Analytical tool

• US 20060049047A1
• Filed: 10/22/2003
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Original Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Inventors: Sato, Yoshiharu
• Granted Patent: US 7,594,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/403.10
• 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 analytical tool (1) including a capillary (5) for moving a sample liquid introduced through a liquid introduction port (51), and a window (43) for checking that the sample liquid of an amount necessary for measurement is supplied into the capillary (5). In the analytical tool (1), an opaque region (45) is defined between the liquid introduction port (51) and the window (43). For example, the analytical tool (1) includes a substrate (2), a cover (4) defining the capillary (5) together with the substrate (2), and a working electrode (21) and a counter electrode (22) which include respective exposed portions (21a, 22a) facing the interior of the capillary (5). Preferably, at least part of the window (43) is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the exposed portions (21a, 22a).

Claims

1. An analytical tool comprising a sample liquid introduction port, a capillary for moving a sample liquid introduced through the sample liquid introduction port, and a window for checking that the sample liquid of an amount necessary for measurement is supplied into the capillary;

wherein an opaque region is defined between the sample liquid introduction port and the window.

2. The analytical tool according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate, a cover bonded to the substrate and defining the capillary together with the substrate, and a working electrode and a counter electrode which are formed on the substrate and which include respective exposed portions facing interior of the capillary;

wherein at least part of the window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the exposed portions.

3. The analytical tool according to claim 2, wherein entirety of the window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the exposed portions.

4. The analytical tool according to claim 3, further comprising an air vent for discharging air from the capillary;

wherein the window is provided between the air vent and a downstream one of the exposed portions in a flow direction of the sample liquid.

5. The analytical tool according to claim 4, wherein the window includes a most upstream point which corresponds to or generally corresponds to a most downstream point of the downstream one of the exposed portions in a thickness direction of the substrate.

6. The analytical tool according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate, a cover bonded to the substrate and defining the capillary together with the substrate;

wherein the window is provided by forming a transparent portion in the cover and forming an opaque portion around the transparent portion.

7. The analytical tool according to claim 6, wherein the cover comprises a transparent member, and an opaque layer formed with an opening and laminated on a surface of the transparent member;

wherein the window is defined by the opening.

8. The analytical tool according to claim 7, wherein the opaque layer is provided by forming a film directly on the surface of the transparent member.

9. The analytical tool according to claim 7, wherein the opaque layer comprises a thin film bonded to the surface of the transparent member.

10. The analytical tool according to claim 6, wherein the cover includes an opaque member formed with an opening, and a transparent member embedded in the opening;

and

wherein the window is provided by the transparent member.

11. The analytical tool according to claim 1, wherein the opaque region has a color which presents a high contrast with a color of the sample liquid.

12. The analytical tool according to claim 11, wherein the sample liquid is blood or urine.

13. The analytical tool according to claim 1, further comprising an additional window for checking that introduction of the sample liquid into the capillary is started.

14. The analytical tool according to claim 13, further comprising a working electrode and a counter electrode which are formed on the substrate and which include respective exposed portions facing interior of the capillary;

wherein at least part of the additional window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the exposed portions.

15. The analytical tool according to claim 14, wherein entirety of the additional window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the exposed portions.

16. The analytical tool according to claim 15, wherein the additional window is provided between the sample liquid introduction port and an upstream one of the exposed portions in a flow direction of the sample liquid.

17. The analytical tool according to claim 16, wherein the additional window is provided adjacent to the sample liquid introduction port.