Patents by Inventor Shigeru Kitamura

Shigeru Kitamura 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).

  • Publication number: 20120211659
    Abstract: A terahertz wave characteristic measurement method comprises irradiating terahertz waves at a region in which a thickness of a solution is in the range from 10 ?m to 100 ?m such that a propagation direction of the terahertz waves is in a thickness direction of the solution, the solution containing at least one type of target material to be measured, and measuring at least one of a spectral characteristic and an intensity at a particular frequency or a particular wavelength of the terahertz waves that are one of transmitted through the region and reflected from the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kitamura, Hirohisa Uchida
  • Patent number: 8221606
    Abstract: In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Hiroshi Fukuya
  • Patent number: 8128889
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for moving a mobile component such as a sample and a reagent, in an analyzing article. A method of analyzing a sample according to the present invention includes a first movement step of moving a mobile component from a fluid entrance port (61) to a first goal (511) in a passage (51), and a second movement step of moving the mobile component from the first goal (511) to a second goal (512) in the passage (51), in an analyzing article (Y1). The analyzing article (Y1) further includes a branch passage which branches from the first goal (511), and a first opening for releasing gas from within the branch passage. The first movement step is carried out by establishing communication between inside and outside of the branch passage via the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Fujimoto, Shigeru Kitamura, Masaki Hori
  • Publication number: 20110182775
    Abstract: An analytic instrument (1) is provided with a channel (20) for moving a sample, and a reservoir (20F) for holding the sample, and has a first member (2) and a second member (3) bonded together by means of a solvent. The analytic instrument (1) is further provided with a solvent channel (21) which is formed at least on the first member (2) or the second member (3) . The first member (2) and the second member (3) are fused to each other along the solvent channel (21) or the periphery thereof. Preferably, the solvent channel (21) is formed along at least a part of the channel (20) or the reservoir (20F) .
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20110038766
    Abstract: A microchannel 4 for transporting a specimen S using capillary phenomenon includes an analysis chamber 6 having a cross-sectional area larger than those of portions located in front of and behind the analysis chamber 6 in the direction of flow, an inflow opening 5 through which the specimen S flows into the analysis chamber 6, and a discharge portion 7 through which the specimen S is discharged from the analysis chamber 6. The discharge portion 7 includes a pair of discharge openings 71a and 71b located opposite to each other with respect to the inflow opening 5. With this structure, impairment of transport of the specimen S due to the presence of a residual air bubble is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kitamura, Kotaro Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 7850909
    Abstract: An analyzing tool (Y) has a liquid-introducing opening (61), one or more flow passages (51) through which a sample liquid introduced from the liquid-introducing opening (61) is moved, and a separation film (8) for filtrating the sample liquid supplied to the liquid-introducing opening (61) and then introducing the liquid filtrated to the one or more flow passages (51). The analyzing tool (Y) is structured such that a liquid sample is filtrated by being advanced in the thickness direction of the separation film (8). The flow passage (51) is structured such that the sample liquid is moved by, for example, a capillary phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Yuichiro Noda
  • Patent number: 7842343
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an analytical tool having recesses (20) formed therein for moving a sample liquid, a base plate (2) made of polymeric material, and a cover laminated to the base plate (2) to cover the recesses (20). This producing method includes the step of applying a hydrophilic treatment to the inner surfaces of the recesses (20). The hydrophilic treatment includes a primary modifying operation for primarily modifying the properties of the inner surfaces of the recesses (20) by contacting a modifying gas with the inner surfaces of the recesses (20), and a secondary modifying operation for secondarily modifying the properties of the inner surfaces of the recesses (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Yuichiro Noda, Toshio Takama
  • Publication number: 20100282854
    Abstract: The method for forming an optical reading code and an analytical tool includes performing pattern formation of a plurality of pits by irradiating a target surface for code formation with a laser in order to form a desired optical reading code. The analytical tool includes a substrate on which a cover is laminated and an optical reading code being formed by pattern formation of a plurality of pits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Arkray, Inc
    Inventor: Shigeru Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7790008
    Abstract: In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Hiroshi Fukuya
  • Publication number: 20100209964
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes the step of irradiating a reaction portion of a sample BL and a reagent 40 in a reaction cell 34A of an analysis tool with light to obtain data D0 indicating optical characteristics of this portion. The method further includes the steps of irradiating a cell 34B which is not provided with a regent 40 with light in a state in which the sample BL is supplied to the cell to obtain reference data D1 indicating optical characteristics of this portion, irradiating a basis portion 34C of the analysis tool, which is a portion having a substantially same sectional structure as a portion formed with the reference cell 34B except the absence of a cell, with light to obtain reference data D2 indicating optical characteristics of this portion, and obtaining data D3 indicating optical characteristics of the sample BL before reaction with the reagent 40 based on the reference data D1 and D2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Fujimoto, Kotaro Shinozaki, Shigeru Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20100108518
    Abstract: In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Hiroshi Fukuya
  • Publication number: 20100108520
    Abstract: In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki TAGUCHI, Shigeru KITAMURA, Hiroshi FUKUYA
  • Publication number: 20090297402
    Abstract: This invention relates to a technique for adjusting the temperature of a liquid held on an analyzing instrument (1) to a target value. The invention provides a temperature control method wherein thermal energy is supplied to liquid (10) by passing a magnetic flux across an analyzing instrument (1) for raising the temperature of the liquid. The invention also provides an analyzing instrument (1) and analyzing apparatus (X) which are suited to raising the temperature of a liquid (10) using a magnetic flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7517692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for causing the temperature of a liquid component retained in an analytical tool (1) to be adjusted to a target temperature, wherein the analytical tool (1) is used for analyzing the sample. According to the present invention, the temperature of the liquid component (10) is raised by heating the liquid component utilizing light energy from a light source (23). The temperature raising of the liquid component may be performed by supplying the light energy directly to the liquid component. Alternatively, the temperature raising of the liquid component may be performed by thermal energy transferred from a temperature raise region adjacent to the liquid component to which the light energy supplied. Preferably, as the light source (23) for raising temperature, use may be made of a laser diode or a light-emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7468162
    Abstract: An analytical instrument (A1) includes a capillary (3) defined by causing a first member (1) to cover an opening of a groove (30) of a second member (2). For bonding the first member (1) and the second member (2), the first member (1) is provided with a bonding surface (11a) made of self-adherent elastomer. Therefore, the bonding of the first member (1) and the second member (2) is facilitated, whereby sealing performance around the groove (30) is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20070215476
    Abstract: In order to provide a high-performance electrophoresis chip and an electrophoresis unit having the same that can restrain the diffusion of sample at an intersection between the electrophoresis groove and the sample introduction groove and prevent decrease in contrast and decrease in resolution, an electrophoresis chip is provided with a sample introduction groove, an electrophoresis groove, and a through hole. The sample introduction groove, the electrophoresis groove, and the through hole are formed on different substrates. In the electrophoresis chip, by combining the substrates, the sample introduction groove and the electrophoresis groove are located in different planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Hiroshi Fukuya
  • Patent number: 7150858
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator (4), comprising a drive motor (M1), a rotor (41) rotated by the motor (M1) about a specified axis, and a cubette (42) swingably suspended by the rotor (41), wherein the cubette (42) holds a specimen to be tested, the cubette (42) is rotated according to the rotation of the rotor (41) and takes an inclined attitude to a vertical direction and, in this state, the specimen to be tested is centrifugally separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Shigeru Kitamura, Seiji Satake, Hideki Tanji
  • Publication number: 20060118403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an analytical tool having recesses (20) formed therein for moving a sample liquid, a base plate (2) made of polymeric material, and a cover laminated to the base plate (2) to cover the recesses (20). This producing method includes the step of applying a hydrophilic treatment to the inner surfaces of the recesses (20). The hydrophilic treatment includes a primary modifying operation for primarily modifying the properties of the inner surfaces of the recesses (20) by contacting a modifying gas with the inner surfaces of the recesses (20), and a secondary modifying operation for secondarily modifying the properties of the inner surfaces of the recesses (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Yuichiro Noda, Toshio Takama
  • Publication number: 20060073600
    Abstract: This invention relates to a technique for adjusting the temperature of a liquid held on an analyzing instrument (1) to a target value. The invention provides a temperature control method wherein thermal energy is supplied to liquid (10) by passing a magnetic flux across an analyzing instrument (1) for raising the temperature of the liquid. The invention also provides an analyzing instrument (1) and analyzing apparatus (X) which are suited to raising the temperature of a liquid (10) using a magnetic flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventor: Shigeru Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20060045799
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an analytical tool (Y) including a liquid introduction port (61), one or a plurality of flow paths (51) for moving a sample liquid introduced through the liquid introduction port (61), and a separation film (8) for filtering the sample liquid supplied to the liquid introduction port (61) and then introducing the sample liquid to one or plurality of flow paths (51). The analytical tool (Y) is structured to move the sample liquid through the separation film (8) in the thickness direction of the separation film (8) for filtration. The flow path (51) is structured to move the sample liquid by capillary action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: Arkray, Inc
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Yuichiro Noda