Patents by Inventor Naruo Watanabe

Naruo Watanabe 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: 7384602
    Abstract: In a chemical analysis apparatus for extracting a specific substance, such as nucleic acid, from a sample containing a plurality of chemical substances, solutions remaining in valves are prevented so that a reagent in an earlier step does not contaminate the subsequent steps. Predetermined quantities of solutions are carried and supplied by centrifugal force without providing valves for controlling the flow of the solutions. After perforating the lids of ventilation holes 272, 273, 274 communicated with a detection container 450 and disposal containers 460 and 470 in an analysis disc 2, the analysis disc 2 is rotated to supply and carry a predetermined quantity of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Kei Takenaka, Tomoki Ohashi, Yuji Miyahara
  • Patent number: 7273702
    Abstract: A nucleic acid refining apparatus, being ease in automation thereof, keeping high in contacting frequency between nucleic acid within a sample and a solid phase during nucleic acid capture processing, thereby proving high capturing rate, comprises: means for separating a liquid containing the nucleic acid therein from said sample through centrifugal force; means for transferring a reagent through the centrifugal force; means for producing a mixture liquid of said reagent transferred through the centrifugal force and a solution containing said nucleic acid therein; a carrier for capturing said nucleic acid; means for transferring said mixture liquid to said carrier through the centrifugal force; heating means for heating said carrier; and a holding means for separating and holding the reagent containing said nucleic acid eluting from said carrier, separating from other reagent, through different centrifugal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhisa Akashi, Yukiko Ikeda, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Yuji Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20070148764
    Abstract: A device for cell culture capable of automatically performing operations for cell culture over several days to several months while minimizing the risk of contamination. A new medicine can be supplied to an incubator means by using a medicine supply means or unnecessary wastewater can be discharged from the incubator means by using a wastewater discharge means without taking out the incubator means disposed in heat insulation box means from a heat insulation box, and the state of the cell culture can be observed with the incubator means formed in the heat insulation box means. Accordingly, the outside air does not enter directly into the incubator means during culturing, and the risk of contamination is completely eliminated. As a result, the culturing operations can be automatically performed over a long period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Tsutomu Suzuki, Hiroshi Inomata, Yoshihiro Komori, Hiroshi Tachikui, Naruo Watanabe, Satoshi Ozawa, Yuji Oka, Minoru Ueda, Yasushi Nomura, Isao Shindo, Masako Nomura
  • Publication number: 20060245972
    Abstract: A chemical analyzer has a rotatable holding disk, test cartridges disposed thereon, and a detector. The test cartridge includes a base plate having vessels and flow channels. The base plate is covered with a cover for covering the vessels and flow channels. The holding disk is rotated to generate centrifugal force, causing a fluid to be moved from one vessel at the inner peripheral side with respect to a rotation axis of the holding disk to another vessel at the outer peripheral side with respect to the rotation axis via the flow channel. In the test cartridge, at least one reagent port is formed in the base plate, and a closed vessel containing a reagent is placed in the reagent port. The closed vessel is a microcapsule, a plastic closed vessel, or a screw-in closed vessel, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Yasuo Osone, Michihiro Saito, Hiroki Ihara, Noriyo Nishijima, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Shigeyuki Sasaki, Nobuyuki Maki
  • Publication number: 20060159586
    Abstract: The invention provides a chemical analysis apparatus which easily agitates and warms up. A chemical analysis apparatus has a motor, a retaining disc which can be rotated by the motor, a plurality of inspection cartridges which are arranged on the retaining disc, a punching machine for punching the inspection cartridges, a warming apparatus and a detection apparatus. The inspection cartridge includes a container formed by a concave portion and a base plate having a flow path. A cover covering the container and the flow path is installed to the base plate. A liquid solution is moved to the container in an outer peripheral side with respect to a rotation axis from the container in an inner peripheral side with respect to the rotation axis via the flow path, by utilizing a centrifugal force generated on the basis of the rotation of the retaining disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Sasaki, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Noriyo Nishijima, Naruo Watanabe, Michihiro Saito, Taisaku Seino, Satoshi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20050095172
    Abstract: The invention is achieved by feeding a reagent using centrifugal force, without providing a valve for controlling the flow rate of the reagent in the reagent flow path. A chemical analyzer is used which comprises a structure that is supported so as to be rotatable, said structure comprising a capturing section for capturing specific chemical substances from a specimen, specimen containers and reagent containers including washing solution containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Teruhisa Akashi, Yuji Miyahara, Kei Takenaka, Tomoki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 6852282
    Abstract: A chemical analyzer for measuring a concentration of components of a sample liquid, by mixing the sample liquid with reagents, so as to react the reagents upon the components thereof, includes a carrier having an introducing portion through which the sample liquid is injected, passages for distributing the sample liquid injected from the introducing portion, and plural reactor portions which hold the sample liquid therein to be mixed with the reagent, thereby to react. A movable driver portion is provided on which the carrier is mounted and a reagent charging device is provided for ejecting the reagents which are different for the respective plural reactor portions of the carrier, sequentially. Further, a detector is provided for detecting the components after mixing the reagents with the sample liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Miyake, Naruo Watanabe, Hajime Katou, Takao Terayama, Yasushi Nomura, Hiroshi Mitsumaki
  • Publication number: 20040197810
    Abstract: A nucleic-acid amplifying apparatus comprising: a flow passage, through which a reaction fluid containing a sample containing a nucleic acid and a reagent flows, said flow passage including, a flow passage branch portion, at which the flow passage branches into a plurality of branch flow passages, a junction portion, at which the plurality of branch flow passages join, and a joined flow passage, through which the reaction fluid as joined is conducted; and a heating mechanism having a plurality of set temperature zones provided on the branch flow passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Kei Takenaka, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Shinichi Fukuzono, Toshiaki Yokobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040116686
    Abstract: A nucleic acid refining apparatus, being ease in automation thereof, keeping high in contacting frequency between nucleic acid within a sample and a solid phase during nucleic acid capture processing, thereby proving high capturing rate, comprises: means for separating a liquid containing the nucleic acid therein from said sample through centrifugal force; means for transferring a reagent through the centrifugal force; means for producing a mixture liquid of said reagent transferred through the centrifugal force and a solution containing said nucleic acid therein; a carrier for capturing said nucleic acid; means for transferring said mixture liquid to said carrier through the centrifugal force; heating means for heating said carrier; and a holding means for separating and holding the reagent containing said nucleic acid eluting from said carrier, separating from other reagent, through different centrifugal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Teruhisa Akashi, Yukiko Ikeda, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Yuji Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20030211010
    Abstract: In a chemical analysis apparatus for extracting a specific substance, such as nucleic acid, from a sample containing a plurality of chemical substances, solutions remaining in valves are prevented so that a reagent in an earlier step does not contaminate the subsequent steps. Predetermined quantities of solutions are carried and supplied by centrifugal force without providing valves for controlling the flow of the solutions. After perforating the lids of ventilation holes 272, 273, 274 communicated with a detection container 450 and disposal containers 460 and 470 in an analysis disc 2, the analysis disc 2 is rotated to supply and carry a predetermined quantity of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Kei Takenaka, Tomoki Ohashi, Yuji Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20020110488
    Abstract: A chemical analyzer for measuring a concentration of components of a sample liquid, by mixing the sample liquid with reagents, so as to react the reagents upon the components thereof, includes a carrier having an introducing portion through which the sample liquid is injected, passages for distributing the sample liquid injected from the introducing portion, and plural reactor portions which hold the sample liquid therein to be mixed with the reagent, thereby to react. A movable driver portion is provided on which the carrier is mounted and a reagent charging device is provided for ejecting the reagents which are different for the respective plural reactor portions of the carrier, sequentially. Further, a detector is provided for detecting the components after mixing the reagents with the sample liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Ryo Miyake, Naruo Watanabe, Hajime Katou, Takao Terayama, Yasushi Nomura, Hiroshi Mitsumaki
  • Patent number: 6383452
    Abstract: A chemical analyzer for measuring a concentration of components of a sample liquid, by mixing the sample liquid with reagents, so as to react the reagents upon the components thereof. The chemical analyzer includes a carrier which is constructed on a substrate and has an introducing portion through which the sample liquid is injected, distributing flow passages for distributing the sample liquid injected from the introducing portion, and plural reactor portions, each holding the sample liquid therein to be mixed with the reagent, thereby to react. A movable driver portion is provided for mounting the carrier thereon, and a reagent charging device is provided for ejecting the reagents, which are different for the respective reactor portions of the carrier. Further, a detector is provided for detecting the components after mixing the reagents with the sample liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Miyake, Naruo Watanabe, Hajime Katou, Takao Terayama, Yasushi Nomura, Hiroshi Mitsumaki
  • Patent number: 6283730
    Abstract: A micro pump is made compact and can prevent members constituting the micro pump from being chemically reacted with a working fluid, and a method of producing the same. After each of substrates constituting the micro pump is formed by a member containing a silicone as a main composition and a plurality of metal membranes are formed on a whole of a bonding surface of each of the substrates so as to form bonding surfaces, the bonding surfaces are cleaned, and the bonding surfaces are opposed to each other under a vacuum condition, overlapped, heated and pressed so as to be bonded. The valve portion has a beam and a protrusion for sealing as provided in the valve side, whereby a pressure applied to the protrusion becomes smaller than the bonding pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Sasaki, Yasuhiro Yoshimura, Akira Koide, Ryo Miyake, Naruo Watanabe, Takao Terayama, Hiroshi Mitsumaki, Yasuhiko Ishida, Tomonari Morioka
  • Patent number: 6197255
    Abstract: A chemical analyzing apparatus comprises a reaction cell holder which holds a plurality of reaction cells that are supplied with samples and reagents at a predetermined position, a measurer for measuring characteristics of the sample, a plurality of reagent containers, a liquid deliverer provided below each of the plurality of reagent containers, one or more sound wave generators provided outside the reaction cells, and storage containers for storing cleansing liquid with different contamination states. The cleansing liquid with different contamination states is reused according to the contamination levels of the reaction cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Miyake, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Akira Koide, Naruo Watanabe, Yasuhiko Sasaki, Hajime Kato, Takao Terayama, Hiroshi Mitsumaki, Hiroyasu Uchida, Takeshi Shibuya, Yasuhiro Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6128258
    Abstract: In an optical disk drive using as a light source a semiconductor laser having a main electrode and a plurality of subsidiary electrodes, a wave front of a generated laser beam is modulated by controlling injection currents to the plurality of subsidiary electrodes, in accordance with a change in signal outputs when the wave front is modulated, a tilt is detected between a direction normal to the surface of an optical disk and an objective lens optical axis, and in accordance with the detected tilt, the injection currents to the semiconductor laser are determined to correct the tilt. Since the tilt is detected and corrected through electrical modulation, the system can be made compact without using new components for tilt detection, and high speed control up to a high frequency becomes possible because there is no limit of the control bandwidth to be caused by sub-resonances in a high frequency band, like a mechanical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kimura, Yoshiaki Yamauchi, Seiichi Kato, Naruo Watanabe