Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi-high-technologies Corporation

Ryuji Tao

Kyoko Imai

Shigeki Matsubara

Hiroyasu Uchida

Isamu Takekoshi

Atsushi Katayama

Mitsuru Oonuma

Isao Yamazaki

Satoshi Takahashi

Katsuaki Takahashi

Kazumichi Imai

Muneo Maeshima

Atsushi Ninomiya

Toshiro Saito

Isao Shindo

Koshin Hamasaki

Atushi Ninomiya

Kyoichi Ozawa

Masato Ishizawa

Akira Inagaki

Mitsuru Ohnuma

Yasuaki Komiyama

Osamu Ohno

Yoshio Taichi

Yasushi Niiyama

A convenient method for nucleic acid analysis is provided, which enables 1000 or more types of nucleic acid to be analyzed collectively with high comprehensiveness and with a dynamic range of at least four digits. In particular, provided is a very effective analytical method especially for untranslated RNAs and microRNAs, of which the types of target nucleic acids is 10000 or lower. Nucleic acids can be analyzed conveniently and rapidly with high comprehensiveness and quantitative performance at single-molecule sensitivity and resolution by following the steps of: preparing a group of target nucleic acid fragments one molecule at a time and hybridizing the nucleic acid molecules, which have known base sequences and have been labeled with the fluorescence substances, with the group of the target nucleic acid fragments to detect the fluorescence substances labeling the hybridized nucleic acid molecules.

Method and apparatus for nucleic acid analysis

The method for analyzing biomolecules, includes the steps of: immobilizing biomolecules to be analyzed on surfaces of magnetic microparticles; reacting labeled probe molecules with the biomolecules to be analyzed; collecting and immobilizing the microparticles on a support substrate; and measuring a label on the support substrate. Since single-molecule immobilized magnetic microparticles are used in the present invention, the number of biomolecules can be counted, and since hybridization and an antigen-antibody reaction are performed with the microparticles having biomolecules immobilized thereon dispersed, the reaction can be rapidly performed. Further, the type and the abundance of biomolecules of interest can be determined at a single molecular level, so as to evaluate, in particular, the absolute concentration of biomolecules.

Method for analyzing biomolecules and biomolecule analyzer

An automatic analyzer according to the present invention is compact, mounting great number of reagents, having high processing ability. Reagent disks are arranged at inside and outside of a reaction disk. A reagent probe can inject a reagent into the position which is common position of both reagent disks. One of plural reagent probes approaches to one of reagent disks at one cycle. Plural reagent probes alternatively approach to the reagent disk. Therefore, the first reagents and the second reagents can be placed on both reagent disks. The mounting number of reagents can be increased without enlarging an analyzer. The cycle time can be shortened to make an automatic analyzer to have high processing ability.

Automatic analyzer

Sample sampling to an analysis apparatusorfor analyzing a biochemical analysis item is performed by a pipetting deviceorwhich uses a repetitively used pipette nozzle, and sample sampling to an analysis apparatusorfor analyzing an immune analysis item is performed by a pipetting deviceorwhich uses a disposable nozzle tip. A sample bottle containing a sample to be analyzed on both of a biochemical analysis item and an immune analysis item is sample-pipetted by the nozzle tip first, and then transported so as to be sample-pipetted by the pipette nozzle.

Handling method of body fluid sample and analysis apparatus using the same

An automatic analysis apparatus, in which analysis results of immunoassay analysis items are not influenced by carry-overs between samples even when the same sample container is conveyed both to a biochemical analysis unit and an immunoassay analysis unit to permit sample dispensing. The immunoassay and biochemical analysis units are arranged along a rack conveyor. A carry-over avoidance level is set on a screen every analysis item before start of an analyzing operation. When a sample given an instruction to analyze only analysis items having low carry-over avoidance levels is to be dispensed in the biochemical analysis unit, a dispenser nozzle is subjected to ordinary cleaning by water. When a sample given an instruction to analyze analysis items having high carry-over avoidance levels is to be dispensed in the biochemical analysis unit, a dispenser nozzle is cleaned with a detergent solution and water.

Automatic analysis apparatus

A method for handling specific sample solutions for calibration and quality control by an automatic analytical apparatus in which a sample rack to hold calibrator bottles for required analysis items is set on a rack supply unit by an operator. Identification information of all calibrator bottles on the rack is read out, and data on corresponding calibrator samples are also stored. The operator enters analysis items to be measured, and a measuring channel to be used for calibration. Comparison is made between the planned number of requested calibrations and the number of permissible services to determine whether or not calibrator solution is sufficient. If it is determined to be insufficient, the required number of bottles are displayed according to the difference between the number of permissible services and the number of requests, thereby allowing the operator to add the required number of calibrator bottles. Pressing the analysis start button allows the rack holding the calibrator to be moved to the analysis unit, thereby permitting calibration to be performed.

Specific solution handling method for calibration and quality control by automatic analytical apparatus

An automatic analysis apparatus with a liquid level detection function includes a pipetting device for pipetting a liquid sample from a sample cup to a reaction container by using a pipetting probe that serves as a first capacitor electrode. A sample cup holding means serves as a second capacitor electrode having a ground potential. The conductor material is arranged along a direction in which the pipetting probe moves down for pipetting and is separate from the pipetting device. The conductor material has the same ground potential as that of the sample cup holding means and also serves as a second electrode whereby at any one time either of the sample cup holding means and the conductive material serves as a second capacitor electrode in combination with the first capacitor electrode. An a electrical detector is provided for detecting a change of electrode static capacitance between the pipetting probe and the sample cup holding means and between the pipetting probe and the conductive material as of level detection of the liquid sample. Measurement means are also provided for measuring an ingredient of the reaction container.

Automatic analysis apparatus with liquid level detection function

Sample sampling to an analysis apparatus,or,for analyzing a biochemical analysis item is performed by a pipetting device,or,which uses a repetitively used pipette nozzle, and sample sampling to an analysis apparatus,or,for analyzing an immune analysis item is performed by a pipetting device,or,which uses a disposable nozzle tip. A sample bottle containing a sample to be analyzed on both of a biochemical analysis item and an immune analysis item is sample-pipetted by the nozzle tip first, and then transported so as to be sample-pipetted by the pipette nozzle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a small and compact analytical apparatus. An input/output device for directing the analytical apparatus and displaying analytical results and operation conditions is detachably provided on a body of the apparatus. Since the input/output device can be fixed to an upper position of the body, the apparatus saves space and can be placed on a desk. The analytical apparatus includes a sample disk and a reagent disk. The diameter of the reagent disk is greater than that of the sample disk, and both disks are arranged at the front of the apparatus so that the center of the sample disk is nearer the operator side than the center of the reagent disk. Therefore, the whole arrangement is compact, and the apparatus itself is compact.

Apparatus for automatically analyzing sample

Magnetic particles are used as the solid phase to carry out immunoassay. In a reaction vessel, the magnetic particles are mixed with a sample containing TSH as an analyte and a labeled antibody. A chemiluminescent label material is bound onto the magnetic particles with an immunoreaction. A fluid including the above mixture is introduced to a chamber inside a flow through cell, the chamber being sized to have a width greater than a depth. The magnetic particles in the fluid are trapped by a magnet so as to be spread in the planar form over a predetermined area within the chamber, while useless materials are discharged outwardly of the chamber. The chamber is then filled with a buffer solution containing an attractant. By applying a voltage to electrodes disposed in the chamber, the label material on the magnetic particles is excited to emit an electro-chemiluminescence. The luminescence is detected by a photomultiplier.

Immunoassay method and analyzer using magnetic particles

Immunity analyzer

An analyzing apparatus has a transfer device having a movable gripper, a pipetting device having a movable nozzle and a measuring unit. One of a plurality of tips arranged on a tip rack and one of a plurality of vessels arranged on a vessel rack are held by the gripper to be set in a tip holder. A nozzle pushes the tip on the tip holder to connect to the tip. A sample and reagents are delivered into a vessel on the tip holder by the tip connected to the nozzle. The used tip is detached from the nozzle. The vessel containing a reaction mixture is transferred to a sucking position with the gripper after incubation, and the reaction mixture is introduced into the measuring unit. The used vessel is transferred to a waste box with the gripper.

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Hitachinaka, Japan

Ryuji Tao