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Our Award-Winning Inventions

(1) "The Encouragement Prize of the President of Japan Patent Attorneys Association"

Invention: Method for Monitoring Suction of Liquid Sample (Patent Number: 4593404)

  This invention is for a method for monitoring suction of blood and other samples used in XN-Series and XS-Series fully automated hematology analyzers.
  The invention involves the development of a suction monitoring method that enables the extraction of a minimal amount of liquid sample for analysis. First, a predetermined amount of the liquid sample is drawn from the blood collection tube into the piercer. Next, suction monitoring specimen (1) is discharged into the mixing chamber, and a turbidity sensor is used to measure the sample mixed with the diluent. The blood sample for measurement (2) is then used to determine blood sample constituents, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and hemoglobin. Finally, the turbidity of suction monitoring specimen (3) is measured in the same manner as suction monitoring specimen (1). Based on the measurement results of suction monitoring specimens (1) and (3), the prescribed volume of blood is judged to have been suctioned as the blood sample for measurement (2), which is situated between the other two specimens.

  As a result of this invention, the volumes of blood and other samples used for analysis are less than would be required using a conventional sampling valve, enabling a smaller sample to be taken for analysis. This reduces the burden of patients.

  This technology, which is used in Sysmex's mainstay fully automated hematology analyzers (XN-Series and XS-Series) is highly regarded by customers throughout the world.

  This invention has also received "The Distinguished Service Prize for Employment of Invention", which is given to the representatives of companies recognized for their outstanding achievements in practical applications.

 (2) "The Encouragement Prize for Invention"

Invention: Direct Nucleic Acid Amplification Method (Patent Number: 4471659)

  This invention relates to a method that enables simple and quick gene detection employing the RD-100i gene amplification detector and related reagents.

  In early-stage breast cancer operations, lymph node metastasis is diagnosed by pathological examination employing microscopes, thereby determining the extent of lymph node removal that is required during surgery. A 2mm-wide slice of excised lymph node is taken, and the section is observed under a microscope, but this process must be conducted within about 30 minutes, and no time is available for observing multiple sections. Consequently, false-negative cases sometimes occurred in the past. By employing a gene detection method such as PCR, the entire lymph node can be examined, but extracting and purifying the genes is time-consuming. This cumbersome process also requires a special facility and highly trained technologists. Consequently, conducting such testing during surgery in general laboratories is typically problematic.

  Rather than extracting and purifying genes from lymph nodes, this invention employs the direct nucleic acid amplification method. This invention makes possible, for the first time in the world¹, the application of automated gene detection to the rapid intra-operative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis.

  This avoids the need for secondary surgery, consequently reducing the burden on patients. Furthermore, automating and simplifying testing helps to reduce dependence on the proficiency of pathologists, increases the objectivity of test results and reduces the workload of pathologists.

  Widely recognized as "OSNA^®2" by medical professionals and academic societies, the gene amplification detector employed in this invention has been introduced at numerous hospitals and cancer centers in Japan, Europe and other regions.

1 Based on Sysmex's research

2 "OSNA^®" is an acronym for One Step Nucleic Acid Amplification, and a Sysmex registered trademark. "OSNA^®" is a proprietary method developed by Sysmex that uses a solubilizing agent to enable direct amplification of distinguishing genetic information (mRNA) of lymphatic cancer, without the necessity of first extracting it from lymph node tissue samples.

Invention: Sample Analyzer (Patent Number: 4805710)

  This invention relates to a sample analyzer used to analyze constituents of patient urine samples to further the determination of disease and location of abnormalities.

  A flow cytometer is an instrument used to analyze formed elements in urine. After measuring samples, sample analyzers employing flow cytometers use cleaning solutions such as reagents and diluents to clean the entire testing channel, to prevent carryover to later tests and ensure reliable measurement accuracy. However, amounts of solution are insufficient for cleaning away highly concentrated samples-with bacteria concentrations at tens of thousands of times normal values-in the same amount of time and with the same amount of liquid as for normal samples. This can result in carryover to following tests and preclude accurate measurement values.

  To increase the speed of analysis, this sample analyzer is designed so that multiple consecutive processes overlap; testing on a second sample commences even while processing a urine sample for which measurement began earlier is still underway. In the event that measurement results show that bacteria levels exceed a prescribed level, the carryover of substances from measuring the first urine sample can be inferred, so the entire testing channel is cleaned again and the second urine sample is re-measured. This arrangement prevents an abnormality being mistakenly determined due to a high value on what is actually a normal urine sample, ensuring reliable measurement accuracy and increasing analysis speed.

  The technology in this invention is employed in the UX-2000 automated integrated urine analyzer and UF-1000i and UF-500i fully automated urine analyzers.

Invention: Reagent for Measuring White Blood Cell and Hemoglobin Concentration  (Patent Number: 3830613)

  This invention involves a reagent without cyanide for measuring the number of white blood cells and hemoglobin concentration consistently despite changes in reaction temperature.

  Measuring the number of white blood cells and hemoglobin concentration in the blood is extremely important in the clinical diagnosis of leukemia, infectious diseases and anemia, as well as in the monitoring of treatment processes. Conventionally, reagents for measuring hemoglobin concentration have included cyanide, which is toxic, so reagents and post-measurement samples needed to be detoxified prior to disposal. Although reagents for simultaneously measuring hemoglobin concentration and white blood cell counts without using cyanide were available, changes in reaction temperatures caused hemoglobin concentrations to fluctuate significantly.

  This reagent allows white blood counts and hemoglobin concentration to be measured at the same time, without using cyanide and enabling consistent measurement despite changes in reaction temperature. Consequently, no special operations are required for processing waste liquids or maintaining temperatures, which dramatically improves application in fully automated hematology analyzers.

  The technology in this invention is used in reagents for automated hematology analyzers (Stromatolyser-WH and pocH-pack L).

History of Local Commendation for Invention of Kinki Awards Received (Past Five Years)

• 2011 Local Commendation for Invention of Kinki
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Quality Control Method Used in a Control Device,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Method for Cleaning Dispensing Pipette of Automated Analyzer,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Sheath Flow Forming Apparatus,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Particle Analyzer and Automated Particle Analysis Method
• 2010 Local Commendation for Invention of Kinki
  "The Encouragement Prize of the Commissioner of Japan Patent Office:" White Blood Cell Classification and Counting Method
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Sample Preparation Solution for Immunochromatography,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Fluid Suction Device,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Coagulation Analyzer
• 2009 Local Commendation for Invention of Kinki
  "The Prize of the Director-General of Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry:" Reagent for Analyzing Formed Elements in Urine,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Image Filing System,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention" Reagent for Measuring Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Antiphospholipid Antibody Measuring Method,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Blood Analyzer
• 2008 Local Commendation for Invention of Kinki
  "The Encouragement Prize of the Commissioner of Japan Patent Office:" HCV Reagent,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Particle Image Analyzer,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention" Reagent and Method for Erythroblast Classification and Counting,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Automatic Slide Preparation Apparatus
• 2007 Local Commendation for Invention of Kinki
  "The Prize of the Honorary Director of Hyogo Branch of HATSUMEI KYOKAI:" Sample Analyzer Capable of Automatically Retesting Sample,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Urinary Erythrocyte Differentiation Instrument and Method,
  "The Encouragement Prize for Invention:" Automated Analytical System for Animals