Flow channel device and sensor unit for assay in utilizing attenuated total reflection

• US 20060153742A1
• Filed: 01/11/2006
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Shimizu, Hitoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,901,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/100
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0654 Lenses; Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0877 Flow chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/553 and using surface plasmons fluorescence excitation G01N21/648; enhanced Raman G01N21/658
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A sensor unit for use in a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay includes a flow channel device, which causes a sample fluid of a sample to flow on a sensing surface lying on a prism. The flow channel device includes a rigid device body part having an opposing surface positioned opposite to the sensing surface. A flow recess is formed in the opposing surface, closed by the prism to constitute a flow channel, for covering the sensing surface. A sealant portion is overlaid on an edge portion of the opposing surface and the flow recess in the device body part. The sealant portion tightens closing between the device body part and the prism. Also, the sealant portion projects over the opposing surface of the device body part in a state before contacting the prism. In addition, the sealant portion is formed from material having a small non-specific adsorption.

Claims

1. A flow channel member comprising:

an opposing surface being in contact with and opposite to a first surface including a sensing surface for detecting reaction of a sample;

a flow recess provided on said opposing surface and covering said sensing surface, thereby forming a flow channel to let a sample fluid of said sample flow on said sensing surface;

wherein at least an edge portion of said flow recess with said opposing surface is formed of a soft elastic material; and

comprising a device body part, formed of a more rigid material than said soft elastic material.

2. A flow channel member as defined in claim 1, wherein said edge portion projects from said opposing surface, and is resiliently deformed by pressure of said first surface.

3. A flow channel member as defined in claim 1, further comprising a layer, formed from said soft material, disposed to spread on an inner surface of said flow channel.

4. A flow channel member as defined in claim 3, wherein said edge portion has a thickness equal to or more than 0.1 mm and equal to or less than 1.0 mm.

5. A flow channel member as defined in claim 3, wherein said soft material has a small non-specific adsorption.

6. A flow channel member as defined in claim 3, further comprising first and second orifices, formed in said device body part to extend from first and second ends of said flow recess in a direction erect from a longitudinal direction of said flow recess, for shaping said flow channel in a substantially U-shape.

7. A flow channel member as defined in claim 5, wherein said edge portion is an extension of said layer and is formed together.

8. A flow channel member as defined in claim 7, wherein said rigid material is a first resin, and said soft material is a second resin.

9. A flow channel member as defined in claim 8, wherein said device body part, said edge portion and said layer are formed together by two color molding.

10. A flow channel member as defined in claim 9, wherein said soft material is amorphous polyolefin elastomer, and said rigid material is crystalline polyolefin.

11. A flow channel member as defined in claim 7, wherein said rigid material is metal.

12. A flow channel member as defined in claim 11, wherein said soft material is a resin, and said device body part, said edge portion and said layer are obtained together by insert molding.

13. A flow channel member as defined in claim 12, wherein said resin material is amorphous polyolefin elastomer.

14. A flow channel member as defined in claim 1, wherein said flow channel and said sensing surface are adapted to assay of said sample by utilizing attenuated total reflection, and said first surface is constituted by a prism.

15. A sensor unit including a prism and a flow channel device, said prism having a prism surface, and provided with a thin film disposed on said prism surface and having a sensing surface for detecting reaction of a sample, said flow channel device having an opposing surface opposed to said prism surface, a flow recess formed in said opposing surface, and positioned at said sensing surface in an enveloped form, and a flow channel for causing a sample fluid of said sample to flow on said sensing surface, wherein illuminating light is applied to an interface in a form satisfying a total reflection condition, said interface being defined between said thin film and said prism by connection of said prism surface of said prism back to said sensing surface, and when said sample in said sample fluid contacts said sensing surface, an angle of incidence of said illuminating light upon occurrence of attenuation is changed according to reaction of said sample, said sensor unit comprising:

said flow channel device including;

a rigid device body part, formed from a rigid material, for constituting a component including said flow channel; and

a sealant portion, formed from a soft elastic material having a higher softness than said rigid material, disposed on an edge of said flow recess, for sealing said flow recess by contacting said prism surface.

16. A sensor unit as defined in claim 15, wherein said sealant portion projects from said opposing surface, and resiliently deformed by pressure of said prism surface.

17. A sensor unit as defined in claim 15, further comprising a layer, formed from said soft material, disposed to spread on an inner surface of said flow channel.

18. A sensor unit as defined in claim 15, further comprising a fastener for keeping said prism in contact with said flow channel device.

19. A sensor unit as defined in claim 18, wherein said fastener is disposed on said flow channel device and engaged with said prism.

20. A sensor unit as defined in claim 19, wherein said fastener is formed together with said device body part.