects the empty rack transport line to the rack stocker. The rack stocker is arranged between a storage module and a loading module. The rack stocker is capable of continuously supplying and collecting empty racks, while transport lines do not cross each other. It is, therefore, possible to continuously supply and collect empty racks in a simple configuration, without an increase in the system size, an intersection of transport lines and a reduction in processing capability. In addition, it is possible to provide an automated sample testing system that is highly extendable for various facility sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fukugaki, Masaaki Hanawa, Hiroshi Ohga
  • Patent number: 8833186
    Abstract: Conventional conveying lines have required building according to the particular shapes of test tube racks and test tube holders. For this reason, at least two types of dedicated lines, one for test tube racks and one for test tube holders, have been needed in one system, so there has been a tendency for systems to be complex in structure and disadvantageous in cost. To solve these problems, this invention provides a sample conveying system designed so that test tube racks and test tube holders can move on the same line, and high in both cost-effectiveness and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Isobe, Hiroshi Ohga, Masaaki Hanawa, Tatsuya Fukugaki
  • Publication number: 20140170022
    Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki YANAMI, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masaaki HANAWA, Hitoshi OTAKE
  • Patent number: 8691148
    Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yanami, Isao Yamazaki, Masaaki Hanawa, Hitoshi Otake
  • Publication number: 20130061693
    Abstract: A sample test automation system which is capable of reducing the workload of an operator and precisely carrying out necessary processes of each of samples without stagnation. In the sample test automation system, a sample tray 120 on which a plurality of samples 150 can be installed is prepared, an identifier for distinguishing the sample tray 120 is attached to the sample tray 120, a sample introducing unit 10 is provided with an identifier reading apparatus 111 which reads the identifier of the sample tray 120, and information about the samples 150 is switched based on the read identifier of the sample tray 120.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Sasaki, Kenichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Ohga, Tatsuya Fukugaki, Shigeru Yano, Kenichi Yasuzawa, Nozomi Hasegawa, Masaaki Hanawa
  • Publication number: 20120266698
    Abstract: Conventional conveying lines have required building according to the particular shapes of test tube racks and test tube holders. For this reason, at least two types of dedicated lines, one for test tube racks and one for test tube holders, have been needed in one system, so there has been a tendency for systems to be complex in structure and disadvantageous in cost. To solve these problems, this invention provides a sample conveying system designed so that test tube racks and test tube holders can move on the same line, and high in both cost-effectiveness and reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Isobe, Hiroshi Ohga, Masaaki Hanawa, Tatsuya Fukugaki
  • Publication number: 20120230873
    Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized automatic analyzer being compact, enabling a large number of analysis items to be carried out, and having a high processing speed. The automatic analyzer is particularly suitably applied to a medical analyzer used for qualitative/quantitative analysis of living body samples, such as urine and blood. A plurality of sample dispensing mechanism s capable of being operated independently of each other are provided to suck a sample from any one of a plurality of sample suction positions and to discharge the sucked sample to any one of a plurality of positions on a reaction disk. The automatic analyzer having a high processing capability can be thus realized without increasing the system size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki YANAMI, Isao YAMAZAKI, Masaaki HANAWA, Hitoshi OTAKE