Patents by Inventor Yoichi ARUGA
Yoichi ARUGA 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).
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Patent number: 11879904Abstract: A method of washing an aspiration probe of an in-vitro diagnostic system is disclosed. The aspiration probe comprises an outer surface and an inner surface forming an inner space for receiving a fluid. The method comprises dipping the aspiration probe into a first wash fluid so that the outer surface is immersed at least in part into the first wash fluid, aspirating an amount of the first wash fluid into the inner space of the aspiration probe, propagating an ultrasonic vibration to the outer surface of the aspiration probe via the first wash fluid, and rinsing the outer surface and the inner surface of the aspiration probe with a second wash fluid. Further, an in-vitro diagnostic method and an in-vitro diagnostic system are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Kouhei Nonaka, Takamichi Mori, Yoichi Aruga, Yosuke Horie, Andrew McCaughey, Alexander Seiler
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Patent number: 11480504Abstract: When the type is to be changed from serum (preceding sample) to urine (current sample), “serum” is set to a preceding type and “urine” is set to a measurement type at number 1 in a condition number. At condition number 1, the wash type is pattern 1, with washing performed once with detergent 1. Where the preceding sample is serum and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 2 and the wash type is pattern 2, with washing performed twice using detergent 1 and once with detergent 2. Where the preceding sample is urine and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 3 and the wash type is pattern 3, with washing performed once with detergent 1, once with detergent 2, and once with water. In the case of pattern 4, washing is performed three times with detergent 1.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Naoto Suzuki, Yoshiaki Saito, Yoichi Aruga, Toshihide Orihashi, Kazuhiro Nakamura
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Publication number: 20220283195Abstract: An automatic analysis device including liquid containers 3, 4, and 5 for storing liquid and liquid sending units 8, 9, and 10 for sending the liquid in the container through flow paths includes a detector 102 for detecting gas in the flow path, a priming function unit for replacing the liquid in the flow path, and a control device 29 for determining that bubbles are incorporated in the liquid in the flow path when the detector detects gas in the flow path. With this configuration, the incorporation of bubbles into a liquid and a shortage of a reagent can be more efficiently identified.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2020Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Hiromi HIRAMA, Akinao FUJITA, Takushi MIYAKAWA, Yoichi ARUGA, Yoko INOUE
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Publication number: 20220113331Abstract: A method of washing an aspiration probe of an in-vitro diagnostic system is disclosed. The aspiration probe comprises an outer surface and an inner surface forming an inner space for receiving a fluid. The method comprises dipping the aspiration probe into a first wash fluid so that the outer surface is immersed at least in part into the first wash fluid, aspirating an amount of the first wash fluid into the inner space of the aspiration probe, propagating an ultrasonic vibration to the outer surface of the aspiration probe via the first wash fluid, and rinsing the outer surface and the inner surface of the aspiration probe with a second wash fluid. Further, an in-vitro diagnostic method and an in-vitro diagnostic system are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicants: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Kouhei Nonaka, Takamichi Mori, Yoichi Aruga, Yosuke Horie, Andrew McCaughey, Alexander Seiler
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Patent number: 11231433Abstract: The invention provides a highly reliable automatic analyzer and dispenser probe cleaning method that allows for the removal of leftover cleaning water from the outer wall surfaces of a probe without increasing the size of a cleaning bath and contaminating the outer wall surfaces of the probe. A cleaning bath 113 (108, 106) comprises: a cleaning water outlet 203 for discharging into the cleaning bath 113 (108, 116) the cleaning water supplied from a cleaning water supply mechanism 123; and a compressed air outlet 204, disposed on the trajectory of the cleaning water discharged from the cleaning water outlet 203, for discharging the compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply mechanism 124 toward a sample probe 111b or a reagent probe 120 inserted in the cleaning bath 113 (108, 106).Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshiki Muramatsu, Akihiro Yasui, Yoshihiro Suzuki, Yoichi Aruga
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Patent number: 11169169Abstract: A method of washing an aspiration probe of an in-vitro diagnostic system is disclosed. The aspiration probe comprises an outer surface and an inner surface forming an inner space for receiving a fluid. The method comprises dipping the aspiration probe into a first wash fluid so that the outer surface is immersed at least in part into the first wash fluid, aspirating an amount of the first wash fluid into the inner space of the aspiration probe, propagating an ultrasonic vibration to the outer surface of the aspiration probe via the first wash fluid, and rinsing the outer surface and the inner surface of the aspiration probe with a second wash fluid. Further, an in-vitro diagnostic method and an in-vitro diagnostic system are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignees: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC., HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Kouhei Nonaka, Takamichi Mori, Yoichi Aruga, Yosuke Horie, Andrew McCaughey, Alexander Seiler
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Patent number: 11041874Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a member to be washed, such as a probe or a stirrer for contacting and stirring a liquid; a wash station in which the member to be washed is washed with a washing liquid; and a measuring part that measures an optical characteristic of an evaluation reagent contained in a reaction cell. A control unit brings the member to be washed that has been washed in the wash station into contact with the evaluation reagent, causes the measuring part to measure the optical characteristic after contact with the evaluation reagent, and calculates the amount of the washing liquid carried into the reaction cell by the member to be washed, based on the measured optical characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATIONInventors: Saori Chida, Yoichi Aruga, Akihiro Yasui, Yoshiki Muramatsu, Yoko Inoue, Hideto Tamezane
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Publication number: 20200096529Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a member to be washed, such as a probe or a stirrer for contacting and stirring a liquid; a wash station in which the member to be washed is washed with a washing liquid; and a measuring part that measures an optical characteristic of an evaluation reagent contained in a reaction cell. A control unit brings the member to be washed that has been washed in the wash station into contact with the evaluation reagent, causes the measuring part to measure the optical characteristic after contact with the evaluation reagent, and calculates the amount of the washing liquid carried into the reaction cell by the member to be washed, based on the measured optical characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2017Publication date: March 26, 2020Inventors: Saori CHIDA, Yoichi ARUGA, Akihiro YASUI, Yoshiki MURAMATSU, Yoko INOUE, Hideto TAMEZANE
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Publication number: 20190369132Abstract: A method of washing an aspiration probe of an in-vitro diagnostic system is disclosed. The aspiration probe comprises an outer surface and an inner surface forming an inner space for receiving a fluid. The method comprises dipping the aspiration probe into a first wash fluid so that the outer surface is immersed at least in part into the first wash fluid, aspirating an amount of the first wash fluid into the inner space of the aspiration probe, propagating an ultrasonic vibration to the outer surface of the aspiration probe via the first wash fluid, and rinsing the outer surface and the inner surface of the aspiration probe with a second wash fluid. Further, an in-vitro diagnostic method and an in-vitro diagnostic system are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicants: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Kouhei Nonaka, Takamichi Mori, Yoichi Aruga, Yosuke Horie, Andrew McCaughey, Alexander Seiler
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Publication number: 20190049477Abstract: The invention provides a highly reliable automatic analyzer and dispenser probe cleaning method that allows for the removal of leftover cleaning water from the outer wall surfaces of a probe without increasing the size of a cleaning bath and contaminating the outer wall surfaces of the probe. A cleaning bath 113 (108, 106) comprises: a cleaning water outlet 203 for discharging into the cleaning bath 113 (108, 116) the cleaning water supplied from a cleaning water supply mechanism 123; and a compressed air outlet 204, disposed on the trajectory of the cleaning water discharged from the cleaning water outlet 203, for discharging the compressed air supplied from a compressed air supply mechanism 124 toward a sample probe 111b or a reagent probe 120 inserted in the cleaning bath 113 (108, 106).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Yoshiki MURAMATSU, Akihiro YASUI, Yoshihiro SUZUKI, Yoichi ARUGA
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Patent number: 10094841Abstract: A control unit outputs measurement status information including the time up to the completion of creation of the calibration curve for each of the desired measurement items to a display unit. The output/display of the calibration curve data measurement status for each of the items enables the operator to be aware of information about a failure to set a standard solution or to request the setting of the standard solution and to recognize how long he or she will need to wait until the creation of the calibration curve begins. The operator can therefore know what can be done while waiting, thereby improving job efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Takashi Nakasawa, Yoichi Aruga
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Publication number: 20180156702Abstract: When the type is to be changed from serum (preceding sample) to urine (current sample), “serum” is set to a preceding type and “urine” is set to a measurement type at number 1 in a condition number. At condition number 1, the wash type is pattern 1, with washing performed once with detergent 1. Where the preceding sample is serum and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 2 and the wash type is pattern 2, with washing performed twice using detergent 1 and once with detergent 2. Where the preceding sample is urine and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 3 and the wash type is pattern 3, with washing performed once with detergent 1, once with detergent 2, and once with water. In the case of pattern 4, washing is performed three times with detergent 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Naoto SUZUKI, Yoshiaki SAITO, Yoichi ARUGA, Toshihide ORIHASHI, Kazuhiro NAKAMURA
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Patent number: 9989550Abstract: In an automated analyzing apparatus, problems arise when a reagent container is carried in during analysis, since it is necessary to stop all accesses of mechanisms etc. to a location of the apparatus where the reagent container is placed and, in a situation in which measurements have been already started, it is impossible to carry the reagent container after waiting about several minutes. To address the problems, when a remaining amount of a reagent corresponding to a predetermined item becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value, a pause cycle of reagent suction is generated in which the reagent dispensing mechanism does not suction the reagent from inside of a reagent container of a reagent disc at regular intervals, and a reagent container containing the same kind of reagent in the reagent disc by the reagent container carrying mechanism is automatically carried in the pause cycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Takashi Nakasawa, Yoshihiro Suzuki, Yoichi Aruga
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Patent number: 9897519Abstract: When the type is to be changed from serum (preceding sample) to urine (current sample), “serum” is set to a preceding type and “urine” is set to a measurement type at number 1 in a condition number. At condition number 1, the wash type is pattern 1, with washing performed once with detergent 1. Where the preceding sample is serum and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 2 and the wash type is pattern 2, with washing performed twice using detergent 1 and once with detergent 2. Where the preceding sample is urine and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 3 and the wash type is pattern 3, with washing performed once with detergent 1, once with detergent 2, and once with water. In the case of pattern 4, washing is performed three times with detergent 1.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Naoto Suzuki, Yoshiaki Saito, Yoichi Aruga, Toshihide Orihashi, Kazuhiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 9618526Abstract: An automated analyzer that can effectively reduce contamination of a diluted low-concentration specimen resulting from a high-concentration specimen not being diluted. The automated analyzer includes a specimen nozzle that performs both the function of pipetting a specimen from a specimen container accommodating the specimen and the function of pipetting a specimen diluted by the analyzer, and means for washing the specimen nozzle with a predetermined detergent. When a pipetting process of a high-concentration specimen not being diluted and a pipetting process of a low-concentration specimen diluted by the analyzer are consecutively performed for the same specimen by the specimen nozzle, between the pipetting process of a high-concentration specimen and the pipetting process of a low-concentration specimen, the analyzer performs a washing processing in which the specimen nozzle is washed with the predetermined detergent.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Saito, Yoichi Aruga, Toshihide Orihashi
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Patent number: 9383375Abstract: An automatic analysis device may enable easy selection of a desired reagent-setting position and efficient execution of reagent information confirmation and reagent usage setup by displaying, at a high level of visibility and in an enlarged format, both of the selected reagent-setting position and means for moving, for example, a mouse pointer to an anterior or posterior display position with respect to the selected reagent-setting position. A display controller may cause display of a list of reagent-setting positions provided in a reagent disk. An extended display controller may cause display, in an enlarged format, of a reagent-setting position that has been selected from the reagent-setting position list displayed by the display controller. The display of the selected reagent-setting position may be enlarged distinctly from that of other reagent-setting positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Sayaka Sarwar, Hiroki Mori, Miki Taki, Yoichi Aruga
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Patent number: 9341638Abstract: An automatic analyzer enables users to perform working steps easily and reliably by switching a display screen irrespective of a skill level of the user. The automatic analyzer, which determines a consistency of a test item, includes a display/input section to display a plurality of working steps relating to necessary work flow for measurement. The display/input section is adapted to selectively present a maximized workflow display and a reduced workflow display. The maximized workflow display shows a series of operations and works, and further shows a plurality of operations and works in an order that the plurality of operations and works are processed. In a reduced display of the work flow, the reduced workflow display shows details of a specific operation or work, and a position of the specific operation or work in a sequence that the entire series of operations and works are processed.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Sayaka Sarwar, Tatsuya Tokunaga, Miki Taki, Toshihide Orihashi, Hiroki Mori, Yoichi Aruga, Takashi Nakasawa
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Publication number: 20150369833Abstract: In an automated analyzing apparatus, problems arise when a reagent container is carried in during analysis, since it is necessary to stop all accesses of mechanisms etc. to a location of the apparatus where the reagent container is placed and, in a situation in which measurements have been already started, it is impossible to carry the reagent container after waiting about several minutes. To address the problems, when a remaining amount of a reagent corresponding to a predetermined item becomes equal to or less than a first threshold value, a pause cycle of reagent suction is generated in which the reagent dispensing mechanism does not suction the reagent from inside of a reagent container of a reagent disc at regular intervals, and a reagent container containing the same kind of reagent in the reagent disc by the reagent container carrying mechanism is automatically carried in the pause cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Takashi NAKASAWA, Yoshihiro SUZUKI, Yoichi ARUGA
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Publication number: 20150153370Abstract: The present invention provides an automated analyzer that can effectively reduce contamination of a diluted low-concentration specimen resulting from a high-concentration specimen not being diluted. The automated analyzer includes a specimen nozzle that performs both the function of pipetting a specimen from a specimen container accommodating the specimen and the function of pipetting a specimen diluted by the analyzer, and means for washing the specimen nozzle with a predetermined detergent. When a pipetting process of a high-concentration specimen not being diluted and a pipetting process of a low-concentration specimen diluted by the analyzer are consecutively performed for the same specimen by the specimen nozzle, between the pipetting process of a high-concentration specimen and the pipetting process of a low-concentration specimen, the analyzer performs a washing processing in which the specimen nozzle is washed with the predetermined detergent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Yoshiaki Saito, Yoichi Aruga, Toshihide Orihashi
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Publication number: 20150044096Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of performing measurements efficiently. The automatic analyzer comprises: a first reagent disk on which reagent packs each storing a reagent to be used for a reaction are placed; a second reagent disk; and a reagent pack transfer mechanism which transfers the reagent packs between the first reagent disk and the second reagent disk. A judgment unit and a drive control unit of a computer operate to transfer a reagent pack that has been placed on the second reagent disk to the first reagent disk using the reagent pack transfer mechanism, perform at least quality control measurement out of the calibration and the quality control measurement with the reagent stored in the reagent pack transferred to the first reagent disk, and thereafter return the reagent pack to the second reagent disk using the reagent pack transfer mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Takashi Nakasawa, Yoshihiro Suzuki, Yoichi Aruga