Sumitomo Electric Industries, Limited

Kunio Awazu

Masahiko Kanda

Hiroshi Suganuma

Akira Inoue

Koichi Tsuno

Hitoshi Hatayama

Mitsuru Nishikawa

Shinichi Ohkawa

Toshihiro Kushibiki

Akira Yokohama Works Of Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd Inoue

Hitoshi Yokohama Works Of Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd Hatayama

Hiroshi Tokyo Head Office Of Sumitomo Electr Ind Ltd Suganuma

The invention offers a technique that selectively differentiation-induces mesenchymal stem cells, which can differentiate to cells that constitute various tissues and organs, to osteoblasts. In addition, the invention offers a technique that differentiation-induces mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts with a simple operation that needs only short time and that is noninvasive. The inventors have found that the switch for the differentiation induction to osteoblasts is turned on by translocating biological clock-relevant factors existing in mesenchymal stem cells from the cells' cytoplasm to the cells' nucleus. The inventors have also found that the switch can be turned on by irradiating the cells for a short time with a lightwave having a specific wavelength that is noninvasive.

Method of differentiation induction to osteoblasts

A liver function testing apparatus, provides light signals (11, 12) exposing vital tissue (15) to a first light signal that is substantially absorbed by a specific dye dosed into the blood of the vital tissue. The dye is to be taken in and removed by the liver. A second light signal is substantially not absorbed by the specific dye. Optical pulses obtained from the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13), the output of which is sampled by an A-D converter (30) to provide digital output signals. On the basis of variable components in the blood, a CPU (34) determines a coefficient of a regression line expression between first and second photoelectric conversion signals, to perform a biocalibration. A value correlated with a specific dye concentration in the blood, is processed on the basis of sampling signals during a prescribed period after an injection of the specific dye and the determined coefficient of the regression line expression, so that a coefficient of a simulation function is obtained as a function of time using the method of least squares. Additionally, an index RMAX expressing the total amount of hepatic cell function is obtained on the basis of the coefficients.

Liver function testing apparatus

In a liver function testing apparatus, light sources (11, 12) expose vital tissue (15) to first light of a wavelength capable of being absorbed by a specific dye dosed into blood of the vital tissue to be taken in and removed by the liver, and second light of a wavelength not capable of being absorbed by the specific dye. Optical pulses obtained from the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13), the output of which is sampled by an A/D converter (30) for converting the analog output signals into digital signals. A biocalibration is preformed on the basis of variable components in the blood. For this purpose a CPU (34) determines coefficients for first and second regression line expressions before and after an injection of the specific dye. The coefficients are provided by first and second photoelectric conversion signals. A value correlated with a specific dye concentration in the blood is processed on the basis of sampling signals during a prescribed period after injecton of the specific dye to provide the coefficients for the regression line expressions. The obtained coefficients are processed by using the method of least squares for obtaining a blood plasma disappearance rate of the specific dye and a retention rate for a prescribed length of time following an injection.

A bio-photosensor used to examine the function of various organs of a human body or the like. It has a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) formed with an electric circuit, a light emitter and a light receptor mounted on the FPC and connected to an electric cable through the electric circuit, and a fixing tape adapted to be put on the FPC applied to a finger or the like to fix it in position. In order to support the emitter and the receptor, a strip of flexible film is used. It can be fitted on the finger comfortably. Pairs of sensors are provided around the light receptor to check if the receptor is put in an exactly opposite position to the emitter when the bio-photosensor is put on the finger. The FPC is provided with a mark at such a position that the emitter and the receptor will be opposed to each other when the bio-photosensor is applied to the finger with the mark in contact with the finger tip.

Bio-photosensor

Liver function testing apparatus and method

An optical cable of the present invention comprises: an optical fiber sensor, the optical fiber sensor having an optical fiber having an external circumferential wall portion and a flexible coating film covering the external circumferential wall portion; and a tube member with a good flexibility, the tube member having an axis and an internal circumferential wall portion and receiving the optical fiber sensor along the axis such that the coating film faces the internal circumferential wall portion of the tube member, the tube member having a portion where the axis is bent; wherein fluid is sealed in between the coating film and the internal circumferential wall portion of the tube member with its pressure being changeable.

Optical cable with bending mechanism

A fiberscope having a covering tube, an image fiber for transmitting picture images and equipped with an optical system at its tip end for focusing an image of an object to be observed, and light guides for transmitting light and placed along with said image fiber. The image fiber and the light guides are enclosed in said covering tube. A plastic body formed of substantially transparent material and convex shape is provided at front ends of the light guides. Liquid guide passages are also provided between an inner peripheral surface of the covering tube and outer peripheral surfaces of the image fiber and the light guides. Outlet ends of the light guides are arranged in positions substantially symmetrical with respect to an output end of the image fiber, and outlet ends of the liquid guide passages are arranged in positions substantially symmetrical with respect to the outlet end of the image fiber.

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Osaka, Japan

Kunio Awazu