Abstract: In a biological sample analyzing apparatus and method, an assay sample is prepared by mixing a reagent with a biological sample which may contain assay material. Then, a first information relating to the assay material is collected from the assay sample, and when the first information satisfies predetermined condition, the assay material is analyzed based on the first information. However, when the first information does not satisfy the predetermined condition, a second information related to the assay material is collected from the assay sample, and the assay material is analyzed based on the second information.

Abstract: A method for classifying and counting leukocytes, which comprises steps of: staining cells in a sample obtained from a hematological sample by treatment with a hemolytic agent, with a fluorescent dye; introducing the sample containing the stained cells into a flow cytometer to measure first scattered light, second scattered light different from the first scattered light and fluorescence of the respective cells; obtaining scattered light peak intensities and scattered light widths of the respective cells based on the measured first scattered light, obtaining scattered light intensities of the respective cells based on the measured second scattered light, and obtaining fluorescence intensities of the respective cells based on the measured fluorescence light; classifying the cells into a first group and a second group based on the scattered light peak intensities and the scattered light widths, the first group including leukocytes and second group including platelet clumps; classifying the leukocytes included in

Abstract: There is provided a method for classifying and counting leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount, which comprises: (1) a step of staining cells in a sample obtained from a hematological sample by treatment with a hemolytic agent to lyse erythrocytes, with a fluorescent dye which can make a difference in the fluorescence intensity at least among mature leukocytes, leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount and immature leukocytes; (2) a step of introducing the sample containing the stained cells into a flow cytometer to measure scattered light and fluorescence of the respective cells; (3) a step of classifying leukocytes and coincidence cells/platelet clumps utilizing a difference in the intensity of a scattered light peak and a difference in the scattered light width; (4) a step of classifying and counting mature leukocytes, leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount and immature leukocytes, utilizing a difference in the scattered light intensity and a difference in the fluorescence intensity of leukocytes classified in the

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: In a biological sample analyzing apparatus and method, an assay sample is prepared by mixing a reagent with a biological sample which may contain assay material. Then, a first information relating to the assay material is collected from the assay sample, and when the first information satisfies predetermined condition, the assay material is analyzed based on the first information. However, when the first information does not satisfy the predetermined condition, a second information related to the assay material is collected from the assay sample, and the assay material is analyzed based on the second information.

Abstract: There is provided a method for classifying and counting leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount, which comprises: (1) a step of staining cells in a sample obtained from a hematological sample by treatment with a hemolytic agent to lyse erythrocytes, with a fluorescent dye which can make a difference in the fluorescence intensity at least among mature leukocytes, leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount and immature leukocytes; (2) a step of introducing the sample containing the stained cells into a flow cytometer to measure scattered light and fluorescence of the respective cells; (3) a step of classifying leukocytes and coincidence cells/platelet clumps utilizing a difference in the intensity of a scattered light peak and a difference in the scattered light width; (4) a step of classifying and counting mature leukocytes, leukocytes with abnormal DNA amount and immature leukocytes, utilizing a difference in the scattered light intensity and a difference in the fluorescence intensity of leukocytes classified in the ste

Abstract: Assuming that a distance between an upper shield layer and a lower shield layer in an area, which overlaps only a first electrode layer, but does not overlap a second electrode layer, is G1s, and a distance between the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer at a position in alignment with a center of a multilayered film is G1c, a difference in value between G1s and G1c is set to be not larger than a predetermined value, whereby an effective track (read) width can be reduced.

Abstract: A production method for a spin-valve type magnetoresistive element comprising laminating an antiferromagnetic layer, a pinned magnetic layer, a non-magnetic electrically conductive layer, a free magnetic layer, and a second antiferromagnetic layer. The second antiferromagnetic layer is located on the free magnetic layer and orients the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer. In this method, a first thermal treatment is performed at a first temperature of ordering a crystal structure of the first antiferromagnetic layer or at a second temperature lower than a second blocking temperature of the second antiferromagnetic layer. After the first thermal treatment, a second thermal treatment is performed at a third temperature lower than a first blocking temperature of the first antiferromagnetic layer but higher than said second blocking temperature of the second antiferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A second antiferromagnetic layer formed on a free magnetic layer has a blocking temperature lower than that of a first antiferromagnetic layer. The exchange anisotropic magnetic field between the free magnetic layer and the second antiferromagnetic layer is smaller than the exchange anisotropic magnetic field between the first antiferromagnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer. By applying an annealing treatment utilizing the blocking temperature difference between the first and second antiferromagnetic layers, the magnetization direction and the strength of the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer can be controlled appropriately.

Abstract: Assuming that a distance between an upper shield layer and a lower shield layer in an area, which overlaps only a first electrode layer, but does not overlap a second electrode layer, is G1s, and a distance between the upper shield layer and the lower shield layer at a position in alignment with a center of a multilayered film is G1c, a difference in value between G1s and G1c is set to be not larger than a predetermined value, whereby an effective track (read) width can be reduced.

Abstract: A second antiferromagnetic layer formed on a free magnetic layer has a blocking temperature lower than that of a first antiferromagnetic layer. The exchange anisotropic magnetic field between the free magnetic layer and the second antiferromagnetic layer is smaller than the exchange anisotropic magnetic field between the first antiferromagnetic layer and the pinned magnetic layer. By applying an annealing treatment utilizing the blocking temperature difference between the first and second antiferromagnetic layers, the magnetization direction and the strength of the pinned magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer can be controlled appropriately.

Abstract: A spin-valve type thin film element includes an antiferromagnetic layer; a fixed magnetic layer formed so as to be in contact with the antiferromagnetic layer, the magnetization direction of the fixed magnetic layer being fixed by the exchange anisotropic magnetic field between the fixed magnetic layer and the antiferromagnetic layer; a free magnetic layer formed on the fixed magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic conductive layer therebetween; a bias layer for setting the magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer in the direction perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the fixed magnetic layer; and a conductive layer for applying a sensing current into the fixed magnetic layer, the nonmagnetic conductive layer, and the free magnetic layer. The magnetization of the fixed magnetic layer in the central region is fixed in the height direction, and the magnetization of the fixed magnetic layer in the end regions is fixed in the direction inclined in relation to the height direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a magnetoresistive element in which a laminate including a free ferromagnetic layer in which at least magnetization is freely rotated according to an external magnetic field, a non-magnetic layer, and a pinned ferromagnetic layer in which reversal of magnetization is pinned is formed, and is heat-treated for setting different directions of the easy axis of magnetization of the free ferromagnetic layer and the pinned ferromagnetic layer under different conditions. In the heat treatment, first annealing is performed at the predetermined temperature in a magnetic field applied in a first direction, and second annealing is performed in a magnetic field applied in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction so that the easy axis of magnetization of the free ferromagnetic layer is substantially perpendicular to that of the pinned ferromagnetic layer.