Patents by Inventor Toru Kaji

Toru Kaji 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: 10088449
    Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis device including a capillary tube, a suction pump for taking liquid, an intake tube whose end is formed vertically downward, a connection block in which there is an intake flow path that holds the end of the capillary tube and connecting the suction pump to the intake tube, a sample storage unit which contains a sample and has an upward opening into which the tip of the intake tube may be inserted, an intake tube access mechanism to insert the tip of the intake tube into the sample storage unit, and a voltage application mechanism that applies an electric potential difference across the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Arai, Toru Kaji
  • Patent number: 9778222
    Abstract: A capillary unit includes a reservoir capable of retaining a liquid. A capillary having a linear shape has one end secured on a bottom-end portion of the reservoir. The capillary extends from the bottom-end portion in a direction away from an opening of the reservoir. A nozzle connector is provided between a bottom of the reservoir and the one end of the capillary, and provides liquid-tight removable connection with a nozzle for injecting the liquid into the capillary from a portion adjacent to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Shin Nakamura, Toru Kaji, Tomonori Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20170176382
    Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis device including a capillary tube, a suction pump for taking liquid, an intake tube whose end is formed vertically downward, a connection block in which there is an intake flow path that holds the end of the capillary tube and connecting the suction pump to the intake tube, a sample storage unit which contains a sample and has an upward opening into which the tip of the intake tube may be inserted, an intake tube access mechanism to insert the tip of the intake tube into the sample storage unit, and a voltage application mechanism that applies an electric potential difference across the capillary tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro ARAI, Toru KAJI
  • Publication number: 20150377829
    Abstract: A capillary unit includes a reservoir capable of retaining a liquid. A capillary having a linear shape has one end secured on a bottom-end portion of the reservoir. The capillary extends from the bottom-end portion in a direction away from an opening of the reservoir. A nozzle connector is provided between a bottom of the reservoir and the one end of the capillary, and provides liquid-tight removable connection with a nozzle for injecting the liquid into the capillary from a portion adjacent to the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Shin Nakamura, Toru Kaji, Tomonori Nozawa
  • Patent number: 8834697
    Abstract: A channel (12) is formed inside a transparent substrate (11), and the two ends are respectively connected to a sample inlet (13) and a separation medium filling port (14) both open to outside, and a sample outlet (15) which is open to outside is provided on the channel (12). The portion between the sample inlet (13) and the sample outlet (15) is a separation channel portion (12a), and the portion between the sample outlet (15) and the separation medium filling port (14) is a separation medium introduction channel portion (12b). A separation medium supplier is connected to the separation medium filling port (14) and the separation medium introduction channel portion (12b) is filled with a separation medium. Then a sample is dropped to the sample inlet (13), with the sample medium supplier still connected, to introduce the sample to the separation channel portion (12a). And then, buffer liquid is poured in buffer reservoirs (16) and (17) and a migration voltage is applied to perform a migration analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Kaji
  • Patent number: 8577010
    Abstract: A second device (120) has a first virtual terminal and a second virtual terminal. The second device (120) switches the access point of a third telephone terminal (32) to the first virtual terminal and switches the access point of a second telephone terminal (22) to the second virtual terminal by control of a first device (110). Then, the first virtual terminal is put on hold. Then, the first virtual terminal calls the first telephone terminal by an outgoing call for forwarding to a first telephone terminal (12). Then, the first device (110) connects the first telephone terminal (12) to the third telephone terminal (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Kurashima, Toru Kaji
  • Publication number: 20120189114
    Abstract: A second device (120) has a first virtual terminal and a second virtual terminal. The second device (120) switches the access point of a third telephone terminal (32) to the first virtual terminal and switches the access point of a second telephone terminal (22) to the second virtual terminal by control of a first device (110). Then, the first virtual terminal is put on hold. Then, the first virtual terminal calls the first telephone terminal by an outgoing call for forwarding to a first telephone terminal (12). Then, the first device (110) connects the first telephone terminal (12) to the third telephone terminal (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Kurashima, Toru Kaji
  • Patent number: 8043492
    Abstract: A sample (14) is supplied into a sample reservoir (8) (see (A)). A voltage is applied by an electrode (20) to introduce the sample into a capillary (6) filled with a separation medium (see (B)). A liquid (16) for replacement having a larger specific gravity than the sample (14) is supplied into the sample reservoir (8), and the sample (14) remaining in the sample reservoir (8) is replaced with the liquid (16) for replacement (see (C)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Kaji
  • Publication number: 20100116661
    Abstract: A channel (12) is formed inside a transparent substrate (11), and the two ends are respectively connected to a sample inlet (13) and a separation medium filling port (14) both open to outside, and a sample outlet (15) which is open to outside is provided on the channel (12). The portion between the sample inlet (13) and the sample outlet (15) is a separation channel portion (12a), and the portion between the sample outlet (15) and the separation medium filling port (14) is a separation medium introduction channel portion (12b). A separation medium supplier is connected to the separation medium filling port (14) and the separation medium introduction channel portion (12b) is filled with a separation medium. Then a sample is dropped to the sample inlet (13), with the sample medium supplier still connected, to introduce the sample to the separation channel portion (12a). And then, buffer liquid is poured in buffer reservoirs (16) and (17) and a migration voltage is applied to perform a migration analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Kaji
  • Patent number: 7655125
    Abstract: For automating the operation of an electrophoresis apparatus and improving the throughput, the present electrophoresis apparatus has two platens capable of controlling temperature of electrophoresis plates placed thereon, a loading medium charging unit for sending a loading medium under pressure, a loading medium charging nozzle mechanism having a pair of nozzles connected to the loading medium charging unit, a pipetter mechanism for dispensing samples to sample dispensing openings of the electrophoresis plates placed on the platens, a stacker mechanism for storing sample plates, a loading buffer solution supplying mechanism, a loading buffer solution dispensing mechanism connected to the loading buffer solution supplying mechanism, a power unit for allowing electrophoresis separation for each electrophoresis plate placed on the platens, and a detector for optically detecting components migrating through each electrophoresis flow channel of the electrophoresis plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Nakamura, Rintaro Yamamoto, Akira Harada, Makoto Hazama, Takashi Ikegami, Toru Kaji, Naoya Endo, Hidesato Kumagai, Tetsuo Ohashi, Atsushi Inami, Keisuke Miyamoto, Shinichi Utsunomiya
  • Publication number: 20090223822
    Abstract: A sample (14) is supplied into a sample reservoir (8) (see (A)). A voltage is applied by an electrode (20) to introduce the sample into a capillary (6) filled with a separation medium (see (B)). A liquid (16) for replacement having a larger specific gravity than the sample (14) is supplied into the sample reservoir (8), and the sample (14) remaining in the sample reservoir (8) is replaced with the liquid (16) for replacement (see (C)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru Kaji
  • Publication number: 20080087547
    Abstract: For automating the operation of an electrophoresis apparatus and improving the throughput, the present electrophoresis apparatus has two platens capable of controlling temperature of electrophoresis plates placed thereon, a loading medium charging unit for sending a loading medium under pressure, a loading medium charging nozzle mechanism having a pair of nozzles connected to the loading medium charging unit, a pipetter mechanism for dispensing samples to sample dispensing openings of the electrophoresis plates placed on the platens, a stacker mechanism for storing sample plates, a loading buffer solution supplying mechanism, a loading buffer solution dispensing mechanism connected to the loading buffer solution supplying mechanism, a power unit for allowing electrophoresis separation for each electrophoresis plate placed on the platens, and a detector for optically detecting components migrating through each electrophoresis flow channel of the electrophoresis plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shin Nakamura, Rintaro Yamamoto, Akira Harada, Makoto Hazama, Takashi Ikegami, Toru Kaji, Naoya Endo, Hidesato Kumagai, Tetsuo Ohashi, Atsushi Inami, Keisuke Miyamoto, Shinichi Utsunomiya
  • Publication number: 20070251589
    Abstract: A valve mechanism is provided, which can be embedded in a flow channel substrate without adding complexity of structure of the flow channel substrate. A rectangular space, i.e. a valve chamber, is formed in a flow channel substrate (1). Flow channels (2a, 2b, 2c) are connected to the valve chamber from different directions. The flow channels (2a, 2b) are connected respectively to a first surface and a second surface, opposite to the first surface, of the valve chamber. The flow channel (2c) is connected to a third surface different from the first and the second surfaces. A valve body 8 is accommodated in the valve chamber 4. The valve body slides between the first and the second surfaces in the valve chamber. On the sides of the first and the second surfaces outside the valve chamber, electromagnets are buried in the flow channel substrate (1) to sandwich the valve chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: TORU KAJI
  • Publication number: 20060266649
    Abstract: An electrophoretic member is structured such that a plate member as a base plate is provided with a separating flow path in a shape of a groove, and another plate member is provided with through-holes as small reservoirs at positions corresponding to both ends of the flow path. Both plate members are bonded together, so that the flow path is disposed inside thereof and both ends of the flow path communicate with the reservoirs to constitute an integrated base plate. Larger reservoirs having a size greater than that of the small reservoirs are connected at the positions of the small reservoirs on the plate member. Thus, a sample injection quantity can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Shin Nakamura, Rintaro Yamamoto, Toru Kaji
  • Patent number: 7033475
    Abstract: An electrophoretic apparatus which can analyze multiple tests specimens and being comprised of an electrophoretic member having a relatively simple configuration of passages, such that one or a plurality of passages are formed inside a plate-shaped member therein in which holes are formed connecting to the passages at positions corresponding to the ends of each passage, a voltage application part for applying a voltage across the passages, a detector part for detecting a specimen within the passage and an electrophoretic-member holding part for holding a plurality of the electrophoretic members so as to provide for simultaneous electrophoretic operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Nakamura, Toru Kaji, Rintaro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6939454
    Abstract: An electrophoresis chip is formed of a pair of transparent base plates. A sample introduction flow path and a separation flow path crossing each other are formed on a surface of one of the base plates, and the other base plate is provided with a separation buffer waste, a separation buffer reservoir, a loading buffer reservoir, and a loading buffer waste, which are formed as through holes at positions corresponding to ends of the flow paths. Further, a sample reservoir for injecting a sample therein is formed as a through hole on the sample introduction flow path at a position different from that of the loading buffer reservoir. Electrodes are disposed at the separation buffer waste, the separation buffer reservoir, the loading buffer reservoir, and the loading buffer waste. The electrode is not disposed at the sample reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Kaji
  • Publication number: 20030102219
    Abstract: A reservoir member is made of an elastic resin material. Additional reservoirs formed of through-holes are provided to the reservoir member at positions corresponding to reservoirs of an electrophoretic member. The surface of the reservoir member to be tightly attached to the electrophoretic member is formed flat. The reservoir member is tightly attached to the electrophoretic member without using any adhesive in such a way that the reservoirs align with the additional reservoirs. Thus, the capacities of the respective reservoirs can be increased. Since the electrophoretic member can be easily separated from the reservoir member, the reservoirs and additional reservoirs can be cleaned easily after the analysis, thereby reducing cross-contamination in samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Rintaro Yamamoto, Shin Nakamura, Toru Kaji, Takahiro Nishimoto
  • Publication number: 20030094370
    Abstract: An electrophoresis chip is formed of a pair of transparent base plates. A sample introduction flow path and a separation flow path crossing each other are formed on a surface of one of the base plates, and the other base plate is provided with a separation buffer waste, a separation buffer reservoir, a loading buffer reservoir, and a loading buffer waste, which are formed as through holes at positions corresponding to ends of the flow paths. Further, a sample reservoir for injecting a sample therein is formed as a through hole on the sample introduction flow path at a position different from that of the loading buffer reservoir. Electrodes are disposed at the separation buffer waste, the separation buffer reservoir, the loading buffer reservoir, and the loading buffer waste. The electrode is not disposed at the sample reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru Kaji
  • Publication number: 20020046949
    Abstract: A table is used to position eight specimen reservoirs of an electrophoretic chip into which a specimen is firstly dispensed to a specimen dispensing position. A specimen dispensing mechanism is used to move a head to thereby suck a test-specimen contained in eight different wells of specimen plates into eight nozzles respectively and then move the head to the specimen dispensing position, thus dispensing the test-specimen sucked into the nozzles into the specimen reservoirs simultaneously. The table is used to sequentially position the specimen reservoirs to the specimen dispensing position and then the specimen dispensing mechanism is used to sequentially dispensing the specimen into the specimen reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Nakamura, Toru Kaji, Rintaro Yamamoto