Abstract: Provided is a hollow organ model unit. The hollow organ model unit includes a base that includes a recessed part, a hollow organ model that is placed in the recessed part, a filler that is filled in the recessed part, and a sensor that performs a measurement on the hollow organ model.

Abstract: An underwater device for water power conversion includes multiple cups, each cup constituted by a bottomless cup member and a bottom plate fitted pivotally in a freely rotatable manner, wherein the bottomless cup member blocks flowing water in a standing state and makes flowing water pass through in a lying down state, generating flowing water resistance difference between the two states. The cups are installed in a continuous member of a waterwheel submerged in flowing water so that the cup stands in a forward advance path and lies down in a reverse advance path. A water blocking plate is also provided in the reverse advance path so as to utilize centrifugal force to turn the bottomless cup member from the lying down state to the standing state, thereby making the cup turn or circulate continuously in flowing water.

Abstract: A three-way valve includes an inflow port, a body having therein a valve chamber introducing fluid from an inflow passage of the inflow port; a first outflow port having an outflow passage extending at an acute angle to a reference direction in which the inflow passage extends; a second outflow port having an outflow passage extending from the valve chamber at an acute angle to the reference direction; and a valve element disposed inside the valve chamber and movable to adjust flow rates of the fluid in the first outflow port and the second outflow port. At least one of the first outflow port and the second outflow port includes a bent portion connecting the outflow passage and a downstream passage such that the downstream passage becomes closer to the reference direction than an extending direction of the outflow passage to the reference direction.

Abstract: Provided is a sample transport system capable of avoiding insertion of a sample into an automatic analysis device even when the inability of the automatic analysis device to carry out processing is detected after the sample is transported from a sample preprocessing system. A carrier transfer machine determines whether a sample transferred from a sample transport system unit can be analyzed by an automatic analysis device based on sample information about the sample and information about whether a reagent is loaded in the automatic analysis device, and, if a determination is made that the sample cannot be analyzed, moves a sample container holder to the sample transport system unit without transferring a sample container to a carrier. As a result, it is possible to avoid inserting a sample into an automatic analysis device that is not capable of carrying out analysis on the sample and eliminate unnecessary operations and time.

Abstract: An underwater device for water power conversion includes multiple cups, each cup constituted by a bottomless cup member and a bottom plate fitted pivotally in a freely rotatable manner, wherein the bottomless cup member blocks flowing water in a standing state and makes flowing water pass through in a lying down state, generating flowing water resistance difference between the two states. The cups are installed in a continuous member of a waterwheel submerged in flowing water so that the cup stands in a forward advance path and lies down in a reverse advance path. A water blocking plate is also provided in the reverse advance path so as to utilize centrifugal force to turn the bottomless cup member from the lying down state to the standing state, thereby making the cup turn or circulate continuously in flowing water.

Abstract: A flow path switching valve includes a rotatable portion, a packing portion and a valve main body. The valve main body includes: a valve chamber that receives the rotatable portion and the packing portion; an inflow hole; and an outflow hole. The packing portion is configured to be positioned at a predetermined position, at which the packing portion closes an outflow-hole opening end of the outflow hole, in response to rotation of the rotatable portion. When the packing portion is positioned at the predetermined position, the packing portion is urged against a main-body seal portion in a radial direction of a valve axis by a pressure of fluid in the valve chamber, which is higher than a pressure in the outflow hole.

Abstract: An underwater device for water power conversion includes multiple cups, each cup constituted by a bottomless cup member and a bottom plate fitted pivotally in a freely rotatable manner, wherein the bottomless cup member blocks flowing water in a standing state and makes flowing water pass through in a lying down state, generating flowing water resistance difference between the two states. The cups are installed in a continuous member of a waterwheel submerged in flowing water so that the cup stands in a forward advance path and lies down in a reverse advance path. A water blocking plate is also provided in the reverse advance path so as to utilize centrifugal force to turn the bottomless cup member from the lying down state to the standing state, thereby making the cup turn or circulate continuously in flowing water.

Abstract: A sample pretreatment system is equipped with a pipetting device for pipetting multiple primary samples to make multiple aliquot samples. The sample volume expected to be held in a test tube is set as a minimum guaranteed volume for each type of test tube; and a minimum guaranteed volume value is set for each type of the test tubes. A cumulative totaling unit adds up cumulatively the aliquot volumes of the aliquot samples based on pipetting request information with regard to the supplied test tubes. A reading unit reads the minimum guaranteed volume of the supplied test tube; and an aliquot sample preparation unit compares the minimum guaranteed volume successively with the cumulative total values of the aliquot volumes of the aliquot samples, and causes a pipetting device to pipette a maximum number of the aliquot samples in a manner not exceeding the minimum guaranteed volume.

Abstract: A host system recognizes a sample pretreatment system at which a primary sample has first arrived and records the information, if multiple containers containing the primary sample are input. Upon issuing an analysis request to the sample pretreatment system, the host system determines whether the primary sample (sample bearing the same barcode for sample identification) is input to a system different from the system to which the sample was input for the first time and, if that is the case, then determines that “the sample is input to the wrong system” and issues a “do-nothing request” (request to do nothing) so that an aliquoting operation will not be performed. Given the “do-nothing request” from the host system, the sample pretreatment system does not prepare any aliquot sample and places the input sample onto a tray in a predetermined position.

Abstract: The sample transport system includes a management section which holds information on the status of a sample transport system as a whole as well as sample information in order to transport and control a plurality of carriers as a consecutive group and which generates group information on a group of carriers to be handled simultaneously based on sample attributes and request information; and units made up of a conveyer line, a connecting line, and a processing section to control received carriers at a converging point based on the group information, so as to permit group management control of the carriers. In this manner, the sample transport system processes as a single batch a plurality of samples collected for the same processing purpose.

Abstract: A water power conversion device formed as an underwater waterwheel, includes: a cup constituted by a bottomless cup and a bottom plate, with the two parts fitted pivotally in a freely rotatable manner; a mechanism provided to cause the bottomless cup to block flowing water in a standing state, and to cause the bottomless cup to make flowing water pass through and around it in a lying down state, in order to generate flowing water resistance difference between the two states, wherein multiple units of this mechanism are installed on a continuous member, the cup stands in a forward advance path and lies down in a reverse advance path, and the bottomless cup is turned by centrifugal force from the lying down state to the standing state, and a water blocking plate is provided to make the cup turn or circulate continuously in water.

Abstract: A sample pretreatment system is equipped with a pipetting device for pipetting multiple primary samples to make multiple aliquot samples. The sample volume expected to be held in a test tube is set as a minimum guaranteed volume for each type of test tube; and a minimum guaranteed volume value is set for each type of the test tubes. A cumulative totaling unit adds up cumulatively the aliquot volumes of the aliquot samples based on pipetting request information with regard to the supplied test tubes. A reading unit reads the minimum guaranteed volume of the supplied test tube; and an aliquot sample preparation unit compares the minimum guaranteed volume successively with the cumulative total values of the aliquot volumes of the aliquot samples, and causes a pipetting device to pipette a maximum number of the aliquot samples in a manner not exceeding the minimum guaranteed volume.

Abstract: A host system recognizes a sample pretreatment system at which a primary sample has first arrived and records the information, if multiple containers containing the primary sample are input. Upon issuing an analysis request to the sample pretreatment system, the host system determines whether the primary sample (sample bearing the same barcode for sample identification) is input to a system different from the system to which the sample was input for the first time and, if that is the case, then determines that “the sample is input to the wrong system” and issues a “do-nothing request” (request to do nothing) so that an aliquoting operation will not be performed. Given the “do-nothing request” from the host system, the sample pretreatment system does not prepare any aliquot sample and places the input sample onto a tray in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A distance sensor for vehicles is provided which includes a sensor device and an electric connector for an electrical connection between the sensor device and a mating connector. The connector includes at least one first terminal pin and at least one second terminal pin. The first terminal pin has a first section leading to the sensor device and a second section extending toward an inlet opening of the connector. The second terminal pin has a first section leading to the sensor device and at least two branched second sections extending toward the inlet opening of the connector. Specifically, the second terminal pin is shaped to provide two-pin plugs, thereby permitting the size of the connector to be reduced, which facilitates ease of installation of the distance sensor to, for example, a bumper of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicular ultrasonic sensor apparatus serving as a distance sensor apparatus is equipped with a sensor unit, a case body, a bezel, and a retainer. The retainer includes a pair of pawl members. The pair of pawl members is equipped with a stopper portion. The ultrasonic sensor apparatus is inserted into an attachment hole of the bumper such that a connector portion of the case body is first inserted. When the retainer passes through the attachment hole, the pair of pawl members are elastically deformed. After passing through the attachment hole, the pair of pawl members are elastically restored, and the stopper portion is caught at an inner circumference edge of an exit side of the attachment hole.

Abstract: The sample transport system includes a management section which holds information on the status of a sample transport system as a whole as well as sample information in order to transport and control a plurality of carriers as a consecutive group and which generates group information on a group of carriers to be handled simultaneously based on sample attributes and request information; and units made up of a conveyer line, a connecting line, and a processing section to control received carriers at a converging point based on the group information, so as to permit group management control of the carriers. In this manner, the sample transport system processes as a single batch a plurality of samples collected for the same processing purpose.

Abstract: A distance sensor equipped with a mount for mounting the sensor in a mount hole of a bumper of a vehicle. The mount includes a casing with a sensor holder, a bezel, and a resin-made retainer. The bezel is made up of a cylindrical member joined to the sensor holder and a flange having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the mount hole. The retainer includes an annular base joined to the bezel, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions extend from ends of the arms radially outward of the base and serve to establish a snap-fit on a peripheral edge of the mount hole, thereby nipping a wall of the bumper between the protrusions and the flange tightly to secure the distance sensor to the bumper.

Abstract: A vehicular ultrasonic sensor apparatus serving as a distance sensor apparatus is equipped with a sensor unit, a case body, a bezel, and a retainer. The retainer includes a pair of pawl members. The pair of pawl members is equipped with a stopper portion. The ultrasonic sensor apparatus is inserted into an attachment hole of the bumper such that a connector portion of the case body is first inserted. When the retainer passes through the attachment hole, the pair of pawl members are elastically deformed. After passing through the attachment hole, the pair of pawl members are elastically restored, and the stopper portion is caught at an inner circumference edge of an exit side of the attachment hole.

Abstract: A distance sensor for vehicles is provided which includes a sensor device and an electric connector for an electrical connection between the sensor device and a mating connector. The connector includes at least one first terminal pin and at least one second terminal pin. The first terminal pin has a first section leading to the sensor device and a second section extending toward an inlet opening of the connector. The second terminal pin has a first section leading to the sensor device and at least two branched second sections extending toward the inlet opening of the connector. Specifically, the second terminal pin is shaped to provide two-pin plugs, thereby permitting the size of the connector to be reduced, which facilitates ease of installation of the distance sensor to, for example, a bumper of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A distance sensor equipped with a mount for mounting the sensor in a mount hole of a bumper of a vehicle. The mount includes a casing with a sensor holder, a bezel, and a resin-made retainer. The bezel is made up of a cylindrical member joined to the sensor holder and a flange having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the mount hole. The retainer includes an annular base joined to the bezel, a plurality of arms, and a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions extend from ends of the arms radially outward of the base and serve to establish a snap-fit on a peripheral edge of the mount hole, thereby nipping a wall of the bumper between the protrusions and the flange tightly to secure the distance sensor to the bumper.