Analytical tool

• US 7,594,983 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2003
• Issued: 09/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Original Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Inventors: Sato, Yoshiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): NOGUEROLA, ALEXANDER STEPHAN
• Application Number:
  US10/533,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,169 Days
• Field of Search: 20440301-40315, 205/777.5, 205/778, 205/792, 422 55- 58
• US Class Current: 204/400
• 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 substrate,

a cover bonded to the substrate,

a capillary formed between the substrate and the cover for moving a sample liquid from a sample liquid introduction port toward an air vent,

a first electrode formed on the substrate and having a first end located in the capillary,

a second electrode formed on the substrate and having a second end located in the capillary downstream from the first end of the first electrode with respect to a flow direction of the sample liquid, and

a window formed in the cover for checking whether the sample liquid is supplied into the capillary,

wherein the window has a downstream edge located downstream from the second end of the second electrode to check whether the sample liquid is supplied beyond the second end of the second electrode, and

wherein the window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the second end of the second electrode.

2. The analytical tool according to claim 1, wherein entirety of the window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the second end of the second electrode.

3. The analytical tool according to claim 2,

wherein the window is provided between the air vent and the second end of the second electrode in the flow direction of the sample liquid.

4. The analytical tool according to claim 3, wherein the window includes an upstream edge which is aligned with a downstream edge of the second end of the second electrode in a thickness direction of the substrate.

5. An analytical tool comprising:

a substrate,

a cover bonded to the substrate,

a capillary formed between the substrate and the cover for moving a sample liquid from a sample liquid introduction port toward an air vent,

a first electrode formed on the substrate and having a first end located in the capillary,

a second electrode formed on the substrate and having a second end located in the capillary downstream from the first end of the first electrode with respect to a flow direction of the sample liquid, and

a window formed in the cover for checking whether the sample liquid is supplied into the capillary,

wherein the window has a downstream edge located downstream from the second end of the second electrode to check whether the sample liquid is supplied beyond the second end of the second electrode, and

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

6. The analytical tool according to claim 5, 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.

7. The analytical tool according to claim 6, wherein the opaque layer is provided by forming a film directly on the surface of the transparent member.

8. The analytical tool according to claim 6, wherein the opaque layer comprises a film bonded to the surface of the transparent member.

9. The analytical tool according to claim 5, 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.

10. An analytical tool comprising:

a substrate,

a cover bonded to the substrate,

a capillary formed between the substrate and the cover for moving a sample liquid from a sample liquid introduction port toward an air vent,

a first electrode formed on the substrate and having a first end located in the capillary,

a second electrode formed on the substrate and having a second end located in the capillary downstream from the first end of the first electrode with respect to a flow direction of the sample liquid, and

a window formed in the cover for checking whether the sample liquid is supplied into the capillary,

wherein the window has a downstream edge located downstream from the second end of the second electrode to check whether the sample liquid is supplied beyond the second end of the second electrode, and

wherein the opaque region has a color which presents a contrast with a color of the sample liquid.

11. The analytical tool according to claim 10, wherein the sample liquid is blood or urine.

12. An analytical tool comprising:

a substrate,

a cover bonded to the substrate,

a capillary formed between the substrate and the cover for moving a sample liquid from a sample liquid introduction port toward an air vent,

a first electrode formed on the substrate and having a first end located in the capillary,

a second electrode formed on the substrate and having a second end located in the capillary downstream from the first end of the first electrode with respect to a flow direction of the sample liquid, and

a window formed in the cover for checking whether the sample liquid is supplied into the capillary,

wherein the window has a downstream edge located downstream from the second end of the second electrode to check whether the sample liquid is supplied beyond the second end of the second electrode, and

wherein the analytical tool further comprises an additional window for checking whether introduction of the sample liquid into the capillary is started.

13. The analytical tool according to claim 12,

wherein at least part of the additional window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the first end of the first electrode.

14. The analytical tool according to claim 13, wherein entirety of the additional window is formed at a region which avoids a position directly above the first end of the first electrode.

15. The analytical tool according to claim 14, wherein the additional window is provided between the sample liquid introduction port and the first end of the first electrode in the flow direction of the sample liquid.

16. The analytical tool according to claim 15, wherein the additional window is provided adjacent to the sample liquid introduction port.