Fluid handling device, fluid handling method, and fluid handling system

• US 9,901,924 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2012
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Original Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Inventors: Ono, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Minh
• Application Number:
  US14/131,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20140166113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,062 Days
• Field of Search: 137829, 137833, 137825, 137828, 417479
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00783 Laminate assemblies, i.e. the reactor comprising a stack of plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00833 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0086 Dimensions of the flow channels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00885 Thin film heaters
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0816 Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0867 Multiple inlets and one sample wells, e.g. mixing, dilution
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/18 Means for temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0655 pinch valves
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0688 surface tension valves, capillary stop, capillary break
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50273 characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids micropumps F04B19/006, of the membrane type F04B43/043
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502738 characterised by integrated valves microvalves F16K99/0001
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00158 Elements containing microarrays, i.e. "biochip"
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85938 Non-valved flow dividers

Abstract

A fluid handling device (100) comprises: a first channel (130); a second channel (140); a communication section (150); an air introduction path (160); and an air reservoir (190). The first enamel (130) and the second channel (140) are channels through which a fluid (210) can move by capillary action. The communication section (150) connects the first channel (130) and the second channel (140) with each other, and has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second channel (140). The air introduction path (160) communicates with the first channel (130). The air reservoir (190) communicates with the air introduction path (160).

Claims

1. A fluid handling device comprising:

an introduction port;

a first channel through which a fluid can move by capillary action, the first channel being connected to the introduction port and the introduction port introduces the fluid into the first channel;

a second channel through which the fluid can move by the capillary action;

a communication section that is a channel through which the fluid can move by the capillary action, the communication section connecting the first channel and the second channel with each other, and having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of each of the first channel and the second channel;

an air introduction path connected to the first channel at a position which is closer to the communication section than the introduction port; and

an air reservoir connected to the air introduction path,

wherein the air reservoir comprises;

a reservoir housing having a recess which has an opening located on a bottom surface of the housing, and

a resin film covering the bottom surface, wherein a portion of the resin film which covers the opening, has a shape retention property and is configuring a wall surface of the air reservoir, is protruding towards outside to thereby form a protrusion in a retentive dome shape and keeps a concave shape by being pressed from the outside.

2. A fluid handling method in which a fluid is handled using the fluid handling device according to claim 1, comprising:

introducing the fluid into the first channel and the communication section;

pushing some of the fluid inside the first channel and the communication section to the second channel by pushing a volume of air inside the air reservoir toward the first channel through the air introduction path; and

moving the fluid in the second channel by the capillary action.

3. The fluid handling method according to claim 2, wherein

a volume of air inside the air reservoir is pushed toward the first channel by pressing the air reservoir from outside.

4. A fluid handling system comprising:

the fluid handling device according to claim 1; and

a valve opening portion that presses the air reservoir of the fluid handling device from outside.