Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Tatsumi

Nobuyuki Tatsumi 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: 7980119
    Abstract: An auto-sampler cleaning mechanism is provided, which is capable of maintaining the supply of a liquid in a non-time-consuming manner when a cleaning solution is supplied. The auto-sampler cleaning mechanism of the present invention includes: a sample-metering sample loop 14 having a sample-injecting needle 15 at a front end thereof, a metering pump 24, a multi-ported valve 11a, a multi-position valve 11b, and a liquid-supply valve 11c. A diaphragm pump 25 is disposed between the port of the multi-position valve 11a and the port of the liquid-supply valve 11b, and used to supply a cleaning solution 26 or a mobile phase 20 to the sample loop 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Maeda, Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7962893
    Abstract: In conventional cases, a control program for an automatic sampler for a liquid chromatograph has to be created by combining operational commands. To do this, users have to know the meaning of each command and learn the programming method. Therefore, the conventional method is difficult for those who are not skilled in programming. In contrast, with the system for assisting the creation of an automatic sampler control program, the user can create the control program by selecting instructional sentences written in a natural language. The system uses a definition file in which each instructional sentence is associated with one or more operational commands. When the user selects one of instructional sentences displayed on a display screen, the system includes one or more operational commands corresponding to the selected instructional sentence into the control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7597851
    Abstract: An automatic sampler comprises a first rinsing bath for rinsing the needle by soaking the needle in a rinsing liquid, in which the rinsing liquid is reserved, and a second rinsing bath for rinsing the needle by soaking the needle in a rinsing liquid, in which the rinsing liquid is exchanged during the rinsing operation. The first rinsing bath and the second rinsing bath are selectively employed for the purpose of use. That is, when a high rinsing power is required, such as when cross contamination is prevented, the second rinsing bath having higher rinsing power is employed. On the other hand, when the throughput is emphasized, the first rinsing bath is employed to rinse the needle in a shorter time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7526947
    Abstract: A function of automatically performing a pretreatment process on a sample is provided in an auto sampler of a total volume injection method that can realize high measurement accuracy even when an amount of the sample is small. A multi-port valve and a multi-position valve are connected to each other, and a plurality of kinds of cleaning solutions and also a mobile phase are connected to the multi-port valve. By providing a certain volume in a tube connected to a measuring pump for suctioning the sample, the pump can suction a sufficient amount of the cleaning solution or a diluent solution at one suction operation. Consequently, an apparatus according to the invention can deal with the pretreatment such as cleaning and dilution, without repeating the same suction/discharge operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tatsumi, Morimasa Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20080134804
    Abstract: An auto-sampler cleaning mechanism is provided, which is capable of maintaining the supply of a liquid in a non-time-consuming manner when a cleaning solution is supplied. The auto-sampler cleaning mechanism of the present invention includes: a sample-metering sample loop 14 having a sample-injecting needle 15 at a front end thereof, a metering pump 24, a multi-ported valve 11a, a multi-position valve 11b, and a liquid-supply valve 11c. A diaphragm pump 25 is disposed between the port of the multi-position valve 11a and the port of the liquid-supply valve 11b, and used to supply a cleaning solution 26 or a mobile phase 20 to the sample loop 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: YOSHIAKI MAEDA, NOBUYUKI TATSUMI
  • Publication number: 20080052672
    Abstract: In conventional cases, a control program for an automatic sampler for a liquid chromatograph has to be created by combining operational commands. To do this, users have to know the meaning of each command and learn the programming method. Therefore, the conventional method is difficult for those who are not skilled in programming. In contrast, with the system for assisting the creation of an automatic sampler control program, the user can create the control program by selecting instructional sentences written in a natural language. The system uses a definition file in which each instructional sentence is associated with one or more operational commands. When the user selects one of instructional sentences displayed on a display screen, the system includes one or more operational commands corresponding to the selected instructional sentence into the control program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki TATSUMI
  • Patent number: 7175812
    Abstract: The surface of a needle for collecting samples is coated with a coating material lower in chemical activity than a base metal of the needle. More specifically, the surface of the needle may be coated with a layer of gold or platinum. Alternatively, the surface of the needle may be coated with a synthetic resin coating of, for example, PEEK which is superior in chemical resistance. As a result, it is possible to obtain a practically sufficient antifouling effect even on contamination coming from chemical adsorption. Such contamination could not be removed sufficiently only by related-art measures against physical contamination. Thus, it is possible to provide an automatic sampler which can perform highly sensitive analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7146229
    Abstract: A built-in analyzer controller including: a device controlling circuit for controlling the hardware of an analyzer; a network interface circuit for connecting the analyzer to a network; and built-in programs including a server program for performing a communication through the network interface using a predetermined communication protocol between the analyzer and an external terminal. The server program performs the processes of: sending information of the operating status of the analyzer to the external terminal on receiving a request for the same from the external terminal; and setting a control parameter of the analyzer using the device controlling circuit on receiving a request for setting the control parameter from the external terminal. Using the analyzer controller, the user can monitor and control an analyzer or analyzers connected to a LAN from a remote place, without requiring special programs, and at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Osaka, Tsuyoshi Morikawa, Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20060196282
    Abstract: A function of automatically performing a pretreatment process on a sample is provided in an autosampler of a total volume injection method that can realize high measurement accuracy even when an amount of the sample is small. A multi-port valve and a multi-position valve are connected to each other, and a plurality of kinds of cleaning solutions and also a mobile phase are connected to the multi-port valve. By providing a certain volume in a tube connected to a measuring pump for suctioning the sample, the pump can suction a sufficient amount of the cleaning solution or a diluent solution at one suction operation. Consequently, an apparatus according to the invention can deal with the pretreatment such as cleaning and dilution, without repeating the same suction/discharge operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tatsumi, Morimasa Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20050193262
    Abstract: A built-in analyzer controller including: a device controlling circuit for controlling the hardware of an analyzer; a network interface circuit for connecting the analyzer to a network; and built-in programs including a server program for performing a communication through the network interface using a predetermined communication protocol between the analyzer and an external terminal. The server program performs the processes of: sending information of the operating status of the analyzer to the external terminal on receiving a request for the same from the external terminal; and setting a control parameter of the analyzer using the device controlling circuit on receiving a request for setting the control parameter from the external terminal. Using the analyzer controller, the user can monitor and control an analyzer or analyzers connected to a LAN from a remote place, without requiring special programs, and at low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Osaka, Tsuyoshi Morikawa, Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20040175833
    Abstract: An automatic sampler comprises a first rinsing bath for rinsing the needle by soaking the needle in a rinsing liquid, in which the rinsing liquid is reserved, and a second rinsing bath for rinsing the needle by soaking the needle in a rinsing liquid, in which the rinsing liquid is exchanged during the rinsing operation. The first rinsing bath and the second rinsing bath are selectively employed for the purpose of use. That is, when a high rinsing power is required, such as when cross contamination is prevented, the second rinsing bath having higher rinsing power is employed. On the other hand, when the throughput is emphasized, the first rinsing bath is employed to rinse the needle in a shorter time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20020102185
    Abstract: The surface of a needle for collecting samples is coated with a coating material lower in chemical activity than a base metal of the needle. More specifically, the surface of the needle may be coated with a layer of gold or platinum. Alternatively, the surface of the needle may be coated with a synthetic resin coating of, for example, PEEK which is superior in chemical resistance. As a result, it is possible to obtain a practically sufficient antifouling effect even on contamination coming from chemical adsorption. Such contamination could not be removed sufficiently only by related-art measures against physical contamination. Thus, it is possible to provide an automatic sampler which can perform highly sensitive analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6141975
    Abstract: A sample cooler includes a cooling device such as a Peltier device and a rack for supporting vessels containing liquid samples. The rack is made of both a heat conducting material which is in a heat-communicating relationship with the side walls of the vessels and a thermally insulating material contacting the bottoms of the vessels such that the cooling device serves to cool the liquid samples through the heat conducting material and through the side walls of the vessels, not through the bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 5240578
    Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system has a sample tube from which a sample is injected into a capillary tube by introducing a gas thereinto through an on-off valve. In order to maintain its internal pressure constantly at a target level, the pressure inside the sample tube is monitored after the valve is closed, and the period of time during which the valve is opened is adjusted according to the difference between the maximum level, to which the internal pressure reaches, and an upper limit value predefined above the target level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: D340198
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nakamoto, Nobuyuki Tatsumi