MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEM, SAMPLE ANALYSIS DEVICE, AND TARGET SUBSTANCE DETECTION/MEASUREMENT METHOD

• US 20100092339A1
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: TAKAGI, Fumio
• Application Number:
  US12/636,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20100092339A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/82.05
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/027 electrostatic forces between substrate and tip
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0439 ultrasonic vibrations, vibrating piezo elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0487 fluid pressure, pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/0268 using pulse dispensing or spraying, eg. inkjet type, piezo actuated ejection of droplets from capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502715 characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502746 characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles B01L3/502738 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/563 Joints or fittings in general F16L; Separable fluid transfer means to transfer fluids between at least two containers, e.g. connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A microfluidic system includes a plate-shaped microfluidic chip having a flow path, a liquid introduction tube for supplying liquid to the flow path, the liquid introduction tube having an end communicating with an end of the flow path and its other end that can be soaked in the liquid that is to be supplied to the flow path, and a liquid discharge head communicating with the other end of the flow path for discharging liquid that has passed through the flow path.

Claims

1. A sample analysis device equipped, when used, with a plate-shaped microfluidic chip having a flow path, comprising a liquid introduction tube capable of, when the sample analysis device is equipped with the microfluidic chip, communicating with one end of the flow path, a liquid discharge head capable of, when the sample analysis device is equipped with the microfluidic chip, communicating with the other end of the flow path, and fixing means being capable of integrally fixing the microfluidic chip, the liquid introduction tube, and the liquid discharge head.

2. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical detection system capable of detecting a reaction occurring in the flow path.

3. The sample analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising sucking means capable of sucking gas or liquid in the liquid discharge head via a nozzle of the liquid discharge head.

4. A plate-shaped microfluidic chip having a flow path attached, when used, to the sample analysis device according to claim 1, wherein, when being attached to the sample analysis device, one end of the flow path can communicate with the liquid introduction tube and the other end can communicate with the liquid discharge head.

5. The microfluidic chip according to claim 4 made of transparent material.

6. The microfluidic chip according to claim 4, formed by layering and bonding two plates, at least one of which has a groove used as the flow path on a surface, and either of which has through holes respectively at positions corresponding to both ends of the flow path.

7. The microfluidic chip according to claim 4 wherein the flow path has a dam section having a narrower flow path diameter than other parts of the flow path.