Patents by Inventor Morinao Fukuoka

Morinao Fukuoka 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: 11744438
    Abstract: An image processing device for an endoscope outputs a video signal to an image display part that displays an observation image based on the video signal. The image display part is configured such that a first side of a display screen that displays the observation image is shorter than a second side intersecting with the first side, and is configured to be set in both a first setting state in which the first side is along a vertical direction and a second setting state in which the second side is along the vertical direction. The image processing device includes: a setting state recognition part configured to recognize the setting state; and a video signal generation part configured to generate the video signal such that the subject image in the observation image has an orientation corresponding to the setting state of the image display part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Morinao Fukuoka, Yuichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10905319
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a camera including an imaging unit configured to receive light and convert the light into an electric signal; a first cable configured to transmit the electric signal, one end of the first cable being connected to the camera; an operating unit connected to another end of the first cable and including an electrooptic conversion unit configured to convert the electric signal transmitted through the first cable into an optical signal, and a switch configured to receive user operations; a second cable configured to transmit the optical signal, one end of the second cable being connected to the operating unit; and a connector provided to another end of the second cable and configured to connect the other end of the second cable to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Taihei Michihata, Kohtaro Amano, Morinao Fukuoka, Yuichi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20200315425
    Abstract: An image processing device for an endoscope outputs a video signal to an image display part that displays an observation image based on the video signal. The image display part is configured such that a first side of a display screen that displays the observation image is shorter than a second side intersecting with the first side, and is configured to be set in both a first setting state in which the first side is along a vertical direction and a second setting state in which the second side is along the vertical direction. The image processing device includes: a setting state recognition part configured to recognize the setting state; and a video signal generation part configured to generate the video signal such that the subject image in the observation image has an orientation corresponding to the setting state of the image display part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro HAGIHARA, Morinao FUKUOKA, Yuichi YAMADA
  • Patent number: 10729308
    Abstract: An image processing device for an endoscope outputs a video signal to an image display part that displays an observation image based on the video signal. The image display part is configured such that a first side of a display screen that displays the observation image is shorter than a second side intersecting with the first side, and is configured to be set in both a first setting state in which the first side is along a vertical direction and a second setting state in which the second side is along the vertical direction. The image processing device includes: a setting state recognition part configured to recognize the setting state; and a video signal generation part configured to generate the video signal such that the subject image in the observation image has an orientation corresponding to the setting state of the image display part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagihara, Morinao Fukuoka, Yuichi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20180098684
    Abstract: An image processing device for an endoscope outputs a video signal to an image display part that displays an observation image based on the video signal. The image display part is configured such that a first side of a display screen that displays the observation image is shorter than a second side intersecting with the first side, and is configured to be set in both a first setting state in which the first side is along a vertical direction and a second setting state in which the second side is along the vertical direction. The image processing device includes: a setting state recognition part configured to recognize the setting state; and a video signal generation part configured to generate the video signal such that the subject image in the observation image has an orientation corresponding to the setting state of the image display part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro HAGIHARA, Morinao FUKUOKA, Yuichi YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20180092520
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a camera including an imaging unit configured to receive light and convert the light into an electric signal; a first cable configured to transmit the electric signal, one end of the first cable being connected to the camera; an operating unit connected to another end of the first cable and including an electrooptic conversion unit configured to convert the electric signal transmitted through the first cable into an optical signal, and a switch configured to receive user operations; a second cable configured to transmit the optical signal, one end of the second cable being connected to the operating unit; and a connector provided to another end of the second cable and configured to connect the other end of the second cable to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Taihei MICHIHATA, Kohtaro AMANO, Morinao FUKUOKA, Yuichi YAMADA
  • Patent number: 9804339
    Abstract: An optical connector for coupling to a counter-connector mechanically and optically, a portion of an optical transmission line transmitting an optical signal being disposed in the optical connector, includes: a first outer case through which the optical transmission line is inserted and that covers an incidence end or an emitting end of an optical signal through the optical transmission line; a cover plate that is permeable to an optical signal and seals a tip end side coupled to the counter-connector in the first outer case; and a coating film made of amorphous carbon that is disposed on a surface on the tip end side of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Morinao Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20150374207
    Abstract: An optical connector for coupling to a counter-connector mechanically and optically, a portion of an optical transmission line transmitting an optical signal being disposed in the optical connector, includes: a first outer case through which the optical transmission line is inserted and that covers an incidence end or an emitting end of an optical signal through the optical transmission line; a cover plate that is permeable to an optical signal and seals a tip end side coupled to the counter-connector in the first outer case; and a coating film made of amorphous carbon that is disposed on a surface on the tip end side of the cover plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Morinao FUKUOKA
  • Patent number: 8465709
    Abstract: There is provided a retention mechanism for an immersion medium, for use in a device which observes/measures a sample by use of an immersion objective lens, includes a member which retains the immersion medium near a tip portion of the objective lens, wherein the member is configured to include at least first and second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Harada, Akihiro Namba, Morinao Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 8465708
    Abstract: There is provided a retention mechanism for an immersion medium, for use in a device which observes/measures a sample by use of an immersion objective lens, includes a member which retains the immersion medium near a tip portion of the objective lens, wherein the member is configured to include at least first and second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Harada, Akihiro Namba, Morinao Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20100315705
    Abstract: There is provided a retention mechanism for an immersion medium, for use in a device which observes/measures a sample by use of an immersion objective lens, includes a member which retains the immersion medium near a tip portion of the objective lens, wherein the member is configured to include at least first and second materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo HARADA, Akihiro NAMBA, Morinao FUKUOKA
  • Publication number: 20100227316
    Abstract: There is provided a novel luminescence measuring apparatus that enables measuring a luminescence amount or a luminescence intensity from plural living biological samples, such as tissues, cells, and biological individuals, into which a gene expressing a luminescent protein has been introduced, individually for the respective biological samples. The inventive luminescence measuring apparatus comprises an image acquisition portion that acquires a luminescence image of biological samples; a measurement region determination portion that determines at least one measurement region in the luminescence image; and a luminescence measurement portion that measures the luminescence amount or luminescence intensity in the determined measurement region; thereby measuring the luminescence amount or luminescence intensity individually by the biological sample(s) included in the measurement region. Irrespective of an efficiency of transfer of a luminescent protein gene into a cell, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirobumi Suzuki, Yoko Ohashi, Chiaki Sato, Morinao Fukuoka, Akihiro Namba
  • Publication number: 20100219353
    Abstract: A novel apparatus and a novel method of imaging a luminescence phenomenon of a sample of biological origin using an optical image formation device are provided. In the inventive method and apparatus, an illumination image acquired by illuminating the sample and a luminescence image acquired with the light emitted by a luminescence phenomenon of a cell in the sample without illuminating it are superposed to generate a superposition image. In the superposition image, an analysis region is determined. Thereby, even when the light detected in a luminescence observation is feeble, a luminescent cell and/or a luminescent site in a cell in a sample can be specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryutaro Akiyoshi, Hirobumi Suzuki, Morinao Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20070213632
    Abstract: A sample container containing a biopsy sample obtained by an instrument is arranged in the operation section of an endoscope. The sampling means of an instrument inserted into the subject through the instrument channel of the endoscope is used, obtaining a biopsy sample. The biopsy sample is introduced from the instrument into the sample container arranged in the operation section, without pulling the instrument outside. The sample obtained can therefore be stabilized fast and be preserved fresh. The biopsy sample is prevented from being contaminated and from contaminating the environment. The sample can therefore undergo accurate examinations and diagnoses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko Okazaki, Morinao Fukuoka, Tsuyoshi Kawai
  • Publication number: 20070015223
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a quick, easy, and highly-sensitive method of detecting a substance to be analyzed, and to provide a method of supporting the analysis results by quantitativeness even if the amount of samples to be handled is a very small amount. The invention is a method of detecting a substance to be analyzed, including: measuring a intensity of a signal derived from a labeled substance to be analyzed, in a time series during an increase in the signal intensity; and representing the signal intensity by a function of time, and using the quantitative value of the signal intensity for when the slope of an approximated line of the measured signal intensity is within a range between 0.5 and 1.5 times the slope of the approximated line of the previously measured signal intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromi Sanuki, Hiroko Sakamoto, Morinao Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 7160511
    Abstract: A liquid pipetting apparatus for dispensing liquid of minute volume for use in a survey instruments of a hemanalysis machine, a genetic screening, and a pharmaceutical screening, etc., is disclosed. The liquid pipetting apparatus comprises a liquid holding member for holding the liquid, and capable of dispensing the liquid from one end, and a driving member for moving the liquid holding member forward and backward along the dispensing direction, the liquid holding member being moved by the driving means, thereby dispensing the liquid held on the liquid holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Seiya Takahashi, Morinao Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20060275918
    Abstract: There is provided a retention mechanism for an immersion medium, for use in a device which observes/measures a sample by use of an immersion objective lens, includes a member which retains the immersion medium near a tip portion of the objective lens, wherein the member is configured to include at least first and second materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Harada, Akihiro Namba, Morinao Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20060275892
    Abstract: A reaction vessel includes a three-dimensional substrate on which a probe applied to detection of a biorelated substance is immobilized, a coupling portion allowed to be coupled to a liquid driver in an airtight fashion, and a solution sucking portion allowed to suck a solution. The coupling portion and the solution sucking portion are arranged with a three-dimensional substrate held between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takami Shibazaki, Morinao Fukuoka, Yoshinobu Akimoto
  • Publication number: 20050130164
    Abstract: A process for producing a test piece for analyzing a labeled substance with a biological origin which comprises the step of supplying a solution containing a substance capable of specifically binding to the substance with the biological origin onto a support and fixing the specifically binding substance at a definite position on the support, characterized in that the solution contains a substance to be detected, which is either the same as the label or different therefrom, uniformly dissolved or dispersed therein independently from the specifically binding substance. A method of examining a test piece having a substance specifically binding to a substance with a biological origin fixed at a definite position on a support, characterized by comprising the step of supplying a labeled test substance onto a support and fixing it at a position different from the position of the specifically binding substance, and the step of eliminating the unfixed test substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Akimoto, Morinao Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20050079501
    Abstract: That invention provides a nucleic acid information detection method which, in a method wherein a target nucleic acid, and probes having a complementary sequence with at least a portion of the target nucleic acid sequence, are contacted with each other in order to form hybrids between the target nucleic acid and the probes, and the amount of signal generated depending on the amount of hybrids is measured in order to detect the information on the target nucleic acid, includes kinetically obtaining data of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Hisashi Koike, Tomonori Nagaoka, Takatomo Satoh, Yoshioki Kaneko, Midori Hatanaka, Morinao Fukuoka, Hiroko Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Yonekawa