Micro total analysis system equipped with leakage prevention mechanism

Abstract

A micro total analysis system, comprising: an examination chip provided with a micro flow path and a flow path opening section communicating with a micropump on the upstream side of a reagent containing section, a drive fluid tank containing drive fluid, a micropump unit provided with a plurality of the micropumps such that the upstream side of each micropump communicates with the drive fluid tank and a flow path opening communicating with the micro flow path of the examination chip is provided on the downstream side, and a system body including the micropump unit and the drive fluid tank in one storing body, wherein analysis is performed while the examination chip is attached to the system body, and a mechanism for altering the direction of pressure at the flow path opening of the micropump unit depending on attaching / detaching of the examination chip to / from the system main body is provided.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an micro total analysis system wherein an analyte and a reagent is mixed to react and a target substance in the analyte is analyzed using an examination chip provided with a successive micro flow path to detect the aforesaid reaction.PRIOR ART[0002]In recent years, using micro machine technologies and ultra micro fabrication technologies, there has been developed a system where miniaturized devices (for example, a pump, valve, flow path and sensor) to conventional conduct preparation of the analyte, chemical analysis, and chemical synthesis are integrated on a chip (Patent Document 1). The chip so-called μ-TAS (Micro Total Analysis System), Bio Reactor, Lab-On-chip or Bio Chip is expected to be expanded in application in fields of medical examination and diagnosis, environmental measuring and agricultural production.[0003]In each analysis and inspection, quantitative performance of analysis, accuracy of analysis and econom...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]In the micro total analysis system of the present invention, analysis of a target substance in the analyte is carried out while the inspection chip is being attached to the system device main body. Since the micro total analysis system of the present invention has a mechanism to alter a direction of pressure at a flow path opening section of the micropump unit in response to detaching and attaching of the examination chip from the system device main body, the pump has margin in capacity when fluid is fed and a consistent fluid feeding is possible, thus occurrence of fluid leakage at detaching and attaching the chip can be prevented.

[0030]The mechanism to alter the direction of pressure at flow path opening section for the purpose of preventing fluid leakage and a pump mechanism to feed the various kinds of reagents in the micro flow path of the inspection chip to downstream side have simple and compact configurations.

Problems solved by technology

When fluid is fed to the micro fluid path of the examination chip using a pump, if leakage of the fluid occurs in middle-course, quantitative fluid feeding becomes difficult and smooth fluid feeding cannot be carried out.

It the connection section is wet with the fluid, the connection section thereof tends to cause leakage of the fluid.

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