Analyzer

• US 20090031829A1
• Filed: 07/27/2006
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Original Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Inventors: Matsumoto, Daisuke
• Granted Patent: US 7,856,896 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/863.610
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44782 of a plurality of samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/08 using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis

Abstract

The present invention relates to an analytical tool including a plurality of flow paths 21 each including a detection cell 26 for detecting a particular component contained in a sample and configured to move the sample by capillarity, and a common path 22 connecting the plurality of flow paths 21 to each other. Each of the flow paths 21 includes a water stopper 29 for preventing the sample from flowing into the common path 22. Preferably, the water stopper 29 suppresses the movement of the sample by differentiating a cross sectional area at a target portion in a direction perpendicular to the sample flow direction from a cross sectional area at a portion near the target portion.

Claims

1. An analytical tool comprising a plurality of flow paths and at least one common path connecting the plurality of flow paths to each other, the plurality of flow paths each including a detection cell for detecting a particular component contained in a sample and being configured to move the sample by capillarity, the common path connecting the plurality of flow paths to each other,

wherein each of the plurality of flow paths includes a water stopper for preventing the sample from flowing into the common path.

2. The analytical tool according to claim 1, wherein the water stopper suppresses movement of the sample by having, in a direction perpendicular to a sample flow direction at a target portion, a cross sectional area differing from a cross sectional area at a portion near the target portion.

3. The analytical tool according to claim 2, wherein the water stopper includes at least one recess, and

wherein a stepped portion is provided between the recess and a portion near the target portion.

4. The analytical tool according to claim 1, wherein the water stopper includes a water-absorbent material.

5. The analytical tool according to claim 4, wherein the water stopper includes at least one recess, and

wherein the water-absorbent material is provided in the recess.

6. The analytical tool according to claim 4, wherein the water-absorbent material is porous water-absorbent material, water-swellable polymeric material or water-curable polymeric material.

7. The analytical tool according to claim 1, wherein the water stopper is provided by performing water-repellent treatment with respect to a target portion.

8. The analytical tool according to claim 7, wherein the water stopper includes at least one recess, and

wherein the water-repellent treatment is performed with respect to an inner surface of the recess.

9. The analytical tool according to -claim 1, wherein each of the flow paths includes a main flow path in which the detection cell is provided and a branch flow path branching from the main flow path on an upstream side of the detection cell in a sample flow direction.

10. The analytical tool according to claim 9, wherein the main flow path-does not communicate with the common path, whereas the branch flow path communicates with the common path, and

wherein the water stopper is provided in the branch flow path.

11. The analytical tool according to claim 10, wherein the flow paths are radially arranged,

wherein the main flow path includes a main flow path exhaust port for discharging gas from the detection cell, and

wherein the common path includes a common path exhaust port for discharging gas from the common path, the common path exhaust port and the main flow path exhaust port being arranged on a common circle.

12. The analytical tool according to claim 11, wherein each of the main flow path exhaust port and the common path exhaust port is closed by a sealing member.

13. The analytical tool according to claim 10, wherein the main flow path includes a reagent cell positioned upstream from the detection cell in a sample flow direction and including a reagent layer, and

wherein the branch flow path branches from between the detection cell and the reagent cell.

14. The analytical tool according to claim 13, wherein the detection cell includes an additional reagent layer containing a coloring reagent, and

wherein the reagent layer contains an electron mediator for mediating electron transfer between the coloring reagent and the sample.

15. The analytical tool according to claim 9, wherein the main flow path communicates with the common path, whereas the branch flow path does not communicate with the common path, and

wherein the water stopper is provided in the main flow path at a position downstream from the detection cell.

16. The analytical tool according to claim 15, wherein the flow paths are radially arranged,

wherein the branch flow path includes a branch flow path exhaust port for discharging gas from the branch flow path, and

wherein the common path includes a common path exhaust port for discharging gas from the common path, the common path exhaust port and the branch flow path exhaust port being arranged on a common circle.

17. The analytical tool according to claim 16, wherein each of the branch flow path exhaust port and the common path exhaust port is closed by a sealing member.

18. The analytical tool according to claim 15, wherein the main flow path includes a reagent cell positioned upstream from the detection cell in a sample flow direction and including a reagent layer, and

wherein the branch flow path branches from between the detection cell and the reagent cell.

19. The analytical tool according to claim 18, wherein the detection cell includes an additional reagent layer containing a coloring reagent, and

wherein the reagent layer contains an electron mediator for mediating electron transfer between the coloring reagent and the sample.