Abstract: An observation device captures images at focal positions inside a sample container with an optical system that includes an objective lens; an objective lens actuator; an irradiation unit; a reflection light intensity detector; a focus controller that positions the focal point of the objective lens on a reflection surface imparting a peak in the reflected light intensity; and a counting unit. The focus control unit drives the objective lens actuator and positions the focal point on a reflection surface when a peak is detected in the reflected light intensity; and the counting unit counts the reflection surface when the focus control unit has positioned the focal point on the reflection surface. The computation unit determines whether or not the focal point is positioned at the focal position, and causes the optical system to capture images if the focal point is positioned at the focal position.

Abstract: A transport container includes: a bottom member where the transported object is placed; left and right side members disposed beside the bottom member; a handle disposed above the bottom member; left and right lower connecting members interconnecting the bottom member and side members; and left and right upper connecting members interconnecting the side and the handle members, which are respectively interconnected via hinges. When the handle is not lifted, the side members are separated from the bottom member. When the handle is lifted, the side members laterally support the transported object. As for the transport method, with the transported object stacked in the up-down direction, the transport container is installed at an unloading location such that the lower and upper connecting members are laid to be non-parallel to the side member, and the transported object is taken out from the front or rear between the left and right side members.

Abstract: A microscopic image capturing method includes: emitting a light beam from a light beam light source; detecting a spot image by a camera or a photodiode; focusing the spot image by an objective lens actuator moving an objective lens in the optical axis direction of the light beam with respect to a sample container; determining by a reflective surface identification unit whether the light beam has been applied to a defect on the basis of the spot image; when it is determined that the light beam has been applied to the defect, moving by an XY stage the sample container with respect to the objective lens in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the light beam in accordance with a prescribed condition; and, when the light beam has not been applied to the defect, capturing a microscopic image of a sample by using an illuminator.

Abstract: Analysis devices for observing and measuring sample solutions have had a problem in which an irregular sample distribution will lead to irregular measurement results and measurement error. That is why it is preferable for a sample solution to have an average sample distribution. To address the abovementioned problem, this analysis device is made to comprise a sample container holding part and a conveying stage and is characterized by comprising a vibration mechanism for using electrical current and a magnet to vibrate the sample container holding part above a conveying path and mixing a sample solution in a container.

Abstract: A cultivation container rack according to the present disclosure is characterized by being provided with a cultivation container storage section for storing a cultivation container, the cultivation container storage section being provided with a first member that constitutes the top surface of the cultivation container storage section, a second member that constitutes the bottom surface of the cultivation container storage section, and a third member that is disposed on the second member and supports the cultivation container, the third member supporting the cultivation container such that the distance between the first member and the cultivation container is no greater than the distance between the second member and the cultivation container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerating/heating device that efficiently refrigerates and heats while suppressing device costs. This refrigerating/heating device for efficiently heating and refrigerating is provided with: a refrigeration chamber; a Peltier-type cooler for supplying cold air to inside the refrigeration chamber; a heat radiation member for radiating Peltier heat; fans for air-cooling the heat radiation member; an exhaust duct through which waste heat from the fans and the heat radiation member passes; and an installation part to which a subject to be heated can be installed. The subject to be heated is installed in the waste heat flow path of the exhaust duct and heated.

Abstract: An observation device captures images at focal positions inside a sample container with an optical system that includes an objective lens; an objective lens actuator; an irradiation unit; a reflection light intensity detector; a focus controller that positions the focal point of the objective lens on a reflection surface imparting a peak in the reflected light intensity; and a counting unit. The focus control unit drives the objective lens actuator and positions the focal point on a reflection surface when a peak is detected in the reflected light intensity; and the counting unit counts the reflection surface when the focus control unit has positioned the focal point on the reflection surface. The computation unit determines whether or not the focal point is positioned at the focal position, and causes the optical system to capture images if the focal point is positioned at the focal position.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to enhance the throughput of an analysis device by efficiently delivering sample containers between an accommodation unit and measurement unit. This analysis device comprises a first holding part for holding a sample container to be delivered to a measurement unit and a second holding part for holding a sample container received from the measurement unit. The first holding part and second holding part are moved in an integrated manner (see FIG. 1B).

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerating/heating device that efficiently refrigerates and heats while suppressing device costs. This refrigerating/heating device for efficiently heating and refrigerating is provided with: a refrigeration chamber; a Peltier-type cooler for supplying cold air to inside the refrigeration chamber; a heat radiation member for radiating Peltier heat; fans for air-cooling the heat radiation member; an exhaust duct through which waste heat from the fans and the heat radiation member passes; and an installation part to which a subject to be heated can be installed. The subject to be heated is installed in the waste heat flow path of the exhaust duct and heated.

Abstract: When using an immunological analysis method wherein antigen-antibody reactions are used to form complexes of microparticles and a substance being measured, purifying, then measuring by spectroscopy, and a mass spectrometry method wherein antigen-antibody reactions are used to form complexes of microparticles and a substance being measured, purifying, then measuring with a mass spectrometer, the amount of the complex flowing in the flow path for immunological analysis and the amount of the complex flowing in the flow path for mass spectrometry are unknown, so the substance being measured cannot be accurately quantified even when merging information obtained from immunological analysis and information obtained from mass spectrometry. The invention provides a mechanism for quantifying the complexes after formation of the complexes, on the flow path for mass spectrometry and the flow path for immunological analysis.

Abstract: An analysis device is provided with a first disk on which a sample container and disposable container can be disposed, a second disk on which a solid-phase extraction cartridge and disposable container can be disposed, a first probe capable of transferring a sample of the sample container disposed on the first disk or a solution of the disposable container disposed on the first disk to the solid-phase extraction cartridge or disposable container disposed on the second disk, and a second probe capable of transferring a reagent of a reagent container to the sample container or disposable container disposed on the first disk and the solid-phase extraction cartridge or disposable container disposed on the second disk. Sample preprocessing before solid-phase extraction processing takes place on the first disk.

Abstract: When using an immunological analysis method wherein antigen-antibody reactions are used to form complexes of microparticles and a substance being measured, purifying, then measuring by spectroscopy, and a mass spectrometry method wherein antigen-antibody reactions are used to form complexes of microparticles and a substance being measured, purifying, then measuring with a mass spectrometer, the amount of the complex flowing in the flow path for immunological analysis and the amount of the complex flowing in the flow path for mass spectrometry are unknown, so the substance being measured cannot be accurately quantified even when merging information obtained from immunological analysis and information obtained from mass spectrometry. The invention provides a mechanism for quantifying the complexes after formation of the complexes, on the flow path for mass spectrometry and the flow path for immunological analysis.

Abstract: Provided is an analyzer performing solid-phase extraction of a measurement component (i.e., component to be measured) in a sample solution while decreasing an amount of waste generated and reducing a running cost. The analyzer includes: a solid-phase extraction container having a body part to receive a sample solution containing a measurement component of analytical target and a discharge passage to discharge the sample solution. Herein, the discharge passage is to be filled with a solid-phase extraction material for subjecting the measurement component to solid-phase extraction.

Abstract: A solid-phase extraction apparatus capable of carrying out highly accurate solid-phase extraction by automatically controlling liquid-permeation speeds in an adsorbing step, a cleaning step, and an eluting step of the solid-phase extraction in order to improve the accuracy of the collection rate of a measurement component(s) also in measurement of each of sample solutions respectively having different viscosities and to ensure a certain processing ability.

Abstract: An analysis device is provided with a first disk on which a sample container and disposable container can be disposed, a second disk on which a solid-phase extraction cartridge and disposable container can be disposed, a first probe capable of transferring a sample of the sample container disposed on the first disk or a solution of the disposable container disposed on the first disk to the solid-phase extraction cartridge or disposable container disposed on the second disk, and a second probe capable of transferring a reagent of a reagent container to the sample container or disposable container disposed on the first disk and the solid-phase extraction cartridge or disposable container disposed on the second disk. Sample preprocessing before solid-phase extraction processing takes place on the first disk.

Abstract: Provided is an analyzer performing solid-phase extraction of a measurement component (i.e., component to be measured) in a sample solution while decreasing an amount of waste generated and reducing a running cost. The analyzer includes: a solid-phase extraction container having a body part to receive a sample solution containing a measurement component of analytical target and a discharge passage to discharge the sample solution. Herein, the discharge passage is to be filled with a solid-phase extraction material for subjecting the measurement component to solid-phase extraction.

Abstract: A solid-phase extraction apparatus capable of carrying out highly accurate solid-phase extraction by automatically controlling liquid-permeation speeds in an adsorbing step, a cleaning step, and an eluting step of the solid-phase extraction in order to improve the accuracy of the collection rate of a measurement component(s) also in measurement of each of sample solutions respectively having different viscosities and to ensure a certain processing ability.

Abstract: An improved phenoxyphosphazene compound is produced by treating a phenoxyphosphazene compound with (a) at least one adsorbent selected from activated carbon, silica gel, activated alumina, activated clay, synthetic zeolite and macromolecular adsorbents, (b) at least one reagent selected from metal hydrides, hydrazine, hypochlorites, thiosulfates, dialkyl sulfuric acids, ortho esters, diazoalkanes, lactones, alkanesultones, epoxy compounds and hydrogen peroxide, or (c) both the adsorbent and reagent, thereby reducing the acid value of said phosphazene compound to lower than 0.025 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: An improved phenoxyphosphazene compound is produced by treating a phenoxyphosphazene compound with (a) at least one adsorbent selected from activated carbon, silica gel, activated alumina, activated clay, synthetic zeolite and macromolecular adsorbents, (b) at least one reagent selected from metal hydrides, hydrazine, hypochlorites, thiosulfates, dialkyl sulfuric acids, ortho esters, diazoalkanes, lactones, alkanesultones, epoxy compounds and hydrogen peroxide, or (c) both the adsorbent and reagent, thereby reducing the acid value of said phosphazene compound to lower than 0.025 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: A flame-retardant resin composition comprising a phosphazene flame retardant and a polyester resin, wherein the flame retardant is bonded to the molecules of the polyester resin via the ester group thereof, can retain a high flame retardance for a prolonged term with little or no vaporization with time and is excellent in flame retardance, impact resistance, properties and processability.