Abstract: An object of the invention is to reduce 1/f noise and white noise at the same time by integrally reducing noise of an MR sensor and noise of an operation circuit part. A magnetoresistive sensor according to the invention includes a plurality of magnetoresistive sensor parts each having a bridge circuit in which four magnetoresistive elements are connected, and outputs of the respective magnetoresistive sensor parts are connected in parallel to one another to an input of an amplifier circuit (see FIG. 2).

Abstract: For measuring hardness of an object, a measurement apparatus is pushed against the object and a degree of hardness calculation system calculates hardness based on information from the measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes an acceleration sensor which outputs first information of acceleration of a contact area of the measurement apparatus, and a second sensor, such as a magnetic sensor or a pressure sensor, which outputs second information based on pressure applied to the contact area. The degree of hardness calculation system generates a second-derivative waveform by twice differentiating a waveform based on the output of the second sensor, compares the second-derivative waveform and the information of acceleration from the acceleration sensor, and calculates hardness of the object based on the comparison result.

Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic field measuring apparatus facilitating the pressure control in a gas cell, or capable of inspecting the internal pressure of the gas cell without using any special process, the magnetic field measuring apparatus is configured such that a process layer of the magnetic field measuring apparatus has such a structure that includes a first hollow portion and a second hollow portion provided opposed to first hollow portion with a first isolation wall interposed therebetween. Alternatively, a method for manufacturing the magnetic field measuring apparatus includes breaking the first isolation wall after generating alkali metal (FIG. 17 and FIG. 20).

Abstract: A light pumping magnetic measurement apparatus configured to suppress an influence on a magnetic field from a heater and facilitate reduction in size and integration of a gas cell when heating the gas cell in order to improve a sensitivity of detection of the magnetic field is provided. This measurement apparatus includes a first glass substrate, a substrate 102 having a thermal conductivity higher than glass, and a second glass substrate laminated in this order.

Abstract: In a magnetic immunoassay using AC magnetic susceptibility measurement, a signal from non-coupled magnetic particles is prevented to mix with a desired measurement signal from magnetic particles coupled with an object to be measured. A sample vessel in which a mixed solution of an inspection objective sample and the magnetic particles are included is carried by a sample support, such that a precipitation of the magnetic particle coupled with the object to be measured dispersed in the solution by a magnetic field from a dissociating coil is promoted. Next, the sample vessel is carried to the magnetizing coil and the magnetic signal from the non-coupled magnetic particle remaining in a supernatant in the vessel is peculiarly measured by an MR sensor to perform AC magnetic susceptibility measurement with high precision.

Abstract: Stable magnetic field measurement is enabled without collapse of polarization or fluctuation of intensity of a laser beam incident on a glass cell of an optical pumping magnetic sensor. Excitation light generated with a light source, having optimized light intensity and polarized wave, through frequency stabilization, intensity control and polarized-wave control, is introduced via a polarized wave holding optical fiber to a magnetic sensor provided in a magnetic shield, and magnetic field measurement is performed by optical pumping using magneto-optical properties of spin-polarized alkali metal. The magnetic sensor has a structure where a lens, a polarization optical device, the glass cell and a photodetector, are integrally accommodated in a non-magnetic case.

Abstract: It is an object to calculate a compression depth easily with high degree of accuracy. The present invention provides a compression depth calculation system 1000 configured to calculate the compression depth which is a magnitude of depression of the compressed object generated by the compression and includes a measuring apparatus 1 to be mounted on the object, and a compression depth calculating apparatus 2 configured to calculate the compression depth on the basis of information from the measuring apparatus 1. The compression depth calculation apparatus 2 calculates a coefficient of transformation on the basis of a second-order differential waveform created for the information acquired from a magnetic sensor 19 and acceleration information acquired from an acceleration sensor 13, creates a displacement waveform of a compressed portion by multiplying the acquired information by the coefficient of transformation, and calculates the compression depth on the basis of the displacement waveform.

Abstract: The disclosed magnetic immunoassay device, which performs magnetic immunoassays using antigen-antibody reactions, can perform speedy immunoassays without bound/free separation in the test samples. The device is also practical, being capable of stable magnetism measurement without magnetic shielding. The disclosed magnetic immunoassay device is provided with: an excitation coil that uses an AC magnetic field to magnetize a test sample containing a magnetic marker; a magnetism sensor that measures magnetism in the test sample and outputs a magnetism signal; and a displacement sensor for detecting changes in the distance between the test sample and the magnetism sensor.

Abstract: For measuring hardness of an object, a measurement apparatus is pushed against the object and a degree of hardness calculation system calculates hardness based on information from the measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus includes an acceleration sensor which outputs first information of acceleration of a contact area of the measurement apparatus, and a second sensor, such as a magnetic sensor or a pressure sensor, which outputs second information based on pressure applied to the contact area. The degree of hardness calculation system generates a second-derivative waveform by twice differentiating a waveform based on the output of the second sensor, compares the second-derivative waveform and the information of acceleration from the acceleration sensor, and calculates hardness of the object based on the comparison result.

Abstract: In a magnetic measurement system for a battery, a magnetic signal generated by electric currents in the battery for charging and discharging can be accurately measured without saturating the output of a magnetic sensor even in an environment having strong magnetic noise, and electric current distribution in the lithium-ion battery is visualized. Generating a antiphase magnetic field having an antiphase magnetic field to a magnetic field measured by each magnetic sensor into the cancel coil disposed around each the magnetic sensor before charging and discharging; thereafter, reducing magnetic noise by subtracting the magnetic data recorded before charging and discharging (the correction-magnetic field data) from the magnetic data for charging and discharging; and accurately measuring the magnetic signal generated from the lithium-ion battery for charging and discharging are included.

Abstract: A living body inspection apparatus includes: a first detecting unit detecting a displacement of two positions in a lateral direction of a subject's larynx; a second detecting unit detecting a swallowing sound of the subject; a displaying unit displaying a waveform regarding the displacement of the two positions formed using information from the first detecting unit and a waveform regarding the swallowing sound formed using information from the second detecting unit; a processor instructing the displaying unit; and a flexible holding member including a pair of sensor holding members having flexibility and provided with the first and second detecting units at one ends, and a mounting member integrally formed with the pair of sensor holding members at other ends to hold the sensor holding members, the other ends being made open so that the mounting member is mounted on and held by the subject's larynx.

Abstract: A living body inspection apparatus includes: a first detecting unit detecting a displacement of two positions in a lateral direction of a subject's larynx; a second detecting unit detecting a swallowing sound of the subject; a displaying unit displaying a waveform regarding the displacement of the two positions formed using information from the first detecting unit and a waveform regarding the swallowing sound formed using information from the second detecting unit; a processor instructing the displaying unit; and a flexible holding member including a pair of sensor holding members having flexibility and provided with the first and second detecting units at one ends, and a mounting member integrally formed with the pair of sensor holding members at other ends to hold the sensor holding members, the other ends being made open so that the mounting member is mounted on and held by the subject's larynx.