Patents by Inventor Masahiro Furutani

Masahiro Furutani 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: 11542585
    Abstract: A method for treating an inner wall surface of a treatment object uses a treatment object that is at least one of a container housing an ozone gas, a treatment container housing an object to be subjected to a surface treatment using an ozone gas and a pipe configured to supply an ozone gas. The method for treating an inner wall surface of a treatment object includes the steps of: determining whether an abnormal part is present in the inner wall surface of the treatment object or not; and distributing an ozone gas having a concentration of 10% by volume or more and 30% by volume or less and a temperature of 60° C. or less such that the ozone gas contacts the inner wall surface of the treatment object after the step of determining whether an abnormal part is present or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: IWATANI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Izumi, Masahiro Furutani, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11261450
    Abstract: Provided is a recombinant cell that produces isoprene or terpene, wherein the recombinant cell includes an ability to synthesize isopentenyl diphosphate through a mevalonate pathway (MVA pathway), wherein the recombinant cell lacks an ability to synthesize isopentenyl diphosphate through an endogenous non-mevalonate pathway (MEP pathway), wherein the recombinant cell includes an isoprene synthase gene or a terpene synthase gene as a foreign gene, and wherein the recombinant cell produces, with the expression of the foreign gene, isoprene or terpene having 10, 15, 20, 30, or 40 carbon atoms. The mevalonate pathway is preferably an exogenous mevalonate pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kana Matsushima, Masahiro Furutani, Kazufumi Kawabata
  • Publication number: 20200239995
    Abstract: A method for treating an inner wall surface of a treatment object uses a treatment object that is at least one of a container housing an ozone gas, a treatment container housing an object to be subjected to a surface treatment using an ozone gas and a pipe configured to supply an ozone gas. The method for treating an inner wall surface of a treatment object includes the steps of: determining whether an abnormal part is present in the inner wall surface of the treatment object or not; and distributing an ozone gas having a concentration of 10% by volume or more and 30% by volume or less and a temperature of 60° C. or less such that the ozone gas contacts the inner wall surface of the treatment object before the step of determining whether an abnormal part is present or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: IWATANI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi IZUMI, Masahiro FURUTANI, Tsuyoshi YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10597296
    Abstract: A method for supplying an ozone gas includes the steps of: supplying an ozone gas from an ozone gas source through a second channel; and switching the ozone gas to a state where the ozone gas is supplied through a first channel and supplying the ozone gas having a reduced concentration of nitrogen oxide. The step of supplying the ozone gas through the second channel includes the step of introducing a part of the ozone gas to a first vessel so that ozone adsorbability of a first adsorbent is reduced. In the step of supplying the ozone gas to the object through the first channel, the ozone gas passes through the first vessel holding the first adsorbent having reduced ozone adsorbability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: IWATANI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohisa Makihira, Koichi Izumi, Masahiro Furutani
  • Publication number: 20190352647
    Abstract: Provided is a recombinant cell that produces isoprene or terpene, wherein the recombinant cell includes an ability to synthesize isopentenyl diphosphate through a mevalonate pathway (MVA pathway), wherein the recombinant cell lacks an ability to synthesize isopentenyl diphosphate through an endogenous non-mevalonate pathway (MEP pathway), wherein the recombinant cell includes an isoprene synthase gene or a terpene synthase gene as a foreign gene, and wherein the recombinant cell produces, with the expression of the foreign gene, isoprene or terpene having 10, 15, 20, 30, or 40 carbon atoms. The mevalonate pathway is preferably an exogenous mevalonate pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kana MATSUSHIMA, Masahiro FURUTANI, Kazufumi KAWABATA
  • Publication number: 20190309328
    Abstract: To provide a recombinant cell being an anaerobic archaeon, including a gene encoding isoprene synthase, a gene encoding monoterpene synthase, a gene encoding sesquiterpene synthase, a gene encoding diterpene synthase, a gene encoding squalene synthase, or a gene encoding phytoene synthase as a first foreign gene, wherein the first foreign gene is expressed, and the recombinant cell is capable of producing isoprene or terpene having 10, 15, 20, 30, or 40 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro FURUTANI, Kana MATSUSHIMA, Kazufumi KAWABATA
  • Publication number: 20190233854
    Abstract: Provided is a modified obligately anaerobic acetogen in which activity of at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of a restriction enzyme, a modification enzyme, and a recognition enzyme constituting a type I restriction modification system enzyme is deleted or suppressed. Preferably, the activity of at least the restriction enzyme is deleted or suppressed. The obligately anaerobic acetogen is preferably a Clostridium bacterium or a Moorella bacterium, and particularly preferably Clostridium ljungdahlii.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kana MATSUSHIMA, Masahiro FURUTANI, Kazufumi KAWABATA
  • Patent number: 10202623
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a series of techniques for producing 1,4-butanediol from methanol or the like. Provided is a recombinant cell prepared by introducing a gene encoding at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, succinyl-CoA synthase, CoA-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA transferase, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase, 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde dehydrogenase, and alcohol dehydrogenase, into a host cell which is a methylotroph, wherein the gene is expressed in the host cell, and the recombinant cell is capable of producing 1,4-butanediol from at least one C1 compound selected from the group consisting of methane, methanol, methylamine, formic acid, formaldehyde, and formamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Furutani, Akihiro Uenishi, Koichiro Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20180340194
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for producing 1,4-butanediol by recombinant cells. Provided is a recombinant cell that is acetogenic and obligatory anaerobic, wherein the recombinant cell includes a gene encoding at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, succinyl-CoA synthase, CoA-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA transferase, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase, 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde dehydrogenase, and alcohol dehydrogenase, the gene is expressed in the recombinant cell, and the recombinant cell produces 1,4-butandiol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicants: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Masahiro FURUTANI, Stefan JENNEWEIN, Rainer FISCHER, Christopher MCELROY, Stefan GAIDA
  • Publication number: 20180334657
    Abstract: A recombinant cell having a function of synthesizing acetyl-CoA from methyltetrahydrofolate, carbon monoxide, and CoA, including: a gene that expresses an exogenous NAD(P)H consumption pathway, the gene being expressed in the recombinant cell, wherein expression in at least one of endogenous NAD(P)H consumption pathways of the recombinant cell is down-regulated, and the endogenous NAD(P)H consumption pathway is different from the exogenous NAD(P)H consumption pathway, and the recombinant cell produces an organic compound having 4 or more carbon atoms from at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide via the exogenous NAD(P)H consumption pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro FURUTANI, Norihide NISHIYAMA, Kazufumi KAWABATA
  • Publication number: 20180257934
    Abstract: A method for supplying an ozone gas includes the steps of: supplying an ozone gas from an ozone gas source through a second channel; and switching the ozone gas to a state where the ozone gas is supplied through a first channel and supplying the ozone gas having a reduced concentration of nitrogen oxide. The step of supplying the ozone gas through the second channel includes the step of introducing a part of the ozone gas to a first vessel so that ozone adsorbability of a first adsorbent is reduced. In the step of supplying the ozone gas to the object through the first channel, the ozone gas passes through the first vessel holding the first adsorbent having reduced ozone adsorbability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: IWATANI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohisa MAKIHIRA, Koichi IZUMI, Masahiro FURUTANI
  • Publication number: 20180023098
    Abstract: Provided is a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein, the fusion protein including a first protein selected from the group consisting of isoprene synthase and cyclic terpene synthase, and a FKBP family protein linked to the first protein. Provided is a fusion protein encoded by the nucleic acid. Provided is a recombinant cell including the nucleic acid and expressing the fusion protein. Further provided is a recombinant cell including a first nucleic acid encoding the first protein and a second nucleic acid encoding the FKBP family protein, and expressing the first protein and the FKBP family protein. As a host cell, a syngas-assimilating bacterium or a methanol assimilating bacterium can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro FURUTANI, Kazufumi KAWABATA, Norihide NISHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 9783828
    Abstract: To provide a series of techniques capable of producing isoprene from syngas or the like. Provided is a recombinant cell prepared by introducing a nucleic acid encoding isoprene synthase into a host cell having an isopentenyl diphosphate synthesis ability by a non-mevalonate pathway, wherein the nucleic acid is expressed in the host cell, and the recombinant cell is capable of producing isoprene from at least one C1 compound selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formic acid, and methanol. As the host cell, a Clostridium bacterium or a Moorella bacterium is exemplified. Also provided is a method for producing isoprene using the recombinant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Masahiro Furutani, Akihiro Uenishi, Koichiro Iwasa, Stefan Jennewein, Rainer Fischer
  • Patent number: 9695447
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a series of techniques for producing isoprene from methanol or the like. Provided is a recombinant cell prepared by introducing a gene encoding isoprene synthase, into a host cell which is a methylotroph, wherein the gene is expressed in the host cell, and the recombinant cell is capable of producing isoprene from at least one C1 compound selected from the group consisting of methane, methanol, methylamine, formic acid, formaldehyde, and formamide. Preferably, it has at least one C1 carbon assimilating pathway selected from the group consisting of a serine pathway, a ribulose monophosphate pathway, and a xylulose monophosphate pathway as a fixing pathway of formaldehyde. Also provided is a method for producing isoprene using the recombinant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Furutani, Akihiro Uenishi, Koichiro Iwasa
  • Patent number: 9617563
    Abstract: To provide a series of techniques for obtaining ?-phellandrene with high purity and in a large quantity. Provided is a recombinant cell capable of producing ?-phellandrene, prepared by introducing at least one nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of a nucleic acid encoding geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) synthase and a nucleic acid encoding neryl pyrophosphate (NPP) synthase, and a nucleic acid encoding ?-phellandrene synthase into a host cell in such a manner that these nucleic acids are expressed in the host cell. Also provided is a method for producing ?-phellandrene by culturing the recombinant cell to produce ?-phellandrene in the recombinant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Furutani, Akihiro Uenishi, Koichiro Iwasa, Yasuyuki Kori, Seiji Takahashi, Takefumi Shimoyama
  • Patent number: 9505844
    Abstract: An anti-human-CC-motif-receptor-7 (anti-human-CCR7) antibody which is useful as a therapeutic agent for tissue fibrosis or cancer, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the anti-human CCR7 antibody, and the like is described. An anti-human CCR7 antibody specifically binding to an extracellular domain of human CCR7, having a heavy chain CDR3 containing an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 27, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 47, SEQ ID NO: 57, SEQ ID NO: 67, or SEQ ID NO: 77 is provided. Also provided is an anti-human CCR7 antibody having heavy chain CDRs 1-3 and light chain CDRs 1-3 containing amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 5-10, 15-20, 25-30, 35-40, 45-50, 55-60, 65-70, or 75-80. The anti-human CCR7 antibody of the present invention may be used as an active ingredient of a therapeutic agent for tissue fibrosis or cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., NB HEALTH LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Nishiguchi, Akiyoshi Hirayama, Masahiro Furutani, Tatsuo Shimizu, Kiyoshi Takayama, Tomoko Shimizu, Kazuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9425071
    Abstract: A film forming method for obtaining a thin film by laminating molecular layers of oxide on a surface of a substrate in a vacuum atmosphere includes performing a cycle a plurality of times. The cycle includes: supplying a source gas containing a source to the substrate in a vacuum vessel to adsorb the source onto the substrate; forming an ozone atmosphere containing ozone having a concentration not less than that where a chain decomposition reaction is caused in the vacuum vessel; and forcibly decomposing the ozone by supplying energy to the ozone atmosphere to generate active species of oxygen, and oxidizing the source adsorbed onto the surface of the substrate by the active species to obtain the oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignees: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, IWATANI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Yabe, Akira Shimizu, Koichi Izumi, Masahiro Furutani
  • Patent number: 9407070
    Abstract: An engine ignition system and the like are provided, which reduce a required voltage and improve an ignition performance without any special electrical configuration. An ignition system is configured so that: to an auxiliary electrode is applied a voltage that is not more than a voltage applied between a center electrode and a ground electrode and that generates no spark discharge; the auxiliary electrode is positioned so that an electric field Ef2 between the auxiliary electrode and the ground electrode or an electric field Ef3 between the auxiliary electrode and the center electrode, which is generated by the applied voltage, is spread over the gap. A time for applying the voltage to the auxiliary electrode is controlled to include a time for applying the voltage between the center electrode and the ground electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignees: YANMAR CO., LTD., NAGOYA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Toru Takemoto, Kazuteru Toshinaga, Ryoichi Hagiwara, Masahiro Furutani
  • Publication number: 20160020583
    Abstract: An engine ignition system and the like are provided, which reduce a required voltage and improve an ignition performance without any special electrical configuration. An ignition system 3 is configured so that: to an auxiliary electrode 13 is applied a voltage that is not more than a voltage applied between a center electrode 11 and a ground electrode 12 and that generates no spark discharge; the auxiliary electrode 13 is positioned so that an electric field Ef2 between the auxiliary electrode 13 and the ground electrode 12 or an electric field Ef3 between the auxiliary electrode 13 and the center electrode 11, which is generated by the applied voltage, is spread over the gap. A time for applying the voltage to the auxiliary electrode 13 is controlled to include a time for applying the voltage between the center electrode 11 and the ground electrode 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Toru TAKEMOTO, Kazuteru TOSHINAGA, Ryoichi HAGIWARA, Masahiro FURUTANI
  • Publication number: 20150368677
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a series of techniques for producing 1,4-butanediol from methanol or the like. Provided is a recombinant cell prepared by introducing a gene encoding at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, succinyl-CoA synthase, CoA-dependent succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase, 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA transferase, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA reductase, 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde dehydrogenase, and alcohol dehydrogenase, into a host cell which is a methylotroph, wherein the gene is expressed in the host cell, and the recombinant cell is capable of producing 1,4-butanediol from at least one C1 compound selected from the group consisting of methane, methanol, methylamine, formic acid, formaldehyde, and formamide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro FURUTANI, Akihiro UENISHI, Koichiro IWASA