Patents by Inventor Mitsuo Yamasaki

Mitsuo Yamasaki 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: 20170363521
    Abstract: First and second racks each has fixed positions to hold sample tubes. First and second drawers slide into and out of the case, and that support the first and second racks, respectively. A tube set unit is provided in an area close to the first rack in the case. A tube transfer unit removes sample tubes from the first and second racks in the case and a controller that controls a transfer operation of the tube transfer unit. The first rack is supported by the first drawer such that the first rack leaves a transit location in the case behind the first drawer in the direction of the first drawer movement into the case. The controller controls the tube transfer unit to remove at least one sample tube from the second rack and transfers the tube to the tube set unit via a path traversing the transit location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaaki NAGAI, Daigo FUKUMA, Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Noriyuki NAKANISHI, Syunsuke YAO, Tomonori OKAZAKI, Takahiro SAINO
  • Publication number: 20170343454
    Abstract: A smear preparing apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes: a first transporter that transports a storage tool in a first direction, the storage tool capable of holding microscope slides side by side in the first direction; a slide transfer unit that transfers a microscope slide having a stained sample to the storage tool transported by the first transporter; and a second transporter that is adjacent to the first transporter and that transports the storage tool housing the microscope slide transferred by the slide transfer unit, in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyuki NAKANISHI, Masahiko FUKUSHIMA, Seiya SHINABE, Mitsuo YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20170315029
    Abstract: A sample smearing apparatus of an embodiment includes: a first slide glass feeder that feeds a slide glass before processing; a slide glass transporter including a slide glass holder that holds the slide glass, that is capable of receiving the slide glass at a first slide glass feeding position from the first slide glass feeder, and transports the received slide glass while holding the slide glass with the slide glass holder; and a slide processor that performs processing on the slide glass held by the slide glass holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shogo KUBOTA, Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Seiya SHINABE
  • Publication number: 20170315030
    Abstract: A sample smear apparatus of an embodiment includes: a slide feeder that feeds a slide glass before processing; a smear processor that smears a sample on the slide glass; and a slide transporter including a slide holder mechanism with an upper surface where to hold the slide glass and a transfer mechanism that moves the slide holder mechanism in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction, the slide transporter arranged movably to the slide feeder and the smear processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shogo KUBOTA, Mitsuo YAMASAKI
  • Patent number: 9795967
    Abstract: A sample analyzer comprises a reagent container setting part configured to install a reagent-container retainer for retaining a reagent container having an opening, an aspirating tube configured to aspirate a reagent in the reagent container, and an aspirating tube holder configured to hold the aspirating tube. The aspirating tube holder includes a cover, the cover having an open portion provided from a bottom face thereof to a side face thereof, the cover covering the aspirating tube with a region thereof other than the open portion. The aspirating tube holder includes a guide portion configured to guide the aspirating tube holder relative to the reagent-container retainer such that the aspirating tube holder is allowed to reach a state where the aspirating tube has entered the reagent container or a state where the aspirating tube has retreated from the reagent container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Nagai, Noriyuki Nakanishi, Mitsuo Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20170242046
    Abstract: A sample measurement apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a processing unit that aspirates a sample inside a sample container and measures the sample; a transfer unit that includes a holder to hold the sample container, and that picks up the sample container from a rack capable of storing the sample containers at storage positions on a row and transfers the sample container to the processing unit; and a detection unit that is attached to the holder and is movable integrally with the holder, and that detects whether or not there is the sample container at each of the storage positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Tomonori OKAZAKI, Noriyuki NAKANISHI, Takahiro SAINO
  • Patent number: 9733161
    Abstract: First and second racks each has fixed positions to hold sample tubes. First and second drawers slide into and out of the case, and that support the first and second racks, respectively. A tube set unit is provided in an area close to the first rack in the case. A tube transfer unit removes sample tubes from the first and second racks in the case and a controller that controls a transfer operation of the tube transfer unit. The first rack is supported by the first drawer such that the first rack leaves a transit location in the case behind the first drawer in the direction of the first drawer movement into the case. The controller controls the tube transfer unit to remove at least one sample tube from the second rack and transfers the tube to the tube set unit via a path traversing the transit location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaaki Nagai, Daigo Fukuma, Mitsuo Yamasaki, Noriyuki Nakanishi, Syunsuke Yao, Tomonori Okazaki, Takahiro Saino
  • Patent number: 9638610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sample processing apparatus that comprises a rack with positions to hold sample tubes, the rack including a rack identification suited to a kind of sample tube, a rack set unit that accepts the rack in a detachable manner, a tube transfer unit with mechanical movement to grab and take out each sample tube from a rack held in the rack set unit, a rack detector comprising a sensor to detect the rack identification of the rack held in the rack set unit, and a controller that controls movement of the tube transfer unit based on a detection result of the rack detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaaki Nagai, Daigo Fukuma, Mitsuo Yamasaki, Noriyuki Nakanishi, Syunsuke Yao
  • Publication number: 20170003204
    Abstract: A smear preparation apparatus comprises a blood processing unit, a washing unit, a controller, an information obtaining unit. The controller changes the washing condition for washing after processing a blood sample to a second washing condition which is stronger than the first washing condition when abnormal blood cells occur in the blood sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Seiya SHINABE, Akio TOYODA
  • Patent number: 9329193
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus for performing a process including a plurality of steps on a sample, the sample processing apparatus sequentially processing a plurality of samples, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a plurality of units corresponding to the respective steps in the process; a transfer section which transfers a sample to the units according to a flow of the steps; and a controller. Specifically, when an operation was not performed successfully, the controller interrupts the process for a sample that had not reached the location where the unsuccessful operation was performed while continuing the process for a sample that had already passed the location, retries the operation that was not performed successfully, and resumes the interrupted process when the retried operation has been performed successfully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromi Onomichi, Mitsuo Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9297823
    Abstract: A specimen transporter connected to a specimen imaging apparatus, the specimen transporter including a specimen receiving section that receives a specimen plate and a specimen storage section that stores an imaged specimen plate. Specimen transporting sections transport the specimen plate from the specimen receiving section to the specimen imaging apparatus and from the specimen imaging apparatus to the specimen storage section. A control section controls operations of the specimen transporting sections to transport the specimen plate received by the specimen receiving section to the specimen imaging apparatus and transport the imaged specimen plate received from the specimen imaging apparatus to the specimen storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yamasaki, Hidetaka Hayama, Yuichiro Ohmae, Tomoyuki Asahara, Takaaki Nagai
  • Patent number: 9250165
    Abstract: A smear staining apparatus comprising: a staining section which stains a smear sample with a quantity of stain fluid; and a controller, wherein the controller: receives information regarding a stain state on a smear sample which is stained according to a first staining condition by the staining section; and determines a second staining condition on the basis of the information and a target value which defines a targeted stain state, is disclosed. A smear preparing apparatus, a smear processing system and method for determining staining condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yamada, Mitsuo Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9157925
    Abstract: A specimen transporter for transporting a specimen plate to a specimen imaging apparatus, where one side of the smearing pate is a smearing surface. The specimen transporter including a specimen transport section that transports the specimen plate to the specimen imaging apparatus. A posture changing section receives the specimen plate from the specimen imaging apparatus with the smearing surface facing upward, and changes the posture of the specimen plate so that one end side in a longitudinal direction of the received specimen plate is positioned above the other end side. A specimen inserting section inserts the specimen plate, having the changed posture, into a plate storage rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yamasaki, Hidetaka Hayama, Yuichiro Ohmae, Tomoyuki Asahara, Takaaki Nagai
  • Publication number: 20150273466
    Abstract: A sample analyzer comprises a reagent container setting part configured to install a reagent-container retainer for retaining a reagent container having an opening, an aspirating tube configured to aspirate a reagent in the reagent container, and an aspirating tube holder configured to hold the aspirating tube. The aspirating tube holder includes a cover, the cover having an open portion provided from a bottom face thereof to a side face thereof, the cover covering the aspirating tube with a region thereof other than the open portion. The aspirating tube holder includes a guide portion configured to guide the aspirating tube holder relative to the reagent-container retainer such that the aspirating tube holder is allowed to reach a state where the aspirating tube has entered the reagent container or a state where the aspirating tube has retreated from the reagent container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Takaaki NAGAI, Noriyuki NAKANISHI, Mitsuo YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20150185119
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sample processing apparatus that comprises a rack with positions to hold sample tubes, the rack including a rack identification suited to a kind of sample tube, a rack set unit that accepts the rack in a detachable manner, a tube transfer unit with mechanical movement to grab and take out each sample tube from a rack held in the rack set unit, a rack detector comprising a sensor to detect the rack identification of the rack held in the rack set unit, and a controller that controls movement of the tube transfer unit based on a detection result of the rack detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Takaaki NAGAI, Daigo FUKUMA, Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Noriyuki NAKANISHI, Syunsuke YAO
  • Publication number: 20150185120
    Abstract: First and second racks each has fixed positions to hold sample tubes. First and second drawers slide into and out of the case, and that support the first and second racks, respectively. A tube set unit is provided in an area close to the first rack in the case. A tube transfer unit removes sample tubes from the first and second racks in the case and a controller that controls a transfer operation of the tube transfer unit. The first rack is supported by the first drawer such that the first rack leaves a transit location in the case behind the first drawer in the direction of the first drawer movement into the case. The controller controls the tube transfer unit to remove at least one sample tube from the second rack and transfers the tube to the tube set unit via a path traversing the transit location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Takaaki NAGAI, Daigo FUKUMA, Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Noriyuki NAKANISHI, Syunsuke YAO, Tomonori OKAZAKI, Takahiro SAINO
  • Patent number: 8778266
    Abstract: A slide processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprise a liquid transporter for transporting a staining liquid reserved in a first liquid container and a washing liquid reserved in a second liquid container; a first instruction receiver for receiving a first instruction that instructs to initiate preparation of a slide stained with the staining liquid; a second instruction receiver for receiving a second instruction that instructs to initiate washing of a housing element which accommodates therein a slide to be stained; and a controller. When receiving the first instruction, the controller performs staining of the slide accommodated in the housing element by causing the liquid transporter to transport the staining liquid into the housing element. When receiving the second instruction, the controller performs washing of the housing element by causing the liquid transport to transport the washing liquid into the housing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20140093423
    Abstract: To provide a specimen transporter that can be suitably used by being connected to a specimen imaging apparatus that does not have a function of collecting an imaged specimen plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Hidetaka HAYAMA, Yuichiro OHMAE, Tomoyuki ASAHARA, Takaaki NAGAI
  • Publication number: 20140093967
    Abstract: A specimen transporter for transporting a specimen plate, one side of which is a smearing surface, to a specimen imaging apparatus, the specimen transporter comprising: a specimen transport section that transports the specimen plate to the specimen imaging apparatus; a posture changing section that receives the specimen plate from the specimen imaging apparatus with the smearing surface facing upward, and changes the posture of the specimen plate so that one end side in a longitudinal direction of the received specimen plate is positioned above the other end side; and a specimen inserting section that inserts the specimen plate, which posture is changed, into a plate storage rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo YAMASAKI, Hidetaka HAYAMA, Yuichiro OHMAE, Tomoyuki ASAHARA, Takaaki NAGAI
  • Patent number: 8551404
    Abstract: A sample analyzer for analyzing a sample comprising: a sample container receiver capable of receiving either one of a manually supplied sample container and an automatically supplied; a container holder receiver for receiving a container holder holding at least one sample container; a sample container supplier automatically for supplying, to the sample container receiver, a sample container held by the container holder received by the container holder receiver; an aspirator for aspirating a sample within a sample container received by the sample container receiver; and an analyzing part for analyzing the sample aspirated by the aspirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Nagai, Mitsuo Yamasaki