Biochip, biosensor and inspection system

• US 7,833,396 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Fukushima, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): NOGUEROLA, ALEXANDER STEPHAN
• Application Number:
  US11/617,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20100264024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 20440301-40315, 422 8201- 8203, 738/63, 738/633.1, 738/633.2, 738/648.1
• US Class Current: 204/403.01
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4145 specially adapted for biomolecules, e.g. gate electrode with immobilised receptors

Abstract

A biochip, includes: an ink-jet head portion detachably mountable to a biosensor; a sensing electrode formed with a work electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode; and a thin film transistor.

Claims

1. A biochip, comprising:

a work electrode;

a reference electrode;

a counter electrode;

an electrode pad, biochemical reaction molecules being fixed on a surface of the electrode pad; and

a thin film transistor,

a first portion of the work electrode, a first portion of the reference electrode, a first portion of the counter electrode, and the electrode pad being included in a sensing electrode section,

a second portion of the work electrode, a second portion of the reference electrode, and a second portion of the counter electrode being included in a wiring section, and

the wiring section electrically connecting the sensing electrode section and the thin film transistor.

2. The biochip according to claim 1, further comprising:

a well forming a concave portion storing a sample solution, wherein the sensing electrode section is provided within the concave portion.

3. A biochip, comprising:

a plurality of groups of sensing electrodes disposed along an edge of the biochip, the biochip having a circular shape,

each of the plurality of groups of sensing electrodes including a work electrode, a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrode pad,

biochemical reaction molecules being fixed on a surface of the electrode pad, and

one of the work electrode, the reference electrode, and the counter electrode being disposed between the electrode pad and a substrate.

4. A biosensor, comprising:

a storage portion storing a detachably mountable biochip, the biochip including at least one sensing electrode;

an ink-jet head portion discharging a sample solution by an ink jet method;

a controller controlling a discharge of a liquid droplet from a nozzle;

a memory accumulating analysis data of the biochip;

a drive battery; and

the ink jet head portion, the ink-jet head portion including;

a cavity where the sample solution is supplied;

a supply portion supplying the sample solution to the cavity;

a plurality of nozzles, one of the plurality of nozzles connected to the cavity, the plurality of nozzles disposed corresponding to each of a plurality of sensing electrodes of the biochip; and

a disk rotator that rotates the biochip while the sample solution is discharged,

the ink-jet head portion being detachably mounted to a main body of the biosensor.

5. The biosensor according to claim 4, further comprising:

a circuit board for an RF tag.

6. An inspection system, comprising:

the biosensor according to claim 5.

7. The biosensor according to claim 4, further comprising:

a circuit board that communicates with an RF tag.

8. An inspection system, comprising:

the biosensor according to claim 7.

9. An inspection system, comprising:

the biosensor according to claim 4.