Patents by Inventor Masaharu Kiyama

Masaharu Kiyama 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).

  • Publication number: 20230407228
    Abstract: A cell sheet cutting assistance system comprises a processor for executing a program and a storage device for storing the program. The processor: receives, as input, an evaluation standard of a cell sheet and quality information of a cultured cell sheet; determines whether the quality information satisfies the evaluation standard; and outputs a cutting position of the cell sheet based on a result of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Takayuki NOZAKI, Yuki NIIMI, Masaharu KIYAMA, Kakuro HIRAI
  • Patent number: 11814614
    Abstract: A cell culture device includes a control unit that includes a first gas supply source, a second gas supply source, and a decompression source, and a culture unit that includes a first container, a second container, a first gas channel that connects a third container, the first gas supply source, the second container to a connection point, a second gas channel, a third gas channel, a first liquid channel, a second liquid channel, a gas-liquid channel, a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a fifth valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Midori Kato
  • Patent number: 11795427
    Abstract: A culture vessel that can suppress foaming in a culture medium when a common nozzle is used to supply a liquid culture medium and a gas together. This culture vessel includes: a vessel body having an opening portion that communicates with a housing space; a lid that closes the opening portion; and a nozzle that passes through the and extends to the housing space, and supplies a liquid culture medium and a gas together. The nozzle has a vent opening portion that is formed so as to open in a side of the nozzle and serves as a movement path of the gas from inside of the nozzle into the housing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Tsukada, Toru Yakabe, Haruo Okubo, Masaharu Kiyama, Midori Kato, Hikaru Saito
  • Patent number: 11587230
    Abstract: Provided is a novel cell sheet evaluation method. A cell sheet evaluation method includes: a step of analyzing, based on an observed image of a cell sheet, a characteristic indicating shape uniformity of cells constituting the cell sheet; and a step of evaluating a binding state between cells in the cell sheet based on the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Kakuro Hirai, Masaharu Kiyama, Erino Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20220340847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic culture device using a single-use closed system flow path for culturing a cell or a tissue, and realizes reduction in manufacturing cost and high integration property of a device. A cell culture system including an automatic culture device and an information processing device. The automatic culture device includes a plurality of types of closed system flow paths possible to be installed and removed, and a plurality of culture devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Takayuki NOZAKI, Kunio OHYAMA, Masaharu KIYAMA, Kakuro HIRAI
  • Patent number: 11441114
    Abstract: A liquid feed device that feeds a liquid medium and a cell suspension to target containers by respectively suited liquid feed methods is provided. A pump 6 is connected between a first liquid bottle 12 containing a liquid medium and a second liquid bottle 2 containing a cell suspension, and a receptacle 8 to be used as a culture container is connected downstream of a second liquid bottle 12. The liquid medium in the first liquid bottle is sent to the receptacle through the pump 6 and a branch point 20 by opening a first supply valve 17, and the cell suspension in the second liquid bottle is sent to the receptacle by opening a first gas introducing valve 10, a second gas introducing valve 15, and a second supply valve 19 and transferring, by pressure, a gas supplied from the first gas introducing valve 10 to the second liquid bottle through the pump 6 and a branch point 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Guangbin Zhou, Daisuke Suzuki, Midori Kato, Hikaru Saito
  • Publication number: 20210301248
    Abstract: Provided are an evaluator including an analysis unit that evaluates a differentiation level of a cultured cell on the basis of a content of a component in a culture supernatant of the cultured cell, and an automatic cell culture system including the evaluator and an automatic culture device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Hikaru SAITO, Midori KATO, Kakuro HIRAI, Masaharu KIYAMA, Kunio OHYAMA, Hiroko HANZAWA, Shizu TAKEDA
  • Publication number: 20210163870
    Abstract: A cell culture device includes a control unit that includes a first gas supply source, a second gas supply source, and a decompression source, and a culture unit that includes a first container, a second container, a first gas channel that connects a third container, the first gas supply source, the second container to a connection point, a second gas channel, a third gas channel, a first liquid channel, a second liquid channel, a gas-liquid channel, a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a fifth valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Masaharu KIYAMA, Midori KATO
  • Publication number: 20210142473
    Abstract: Provided is a novel cell sheet evaluation method. A cell sheet evaluation method includes: a step of analyzing, based on an observed image of a cell sheet, a characteristic indicating shape uniformity of cells constituting the cell sheet; and a step of evaluating a binding state between cells in the cell sheet based on the analysis result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Kakuro HIRAI, Masaharu KIYAMA, Erino MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 10947490
    Abstract: A liquid delivery device includes a first and second container for a first and second liquid; a third container for receiving a first and second liquid; a fourth container into which a first and second liquid are discharged; a fifth container for a third liquid; a first liquid delivery tube for delivering a first liquid; a second liquid delivery tube for delivering a second liquid; a third liquid delivery tube connected to the first and second liquid delivery tube; a first liquid delivery pump on the third liquid delivery tube; a fourth liquid delivery tube for discharging a first liquid contained in the third container and delivering a third liquid to the third container; a fifth liquid delivery tube connected to the fourth liquid delivery tube; a sixth liquid delivery tube connected to the fourth liquid delivery tube; and a second liquid delivery pump on the fourth liquid delivery tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru Saito, Masaharu Kiyama, Midori Kato, Kunio Ohyama, Guangbin Zhou, Hiroko Hanzawa, Shizu Takeda
  • Publication number: 20210009935
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a cell culture monitoring device capable of monitoring the number of cells during culture and a cell culture system. The cell culture monitoring device for monitoring proliferation of cells includes: a detection unit configured to detect particles of exosomes in culture supernatant; and an analysis unit configured to calculate the number of cells based on an obtained detection result. The cell culture system includes the cell culture monitoring device and an automatic culture device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Hikaru SAITO, Kakuro HIRAI, Midori KATO, Masaharu KIYAMA, Kunio OHYAMA, Hiroko HANZAWA, Shizu TAKEDA
  • Publication number: 20210002600
    Abstract: A culture vessel that can suppress foaming in a culture medium when a common nozzle is used to supply a liquid culture medium and a gas together. This culture vessel includes: a vessel body having an opening portion that communicates with a housing space; a lid that closes the opening portion; and a nozzle that passes through the and extends to the housing space, and supplies a liquid culture medium and a gas together. The nozzle has a vent opening portion that is formed so as to open in a side of the nozzle and serves as a movement path of the gas from inside of the nozzle into the housing space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Ryohei Tsukada, Toru Yakabe, Haruo Okubo, Masaharu Kiyama, Midori Kato, Hikaru Saito
  • Publication number: 20190300837
    Abstract: A liquid feed device that feeds a liquid medium and a cell suspension to target containers by respectively suited liquid feed methods is provided. A pump 6 is connected between a first liquid bottle 12 containing a liquid medium and a second liquid bottle 2 containing a cell suspension, and a receptacle 8 to be used as a culture container is connected downstream of a second liquid bottle 12. The liquid medium in the first liquid bottle is sent to the receptacle through the pump 6 and a branch point 20 by opening a first supply valve 17, and the cell suspension in the second liquid bottle is sent to the receptacle by opening a first gas introducing valve 10, a second gas introducing valve 15, and a second supply valve 19 and transferring, by pressure, a gas supplied from the first gas introducing valve 10 to the second liquid bottle through the pump 6 and a branch point 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Masaharu KIYAMA, Guangbin ZHOU, Daisuke SUZUKI, Midori KATO, Hikaru SAITO
  • Patent number: 10428300
    Abstract: Maintaining pressure inside a culturing vessel is difficult when minimizing the size of a liquid supply path that supplies liquid and gas to a cell culturing vessel that performs two-level culturing (co-culturing). This cell culturing device includes: culturing vessels; a flow path having at least first supply ports capable of supplying liquid or gas to the culturing vessels and first discharge ports that discharge the gas from the culturing vessels, said flow path discharging gas from the first discharge ports to the atmosphere; and a filter in the flow path. A trap bottle is provided between the first discharge ports and the filter upon the flow path to collect moisture from the discharged gas. Thus, a liquid phase and a gas phase are separated in the trap bottle; moisture is prevented from reaching the filter; filter clogging is prevented; and the internal pressure of the culturing vessels can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Guangbin Zhou, Takayuki Nozaki
  • Patent number: 10407657
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a valve mechanism which features a simple structure adapted to collectively control the supply of gas or culture medium to a plurality of cultivation containers for simultaneous cultivation and to enhance the reliability of the valve mechanism. The valve mechanism of the invention is a valve mechanism for opening and closing passages for liquid or gas. The valve mechanism includes: clip members adapted to close a plurality of tube passages, respectively; a multiple cam member for opening the clip members in sequence by making contact with the clip members; and a rotational mechanism for rotating the multiple cam member. The clip member includes: a spring for closing a clip thereof; and a clip contact portion for a cam contact portion of the multiple cam member to make contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Guangbin Zhou, Takayuki Nozaki, Shizu Matsuoka, Ryota Nakajima, Masaharu Kiyama, Kenichi Minami
  • Patent number: 10329525
    Abstract: There is the problem that a liquid culture medium fed by a pump has a high frequency of contact with a gas during movement in a tube, and the pH value of the liquid culture medium before and after feeding changes easily. In a liquid feeder and a cell culture apparatus provided therewith, a feed pipe 7 is connected with a gas bag 14, the liquid to be fed into the feed pipe 7 is fed so as to be sandwiched by a gas for suppressing the qualitative changes of the liquid. Furthermore, the gas bag is connected with a container 8 for holding a liquid, and holds the gas for suppressing qualitative changes of the liquid in a gas phase of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Guangbin Zhou, Takayuki Nozaki, Ryota Nakajima, Daisuke Suzuki, Yumiko Igarashi, Shizu Takeda, Taku Nakamura, Masakazu Sugaya, Koichi Terada
  • Patent number: 10184100
    Abstract: The liquid feeder includes a liquid feeding pipe having a liquid introduce port and a liquid discharge port, a housing container which holds liquid to be introduced from the liquid introduce port, a liquid feed mechanism which feeds the liquid in the liquid feeding pipe to the liquid discharge port, a gas introduce unit which introduces gas into the liquid feeding pipe, and a liquid level detection unit which detects an advancing liquid level of the liquid to be fed in the liquid feeding pipe. The gas introduce unit is connected to a branch part provided in the liquid feeding pipe on the upstream side of the liquid feed mechanism. The liquid level detection unit is provided on the downstream side of the branch part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Guangbin Zhou, Takayuki Nozaki, Shizu Matsuoka, Masakazu Sugaya, Taku Nakamura, Koichi Terada
  • Publication number: 20180362915
    Abstract: A liquid delivery device includes a first and second container for a first and second liquid; a third container for receiving a first and second liquid; a fourth container into which a first and second liquid are discharged; a fifth container for a third liquid; a first liquid delivery tube for delivering a first liquid; a second liquid delivery tube for delivering a second liquid; a third liquid delivery tube connected to the first and second liquid delivery tube; a first liquid delivery pump on the third liquid delivery tube; a fourth liquid delivery tube for discharging a first liquid contained in the third container and delivering a third liquid to the third container; a fifth liquid delivery tube connected to the fourth liquid delivery tube; a sixth liquid delivery tube connected to the fourth liquid delivery tube; and a second liquid delivery pump on the fourth liquid delivery tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Hikaru SAITO, Masaharu KIYAMA, Midori KATO, Kunio OHYAMA, Guangbin ZHOU, Hiroko HANZAWA, Shizu TAKEDA
  • Patent number: 10138450
    Abstract: An automatic culture device which employs closed-system culture vessels and in which, when a passage part (2) and a rotational valve mechanism (3) are configured, the multiple culture vessels in a culture vessel part (1) can be rendered equal in liquid-feeding conditions by, for example, regulating the length of each passage. As a result, the evenness in quality of cells incubated in the multiple culture vessels is rendered possible. Furthermore, by providing a mechanism which enables a user to normally set passages in the device, the evenness in quality of the cells is rendered possible likewise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nozaki, Guangbin Zhou, Masaharu Kiyama, Ryota Nakajima, Shizu Matsuoka, Taku Nakamura, Masakazu Sugaya, Koichi Terada
  • Patent number: 10087409
    Abstract: Provided is a cell culturing vessel for holding and culturing cells. It has a first vessel that stores a culture medium and cells or only a culture medium, a second vessel that is placed above the first vessel and stores a culture medium and cells or only a culture medium, a main vessel that holds the first vessel and houses the second vessel, and a lid member that engages with the main vessel. The main vessel has a pressing member that fixes and holds the first vessel in the main vessel and the second vessel is eccentrically held in the first vessel by the pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Guangbin Zhou, Ryota Nakajima, Takayuki Nozaki, Naoko Senda, Shizu Matsuoka