Analyzing tool and device

• US 8,303,908 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Original Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc
• Inventors: Taguchi, Takayuki, Kitamura, Shigeru, Noda, Yuichiro, Harada, Toshihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): LEVKOVICH, NATALIA A
• Application Number:
  US10/533,150
• Publication Number:
  US 20060008381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,301 Days
• Field of Search: 422/100
• US Class Current: 422/502
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0803 Disc shape
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0864 comprising only one inlet and multiple receiving wells, e.g. for separation, splitting
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/1872 Infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0409 centrifugal forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5027 by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip B01L3/5023 takes precedence; micromixers B01F33/30; microreactors for synthesis B01J19/0093; microcapillary devices in general B81B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/253 for batch operation, i.e. multisample apparatus analytical automats G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00069 whereby the sample substrate is of the bio-disk type, i.e. having the format of an optical disk
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence

Abstract

This invention relates to technology for analyzing a specific component in a sample liquid, and provides an analyzing tool and an analyzing apparatus. Analyzing tool (Y) includes a liquid inlet (61) at a central portion of the tool and a plurality of channels (51) which communicate with liquid inlet (61) and move the sample liquid introduced through liquid inlet (61) by capillary action from the central portion towards a peripheral portion of the tool. Each channel (51) extends linearly for example from the central portion towards the peripheral portion, and the plurality of channels (51) are arranged radially.

Claims

1. An analyzing tool comprising:

a substrate;

a cover joined to the substrate;

a liquid inlet formed in the cover and provided at a central portion;

a plurality of individual channels formed in the substrate and communicating with the liquid inlet for moving a sample liquid introduced through the liquid inlet by capillary action from the central portion toward a peripheral portion of the tool;

a common channel formed in the substrate, provided at the peripheral portion of the tool and communicating with the plurality of individual channels;

a plurality of first gas exhaust holes formed in the cover;

a plurality of first seals provided on the cover for closing the first gas exhaust holes, respectively, the first seals being breakable;

a second gas exhaust hole formed in the cover; and

a second seal provided on the cover for closing the second gas exhaust hole, the second seal being breakable;

wherein each individual channel includes a reaction site and a branch offset from the reaction site toward the liquid inlet, the branch communicating with a corresponding one of the plurality of first gas exhaust holes, and wherein the common channel communicates with the second gas exhaust hole.

2. An analyzing tool according to claim 1, wherein each of the individual channels extends linearly from the central portion toward the peripheral portion.

3. An analyzing tool according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of individual channels are arranged radially.

4. An analyzing tool according to claim 1,

wherein the reaction sites of the individual channels are arranged on a common circle.

5. An analyzing tool according to claim 4, which has a disk configuration.

6. An analyzing tool according to claim 1, further comprising reagent parts for reacting with a sample liquid, the reagent parts being provided at ones of the reaction sites of the individual channels and containing reagents different from each other.

7. An analyzing tool according to claim 1, wherein each of the individual channels has a main cross section which has a width of 10-500 μ

m and a depth of 5-500 μ

m, the depth/width ratio being ≧

0.5.

8. An analyzing apparatus for performing analysis of a sample liquid using an analyzing tool in accordance with claim 1,

the analyzing apparatus comprising:

rotating means for rotating the analyzing tool;

a first opening-forming element for simultaneously breaking the first seals at the first gas exhaust holes; and

a second opening-forming element for breaking the second seal at the second gas exhaust hole.

9. An analyzing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a fixed light source and a light detector, the light source emitting light for irradiating each reaction site in the analyzing tool, the light detector detecting light response from said each reaction site.

10. An analyzing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the reaction sites of the individual channels are positioned at equal intervals from each other, the rotating means causing the analyzing tool to rotate intermittently at angles corresponding to the equal intervals.