Sysmex Wins Awards in 2016 Kinki Local Commendations for Inventions
Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; Chairman and CEO: Hisashi Ietsugu) received several awards at the 2016 Kinki1 Local Commendations for Inventions, sponsored by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. Local commendations for inventions, which are awarded to inventors who create superior technologies and designs, have a history dating back to 1921.
In accordance with our mission, “Shaping the advancement of healthcare,” as set out in the corporate philosophy of the Sysmex Group, we work to develop new technologies for the higher-value-added products and services we provide to patients and customers.
In recognition of these efforts, in the 2016 Kinki Local Commendation for Inventions, Sysmex received the “Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize” for one invention and “The Encouragement Prize for Inventions” for three inventions. The “Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize,” received this year, is recognized as the most prestigious in the Kinki Local Commendation for Inventions.
Going forward, Sysmex aims to reduce the burden on patients and contribute to increases in the quality of testing. At the same time, we aim to develop superior technologies that instill customers with confidence.
Our Award-Winning Inventions
(1) Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize
Submitted Invention: Rapid, High-Precision Platelet Measurement Method (Patent Registration Number: 4659122)
This invention relates to a platelet measurement method for measuring platelets in blood. In general, fewer than 10,000 platelets per microliter of blood points to serious blood loss, necessitating transfusion. However, with conventional methods, accurately determining platelet numbers from samples with fewer platelets was problematic.
This invention uses a platelet measurement reagent containing Nile blue dye, whose counter ions are hydrogen sulfate, to stain the platelets. The stained platelets are then detected using scattered light and fluorescent light, enabling the platelets present in a sample, even in small numbers, to be counted quickly and with a high degree of precision. This allows decisions to be made as to whether a transfusion is necessary and if so, the appropriate transfusion amount. This approach reduces preventative overdosing of platelet transfusions, thereby lowering healthcare spending as well as the risk of secondary infectious disease stemming from transfusion.
This invention is used in one of Sysmex’s mainstay products, the XN-Series multiparameter automated hematology analyzer, and in Fluorocell PLT, the dedicated reagent for this analyzer. This invention also received the “Invention Implementation Achievement Award,” which is given to the representatives of companies recognized for their outstanding achievements in practical applications.
(2) The Encouragement Prize for Inventions
1) Submitted Invention: Analyzer for Managing Calibration Curves by Assigning IDs (Patent Number: 4969292)
This invention relates to an analyzer that assigns an ID to the calibration curve of a standard specimen to be measured in advance, and associates and manages the ID for the calibration curve of the test specimen and test results of a specimen. If test results are abnormal, this invention enables operators to revert to the calibration curve and investigate the cause of the abnormality, leading to enhanced test quality. Also, as both the calibration curve and ID are recorded, even if it is not possible to use the most recent calibration curve, a calibration curve employed in the past can be used again.
This invention is used with the HISCL-2000i, HISCL-5000 and HISCL-800 automated immunoassay systems.
2) Submitted Invention: Management Method for Predicting the Malfunction of Clinical Testing Instruments (Patent Number: 5735852)
This invention relates to a method for predicting malfunction by monitoring the operational information of pneumatic units used in clinical testing instruments. This invention predicts the time to repair or replace clinical testing instruments’ pneumatic units, facilitating preventive maintenance of instruments prior to malfunction. As a result, this invention helps to prevent clinical labs’ testing operations from being hindered by a sudden instrument malfunction.
This invention uses the SNCS (Sysmex Network Communication Systems)2 service.
3) Submitted Invention: Mutant Dockerin Polypeptide (Patent Number: 5307716)
This invention relates to mutant dockerin polypeptide that can be used to purify recombinant fusion proteins expressed when recombinant genes are introduced into the cells of plants and animals, yeast and bacteria. This invention enables a variety of recombinant fusion proteins to be purified in a short time without degrading activity.
This invention is used in the ProCube protein production service.
History of Kinki Local Commendations for Innovation Awards Received (Past Five Years)
- 2015 Kinki Local Commendations for Inventions
“The Encouragement Prize of the Commissioner of Japan Patent Office”: Sample Analyzer
“The Encouragement Prize for Inventions”: Bacteria Detection Method and Reagent
“The Encouragement Prize for Inventions”: Flow Cytometer
“The Encouragement Prize for Inventions”: Hematology Analyzer - 2014 Kinki Local Commendations for Inventions
“Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Analyzer
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: System for Using 3D Motion Imaging to Display Operating Procedures
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Automatic Pipette Tip Supplier
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Amplification Inhibitor Detection Method Used in Nucleic Acid Amplification Analysis - 2013 Kinki Local Commendations for Inventions
“Chairman’s Prize from the Hyogo Institute of Invention and Innovation”: Blood Coagulation Analyzer
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Reagent for Measuring D-dimer Using Monoclonal Antibodies
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Sampling Analyzer and Method for Promoting Standardized Reagents
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Microscope and Auto Focusing Method for a Microscope - 2012 Kinki Local Commendations for Inventions
“The Encouragement Prize of the President of Japan Patent Attorneys Association”: Method for Monitoring Suction of Liquid Sample
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Direct Nucleic Acid Amplification Method
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Sample Analyzer
“The Encouragement Prize for Invention”: Reagent for Measuring White Blood Cell and Hemoglobin Concentration - 2011 Kinki Local Commendations for Inventions
“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
Terminology
- Kinki: Region’s name of Midwest Japan.
- SNCS: An abbreviation for Sysmex Network Communication Systems, SNCS is an online support service that connects to the Sysmex Customer Support Center and customers’ instruments via the Internet to provide real-time external quality control and scientific information and monitor instrument conditions.
Information contained in the press release is current as of the date of the announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.