Author: Takeshi Mori – The F-20 series, the latest table-top pH meter, frees the user from the restraints of conventional cable-linked electrodes because the electrode contains a signal transmitter. Another new concept is the user-oriented handling of function keys, This paper describes the construction and features of the F-20 series, centering on the cordless measuring function, which is this product's most exciting feature. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.8-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Masao Horiba; Chairperson of HORIBA, Ltd.

Author: Atsushi Nakamine; Vice-President, & COO of HORIBA ABX (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Guy de Lanversin; HORIBA ABX – To achieve success, HORIBA ABX has implemented a strategy based on two pronciples; 1) a product will be successful if it answers the needs and concerns of our customers, 2) a product on its own cannot fully respond to customer requirements, and that we must also offer service that is second to none. This is why HORIBA ABX gives top priority to all its customer-oriented teams, focusing on their ability and personal development. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Gwenaelle Collet; HORIBA ABX; Lyonel Junillon; HORIBA ABX; Patrick Iliou; HORIBA ABX – A good man-machine interface is vital for users of medical analysis instruments to work efficiently in an increasingly complex environment, and the needs and work methods of future users must be taken into account in order to create ergonomic and user-friendly software packages. HORIBA ABX has successfully applied these principles in its new generation of products and design and ergonomics are often quoted by customers as being the reason for choosing HORIBA ABX products. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Dr. Jou; Hospital Clinic, hematology laboratory, Barcelona – An evaluation was conducted to compare the leukocyte differential on smears made by the SPS to a manual slide review with 200-cell differential count (reference method). (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Norbert Benattar; BIOPEP – BIOPEP, which joined the HORIBA ABX Group in August 2003, specializes in cutting edge peptidebased technology used principally in hemostasis and having direct applications for the new Pentra 400. Biopep also possesses ultra-modern research facilities and brings to the Group its hi-tech reagent expertise and capacity to develop innovative diagnostic applications. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Shunji Nagao; Souichi Oue; Yasuo Yamao – Automatic Blood Cell and CRP Counter LC-178 CRP has been receiving high commendation from users as a powerful diagnostic tool of inflammatory and infectious diseases. The reputation is based on its unique feature of simultaneously measuring white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and CRP simply and immediately in front of patients, from a blood sample tube installed at a medical examination room. The measurement functions have been added to allow three-part differential of white blood cells, and the LC-178 CRP, newly developed, expanded the measurement range of the CRP in whole blood from 0.2 - 10.0 mg/dL to the double, 0.2 - 20.0 mg/dL with the same usability and speed. This has been realized by the improved version of CRP reagent, and the expectation grows for the even wider range of diagnosis in inflammatory and infectious diseases. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Yoichi Ohmori – Antsense III is a light, compact and portable electrode type blood glucose meter which is capable of measuring the blood glucose concentration with only a small drop of whole blood sample, so simply and quickly. It also ensures reliable measurements in in-situ diagnosis with its advantage of less susceptibility to variations of oxygen partial pressure and hematocrit value, which largely depend on temporal conditions of patients. The above achievements are generated by our ingenious ideas such as the cartridge type blood cell separating membrane with enzyme electrode method, which integrates hydrogen peroxide electrode with glucose oxidase immobilized membrane, and the refreshing mechanism of the hydrogen peroxide electrode and the glucose oxidase immobilized membrane. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

Author: Kazuhiro Miyamura – Palmtop-type blood cell counter with impedance method is our primary design target. The focus is on the development of disposable cartridge-type sensor and sampling part by Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. The disposable cartridge needs no cleaning and eliminates the fear of contamination by other samples. The sensor part is structured by silicon and glass which are bonded together. On the silicon side, we fabricate flow channel, filter, aperture and electrodes using MEMS technology. Since it is a palmtop-type device, the sensor structure is closed, which can cause a serious problem that miscount of blood cells occurs due to the bubbles generated by electrolysis at electrodes. We solved the problem by changing the positions of flow channel and electrodes, and achieved a progress in developing the palmtop-type blood cell counter. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)

On 26 May 2004, HORIBA, Ltd. was awarded for inventing An Immunoassay Method for Use with Whole Blood Sample at the National Commendation for Invention at the Hotel Okura Tokyo. On this occasion of the 100th anniversary of the event, the presence of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation s foundation, together with our Majesties the Emperor and Empress as well as our Prime Minister Koizumi made this 100th anniversary ceremony and the National Commendation for Invention a spectacular and unforgettable celebration. In this memorable ceremony, HORIBA, Ltd. received its first the Prize of the President of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association for developing the method as well as the Prize for the Person of Merit for the Invention. We would like to express our appreciation for the support and cooperation of the affiliate companies that have surely contributed to the great accomplishments of HORIBA, Ltd. (Same content in Japanese is in Readout No.29-Japanese edition-.)