Patents by Inventor Tetsuji Kawahara
Tetsuji Kawahara 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: 11656238Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes a storage unit storing the reaction containers of cleaning target by day unit in such a manner that all the reaction containers mounted on a reaction disk are to be cleaning target within a plurality of days, and a control unit exerts a control in such a manner that during an operation state after the sample of analysis object is dispensed to the reaction containers, a sample of analysis object in each of the reaction containers is analyzed, and not the sample but a detergent is dispensed to the reaction containers of cleaning target of an appointed day, the reaction containers of cleaning target of the appointed day being stored in the storage unit, to soak and wash the reaction containers for a certain time.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Nakasawa, Tetsuji Kawahara, Masaharu Nishida, Yoko Inoue, Kenichi Yagi, Osamu Matsumoto, Sayaka Asada
-
Patent number: 11624752Abstract: When the automatic analyzer is installed in an environment with a high altitude and different external atmospheric pressures, there is a problem that an amount of vacuum suction decreases due to a decrease in suction performance of a vacuum pump and it is difficult to perform vacuum suction of an analyzed reaction liquid. In view of the above, by newly providing a pressure adjustment mechanism within a flow path connecting a vacuum tank to vacuum pump, it possible to control the pressure difference between a pressure in the vacuum tank and an external atmospheric pressure where the analyzer is installed to be constant regardless of the installation environment. Additionally, by providing a hole in communication with the outside in the vacuum tank or a vacuum bin, it possible to control the pressure difference between the pressure in the vacuum tank and the external atmospheric pressure where the analyzer is installed to be constant regardless of the installation environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech CorporationInventors: Tooru Inaba, Takamichi Mori, Tetsuji Kawahara
-
Publication number: 20230044702Abstract: Provided is an electrolyte analysis apparatus capable of diluting and preparing a reagent with higher accuracy with a simpler device configuration, comprising a first flow path configured to send a high-concentration reagent from a high-concentration reagent bottle, a second flow path configured to send a reagent diluent from a reagent diluent bottle that stores the reagent diluent for diluting the high-concentration reagent, a junction unit configured to join the first flow path and the second flow path, a third flow path configured to send a mixed liquid, a dilution tank configured to store the prepared reagent, a prepared reagent discharge nozzle configured to discharge the prepared reagent, a liquid sending mechanism configured to send the reagent and the reagent diluent to the junction unit at a predetermined ratio so that the prepared reagent has a predetermined concentration, and an analysis unit configured to perform analysis with the prepared reagent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2020Publication date: February 9, 2023Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Yuichi Iwase, Takushi Miyakawa, Takahiro Kumagai, Haruyoshi Yamamoto, Tetsuji Kawahara
-
Publication number: 20230032886Abstract: An electrolyte analysis apparatus measures the concentration of a specific ion in a specimen based on the result of measuring a reagent having a predetermined ion concentration by an ion selective electrode and the result of measuring the specimen by the ion selective electrode. The electrolyte analysis apparatus includes a reagent unit for diluting and restoring a concentrated internal standard solution having a concentration higher than a predetermined ion concentration with pure water to generate a reagent having the predetermined ion concentration, and a mechanism, in which the reagent generation unit generates the reagent such that the absolute value of the temperature difference between the reagent obtained by the dilution and restoration, and the pure water is smaller than the absolute value of the temperature difference between the reagent obtained by the dilution and restoration, and the reagent stock solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2020Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Takahiro KUMAGAI, Takushi MIYAKAWA, Yuichi IWASE, Haruyoshi YAMAMOTO, Tetsuji KAWAHARA
-
Publication number: 20220299539Abstract: There is provided an automatic analyzer that improves the adjustment accuracy of a washing fluid amount by detecting a change in a washing water amount in high sensitivity. An automatic analyzer includes a dispensing mechanism including a dispensing probe configured to dispense a sample or reagent into a reaction container, a washing nozzle configured to discharge a washing fluid to the dispensing probe, and a control unit configured to control the dispensing mechanism. In confirming a liquid amount of the washing fluid, the control unit positions a horizontal position of the dispensing probe on a more downstream side from the washing nozzle in comparison with a horizontal position of the dispensing probe in washing the dispensing probe.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2020Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Yosuke HORIE, Manabu OCHI, Yoshiki MURAMATSU, Tetsuji KAWAHARA, Noritaka MINAMI, Hiroki HAMADA
-
Patent number: 11420236Abstract: Stable operation of an ultrasonic vibrator of an ultrasonic cleaner and scattering prevention of a washing liquid are provided. The ultrasonic cleaner includes a washing tank 206 in which a washing liquid is reserved; an ultrasonic vibrator 205; a vibration head 209 provided with a neck 304 extended from the ultrasonic vibrator to the washing tank and a tip end portion 210 having a cylindrical hole 211 whose longitudinal direction is oriented to a perpendicular direction; and a first cover 601 having an opening corresponding to the neck and the cylindrical hole, in which the first cover is arranged to a height in contact with a liquid surface of the washing liquid such that it covers the washing tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Kohei Nonaka, Hiroyuki Takayama, Tetsuji Kawahara
-
Publication number: 20220120774Abstract: Provided is an automated analysis device capable of a more accurate determination of the sizes of bubbles included in a liquid. The automated analysis device includes a detection unit which detects bubbles included in a liquid, an internal standard solution syringe which executes a first liquid supply operation in which a liquid is supplied via the detection unit, a diluent syringe, a sipper syringe, solenoid valves, and a control device which determines whether the size of the bubbles detected during the first liquid supply operation is normal or not based on the operation speed of the liquid supply unit, and controls the operation of the liquid supply unit according to the determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Akinao FUJITA, Takushi MIYAKAWA, Tetsuji KAWAHARA
-
Patent number: 11260430Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaner includes: a cleaning tank; an ultrasonic transducer; a vibration head which extends from the ultrasonic transducer toward the cleaning tank and of which a tip portion includes a cylindrical hole having a longitudinal direction aligned to a vertical direction; and an air layer or a metallic member that is provided in an area formed by projecting at least the vibration head in the vertical direction under the cleaning tank, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is driven at a frequency at which the vibration head is vibrated resonantly in a vibration mode accompanied by a deformation in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical hole and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein an area formed by projecting at least the vibration head in the vertical direction in a bottom portion of the cleaning tank is formed of a material mainly including resin.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Yosuke Horie, Atsushi Kazama, Tetsuji Kawahara, Takamichi Mori, Kohei Nonaka
-
Publication number: 20220034918Abstract: The fluid temperature within piping of a sample dispensing system is stabilized in order to maintain stable dispensing performance with high precision in an automatic analyzer. A controller executes a first operation sequence to operate the sample dispensing system in a standby state continued until the sample is transported to the sample dispensing position, and executes a second operation sequence to operate the sample dispensing system in an analysis state in which the sample located in the sample dispensing position is dispensed. A time period during interior cleaning performed on the sample probe in a single cycle of the first operation sequence is set to be shorter than a time period during interior cleaning performed on the sample probe in a single cycle of the second operation sequence. Alternatively, the first operation sequence is configured to perform interior cleaning at a rate of once every multiple of cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Yuichi IWASE, Kohei NONAKA, Tetsuji KAWAHARA
-
Publication number: 20220034928Abstract: Provided is an automated analyzer comprising an ultrasonic cleaner capable of obtaining a consistent cleaning effect regardless of the operating temperature environment. This automated analyzer comprises: a dispensing mechanism having a nozzle for dispensing a sample or reagent; an ultrasonic cleaner 26 for cleaning the nozzle; and a control unit 28. The ultrasonic cleaner comprises: a cleaning tank 206; an ultrasonic vibrator 205; and a vibration head 209 that extends from the ultrasonic vibrator to the cleaning tank and has a distal end part that is inserted into the cleaning tank. The control unit inserts the nozzle into the cleaning tank and carries out a heating operation for heating the ultrasonic vibrator by driving the ultrasonic vibrator according to a driving condition different from that for a cleaning operation for cleaning the nozzle by driving the ultrasonic vibrator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Yosuke HORIE, Manabu OCHI, Tetsuji KAWAHARA, Kohei NONAKA, Hiroyuki TAKAYAMA
-
Publication number: 20220026387Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated analysis apparatus that can reduce the influence of a pre-sample more reliably, by delivering an internal standard solution. The automated analyzing apparatus according to the present invention determines in advance whether the ion concentration of a first sample is higher than the ion concentration of a second sample by a reference value, and delivers a liquid other than the sample in addition to the internal standard solution (see FIG.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Masafumi MIYAKE, Takushi MIYAKAWA, Tetsuji KAWAHARA
-
Publication number: 20210349052Abstract: An electrolyte analyzing device with which an electrical effect does not occur has a housing to which a reference potential is applied and a flow passage which is electrically insulated from the housing. The analyzing device delivers a sample solution to a first electrode, and delivers a reference electrode solution to a second electrode. A reagent vessel placement unit which is electrically connected to the housing, has placed thereon a diluent bottle accommodating a diluent, an internal standard solution bottle accommodating the internal standard solution, and a reference electrode solution bottle accommodating the reference electrode solution. The reagent vessel placement unit includes a suction nozzle comprising an electrical conductor which is joined to the flow passage, and which can be inserted into and removed from each of the diluent, internal standard solution and reference electrode solution bottles. And, an insulator electrically insulates the suction nozzle and the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Masaki HARA, Takushi MIYAKAWA, Tetsuji KAWAHARA
-
Publication number: 20210341506Abstract: Dispensing with liquid dropping from a tip end of a dispensing probe and/or droplets attaching on the tip end when exchanging the probe allows providing an automatic analyzer excellent in maintenance and reliability. The automatic analyzer includes a probe 120 exchangeably attached to an arm section 206 of a dispensing mechanism; a tube 201 which is connected to the probe and forms a dispensing channel; a syringe 121 which is connected to the tube and discharges and/or aspirates system water contained in the dispensing channel; and a controller 118, in which the controller makes the syringe aspirate the system water from the dispensing channel such that the system water is removed from the probe before the probe is detached from the arm section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2019Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Yoshiki MURAMATSU, Tetsuji KAWAHARA
-
Patent number: 11156628Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a cleaning mechanism performing cleaning to drying of a probe in a short time even with a wide cleaning range of the probe. The automatic analyzer includes: a cleaning tank into which a probe is insertable and which has a cleaning port provided with suction openings; a vacuum tank; a vacuum pump that causes the vacuum tank to enter a negative pressure state, compared to atmospheric pressure; a vacuum bin; a suction nozzle that connects the suction opening of the cleaning port and the vacuum bin; a vacuum nozzle that connects the vacuum tank and the vacuum bin; and a controller. The controller causes the vacuum tank which is in the negative pressure state and the cleaning port to be conducted via the vacuum bin in a period during which a cleaning solution, with which the probe is cleaned, is discharged through the cleaning port.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Takamichi Mori, Tetsuji Kawahara, Yuichi Iwase
-
Publication number: 20210323035Abstract: Stable operation of an ultrasonic vibrator of an ultrasonic cleaner and scattering prevention of a washing liquid are provided. The ultrasonic cleaner includes a washing tank 206 in which a washing liquid is reserved; an ultrasonic vibrator 205; a vibration head 209 provided with a neck 304 extended from the ultrasonic vibrator to the washing tank and a tip end portion 210 having a cylindrical hole 211 whose longitudinal direction is oriented to a perpendicular direction; and a first cover 601 having an opening corresponding to the neck and the cylindrical hole, in which the first cover is arranged to a height in contact with a liquid surface of the washing liquid such that it covers the washing tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Kohei NONAKA, Hiroyuki TAKAYAMA, Tetsuji KAWAHARA
-
Patent number: 11148178Abstract: To suppress precipitation of a cleaning solution to a vibration head of an ultrasonic cleaner. An ultrasonic cleaner includes: a cleaning tank which stores a cleaning solution; an ultrasonic transducer; and a vibration head which extends from the ultrasonic transducer toward the cleaning tank and of which a tip portion includes a cylindrical hole having a longitudinal direction aligned to a vertical direction, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is driven at a frequency at which the vibration head is vibrated resonantly, and wherein the vibration head is provided with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic coating film 502 which has an interface between an area 223 corresponding to a vibration antinode and area corresponding to a vibration node during the resonant vibration of the vibration head, and covers the area 222 corresponding to the vibration node.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Kohei Nonaka, Tetsuji Kawahara, Takamichi Mori
-
Publication number: 20210318344Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a test method capable of efficiently performing a step of evaluating a surface state of a dispensing probe provided in a dispensing apparatus. In the test method according to the present invention, a first solution in which a coloring matter is dissolved is dispensed to a first container in advance by a first dispensing probe, a second solution in which a coloring matter is not dissolved is dispensed to a second container in advance by the first dispensing probe and then the first solution and the second solution are respectively sucked and discharged by a second dispensing probe. After that, a surface state of the second dispensing probe is evaluated by acquiring an amount of the coloring matter collected by the second solution (see FIG. 2).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: October 14, 2021Inventors: Akihiro Nojima, Takamichi Mori, Isao Yamazaki, Tetsuji Kawahara, Youichi Aruga
-
Patent number: 11131682Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes a gear pump that supplies cleaning water to reagent probes and sample probes; a cleaning flow path that feeds the cleaning water discharged from the gear pump to the respective probes; a pressure sensor that measures pressure of the cleaning flow path; a return flow path that is disposed in parallel to the gear pump and connects a discharging port side of the gear pump and an aspirating port side thereof; a throttling unit that is disposed in the return flow path and adjusts a flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the return flow path; and a control unit that changes an opening and closing degree of the throttling unit according to a measurement result of the pressure sensor. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to control driving of a pump used for cleaning a probe while having a low cost and a small mounting size.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Masaki Hara, Tetsuji Kawahara, Hiroyuki Takayama
-
Publication number: 20210165009Abstract: Provided is an electrolyte analyzing device that prevents contamination caused by contacting different reagents by a suction nozzle when reagent replacement is performed. The electrolyte analyzing device includes a nozzle support part 203 coupled to a suction nozzle 6 and movable between a reagent container replacement position and a reagent suction position; a locking mechanism 301 fitted with the nozzle support part 203 moved to the reagent container replacement position and fixes the nozzle support part 203 at the reagent container replacement position; and an unlocking mechanism 302 that releases fitting of the nozzle support part 203 and the locking mechanism 301 in a power-on state. When a reagent container 101 satisfies a predetermined condition, the unlocking mechanism 302 is controlled to release the fitting between the nozzle support part 203 and the locking mechanism 301, so that the nozzle support part 203 moves to the reagent suction position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: Hitachi High-Tech CorporationInventors: Takushi Miyakawa, Masaki Hara, Natsumi Isobe, Tetsuji Kawahara
-
Publication number: 20210025909Abstract: Provided is an electrolyte analyzing device in which contamination caused by contacting different reagents with a suction nozzle is prevented when reagent replacement is performed by a user. The electrolyte analyzing device includes a reagent container setting unit 502 that sets a dilute solution bottle 101-1 which houses a dilute solution, an internal standard solution bottle 101-2 which houses an internal standard solution, and a reference electrode solution bottle 101-3 which houses a reference electrode solution. The reagent container setting unit includes a partition wall between the dilute solution bottle 101-1 and the internal standard solution bottle 101-2, and the reference electrode solution bottle 101-3 when the dilute solution bottle 101-1, the internal standard solution bottle 101-2, and the reference electrode solution bottle 101-3 are set.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Hitachi High-Tech CorporationInventors: Takushi Miyakawa, Masaki Hara, Tetsuji Kawahara