Patents by Inventor Youichi Aoki

Youichi Aoki 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: 11397150
    Abstract: Presently disclosed is a way to provide a measuring device capable of easily detecting measurement abnormality without increasing load in hardware. The measuring device may include: an emission means that may emit light to a measurement target region; a light measurement means that may measure light output from the measurement target region by emission with the emission means; a driving means that may move a position of at least one of the measurement target region and the emission means; and a determination means that may compare measurement values of the light measured a plurality of times by the light measurement means while changing positions of the measurement target region by the driving means and thereby determines abnormality of a measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: OTSUKA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi Aoki, Tetsuya Noda
  • Patent number: 11366130
    Abstract: A detection device for detecting a substance to be detected contained in a specimen has a pipette that has a detachable pipette tip and that suctions or discharges a specimen in a container, a pipette-moving unit for moving the pipette, and a control unit for controlling the pipette and pipette-moving unit. The control unit controls the pipette and the pipette-moving unit so that the pipette suctions a portion of specimen in the container with the pipette-moving unit having moved the distal end of the pipette tip to a position (a) in the lower side of the container, and thereafter discharges in the container the specimen suctioned by the pipette to stir the specimen with the pipette-moving unit having moved the distal end of the pipette tip to a position (b) above the position (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: OTSUKA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 11241684
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction method that includes a reaction process using a pipette tip to allow substances to cause a reaction, the method including: providing a heater for heating the pipette tip in accordance with a preset temperature; attaching the pipette tip to a pipette nozzle and heating the pipette tip by a first preset temperature; when a period of heating by the first preset temperature exceeds a preset period, switching an output of the heater from the first preset temperature to a lower second preset temperature; detecting a distal end position of the pipette tip at or after the switching; and executing the reaction process while controlling the distal end position of the pipette tip with reference to the detected distal end position, in which the temperature of the pipette tip is kept by the second preset temperature at least until operation of the pipette tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Youichi Aoki, Yuuya Shouji, Tetsuya Noda, Atsuo Iwashita
  • Patent number: 11169089
    Abstract: A measurement chip including a prism, a metal film, and a capturing body is prepared. In a state in which a specimen is present on the metal film, scattered light obtained when first light which passes through the metal film and the specimen is scattered in the specimen when the first light is applied to the metal film from a prism side at a first incident angle smaller than a critical angle is detected. In a state in which a substance to be measured is captured by the capturing body and the specimen is not present on the metal film, a signal indicating an amount of the substance to be measured generated in the measurement chip when second light is applied to the metal film at a second incident angle not smaller than the critical angle from the prism side is detected. On the basis of a hematocrit value of the specimen determined from a light amount of the scattered light, a measurement value indicating the amount of the substance to be measured determined from the signal is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Noda, Fumio Nagai, Youichi Aoki, Makiko Otani
  • Publication number: 20210285874
    Abstract: A measurement chip including a prism, a metal film, and a capturing body is prepared. In a state in which a specimen is present on the metal film, scattered light obtained when first light which passes through the metal film and the specimen is scattered in the specimen when the first light is applied to the metal film from a prism side at a first incident angle smaller than a critical angle is detected. In a state in which a substance to be measured is captured by the capturing body and the specimen is not present on the metal film, a signal indicating an amount of the substance to be measured generated in the measurement chip when second light is applied to the metal film at a second incident angle not smaller than the critical angle from the prism side is detected. On the basis of a hematocrit value of the specimen determined from a light amount of the scattered light, a measurement value indicating the amount of the substance to be measured determined from the signal is corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuya NODA, Fumio NAGAI, Youichi AOKI, Makiko OTANI
  • Patent number: 11061046
    Abstract: A liquid delivery method according to the present invention performs a procedure including supplying a first liquid into a microchannel and collecting the first liquid from within the microchannel, and then, dispensing a first amount of a second liquid without hermetically sealing a pipette tip insertion hole, then, dispensing a second amount of the second liquid in a state where the pipette tip insertion hole is hermetically closed to supply the second liquid into the microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takanori Murayama, Youichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 11045803
    Abstract: Aiming to provide a method capable of reciprocatingly delivering various liquids without bringing air into a microchannel, a detection system and a detection apparatus for implementation of this method. In order to achieve at least one of the above aims, provided is a method of inserting a pipette tip into a liquid injection portion of a detection chip including: the microchannel; the liquid injection portion connected to one end of the microchannel; and a reservoir connected to the other end of the microchannel, injecting and aspirating the liquid by the pipette tip, and reciprocatingly delivering the liquid into the microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Youichi Aoki, Takanori Murayama
  • Patent number: 10921340
    Abstract: A detection chip comprises a flow path and a liquid injection unit connected to one end of the flow path, and by means of a pipette chip inserted into the liquid injection unit of the detection chip, the liquid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated to remove the liquid in the flow path. Subsequently, the pipette chip is made to carry out a reciprocating motion two or more times along the axial direction of the pipette chip, and at least one of those times, the fluid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated by the pipette chip. Subsequently, a liquid is injected from the pipette chip into the liquid injection unit, and the liquid is introduced into the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Youichi Aoki, Atsuo Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20210025821
    Abstract: Presently disclosed is a way to provide a measuring device capable of easily detecting measurement abnormality without increasing load in hardware. The measuring device may include: an emission means that may emit light to a measurement target region; a light measurement means that may measure light output from the measurement target region by emission with the emission means; a driving means that may move a position of at least one of the measurement target region and the emission means; and a determination means that may compare measurement values of the light measured a plurality of times by the light measurement means while changing positions of the measurement target region by the driving means and thereby determines abnormality of a measurement result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Youichi AOKI, Tetsuya NODA
  • Publication number: 20210025908
    Abstract: Temperature adjustment with a pipette tip temperature adjustment unit (7) and a drive unit (54) for raising and lowering a pipette tip (51), an environment temperature sensor (10) for sensing temperature inside an analysis apparatus (1A), a pump (53) for drawing a liquid into pipette tip (51) and discharging liquid in the pipette tip (51), and a control unit (6a) for setting, in advance, temperature control target value during sample analysis for unit (7) based on environment temperature sensed by sensor (10), and during sample analysis, drive unit (54) lowers pipette tip (51), pump (53) performs pumping wherein intake and discharge are repeated in a state in which unit (7) blows air, and unit (6a) sets, in advance, the temperature value for use during sample analysis for the pipette tip temperature adjustment unit (7) on the basis of analysis reagent information and the environment temperature sensed by e sensor (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kou OSAWA, Takanori MURAYAMA, Yuuya SHOUJI, Youichi AOKI, Hiroshi HIRAYAMA
  • Patent number: 10837978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing liquid from the interior of a flow channel tip, which enables both to reduce the amount of liquid remaining and prevent the time spent removing the liquid from being longer than necessary. The method comprises: suctioning a liquid within a flow channel, the liquid being suctioned into the interior of a liquid suction implement inserted into a first through-hole of a flow channel tip; and removing the liquid within the flow channel. This method comprises: a first suction step for suctioning some of the liquid within the flow channel at a first suction speed; and a second suction step for suctioning the liquid remaining within the flow channel at a second suction speed that is less than the first suction speed, the second suction step being performed in continuation from the first suction step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuo Iwashita, Youichi Aoki, Koji Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20200269231
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction method that includes a reaction process using a pipette tip to allow substances to cause a reaction, the method including: providing a heater for heating the pipette tip in accordance with a preset temperature; attaching the pipette tip to a pipette nozzle and heating the pipette tip by a first preset temperature; when a period of heating by the first preset temperature exceeds a preset period, switching an output of the heater from the first preset temperature to a lower second preset temperature; detecting a distal end position of the pipette tip at or after the switching; and executing the reaction process while controlling the distal end position of the pipette tip with reference to the detected distal end position, in which the temperature of the pipette tip is kept by the second preset temperature at least until operation of the pipette tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Youichi AOKI, Yuuya SHOUJI, Tetsuya NODA, Atsuo IWASHITA
  • Patent number: 10646864
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a detection method which can safely recover a remaining sample from a detection device without causing a biological disaster. In order to achieve at least one of these goals, this detection method involves: a sample collection step for collecting a sample from the sample holding well, and transferring the same to a detection chip; a detection step for detecting the detected substance captured in the detection chip by means of a detection unit; and, after the sample collection step, a remaining sample recovery step for collecting the sample remaining in the sample holding well and transferring this to a sample recovery well. At that time, after the remaining sample recovery step, the surface area of the opening in the sample recovery well is smaller than the surface area of the opening in the sample holding well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Youichi Aoki, Masataka Matsuo, Tetsuya Noda
  • Patent number: 10502752
    Abstract: A reaction method includes a reaction step of reacting two or more substances with each other by using a pipette tip, attached to a pipette nozzle, for sucking or discharging a liquid to supply a liquid to a reaction field and remove the liquid from the reaction field a plurality of times. The reaction method further includes: a first process of, prior to the reaction step, detecting an end height of the pipette tip and setting a reference height of the pipette nozzle on the basis of the end height of the pipette tip; and a second process of correcting, in a course of the reaction step, the height of the pipette nozzle from the reference height so as to cancel out variation in the end height of the pipette tip due to a change in the temperature of the pipette tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Noda, Masataka Matsuo, Youichi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20190151841
    Abstract: A liquid contact step including injection of liquid into a flow path using a pipette chip and suction of liquid from the flow channel is performed multiple times, and a predetermined reaction is thereby performed inside the flow channel. In at least one liquid contact step, a first suction is performed in which liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of a liquid injection section are in contact or in close to each other. Meanwhile, in at least one liquid contact step, a second suction is performed in which the liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of the liquid injection section are more separated than in the first suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Atsuo IWASHITA, Youichi AOKI
  • Publication number: 20190091679
    Abstract: A reaction method includes a reaction step of reacting two or more substances with each other by using a pipette tip, attached to a pipette nozzle, for sucking or discharging a liquid to supply a liquid to a reaction field and remove the liquid from the reaction field a plurality of times. The reaction method further includes: a first process of, prior to the reaction step, detecting an end height of the pipette tip and setting a reference height of the pipette nozzle on the basis of the end height of the pipette tip; and a second process of correcting, in a course of the reaction step, the height of the pipette nozzle from the reference height so as to cancel out variation in the end height of the pipette tip due to a change in the temperature of the pipette tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuya NODA, Masataka MATSUO, Youichi AOKI
  • Publication number: 20190039067
    Abstract: Aiming to provide a method capable of reciprocatingly delivering various liquids without bringing air into a microchannel, a detection system and a detection apparatus for implementation of this method. In order to achieve at least one of the above aims, provided is a method of inserting a pipette tip into a liquid injection portion of a detection chip including: the microchannel; the liquid injection portion connected to one end of the microchannel; and a reservoir connected to the other end of the microchannel, injecting and aspirating the liquid by the pipette tip, and reciprocatingly delivering the liquid into the microchannel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Youichi AOKI, Takanori MURAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190033335
    Abstract: A detection chip comprises a flow path and a liquid injection unit connected to one end of the flow path, and by means of a pipette chip inserted into the liquid injection unit of the detection chip, the liquid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated to remove the liquid in the flow path. Subsequently, the pipette chip is made to carry out a reciprocating motion two or more times along the axial direction of the pipette chip, and at least one of those times, the fluid in the liquid injection unit is aspirated by the pipette chip. Subsequently, a liquid is injected from the pipette chip into the liquid injection unit, and the liquid is introduced into the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Youichi AOKI, Atsuo IWASHITA
  • Publication number: 20190033183
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a detection method which can safely recover a remaining sample from a detection device without causing a biological disaster. In order to achieve at least one of these goals, this detection method involves: a sample collection step for collecting a sample from the sample holding well, and transferring the same to a detection chip; a detection step for detecting the detected substance captured in the detection chip by means of a detection unit; and, after the sample collection step, a remaining sample recovery step for collecting the sample remaining in the sample holding well and transferring this to a sample recovery well. At that time, after the remaining sample recovery step, the surface area of the opening in the sample recovery well is smaller than the surface area of the opening in the sample holding well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Youichi AOKI, Masataka MATSUO, Tetsuya NODA
  • Publication number: 20180321270
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing liquid from the interior of a flow channel tip, which enables both to reduce the amount of liquid remaining and prevent the time spent removing the liquid from being longer than necessary. The method comprises: suctioning a liquid within a flow channel, the liquid being suctioned into the interior of a liquid suction implement inserted into a first through-hole of a flow channel tip; and removing the liquid within the flow channel This method comprises: a first suction step for suctioning some of the liquid within the flow channel at a first suction speed; and a second suction step for suctioning the liquid remaining within the flow channel at a second suction speed that is less than the first suction speed, the second suction step being performed in continuation from the first suction step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Atsuo IWASHITA, Youichi AOKI, Koji MIYAZAKI