Patents by Inventor Masashi Akutsu

Masashi Akutsu 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: 20240017263
    Abstract: Provided is an automated analysis device with which sufficient reaction process data can be acquired irrespective of the scale of the device, and with which it is possible to ensure freedom of the device configuration. An automated analysis device 100 is provided with: a reaction disk 1 which circumferentially accommodates a plurality of reaction vessels 2; a specimen dispensing mechanism 11 which dispenses a specimen into the reaction vessels 2; a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 which dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessels 2; a measuring unit 4 which measures a reaction process of a mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessels 2; and a cleaning mechanism 3 which cleans the reaction vessels 2 after measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro YASUI, Akihisa MAKINO, Masashi AKUTSU, Hiroyuki MISHIMA, Yoshihiro SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20240003924
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic analysis system and an information takeover method in the automatic analysis system, in which repair and maintenance can be accurately executed at an appropriate timing even when a change occurs in a system configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Satoshi YOKOTSUKA, Masashi AKUTSU, Hiroyuki MISHIMA
  • Patent number: 11826759
    Abstract: Provided is an automated analysis device with which sufficient reaction process data can be acquired irrespective of the scale of the device, and with which it is possible to ensure freedom of the device configuration. An automated analysis device 100 is provided with: a reaction disk 1 which circumferentially accommodates a plurality of reaction vessels 2; a specimen dispensing mechanism 11 which dispenses a specimen into the reaction vessels 2; a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 which dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessels 2; a measuring unit 4 which measures a reaction process of a mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessels 2; and a cleaning mechanism 3 which cleans the reaction vessels 2 after measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Yasui, Akihisa Makino, Masashi Akutsu, Hiroyuki Mishima, Yoshihiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20230258672
    Abstract: This automated analysis device is provided with a plurality of analysis units for analyzing a specimen, a buffer portion which holds a plurality of specimen racks on which are placed specimen containers holding the specimen, a sampler portion which conveys the specimen racks held in the buffer portion to the analysis units, and a control portion which, when performing a process to deliver the specimen racks to the plurality of analysis units, outputs synchronization signals to all the plurality of analysis units, wherein the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal, and the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Masashi AKUTSU, Naoto SUZUKI, Hiroki FUJITA, Akihiro YASUI
  • Publication number: 20230228777
    Abstract: An operator can perform exchange work of a reagent container without including a mechanism for reagent exchange and interrupting an analysis operation. An automatic analyzer includes: an analysis unit including a plurality of operation units for performing analysis of a specimen; and a control unit for controlling the analysis unit. The control unit allows the analysis unit to set to at least (a) an analysis operation mode in which a first and a second operation unit are operated for the analysis of the specimen, (b) a partial operation mode in which only the first operation unit is continuously operated after the analysis of the specimen is completed in the analysis operation mode, and (c) a reagent exchange mode in which consumables containing a reagent are exchangeable in the analysis unit. The control unit allows the analysis unit to shift from the partial operation mode to the reagent exchange mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: HITACH HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Sasaki, Kenta Imai, Masashi Akutsu, Osamu Watabe, Satoshi Shibuya
  • Patent number: 11662357
    Abstract: This automated analysis device is provided with a plurality of analysis units for analyzing a specimen, a buffer portion which holds a plurality of specimen racks on which are placed specimen containers holding the specimen, a sampler portion which conveys the specimen racks held in the buffer portion to the analysis units, and a control portion which, when performing a process to deliver the specimen racks to the plurality of analysis units, outputs synchronization signals to all the plurality of analysis units, wherein the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal, and the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Akutsu, Naoto Suzuki, Hiroki Fujita, Akihiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 11619639
    Abstract: The present invention reduces the turnaround time of an automated analyzer. During a period when cyclic measurement by a measurement unit is unnecessary, a controller washes a reaction vessel using a washing cycle having a cycle time shorter than that of an analysis cycle. A single analysis cycle and a single washing cycle both include a reaction disc stopping period and rotation period. In the washing cycle, there is no time during the stopping period when a sample dispensing mechanism, reagent dispensing mechanism, or stirring mechanism operates but there is a time when a washing mechanism operates. The washing cycle stopping period is shorter than the analysis cycle stopping period. The amount of rotation of the reaction disk in the analysis cycle rotation period is the same as the amount of rotation of the reaction disk in the washing cycle rotation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Yasui, Tatsuya Fukugaki, Masashi Akutsu, Naoto Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20230056397
    Abstract: A first screen for displaying information of at least two analysis modules and a second screen for displaying information of only the specific analysis module among the analysis modules are separately displayed based on at least one piece of information among angle information of a display section, position information of the display section, and information of an operation performed on the analysis modules. Thus, the screen corresponding to a situation of an automatic analysis device can be accurately and reliably provided by a user as compared with the conventional one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Kazuaki SHIBA, Satoshi YOKOTSUKA, Masashi AKUTSU, Masaki CHIKAHISA
  • Patent number: 11486887
    Abstract: The present invention is provided with a sample rack insertion unit 12 that is capable of holding one or more sample racks 5 having mounted therein one or more sample containers 6 accommodating a sample to be analyzed, one or more analysis devices 2, 3 for analyzing the sample accommodated in the sample containers 6, a sample rack conveyance unit 14 for conveying the sample racks 5 from the sample rack insertion unit 12 to the analysis devices 2, 3, and a control device 4 for acquiring, for each analysis device 2, 3, load information that is information expressing an operating condition of the analysis device 2, 3, and, if there is an analysis device 2, 3 for which the load information is larger than a predetermined conveyance permission value, carrying out control so as to stop the conveyance of the sample racks 5 from the sample rack insertion unit 12 to the analysis device(s) 2, 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Akutsu, Akihisa Makino, Hiroyuki Mishima, Akihiro Yasui
  • Publication number: 20220260601
    Abstract: Provided are an automatic analyzer that satisfies both rapid measurement start and water consumption reduction, and a method of operating the automatic analyzer. When the automatic analyzer (100) is in a standby state where measurement of a sample is acceptable, a supply amount of cleaning water supplied to a sample dispensing probe (113) that dispenses the sample to a reaction vessel for reaction of the sample and a reagent, a sample dispensing probe cleaning tank (113A) that cleans an outer periphery of the sample dispensing probe (113) after the sample is dispensed, a reagent dispensing probe (116) that dispenses the reagent to the reaction vessel, a reagent dispensing probe cleaning tank (116A) that cleans an outer periphery of the reagent dispensing probe (116) after the reagent is dispensed, and a cleaning mechanism (115A) that cleans the reaction vessel after the measurement is completed, is reduced to be smaller than a supply amount during the measurement of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Maki FURUKAWA, Masashi AKUTSU, Naoto SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 11391750
    Abstract: A sample-processing system that improves total system processing efficiency, and reduces a sample-processing time, by establishing a functionally independent relationship between a rack conveyance block with rack supply, conveyance, and recovery functions, and a processing block with sample preprocessing, analysis, and other functions. A buffer unit with random accessibility to multiple racks standing by for processing is combined with each of multiple processing units to form a pair, and the system is constructed to load and unload racks into and from the buffer unit through the rack conveyance block so that one unprocessed rack is loaded into the buffer unit and then upon completion of process steps up to automatic retesting, unloaded from the buffer unit. Functional dependence between any processing unit and a conveyance unit is thus eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tokieda, Yoshimitsu Takagi, Takeshi Shibuya, Masashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20220206029
    Abstract: An automatic analysis apparatus includes: an automatic analysis unit 100 which includes a dispensing mechanism including a probe which is configured to dispense a sample or a reagent into a reaction container, a cleaning mechanism; and a control unit 124. The control unit includes a storage unit 124a configured to store count values which indicate weightings to contamination and are set in advance in accordance with a plurality of analysis conditions, a processing unit 124b configured to obtain a cumulative count for each dispensing of the sample or the reagent on the basis of the stored count values and to determine whether the obtained cumulative count exceeds a threshold value set in advance, and an instruction unit 124c configured to instruct an operation of the cleaning mechanism to clean the probe when a result of determination is that the cumulative count exceeds the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Misato KOIKE, Masashi AKUTSU, Masashi FUKAYA, Megumi KATO
  • Publication number: 20220147038
    Abstract: Provided are an automatic analysis apparatus in which plurality of units are connected and which can perform maintenance on any unit in parallel, and a maintenance guide method for the automatic analysis apparatus. The control unit 114 causes a display unit 116 to display a maintenance guide screen 201 in which maintenance guidance (a display region for sampler module 231, a display region for second analysis module 230, and a display region for first analysis module 232) independent of analysis modules 107, 207 and a sampler module 200 is arranged in the same screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Akutsu, Satoshi Yokotsuka, Hiroyuki Mishima
  • Publication number: 20220111391
    Abstract: Provided is an automated analysis device with which sufficient reaction process data can be acquired irrespective of the scale of the device, and with which it is possible to ensure freedom of the device configuration. An automated analysis device 100 is provided with: a reaction disk 1 which circumferentially accommodates a plurality of reaction vessels 2; a specimen dispensing mechanism 11 which dispenses a specimen into the reaction vessels 2; a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 which dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessels 2; a measuring unit 4 which measures a reaction process of a mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessels 2; and a cleaning mechanism 3 which cleans the reaction vessels 2 after measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Akihiro YASUI, Akihisa MAKINO, Masashi AKUTSU, Hiroyuki MISHIMA, Yoshihiro SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 11268971
    Abstract: An automated analyzer is provided with one or more dispensing lines 109, 209 that are each for loading and unloading, at one end thereof, a sample rack 101 having placed therein one or more sample containers accommodating a sample for analysis and for conveying the sample rack back and forth from a dispensing position for dispensing the sample from the sample containers and sample rack removal parts 111, 211 that are provided adjacent to the other ends of the dispensing lines 109, 209 and provide and receive sample racks to and from the dispensing lines 109, 209. According to this configuration, it is possible to convey an urgent sample while suppressing device complexity, preventing cost from increasing, and also maintaining speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihisa Makino, Masashi Akutsu, Hiroyuki Mishima, Akihiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 11235334
    Abstract: Provided is an automated analysis device with which sufficient reaction process data can be acquired irrespective of the scale of the device, and with which it is possible to ensure freedom of the device configuration. An automated analysis device 100 is provided with: a reaction disk 1 which circumferentially accommodates a plurality of reaction vessels 2; a specimen dispensing mechanism 11 which dispenses a specimen into the reaction vessels 2; a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 which dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessels 2; a measuring unit 4 which measures a reaction process of a mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the reaction vessels 2; and a cleaning mechanism 3 which cleans the reaction vessels 2 after measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Yasui, Akihisa Makino, Masashi Akutsu, Hiroyuki Mishima, Yoshihiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20210389337
    Abstract: The present invention comprises: an incubator disk 22 upon which a plurality of reaction containers holding a reaction solution being an analyte and a reagent that have been mixed and reacted are mounted; a immunoassay unit 23 that measures the physical properties of the reaction solution; and a planning unit 103 that determines the order for measurement of analyte requested to be executed by the immunoassay unit 23. Measurement by the immunoassay unit 23 includes items having different measurement times. When measurement of sequence items having the longest measurement time will occur at least a prescribed number of times in a row, said prescribed number being at least two, the planning unit 103 provides at least one empty cycle after measurement has occurred at least the prescribed number of times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa SUENARI, Masashi AKUTSU, Hiroyuki MISHIMA, Takeshi SETOMARU, Akihiro YASUI
  • Publication number: 20210356483
    Abstract: The automatic analyzer is capable of performing other operations concurrently with a maintenance operation and notifying a user when a user action is required in executing maintenance and displaying guidance. Automatic analyzer includes analysis modules and that analyze a sample, a display device that displays information related to maintenance in the analyzer including the analysis modules and, and an overall management computer that controls a constant display area to be displayed on a display screen of the display device, in which when there is a need to notify a user of a maintenance status at a timing when the maintenance in the analyzer is executed in a background and a screen other than a maintenance screen is displayed on the display device, the overall management computer displays notification information on the screen including global areas and of the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Satoru CHIDA, Masashi AKUTSU, Chikook HA, Satoshi YOKOTSUKA
  • Publication number: 20210302451
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis device and an automatic analysis system capable of executing separate operations by respective analysis units even in a device configuration where a same control part controls two or more analysis units. The automatic analysis device includes: a biochemistry analysis unit (201); an electrolyte analysis unit (211); one analysis unit control CPU (120) for controlling operations of the biochemistry analysis unit (201) and the electrolyte analysis unit (211); and a storage part (133) for storing time charts (302, 312, 314, and 322) of operations having different purposes for the biochemistry analysis unit (201) and the electrolyte analysis units (211). Two or more of the biochemistry analysis units (201) and the electrolyte analysis units (211) operate independent to each other based on the time charts (302, 312, 314, and 322) stored in the storage part (133).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kunio Enta, Masashi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20210239721
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer is capable of transporting a sample at an optimum timing and a method of transporting the sample. An automatic analyzer includes an analysis unit which measures a sample, a transport unit which transports the sample to the analysis unit, and a control unit which controls the analysis unit and the transport unit. A sample is transported to the analysis unit by a time of starting an aspirating operation on the sample by allowing the analysis unit to perform a pre-measurement operation for each measuring method which needs to be performed before aspirating the sample even when the sample is still in the transport unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Naoto SUZUKI, Masashi AKUTSU, Akihiro YASUI