Implement and device for analysis

• US 20040173458A1
• Filed: 01/09/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Original Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Inventors: Katsuki, Koji, Kado, Kotaro, Noda, Norimasa
• Granted Patent: US 7,351,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/452
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3272 Test elements therefor, i.e. disposable laminated substrates with electrodes, reagent and channels optical biosensors G01N33/52

Abstract

The present invention relates to an analyzing implement (1) having a capillary for movement of a specimen liquid. The capillary has inner surfaces (21c, 32c) provided with a first and a second opposed electrodes opposed to each other. The implement (1) includes, for example, a substrate (20), a cover (40) and a spacer (30) between the substrate (20) and the cover (40). In this case, the capillary is provided by the substrate (20), the cover (40) and the spacer (30). Preferably, capillary forming surfaces (31c, 32c) of the spacer (30) are electrically conductive, in which case the surfaces (31c, 32c) provide the first and the second electrodes.

Claims

1. An analyzing implement including a capillary for movement of a specimen liquid,

wherein the capillary has an inner surface provided with a first and a second opposed electrodes opposed to each other.

2. The analyzing implement according to claim 1, comprising a substrate, a cover covering the substrate, and a spacer between the substrate and the cover,

wherein the capillary is formed by the substrate, the cover and the spacer,

surfaces of the spacer forming the capillary being electrically conductive and providing the first and the second opposed electrodes.

3. The analyzing implement according to claim 2, wherein the spacer includes two blocks opposed to each other,

the two blocks being formed entirely of an electrically conductive material.

4. The analyzing implement according to claim 3, wherein the two blocks are formed of an electrically insulating resin containing an electrically conductive polymer or an electrically conductive filler.

5. The analyzing implement according to claim 3, wherein each of the two blocks has a rectangular cross section defined by an upper surface, a lower surface and two side surfaces,

the upper surfaces and the lower surfaces being adhesive, the cover being bonded to the substrate via the two blocks.

6. The analyzing implement according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second opposed electrodes are for measurement of a dielectric constant, a resistance value or a physical quantity correlating to electrical conductivity of the specimen liquid.

7. The analyzing implement according to claim 6, further comprising a first and a second electrodes for measurement of a physical quantity correlating to concentration of a specific component of the specimen liquid.

8. The analyzing implement according to claim 7, further comprising a first lead electrically connected to the first opposed electrode and to the first electrode, and a second lead connected to the second opposed electrode and to the second electrode.

9. The analyzing implement according to claim 8, comprising a substrate, a cover covering the substrate, a spacer between the substrate and the cover, and a first through a fourth leads formed on the substrate, wherein

the capillary being formed by the substrate, the cover and the spacer,

surfaces of the spacer forming the capillary being electrically conductive and providing the first and the second opposed electrodes,

the spacer being bonded to the substrate via an insulating layer,

the first and the second electrodes being formed on the substrate and electrically connected to the first and the second leads respectively,

the first and the second opposed electrodes being electrically connected to the third and the fourth leads respectively, via through holes formed in the insulating layer.

10. The analyzing implement according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second opposed electrodes serve in measurement of a responding current value correlating to concentration of a specific component in the specimen liquid.

11. The analyzing implement according to claim 10, comprising a substrate, a cover covering the substrate, a spacer between the substrate and the cover, and a first and a second leads formed on the substrate, wherein

the capillary being formed by the substrate, the cover and the spacer,

surfaces of the spacer forming the capillary being electrically conductive and providing the first and the second opposed electrodes,

the spacer being bonded to the substrate via an insulating layer,

the first and the second opposed electrodes being electrically connected to the first and the second leads respectively, via through holes formed in the insulating layer.

12. An analyzing device which uses an analyzing implement, for measurement of concentration of a specific component in the specimen liquid,

the analyzing implement including:

a capillary for movement of the specimen liquid;

a first and a second opposed electrodes opposed to each other in an inner surface of the capillary for measurement of a first physical quantity correlating to dielectric constant, resistance value or electric conductivity of the specimen liquid; and

a first and a second electrodes for measurement of a second physical quantity correlating to concentration of a specific component in the specimen liquid;

the analyzing device comprising;

DC voltage applying means for applying a DC voltage between the first and the second electrodes;

AC voltage applying means for applying an AC voltage between the first and the second opposed electrodes;

first measuring means for measuring the first physical quantity;

second measuring means for measuring the second physical quantity; and

calculating means for calculating a concentration level of a specific component in the specimen liquid based on the first physical quantity measured by the first measuring means.

13. The analyzing device according to claim 12, wherein the calculating means calculates the concentration level of the specific component in the specimen liquid while taking into account the second physical quantity measured by the second measuring means.

14. The analyzing device according to claim 12, further comprising switching means for selecting between a first state in which the AC voltage applying means and the first measuring means are electrically connected to the first and the second opposed electrodes and a second state in which the DC voltage applying means and the second measuring means are electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes.

15. An analyzing device which uses an analyzing implement, for measurement of concentration of a specific component in the specimen liquid,

the analyzing implement including:

a capillary for movement of the specimen liquid;

a first and a second opposed electrodes opposed to each other in an inner surface of the capillary;

the first and the second opposed electrodes serving in measurement of a first physical quantity correlating to dielectric constant, resistance value or electric conductivity of the specimen liquid and in measurement in a second physical quantity correlating to concentration of a specific component in the specimen liquid;

the analyzing device comprising;

DC voltage applying means for applying a DC voltage between the first and the second electrodes;

AC voltage applying means for applying an AC voltage between the first and the second opposed electrodes;

first measuring means for measuring the first physical quantity;

second measuring means for measuring the second physical quantity; and

calculating means for calculating a concentration level of a specific component in the specimen liquid based on the first physical quantity measured by the first measuring means.

16. The analyzing device according to claim 15, wherein the calculating means calculates the concentration level of the specific component in the specimen liquid while taking into account the second physical quantity measured by the second measuring means.

17. The analyzing device according to claim 15, further comprising switching means for selecting between a first state in which the AC voltage applying means and the first measuring means are electrically connected to the first and the second opposed electrodes and a second state in which the DC voltage applying means and the second measuring means are electrically connected to the first and the second opposed electrodes.