Patents by Inventor Muneo Maeshima
Muneo Maeshima 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).
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Patent number: 9650626Abstract: A nucleic acid extractor reducing the possibility of cross contamination and a gene analysis apparatus having a nucleic acid amplification function and a detection function are provided. The nucleic acid extractor has a kit for nucleic acid extraction using silica-coated magnetic beads under the presence of a chaotropic agent, and includes a magnet cover 52 accommodating a magnet 42 in the inside and separating the magnet 42 and a reaction container 2, a wall part 53 covering the outside of the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container, and a upper portion 54 covering a space above the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container. Scattering of liquid and aerosol can be prevented and the possibility of cross contamination can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Makiko Takahashi, Kohshi Maeda, Yasunori Shoji, Muneo Maeshima
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Publication number: 20170096631Abstract: Provided is a test apparatus in which a test for bacterial identification or antimicrobial susceptibility can be promptly determined. A division state of bacteria is monitored by performing microscopic observation of shapes and the number of the bacteria in each of wells in a culture plate for bacterial identification culture or an antimicrobial susceptibility test, and it is determined whether or not the bacteria grow in a stage shifted from an induction phase to a logarithmic phase, with reference to an image obtained through microscopic observation. In addition, determination performed based on turbidity in the related art may be combined with determination performed based on microscopic observation in which change and the like in the shapes of the bacteria are monitored. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a highly accurate test result.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2014Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Chihiro UEMATSU, Muneo MAESHIMA, Akira MASUYA
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Patent number: 9442127Abstract: This invention concerns a sample processing device capable of efficiently recovering biological molecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins. The sample processing device is capable of placing a reaction container having a plurality of reaction sites, and it comprises a nozzle mechanism with a nozzle capable of attaching and removing a dispenser tip for dispensing a solution into the reaction sites of the reaction container and a magnetic tip for generating a magnetic field that allows magnetic beads to migrate to a space among the plurality of reaction sites in the reaction container, and a drive control unit controlling the nozzle mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Chihiro Uematsu, Muneo Maeshima
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Patent number: 9429507Abstract: All of bio-related substances, such as cells or bacteria, are placed at single and independent positions. A flow cell according to the present invention is used for analyzing a bio-related substance and includes a flow passageway and an injection opening and a discharge opening that are connected to the flow passageway. The flow passageway is provided with trapping structural members for trapping the bio-related substance. The trapping structural members include a structure forming a dead water region in which the bio-related substance is trapped.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Takuya Matsui, Muneo Maeshima
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Publication number: 20160061831Abstract: An analyzing device of the present invention is provided with a flow chamber that a fluid including magnetic particles associated with a labeling substance flows from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet, magnetic trap means to apply a magnetic field for trapping the magnetic particles to the fluid in the flow chamber, a working electrode and a counter electrode to apply a voltage to the magnetic particles trapped by the magnetic trap means, and to emit a luminescence, a light detection element to detect a luminescence derived from the labeling substance on the magnetic particles trapped in the flow chamber, and regulating means to regulate a region that the light detection element detects the luminescence derived from the labeling substance on a part of magnetic particles of them trapped by the magnetic trap means.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Shunichiro Nobuki, Muneo Maeshima, Terumi Tamura, Kenta Imai
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Patent number: 9221055Abstract: Nucleic acid analysis apparatus includes a plurality of temperature adjustment apparatuses, a rotating mechanism, a delivery base and an ejection base, a delivery drive mechanism, an ejection drive mechanism, and a detection apparatus. The rotating mechanism can include a rotating shaft and a plurality of pressing portions that rotate around the rotating shaft. The reaction plate assembly can move over the temperature adjustment apparatuses along the circumferential direction in a state of being pressed onto the temperature adjustment apparatuses by the pressing portions. The delivery drive mechanism can cause the reaction plate assembly to be moved radially inward and delivered between the pressing portions and temperature adjustment apparatuses. The ejection drive mechanism can cause the reaction plate assembly to be moved radially outward and ejected from between the pressing portions and temperature adjustment apparatuses onto the ejection base.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Yasunori Shoji, Muneo Maeshima, Chihiro Uematsu, Makiko Takahashi, Kyoko Imai
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Patent number: 9109194Abstract: When multiple kinds of bacterial colonies are present in a petri dish and, for example, a drug tolerance is to be measured, harvesting of mixed colonies of different types of bacteria makes it impossible to accurately determine the drug tolerance. Also, it is required to improve the throughput of a device for harvesting a bacterial colony. From images illuminated from multiple directions, isolating bacterial colonies are automatically extracted. Next, the image feature amounts are calculated from the multiple images that are illuminated from multiple directions and colonies are grouped depending on the feature amounts. Then, bacterial colonies to be harvested are determined based on the results of the grouping.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Toshifumi Honda, Hiroko Fujita, Muneo Maeshima, Akira Maekawa, Yoshiko Ishida, Yuta Urano, Shinya Murakami
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Publication number: 20150225714Abstract: A nucleic acid extractor reducing the possibility of cross contamination and a gene analysis apparatus having a nucleic acid amplification function and a detection function are provided. The nucleic acid extractor has a kit for nucleic acid extraction using silica-coated magnetic beads under the presence of a chaotropic agent, and includes a magnet cover 52 accommodating a magnet 42 in the inside and separating the magnet 42 and a reaction container 2, a wall part 53 covering the outside of the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container, and a upper portion 54 covering a space above the reaction container 2 in a state of accommodating at least a portion of the magnet cover 52 in the reaction container. Scattering of liquid and aerosol can be prevented and the possibility of cross contamination can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Makiko Takahashi, Kohshi Maeda, Yasunori Shoji, Muneo Maeshima
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Publication number: 20150198525Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
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Patent number: 9023282Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
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Publication number: 20150072350Abstract: All of bio-related substances, such as cells or bacteria, are placed at single and independent positions. A flow cell according to the present invention is used for analyzing a bio-related substance and includes a flow passageway and an injection opening and a discharge opening that are connected to the flow passageway. The flow passageway is provided with trapping structural members for trapping the bio-related substance. The trapping structural members include a structure forming a dead water region in which the bio-related substance is trapped.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Takuya Matsui, Muneo Maeshima
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Publication number: 20140377853Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
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Patent number: 8906304Abstract: Reaction containers (110) each comprising a plurality of treatment parts (wells) (501-506) are placed side by side in a reaction container set so as to be movable independently of each other in the direction of arrangement of the treatment parts (wells). A plurality of stems (401) correspond to the respective reaction containers (110) and are disposed above the reaction containers to be vertically movable and disposed in the direction crossing the direction of movement of the reaction containers. Control is performed so that when the reaction containers (110) and a stem mechanism (111) are operated together and one of the treatment parts (501-506) of each of the reaction containers (110) comes immediately below the stem mechanism (111) in accordance with a treatment procedure, a stem (401) corresponding thereto, a magnetic chip (402) attached thereto, or the cover (405) thereof can go into and out of the treatment part.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventor: Muneo Maeshima
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Patent number: 8852511Abstract: To be adapted to various types of latex reagents for detecting scattered light and thereby measuring agglutination reactions with high sensitivity while sufficiently ensuring integration time. To be adapted to various types of latex particles of different particle sizes, a plurality of light receivers are arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction of cell movement by rotation of a cell disk. To ensure sufficient integration time, the angle between the optical axis of the irradiation light and each of a plurality of optical axes of scattered light viewed from above the cell is made equal to or less than 17.7° including a mounting error.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Muneo Maeshima, Isao Yamazaki, Tomonori Mimura
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Publication number: 20140295430Abstract: The method for analyzing biomolecules, includes the steps of: immobilizing biomolecules to be analyzed on surfaces of magnetic microparticles; reacting labeled probe molecules with the biomolecules to be analyzed; collecting and immobilizing the microparticles on a support substrate; and measuring a label on the support substrate. Since single-molecule immobilized magnetic microparticles are used in the present invention, the number of biomolecules can be counted, and since hybridization and an antigen-antibody reaction are performed with the microparticles having biomolecules immobilized thereon dispersed, the reaction can be rapidly performed. Further, the type and the abundance of biomolecules of interest can be determined at a single molecular level, so as to evaluate, in particular, the absolute concentration of biomolecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Toshiro Saito, Koshin Hamasaki, Satoshi Takahashi, Muneo Maeshima, Kyoko Imai, Kazumichi Imai, Ryuji Tao
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Publication number: 20140200162Abstract: A convenient method for nucleic acid analysis is provided, which enables 1000 or more types of nucleic acid to be analyzed collectively with high comprehensiveness and with a dynamic range of at least four digits. In particular, provided is a very effective analytical method especially for untranslated RNAs and microRNAs, of which the types of target nucleic acids is 10000 or lower. Nucleic acids can be analyzed conveniently and rapidly with high comprehensiveness and quantitative performance at single-molecule sensitivity and resolution by following the steps of: preparing a group of target nucleic acid fragments one molecule at a time and hybridizing the nucleic acid molecules, which have known base sequences and have been labeled with the fluorescence substances, with the group of the target nucleic acid fragments to detect the fluorescence substances labeling the hybridized nucleic acid molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: HITACHI HIGH TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiro Saito, Koshin Hamasaki, Satoshi Takahashi, Muneo Maeshima, Kyoko Imai, Kazumichi Imai, Ryuji Tao
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Publication number: 20140087370Abstract: Reaction containers (110) each comprising a plurality of treatment parts (wells) (501-506) are placed side by side in a reaction container set so as to be movable independently of each other in the direction of arrangement of the treatment parts (wells). A plurality of stems (401) correspond to the respective reaction containers (110) and are disposed above the reaction containers to be vertically movable and disposed in the direction crossing the direction of movement of the reaction containers. Control is performed so that when the reaction containers (110) and a stem mechanism (111) are operated together and one of the treatment parts (501-506) of each of the reaction containers (110) comes immediately below the stem mechanism (111) in accordance with a treatment procedure, a stem (401) corresponding thereto, a magnetic chip (402) attached thereto, or the cover (405) thereof can go into and out of the treatment part.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: Muneo Maeshima
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Publication number: 20130230908Abstract: Provided is a technology such that, in nucleic acid analysis, a high degree of freedom in loading or unloading a reaction plate can be obtained and a sample can be efficiently analyzed. A reaction plate assembly includes a reaction plate with one or more reaction wells, a visible light transmissive cover mounted on the reaction plate and covering the reaction wells, and a visible light transmissive weight member covering the cover. The reaction wells are disposed in an arc shape along the circumference of a circle with a predetermined radius r1.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2011Publication date: September 5, 2013Inventors: Yasunori Shoji, Muneo Maeshima, Chihiro Uematsu, Makiko Takahashi, Kyoko Imai
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Publication number: 20120309104Abstract: This invention concerns a sample processing device capable of efficiently recovering biological molecules, such as nucleic acids or proteins. The sample processing device is capable of placing a reaction container having a plurality of reaction sites, and it comprises a nozzle mechanism with a nozzle capable of attaching and removing a dispenser tip for dispensing a solution into the reaction sites of the reaction container and a magnetic tip for generating a magnetic field that allows magnetic beads to migrate to a space among the plurality of reaction sites in the reaction container, and a drive control unit controlling the nozzle mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Chihiro Uematsu, Muneo Maeshima
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Publication number: 20120275681Abstract: When multiple kinds of bacterial colonies are present in a petri dish and, for example, a drug tolerance is to be measured, harvesting of mixed colonies of different types of bacteria makes it impossible to accurately determine the drug tolerance. Also, it is required to improve the throughput of a device for harvesting a bacterial colony. From images illuminated from multiple directions, isolating bacterial colonies are automatically extracted. Next, the image feature amounts are calculated from the multiple images that are illuminated from multiple directions and colonies are grouped depending on the feature amounts. Then, bacterial colonies to be harvested are determined based on the results of the grouping.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2010Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventors: Toshifumi Honda, Hiroko Fujita, Muneo Maeshima, Akira Maekawa, Yoshiko Ishida, Yuta Urano, Shinya Murakami