Reaction cartridge, reaction apparatus and method of moving solution in reaction cartridge

• US 20070036679A1
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Munenaka, Katsumi
• Granted Patent: US 8,591,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/68.100
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0636 Integrated biosensor, microarrays
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0874 Three dimensional network
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0478 pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/049 vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A reaction cartridge comprises a first liquid reservoir having a first aperture exposed to the atmosphere and a second aperture, a first flow channel connected to the first liquid reservoir, a reaction chamber communicating with the first liquid reservoir by way of the first flow channel, a second flow channel connected to the reaction chamber and a third aperture connected to the second flow channel and exposed to the atmosphere. A probe carrier is arranged in the reaction chamber and externally supplied liquid is stored in the first liquid reservoir. The reaction cartridge is adapted to move liquid between the liquid reservoir and the reaction chamber by increasing or reducing the pressure at the third aperture.

Claims

1. A reaction cartridge comprising:

a first liquid reservoir having a first aperture exposed to the atmosphere and a second aperture;

a first flow channel connected to said first liquid reservoir;

a reaction chamber communicating with said first liquid reservoir by way of said first flow channel, a probe carrier being arranged in the inside thereof;

a second flow channel connected to said reaction chamber; and

a third aperture for rendering said second flow channel to communicate with the outside,

the liquid supplied to said first liquid reservoir being moved into said reaction chamber by reducing the pressure at said third aperture.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein

the liquid moved into said reaction chamber is further moved into said first liquid reservoir by raising the pressure at said third aperture.

3. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein

the cross sectional area of said first aperture is larger than the cross sectional area of the second aperture.

4. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second liquid reservoir arranged between said reaction chamber and said third aperture to store liquid discharged from the reaction chamber.

5. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein

an absorbent is arranged in said second liquid reservoir.

6. A reaction apparatus comprising:

a reaction cartridge having;

a first liquid reservoir having a first aperture exposed to the atmosphere and a second aperture;

a first flow channel connected to said first liquid reservoir;

a reaction chamber communicating with said first liquid reservoir by way of said first flow channel;

a second flow channel connected to said reaction chamber; and

a third aperture for rendering said second flow channel to communicate with the outside; and

holding means for holding said reaction cartridge; and

pressure application means for moving the liquid supplied to said first liquid reservoir by reducing the pressure at said third aperture to said reaction chamber.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

liquid supply means for supplying liquid to said first liquid reservoir.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

said pressure application means further operates to move the liquid moved into said reaction chamber into said first liquid reservoir by increasing the pressure at the third aperture.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

pressure regulation means for equalizing the pressure at said third aperture with the atmospheric pressure.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

said pressure regulation means is arranged between said third aperture and said pressure application means.

11. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

detection means for detecting the presence or absence of liquid in and/or near said reaction chamber.

12. A liquid moving method adapted to use a reaction cartridge having:

a first liquid reservoir having a first aperture exposed to the atmosphere and a second aperture;

a first flow channel connected to said first liquid reservoir;

a reaction chamber communicating with said first liquid reservoir by way of said first flow channel;

a second flow channel connected to said reaction chamber; and

a third aperture for rendering said second flow channel to communicate with the outside;

said method comprising;

supplying liquid to said first liquid reservoir; and

moving the liquid into said reaction chamber by reducing the pressure at said third aperture.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

moving the liquid moved into said reaction chamber back into said first liquid reservoir by increasing the pressure at said third aperture.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein

it moves liquid into said reaction chamber, while supplying liquid to said first liquid reservoir.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein

the rate of supplying liquid to said first liquid reservoir is equal to or greater than the rate of moving liquid from said first liquid reservoir to said reaction chamber.