Microchip

Abstract

To control liquid flow in a flow passage without complicated operation to an external device.SOLUTION: The microchip includes a first flow path through which a liquid sample introduced to an upstream side passes to a first through-hole connected to a downstream side, a second flow path through which the liquid sample introduced through a second through-hole connected to the upstream side passes to a measurement unit connected to the downstream side for analyzing a characteristic of the liquid sample, a film material bonded to a bonding surface of a base material, and an elastic material bonded to a facing surface facing the bonding surface of the base material and having a control function of controlling liquid passing between the first through-hole and the second through-hole opened to the facing surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a microchip for analyzing liquid samples. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been known in the medical and biochemical fields that a liquid sample such as a specimen is introduced into a flow path in a microchip and reacted with a reagent to analyze the reactivity, properties, components, etc. of the liquid sample (see, for example, Patent Document 1). To fabricate such a microchip, a known method involves bonding a film material with an adhesive to the surface of a substrate having grooves formed thereon to serve as the flow path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2009 / 069656 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional analyses, multiple external devices have been operated to introduce a liquid sample to be analyzed into a microchip and to control the flow of the introduced liquid sample through a flow path, which has resulted in complicated operational procedures and a burden on the operator. The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a microchip technology that allows for the control of the flow of liquid through a flow path without the need for complicated operations on external devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention employs the following configuration: That is, a microchip according to one embodiment includes a first flow path that passes a liquid sample introduced on the upstream side through a first through-hole connected on the downstream side, a second flow path that passes a liquid sample introduced through a second through-hole connected on the upstream side through a measurement unit connected on the downstream side for analyzing the characteristics of the liquid sample, a film material that is bonded to the bonding surface of the substrate, and an elastic material that is bonded to an opposing surface opposite the bonding surface of the substrate and has a control function for controlling the passage of liquid between the first through-hole and the second through-hole that open on the opposing surface.

[0006] The control function formed in the elastic material may be at least one of a valve function for opening and closing the passage of a liquid sample introduced through the first through-hole to the second through-hole and a pump function for sending the liquid sample introduced through the first through-hole to the second through-hole. The elastic material may be made of an elastomer material. The type A durometer hardness of the elastomer material may be 8 to 98, the tensile stress at break of the elastomer material may be 1 MPa to 70 MPa, and the elongation at break may be 100% to 700%. The thickness of the elastomer material may be 0.1 mm to 50 mm, and if a valve function is formed, the thickness of the portion acting as a valve may be 10 μm to 5000 μm. If a valve function is formed in the elastomer material, the shape of the portion acting as a valve may be circular in plan view and have a diameter of 0.5 mm to 50 mm. The elastomer material and the substrate, and the substrate and the film material may be joined with a UV-curable adhesive or a UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the elastomer material and the substrate may be joined with an olefin-based UV-curable adhesive or a UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive or a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The control function formed in the elastic material is a valve function that opens and closes the passage of the liquid sample introduced through the first through-hole to the second through-hole, and the film material attached to the joining surface of the substrate may have an easy-peel structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a microchip technology can be provided that allows for control of the flow of liquid through a channel without complicated operations on an external device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microchip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating the microchip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the valve structure in the microchip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the microchip according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the pump structure in the microchip according to embodiment 2. (a) is a top view of a film material on which grooves serving as flow paths are formed, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of through-holes connected by the flow paths. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are exploded perspective views illustrating the microchip according to embodiment 3. (a) is an exploded perspective view seen from the elastic molded sheet side, and (b) is an exploded perspective view seen from the film material side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an elastic molded sheet in the valve portion of the microchip according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the microchip according to the third embodiment when a hard cover is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, one mode for carrying out the invention (hereinafter also referred to as one embodiment or embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the following embodiment is an example, and the configuration of the microchip disclosed in this embodiment can be appropriately changed depending on the liquid sample to be analyzed. Unless otherwise specified, the configurations disclosed in this embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention to only those, and can be combined as much as possible.

[0010] Furthermore, the drawings referred to in the following description merely show the shapes, sizes, and positional relationships in a schematic manner to the extent that the contents of the present invention can be understood. That is, the present invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes, and positional relationships exemplified in each drawing. Furthermore, there may be parts in which the dimensional relationships and ratios differ between the drawings.

[0011] Liquid samples to be analyzed using a microchip are preferably aqueous solutions or aqueous dispersions in which substances, cells, blood cells, etc. are dispersed in a water-based liquid. However, the liquid sample is not particularly limited as long as it can be passed through the microchip. Examples include reagents, specimens, reactants, liquid samples obtained from living organisms such as blood and urine or diluted solutions thereof, extracts from living organisms such as plants and animals, naturally occurring water such as rivers, oceans, and rainfall, cosmetics, cleaning solutions, wastewater, etc. The components in the sample are also not particularly limited, and examples include proteins, nucleic acids, low-molecular-weight compounds, sugars, etc. Analysis of a liquid sample using a microchip may involve analysis of liquid properties such as the rate at which the liquid sample passes through a flow channel, or analysis of the components in the sample by reacting the liquid sample with a reactant placed in a portion of the flow channel.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a microchip 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the microchip 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view for explaining the microchip 1, where (a) illustrates a top view of the microchip 1, and (b) illustrates a plan view of the surface on which grooves that become flow channels are formed. FIG. 3 illustrates the microchip 1. 1A and 1B are partial cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the valve structure in the open state and the closed state, respectively.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the microchip 1 according to this embodiment is an analytical device including, as its components, a substrate 10 having a groove formed therein that serves as a flow path, an elastic material 20 having a functional structure formed thereon that can control the flow of a liquid sample introduced into the flow path, and a film material 30. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a microchip 1 formed integrally by forming a recessed structure in a partial region of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped substrate 10, engaging the elastic material 20 with the recessed structure, and bonding the film material 30 to the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10 having the groove formed thereon that serves as the flow path. Hereinafter, the microchip 1 according to this embodiment will be described based on the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 . However, the shape of the elastic material 20 engaged with the substrate 10 may be any shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, as long as it forms a functional structure capable of controlling the flow of liquid through the flow path. Furthermore, the shapes of the substrate 10 and the film material 30 may also be any shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, such as a circle or a sector. In the substrate 10 shown in FIG. 1 , the Z direction represents the thickness direction, the Y direction represents the lateral direction, and the X direction represents the longitudinal direction. The analysis of a liquid sample using the microchip 1 according to this embodiment may be an analysis of liquid properties such as the passing speed of the liquid sample through the flow channel, or may be an analysis of components in the sample by reacting the liquid sample with a reactant placed in a part of the flow channel. The functional structure formed in the elastic material 20 that can control the flow of the liquid sample introduced into the flow channel can also be called a control function.

[0014] 1 and 2, a substrate 10 constituting a microchip 1 has an area 11 at one end in the longitudinal direction where inlet portions (14, 15) for introducing a liquid sample are provided. Near the center of each inlet portion, through-holes (14a, 15b) are opened, which communicate with the upstream sides of channels 9a, 9b (FIG. 2(b)) formed in a bonding surface 10b. The size of each through-hole may be any size that allows the liquid sample to be analyzed to be injected using a microsyringe or the like, and may be, for example, 0.2 to 3 mm in diameter.

[0015] The other longitudinal end side (region 13 side) of the substrate 10 is provided with a region 13 in which a waste liquid section 7 (FIG. 2(b)) or the like is formed for storing waste liquid of a liquid sample introduced through inlet sections (14, 15) provided in the region 11. The waste liquid section 7 is provided with a through-hole 19 as an air vent, which penetrates from the internal space forming the waste liquid section 7 to the opposing surface (the surface on which the inlet sections (14, 15) are formed) facing the bonding surface 10b.

[0016] A recessed structure for fitting a substantially rectangular parallelepiped elastic member 20 is formed in region 12 between regions 11 and 13 of substrate 10. Through-holes 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, and 18b, which communicate with the flow channels formed in region 12, are formed in fitting surface 10a, which is parallel to and faces joining surface 10b. As shown in FIG. 2(b), for example, through-hole 16a is connected to the downstream side of flow channel 9a, and through-hole 16b is connected to one upstream side of flow channel 9c. Similarly, through-hole 17a is connected to the downstream side of flow channel 9b, and through-hole 17b is connected to the other upstream side of flow channel 9c. A liquid sample introduced into one upstream side of flow channel 9c through through-hole 16b and a liquid sample introduced into the other upstream side of flow channel 9c through through-hole 17b are mixed via flow channel 9c and introduced into through-hole 18a, which is connected to the downstream side of flow channel 9c. The through-hole 18b is connected to the upstream side of the flow path 9d.

[0017] In the microchip 1 of this embodiment, the location of the partial region into which the elastic material 20 is fitted can be set as appropriate depending on the size, shape, and dimensions of the microchip 1, the type of liquid sample to be analyzed, the analysis method, and the like. The partial region into which the elastic material 20 is fitted may be provided at a plurality of locations on the substrate 10. For example, the substrate 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape may be configured so that recessed structures into which the elastic material 20 is fitted are provided at a plurality of locations including some of the four corners. In this embodiment, it is sufficient that at least the functional structure formed on the elastic material 20 is arranged in a flow path formed in the substrate 10 so as to enable liquid flow control between the upstream side and downstream side of the introduced liquid sample.

[0018] Grooves that form the flow paths of the microchip 1 are formed on the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10. The cross-sectional shape of the grooves that form the flow paths may be any of concave, U-shaped, V-shaped, etc. The shape of the flow paths may be straight or curved, or may have branches. The depth and width of the grooves that form the flow paths may be appropriately set depending on the type of liquid sample to be analyzed, the analysis method, etc. Examples of groove formation include grooves that have a depth of about 10 to 3000 μm and a width of about 10 μm to 3 mm. Functional structures connected to the flow paths (e.g., a reaction measurement section that can analyze the passage speed of the liquid sample, etc., and a waste liquid section that stores waste liquid of the liquid sample after reaction with a reactant, etc.) may also be formed on the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10.

[0019] 2(b), in the substrate 10 of this embodiment, flow path 9a, whose upstream side is connected to through hole 14a, extends linearly and is connected to through hole 16a on the downstream side. Also, flow path 9c, whose downstream side is connected to through hole 18a, has a curved region and is branched into a flow path connected to through hole 16b on the upstream side and a flow path connected to through hole 17b.

[0020] Furthermore, in the substrate 10 of this embodiment, for example, the flow path 9d, whose upstream side is connected to the through-hole 18b, extends linearly and is connected to the reaction measurement unit 8 provided downstream. Note that the flow path 9d may be provided with a mixing unit for mixing the liquid samples introduced through the inlet 14 and the inlet 15. Furthermore, the mixing unit may be provided with a stirrer for stirring the liquid sample, the operation of which can be controlled by a stirring mechanism using magnetic force, or may be provided with a mechanism for mixing components by diffusion promotion using ultrasound. The mixing unit may be formed, for example, as a concave structure recessed in the thickness direction from the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10.

[0021] The reaction measurement unit 8 is an area for analyzing liquid properties such as the passage speed of the liquid sample through the flow channel, or analyzing and evaluating the components and properties of the liquid sample that reacts with a reaction substrate or the like applied to part of the flow channel. The liquid sample introduced into the reaction measurement unit 8 is connected on the upstream side to the reaction measurement unit 8, and on the downstream side via a linear flow channel 9e to a waste liquid unit 7 for storing waste liquid of the liquid sample. The waste liquid unit 7 and the reaction measurement unit 8 can be formed, for example, as a concave structure recessed in the thickness direction from the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10. The size of the space constituting the waste liquid unit 7 and the reaction measurement unit 8 can be appropriately set depending on the type of liquid sample to be analyzed, the analysis method, etc.

[0022] The material of the substrate 10 may be metal, glass, plastic, silicone, etc., but from the viewpoint of detecting the luminescence or color development of the reaction with the liquid sample, a transparent material is preferable, and a hard resin material such as a transparent plastic is more preferable. Examples of such hard resin materials include olefin resin, epoxy resin, phenol resin, unsaturated polyester resin (SMC, BMC), urea resin, melamine resin, diallyl phthalate resin, silicone resin, vinyl ester resin, etc.

[0023] The flow channels, through-holes, and functional structures connected to the flow channels (mixing section, waste liquid section 7, reaction measurement section 8, etc.) formed in substrate 10 can be formed using, for example, a blade or laser light, but when substrate 10 is made of a thermoplastic hard resin material, they may also be formed by injection molding. The use of injection molding is expected to stabilize the quality of the supplied microchip 1, reduce costs, improve production efficiency, etc.

[0024] Concave structures such as grooves and through-holes that serve as flow paths, and recesses that serve as functional structures connected to the flow paths, were formed. A film material 30 is bonded to the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10. The grooves and depressions such as the flow paths formed in the substrate 10 can be formed to have a concave structure in the thickness direction of the bonding surface 10b. Therefore, in a state where the bonding surface 10b is sealed with the film material 30 attached to it, a space through which the introduced liquid sample can pass is formed between the grooves formed in the substrate 10 and the film material 30, and this space functions as the flow path, etc.

[0025] Examples of materials for the film material 30 bonded to the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10 include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, cycloolefin polymer (COP) resin, cycloolefin copolymer (COC) resin, polystyrene (PS) resin, polycarbonate (PC) resin, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin. The thickness of the film material 30 is, for example, approximately 10 to 1000 μm, but can be appropriately set depending on the type of material used. In this embodiment, an easy-peel structure may be provided in which a wall structure is partially provided midway along a groove formed on the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10, dividing the groove. The end face of this wall structure and the bonded film material 30 are weakly bonded to temporarily seal the flow path formed by the groove and the film material 30. When further pressure is applied to the introduced fluid, the weakly bonded portion peels off, opening the flow path.

[0026] The film material 30 is bonded to the bonding surface 10b of the substrate 10, on which grooves, through-holes, depressions such as functional structures, etc., of the flow paths are formed, using an adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, etc. The adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, etc., is applied to the portions of the substrate 10 other than the grooves, through-holes, depressions such as functional structures, etc., of the flow paths formed therein.

[0027] Examples of adhesives include acrylic resin adhesives, rubber adhesives, urethane resin adhesives, epoxy resin adhesives, silicone adhesives, phenolic resin adhesives, polyamide adhesives, polyimide adhesives, olefin resin adhesives, melamine resin adhesives, and urea resin adhesives. Examples of pressure-sensitive adhesives include rubber adhesives, acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol adhesives, and cellulose adhesives. Adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives can be used alone or in combination. The adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives can be selected appropriately depending on the materials of the substrate 10 and film material 30. Photocurable, and more preferably UV-curable, adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives may be used. Sheet-type adhesives such as double-sided tape can also be used as pressure-sensitive adhesives. By using UV-curable adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives, the curing reaction can be rapidly initiated by irradiating the bonding surface 10b after application with UV light, enabling the substrate 10 and film material 30 to be bonded. Examples of UV-curable adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives include acrylic, epoxy, and olefin-based adhesives. In particular, when the substrate 10 is formed using a cyclic olefin resin (COP) or a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), there are few adhesives that are compatible with both the elastic material 20 and the substrate 10, so it is preferable to use a sheet-type adhesive such as double-sided tape.

[0028] The elastic material 20 fitted into the recessed structure formed in the region 12 of the substrate 10 is provided with a valve (on-off valve) structure that opens and closes the liquid flow state between the upstream and downstream sides of the flow path, as one embodiment of a functional structure capable of controlling the flow of a liquid sample introduced into the flow path. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the substantially rectangular parallelepiped elastic material 20 is provided with a valve 21 whose bottom 21 a functions as an on-off valve that opens and closes the liquid flow state between the through holes 16 a and 16 b that open on the fitting surface 10 a of the substrate 10. The same is true for the valves 22 and 23 formed on the substantially rectangular parallelepiped elastic material 20. The bottom 22 a of the valve 22 functions as an on-off valve that opens and closes the liquid flow state between the through holes 18 a and 18 b that open on the fitting surface 10 a of the substrate 10. The bottom 23 a of the valve 23 functions as an on-off valve that opens and closes the liquid flow state between the through holes 17 a and 17 b that open on the fitting surface 10 a of the substrate 10. The valves (21, 22, 23) formed in the elastic material 20 are an example of a "valve function," the through holes (16a, 17a, 18a) are an example of a "first through hole," and the through holes (16b, 17b, 18b) are an example of a "second through hole."

[0029] As shown in the partial cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the valves (21 to 23) formed in the elastic material 20 are formed as concave structures recessed in the thickness direction relative to the surface 20a of the elastic material 20. The valves (21, 22, 23) are further formed as concave structures recessed in the thickness direction relative to the back surface 20b opposite the surface 20a of the elastic material 20. As a result, between the concave structures recessed in the thickness direction from the surface 20a side of the elastic material 20 and the concave structures recessed in the thickness direction from the back surface 20b side, bottom portions (21a, 22a, 23a) are formed that have elasticity and function as reversible valves that can reversibly operate in the pressing direction by pressing / releasing the pressing member 90. For example, the valve structures may be recessed only from one side of the back surface 20b.

[0030] The elastic material 20 is formed so that the bottoms (21a, 22a, 23a) of the formed valves (21, 22, 23) correspond to the opening positions of the through-holes (16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) corresponding to the respective valves, and are fitted into the concave structures of the substrate 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the valves (21, 22, 23) are concave structures formed in a substantially circular shape in a plan view. That is, the concave structures recessed in the thickness direction from the front surface 20a side of the elastic material 20 are substantially cylindrical, and the concave structures recessed in the thickness direction from the back surface 20b side are also substantially cylindrical. The shapes of the valves (21, 22, 23) and bottoms (21a, 22a, 23a) in a plan view are not particularly limited as long as they can exhibit their functions, and may be circular or polygonal.

[0031] When the elastic material 20 is fitted to the substrate 10, the fitting surface 10a of the recessed structure formed in the region 12 comes into close contact with the back surface 20b of the elastic material 20. As shown in the partial cross-sectional views of Figures 3(a) and 3(b), a substantially cylindrical space is formed between the recessed structure on the back surface 20b on which the valves (21, 22, 23) are formed and the fitting surface 10a on which the through-holes open, with the bottoms (21a, 22a, 23a) of the valves as its top. The substantially cylindrical space is formed in the thickness direction of the fitting surface, with the fitting surface 10a as its bottom.

[0032] 3(a) and 3(b), the peripheral edge of the recessed structure formed on the back surface 20b of each valve is formed to encompass the opening positions of the through holes corresponding to the valves (21, 22, 23) when fitted together. For example, the peripheral edge of the recessed structure formed on the back surface 20b of valve 21 is formed to encompass the openings of the corresponding through holes 16a and 16b. Similarly, the peripheral edge of the recessed structure formed on the back surface 20b of valve 22 encompasses the openings of the corresponding through holes 18a and 18b, and the peripheral edge of the recessed structure formed on the back surface 20b of valve 23 encompasses the openings of the corresponding through holes 17a and 17b.

[0033] In this way, when fitted, the periphery of the recessed structure formed on the back surface 20b of each valve is formed to encompass the opening of the corresponding through-hole, thereby enabling liquid flow control using a substantially cylindrical space with the bottom of each valve as the top. For example, in valve 21, through-holes 16a and 16b opening at the bottom of the substantially cylindrical space can control the flow of a liquid sample introduced upstream of flow path 9a through through-hole 14a of inlet 14 to flow path 9c, the downstream flow path connected to through-hole 16b. In valve 23, through-holes 17a and 17b opening at the bottom of the substantially cylindrical space can control the flow of a liquid sample introduced upstream of flow path 9b through through-hole 15a of inlet 15 to flow path 9c, the downstream flow path connected to through-hole 17b. In valve 22, through-holes 18a and 18b opening at the bottom of the substantially cylindrical space, it is possible to control the opening and closing of the passage of a liquid sample introduced into flow path 9c via through-holes 16b and 17b to flow path 9d, which is a downstream flow path connected to through-hole 18b. Hereinafter, the opening and closing control of the passage of liquid via through-holes 16a and 16b will be described using valve 21 as an example. Note that flow paths 9a to 9e are also collectively referred to as flow path 9. Note that flow path 9 connected to through-holes (16a, 17a, 18a) is an example of a "first flow path," and flow path 9 connected to through-holes (16b, 17b, 18b) is an example of a "second flow path."

[0034] 3(a), the bottom 21a of the valve 21 is the top, and the mating surface 10a is the bottom. A substantially cylindrical space formed by a concave structure on the back surface 20b is connected to the downstream side of the flow channel 9a through the through-hole 16a. Similarly, the above space is connected to the upstream side of the flow channel 9c through the through-hole 16b. When the pressing member 90 is in the released state, the liquid sample introduced into the through-hole 16a through the flow channel 9a is introduced into the through-hole 16b through the substantially cylindrical space formed on the back surface 20b of the valve 21, and is passed through the upstream side of the flow channel 9c.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3(b), when the pressing member 90 is operated in the pressing direction Z1 indicated by the solid arrow, the bottom 21a of the valve 21 is pressed against the substrate 10, and the back surface 20b of the bottom 21a is brought into close contact with the fitting surface 10a. Here, the pressing direction is from the front surface 20a to the back surface 20b of the elastic material 20 on which the valve 21 is formed. When the pressing member 90 brings the back surface of the bottom 21a of the valve 21 into close contact with the fitting surface 10a, the approximately cylindrical space formed by the recessed structure between the through holes 16a and 16b is closed. As a result, the introduction path of the liquid sample from the through hole 16a to the through hole 16b through the approximately cylindrical space is blocked, and the liquid flow between the through holes 16a and 16b is interrupted (closed state). Since the valve 21 is pressed by a pin, solenoid, or the like during use, it is preferable that the valve 21 portion of the elastic material 20 form a convex shape on the surface of the elastic material 20. This can improve the resistance of the valve to breakage when pressed. Furthermore, it is preferable that the valve 21 has a roughened back surface (surface in contact with the base) of the valve 21 portion of the elastic material 20, a roughened surface of the valve 21 portion of the substrate 10 (surface in contact with the elastic material), or both a roughened back surface of the valve 21 portion of the elastic material 20 and a roughened surface of the valve 21 portion of the substrate 10. This makes it possible to prevent the back surface of the elastic material 20 in the valve 21 portion from adhering to the surface of the substrate 10 and becoming difficult to separate when the valve 21 is released after being pressed. The convex shape of the valve 21 may be fixed to a pin or solenoid used for pressing, so that it moves together with the pin or solenoid.

[0036] Bottom 21a of valve 21 formed on elastic material 20 is elastic. Therefore, by releasing the pressing force of pressing member 90, the tight contact between the back surface of bottom 21a and fitting surface 10a is released, and the state of the approximately cylindrical space formed between bottom 21a of valve 21 and fitting surface 10a returns to the state shown in Figure 3(a). This opens the introduction path for the liquid sample from through-hole 16a to through-hole 16b, allowing liquid to pass between through-hole 16a and through-hole 16b through the approximately cylindrical space.

[0037] The operation of the pressing member 90 is controlled by, for example, a pressing mechanism that utilizes electromagnetic force. For example, an operator installs the pressing mechanism above (on the elastic material 20 side of) the substrate 10 to which the elastic material 20 is fitted. Then, the operator operates the pressing mechanism appropriately, and operates the pressing member 90 that utilizes electromagnetic force while visually checking the passage state of the liquid sample introduced into the flow channel 9, thereby opening and closing the valve 21.

[0038] The elastic material 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or resin, as long as it deforms under stress and returns to its original shape when the stress is removed. However, from the standpoint of processability, a thermoplastic elastomer material is preferred. The use of an elastomer material for the elastic material 20 allows functional structures such as valves to be formed by injection molding. Examples of elastomer materials include styrene-based, olefin-based, ester-based, PVC-based, urethane-based, amide-based, and butadiene / isoprene-based materials.

[0039] When an elastomer material is used as the elastic material 20, the hardness of the material (hardness measured by a type A durometer) is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 8 to 98. This is preferable. If the hardness (elasticity) of the elastomer material is relatively high, there is a risk that the functional structure (valve structures (21, 22, 23), pump structure (25) of embodiment 2, etc.) formed in elastic material 20 and capable of controlling the flow of liquid will not function. Furthermore, if the hardness (elasticity) of the elastomer material is relatively low, there is a risk that the functional structure will not return to a liquid-permeable state even when the pressing force of pressing member 90 is released, for example, when the back surface of bottom portion 21a of valve 21 is in a sealed state with the fitting surface 10a in close contact with the fitting surface 10a, and there is a risk of peeling or damage occurring when the pressing force is released.

[0040] The tensile stress at break of the elastomer material used for the elastic member 20 is preferably 1 MPa to 70 MPa, and the elongation at break is preferably 100% to 700%. The thickness of the elastomer elastic member 20 is preferably 0.1 mm to 50 mm. When valve structures (21, 22, 23) are formed as functional structures capable of controlling fluid flow, the thickness of the bottom portions (21a, 22a, 23a) of the portions that function as valves is preferably 10 μm to 5000 μm. The planar shape of the bottom portions (21a, 22a, 23a) of the valve structures (21, 22, 23) formed in the elastomer elastic member 20 that function as valves may be circular or polygonal, but is preferably approximately circular in plan view. Furthermore, when the bottom portions (21a, 22a, 23a) are circular, the diameter of the circle is preferably 0.5 mm to 50 mm.

[0041] The elastic material 20, which fits into the recessed structure formed in the region 12 of the substrate 10, is bonded to the fitting surface 10a, where the through-holes to be controlled for fluid flow are opened, using an adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or the like. For example, such adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or the like is applied to the fitting surface 10a of the elastic material 20, except for the areas where the through-holes are opened. The adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or the like used to bond the substrate 10 and the elastic material 20 may be the same as the adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or the like used to bond the substrate 10 and the film material 30, but a photo-curable adhesive is preferred, and a UV-curable adhesive is more preferred. By using a UV-curable adhesive (UV-curable adhesive) or pressure-sensitive adhesive (UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive), a curing reaction can be initiated quickly by irradiating the applied fitting surface 10a with UV light, allowing the substrate 10 and the elastic material 20 to be bonded. In addition, by using a UV-curing adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive to bond the film material 30 to the base material 10, it becomes possible to simultaneously bond the film material 30 to the base material 10 and the base material 10 to the elastic material 20 with a single UV irradiation, for example.

[0042] Of the UV-curable adhesives, olefin-based UV-curable adhesives are more preferable, and the same goes for pressure-sensitive adhesives. The use of olefin-based UV-curable adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesives provides good adhesion to a wide range of plastic materials and provides rapid strength development after UV irradiation.

[0043] The method for applying the adhesive (pressure-sensitive adhesive) is not particularly limited, but for example, screen printing or pad printing is preferable because it allows a thin film to be applied only to a predetermined area.

[0044] When applying adhesive (pressure-sensitive adhesive) using screen printing, for example, the adhesive (pressure-sensitive adhesive) is applied to a predetermined application area that comes into contact with the mesh portion of the screen printing plate, but the adhesive (pressure-sensitive adhesive) is not applied to predetermined areas that come into contact with the portion of the screen printing plate where the mesh is covered with emulsion or metal (such as the groove of the flow path 9g, the through holes 42a, 42b, etc.).

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a microchip 1 that can easily control the flow state of a liquid sample introduced into a flow channel using the valves (21, 22, 23) formed in the elastic material 20.

[0046] [Embodiment 2] As a functional structure capable of controlling the flow of liquid formed in the elastic material 20, a liquid is introduced into the input end on the upstream side. It may also have a pump function for sending the liquid sample introduced into the flow channel to an output end on the downstream side. In embodiment 2 (hereinafter also referred to as "this embodiment"), an aspect of microchip 1 in which a pump structure is formed in elastic material 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Note that, below, differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described in terms of the pump structure formed in elastic material 20. In the following, too, a functional structure capable of controlling the flow of a liquid sample introduced into a flow channel can also be referred to as a control function.

[0047] 4A and 4B are schematic plan views illustrating the microchip 1 according to this embodiment, with (a) a top view of the microchip 1 and (b) a plan view from the surface (bonding surface 10b) on which the grooves that form the flow paths are formed. FIG. 5A illustrates the pump structure of the microchip 1, with (a) a top view of the film material 25b on which the grooves that form the flow paths 9g are formed, and (b) a partial cross-sectional view of the through-holes 42a and 42b connected by the flow path 9g. As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4B, the flow path 9g connects the through-hole 42a connected to the downstream side of the flow path 9f and the through-hole 42b connected to the upstream side of the flow path 9d.

[0048] In the second embodiment, a pump structure is formed in 25a on the microchip 1, which transfers a liquid sample introduced into an input terminal on the upstream side to an output terminal on the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 4(b), through-holes 42a and 42b are formed in 25a where the pump structure is disposed. That is, through-holes 42a and 42b are formed in the fitting surface 10a of the region 12 where the elastic material 20 is fitted. The through-hole 42a is connected to the downstream side of the flow channel 9f, and the through-hole 42b is connected to the upstream side of the flow channel 9d. The upstream side of the flow channel 9f is connected to the through-hole 41a of the introduction section 41 formed in the region 11 of the substrate 10, and the flow channel 9f is a flow channel extending linearly from the region 11 to the region 12. The flow channel 9d is the same as in the first embodiment, extending linearly from the region 12, and the downstream side is connected to the reaction measurement section 8 formed in the region 13. In addition, through hole 42a is an example of a "first through hole," through hole 42b is an example of a "second through hole," the flow path 9 connected to through hole 42a is an example of a "first flow path," and the flow path 9 connected to through hole 42b is an example of a "second flow path."

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the film material 25b has a groove formed therein that serves as a flow path 9g that connects the through-holes 42a and 42b, which open to the mating surface 10a of the region 12, in an arc shape. The film material 25b is formed, for example, in a substantially rectangular shape and is fixed to the mating surface 10a of the region 12 where the pump structure is disposed. Note that the shape of the film material 25b is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape and can be formed arbitrarily. It is sufficient that the shape allows the liquid sample to be transported between the through-holes 42a and 42b through the flow path 9g formed in the film material 25b. For example, the film material 25b may be a tube material that connects the through-holes 42a and 42b in an arc shape. One end of the flow path 9g formed in the film material 25b is connected to the through-hole 42a, which opens to the mating surface 10a of the region 12, and the other end of the flow path 9g is connected to the through-hole 42b.

[0050] The periphery of the film material 25b in which the flow path 9g is formed is bonded to the mating surface 10a in the region 12 in which the through-holes 42a and 42b open. The film material 25b in the region in which the groove that becomes the flow path 9g is formed has a bulge in the thickness direction (Z direction), and the flow path 9g through which the liquid sample is delivered is formed between the film material 25b and the mating surface 10a of the joined microchip 1. The material of the film material 25b may be a highly elastic elastomer, rubber, or the like, or a less elastic plastic. When a highly elastic elastomer, rubber, or the like is used as the material of the film material 25b, it may be formed integrally with the elastic material 20. That is, the region 12 of the elastic material 20 may be configured so that the flow path 9g is formed between the mating surface 10a and 25a in which the pump structure is disposed. Furthermore, when a plastic with low elasticity is used as the material for film material 25b, flow path 9g can be formed by using film material 25b that has been previously formed into a concave cross-sectional shape, or flow path 9g can be formed by bonding film material 25b and fitting surface 10a of microchip 1 with a margin in the width direction when bonding them together. The form shown in Figure 5(b) is an example of a partial cross-sectional view of a form in which flow path 9g is formed by film material 25b that has been previously formed into a concave cross-sectional shape.

[0051] For example, it is possible to transport the liquid sample from through-hole 42a to through-hole 42b by rolling a cylindrical member from through-hole 42a to through-hole 42b so as to press the portion of film material 25b where flow path 9g is formed against fitting surface 10a of microchip 1. Specifically, by rotating a pressing mechanism of a plate-like body to which multiple cylindrical members functioning as pump 25 are rotatably fixed using a power source such as a motor, the cylindrical members roll on flow path 9g, thereby transporting the liquid sample in flow path 9g.

[0052] Thus, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to control the flow of liquid sample introduced through through-hole 41a of introduction part 41 from the upstream side to the downstream side through flow channel 9g and through-holes (42a, 42b) connected to flow channel 9g. In the microchip 1 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a pump structure that sends the liquid sample introduced into the input end (through-hole 42a) on the upstream side to the output end (through-hole 42b) on the downstream side.

[0053] The functional structure formed in elastic material 20 and capable of controlling the flow of a liquid sample introduced into the flow paths (9a to 9g) of substrate 10 can also be a combination of a valve structure and a pump structure. That is, one or more valve structures and pump structures may be formed in elastic material 20 that can be fitted into the recessed structure provided in substrate 10. By combining the valve structure and the pump structure, it is possible to provide microchip 1 that can easily perform precise control of the flow of liquid within the flow path.

[0054] [Embodiment 3] The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the microchip A-1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 6(a), the microchip A-1 is constructed by bonding together an elastic molded sheet A-2, a base A-3, and a film material A-4. Figure 6(b) is a view of Figure 6(a) seen from the back side (viewed from the film material A-4 side).

[0055] The elastic molded sheet A-2 has a pump flow path A-2-1, a valve A-2-2, an exhaust port A-2-3, an intake / exhaust port A-2-4, and a sample injection port A-2-5. The elastic molded sheet A-2 is a sheet molded from an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The pump flow path A-2-1 has a convex shape on the upper surface side in Figure 6(a) and a concave shape in Figure 6(b), so when the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 are laminated, a flow path is formed between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3. As in embodiment 2, a pump structure is formed on the elastic molded sheet A-2, in which a rotor having a roller (not shown) is pressed against the sheet and rotated, causing the roller to move while pressing against the pump flow path A-2-1. In the pump flow path A-2-1, the portion where the roller is pressed closes the space between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3, forming a closed section. As the rotor rotates, the roller moves over the pump flow path A-2-1, moving the closed section and forcing air out of the flow path. Air can be pushed out from the intake / exhaust port A-2-4 (described later) toward the inside of the microchip A-1, or from the inside of the microchip A-1 toward the air inlet port A-2-4.

[0056] A partial cross-sectional view of the valve A-2-2 portion of the elastic molded sheet A-2 is shown in Figure 7. If the side of the elastic molded sheet A-2 of the microchip A-1 is the front surface, the front surface of the elastic molded sheet A-2-2 is convex and the back surface is concave. This forms a flow path between the back surface of the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the surface of the base A-3. In FIG. 6(a), when the valve A-2-2 is pressed from above by a pin or a solenoid, the flow path between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 is closed, and the liquid or gas is not allowed to flow. will be unable to pass through. Because the elastic molded sheet A-2 of the valve A-2-2 has a convex shape on the upper surface, when the valve A-2-2 is pressed with a pin, solenoid, or the like, the flow path between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 is more securely sealed, preventing liquids and gases from passing through the flow path. The convex shape also provides excellent resistance to breakage when pressed with a pin, solenoid, or the like. Furthermore, even if the position where the pin or solenoid is pressed is slightly misaligned in the X or Y directions, the hole in the base A-3 is located directly below the convex portion, ensuring that the target hole is reliably sealed. Furthermore, it is preferable that the back surface (surface in contact with the base) of the valve A-2-2 portion of the elastic molded sheet A-2 be roughened, or the surface (surface in contact with the elastic material) of the valve portion of the base A-3 be roughened, or that both the back surface of the valve A-2-2 portion of the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the surface of the valve portion of the base A-3 be roughened. This prevents the back surface of the valve A-2-2 portion of the elastic molded sheet A-2 from adhering to the surface of the base A-3, making it difficult to separate, when the valve A-2-2 is opened after being pressed. The convex shape of the valve A-2-2 may be fixed to a pin or solenoid used for pressing, so that it can move up and down together with the pin or solenoid. This allows the valve A-2-2 of the elastic molded sheet A-2 to be pulled upward together with the pin or solenoid when it is opened, forcing the valve portions of the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 to be set to the intended position.

[0057] The intake / exhaust port A-2-4 is an opening for taking air into the microchip A-1 or discharging air from the microchip A-1. The specimen injection section A-2-5 is an opening for introducing a specimen into the microchip A-1.

[0058] The substrate A-3 is a plate-like member formed of, for example, a hard plastic, etc. The hard plastic is not particularly limited, but is preferably a material that is non-adsorbent to proteins, etc., such as a cyclic polyolefin resin (COP) or a cyclic polyolefin copolymer (COC). The base A-3 has a pump through-hole A-3-1, a valve through-hole A-3-2, an exhaust port A-3-3, an intake and exhaust port A-3-4, a sample injection port A-3-5, a flow path A-3-6, a liquid injection port A-3-7, a liquid storage section A-3-8, a mixing section A-3-9, a sample storage section A-3-10, and a waste tank A-3-11.

[0059] The pump through-hole A-3-1 communicates with the space formed between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 in the pump flow path A-2-1. The pump through-hole A-3-1 communicates with the intake / exhaust port A-3-4 via a flow path on the back side of the base A-3. The end of the pump flow path A-2-1 opposite to the end on the pump through-hole A-3-1 side is connected to the flow path A-3-6.

[0060] The valve through-hole A-3-2 communicates with the space formed between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 in the valve A-2-2. Under normal circumstances, the two valve through-holes communicate via the space between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 in the valve A-2-2, allowing gas and liquid to pass through. On the other hand, when the valve A-2-2 is pressed with a pin, solenoid, or the like, the space between the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the base A-3 in the valve A-2-2 collapses, blocking the two valve through-holes and preventing gas and liquid from passing through. In addition, the valve A-2-2 is formed by roughening the back surface (the surface that contacts the base) of the valve A-2-2 part of the elastic molded sheet A-2, or by roughening the surface of the valve part of the base A-3 (the surface that contacts the elastic material). It is preferable that the valve A-2-2 surface (the valve A-2-2 surface) of the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the valve A-2-2 surface of the base A-3 are both roughened, or that both the back surface of the valve A-2-2 portion of the elastic molded sheet A-2 and the surface of the valve A-2-2 portion of the base A-3 are roughened. This prevents the back surface of the elastic molded sheet A-2 in the valve A-2-2 portion from adhering to the surface of the base A-3 and becoming difficult to separate when the valve 21 is opened after being pressed. The convex shape of the valve A-2-2 may be fixed to a pin or solenoid used for pressing so that it moves together with the pin or solenoid.

[0061] The exhaust port A-3-3 communicates with the exhaust port A-2-3 of the elastic molded sheet A-2, and is an exhaust port for injecting a liquid or a specimen into the space between the base A-3 and the film material A-4.

[0062] The intake / exhaust port A-3-4 communicates with the intake / exhaust port A-2-4 of the elastic molded sheet A-2, and is an opening for taking in air into or discharging air from the microchip A-1.

[0063] The flow channel A-3-6 is a groove for circulating gas, liquid, specimen, etc. The flow channel is formed by laminating the elastic molded sheet A-2 on the base A-3.

[0064] The liquid inlet A-3-7 is an opening for injecting liquid into the liquid storage section A-3-8 formed between the base A-3 and the film material A-4. After the base A-3 and the film material A-4 are laminated together with an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive, the liquid is injected through the liquid inlet A-3-7. This allows the target liquid to be injected into the liquid storage section in advance, eliminating the need for the measurer to inject it at the time of measurement. Then, the elastic molded sheet A-2 is laminated on the base A-3 side with an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the liquid inlet A-3-7 is sealed by the elastic molded sheet A-2. Alternatively, the base A-3 and the elastic molded sheet A-2 are preferably laminated together using an adhesive sheet (double-sided tape) with an opening in the liquid passage, which further prevents the adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive from spilling into the liquid passage.

[0065] The liquid storage section A-3-8 can store the liquid injected from the liquid inlet A-3-7. The liquid storage section A-3-8 is a space provided between the substrate A-3 and the film material A-4, and can release the liquid stored in the liquid storage section A-3-8 to, for example, the mixing section A-3-9 by the pressure of air supplied from the pump flow path A-2-1.

[0066] The mixing section A-3-9 is in communication with the liquid storage section A-3-8 and the specimen storage section A-3-10 via the valve A-2-2. The mixing section A-3-9 is a space provided between the substrate A-3 and the film material A-4, and is used to mix the liquid introduced from the liquid storage section A-3-8 and the specimen introduced from the specimen storage section A-3-10. A stirrer can also be enclosed within the mixing section A-3-9. Furthermore, beads or magnetic microparticles to which reactive substances such as enzymes or antibodies are immobilized can also be enclosed within the mixing section A-3-9. Furthermore, the mixing section A-3-9 can also be filled with solid reagents, liquid reagents, or liquid reagents thickened with glycerol, etc.

[0067] The specimen storage section A-3-10 is connected to the mixing section A-3-9 via the valve A-2-2. The specimen storage section A-3-10 is a space provided between the substrate A-3 and the film material A-4, and is used to temporarily store specimens that are to be tested after they are injected through the specimen injection ports A-2-5 and A-3-5. During testing, after the sample is stored in the sample storage section A-3-10, the sample injection port A-2-5 must be sealed with an appropriate member. Air is sent from the pump flow path A-2-1 to the sample storage section A-3-10, and the sample is introduced into the mixing section A-3-9.

[0068] The waste liquid tank A-3-11 is connected to the mixing section A-3-9 via a valve A-2-2. The waste liquid tank A-3-11 also has an exhaust port A-3-3. By opening 3 and the valve, and applying air pressure to the mixing section A-3-9 or creating negative pressure inside the waste liquid tank A-3-11, the liquid can be moved from the mixing section A-3-9 to the waste liquid tank A-3-11. The waste liquid tank A-3-11 can be used, for example, when it is desired to react a specimen with beads or magnetic microparticles, etc., to which a reactive substance has been fixed, in the mixing section A-3-9, and then remove the specimen from the mixing section A-3-9, or when it is desired to react a specimen with beads or magnetic microparticles, etc., to which a reactive substance has been fixed, in the mixing section A-3-9, and then wash the beads or magnetic microparticles with a cleaning solution and then remove the cleaning solution.

[0069] The film material A-4 is preferably a transparent resin film from the viewpoint of being able to check the injection status and flow status of the liquid or specimen. Furthermore, the film material A-4 is preferably a transparent resin film having a water vapor permeability of 10 g / (m) or less, measured at a temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity difference of 90% by a method conforming to JIS K 7129. 2 By using a film with a life span of 10 mol / (m 2 ) or less, the liquid enclosed in the liquid storage section A-3-8 can be stably stored. Furthermore, the film material A-4 has an oxygen permeability of 10 mol / (m 2 ) or less, measured at a temperature of 23°C and a relative humidity of 0% by a method conforming to JIS K 7126-2. 2 By using a film with a compressive strength of 0.1 s·Pa or less, the liquid enclosed in the liquid storage section A-3-8 can be stored more stably. The surface of the film material A-4 facing the substrate A-3, which corresponds to the liquid storage section A-3-8 or the mixing section A-3-9, can be coated with a liquid reagent or a liquid reagent thickened with glycerol, etc. By applying a reagent to the desired area of ​​the film material A-4 in advance, the sample and the reagent can be mixed or reacted when the sample is injected into the liquid storage section A-3-8. Also, by applying a reagent to the mixing section, it is possible to mix or react with the sample and the liquid enclosed in the liquid storage section. This allows reagents and other substances that would react or become unstable in a mixed state to be enclosed separately. Furthermore, the stabilizing effect of glycerol and other substances can also prevent the deterioration of proteins and other substances.

[0070] The substrate A-3 and the film material A-4 can be joined using an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive. Various adhesives can be used as the adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive, such as a thermosetting adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive, an ultraviolet-curing adhesive (UV-curing adhesive) or pressure-sensitive adhesive, or a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet (double-sided tape). Among these, the use of an ultraviolet-curing adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferred because it is less likely to cause distortion due to differences in thermal shrinkage even when different materials are used for the substrate A-3 and the film material A-4. Film material A-4 has an oxygen permeability of 10 mol / (m) measured at a temperature of 23°C and a relative humidity of 0% according to a method conforming to JIS K 7126-2. 2 By using a film with a viscosity of 0.1 s·Pa or less, it is possible to cure an ultraviolet-curable adhesive or an ultraviolet-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive while eliminating the radical reaction inhibitory effect of oxygen molecules.

[0071] It is preferable to provide a removable hard cover A-5 that covers the elastic molded sheet A-2 of the microchip A-1, as shown in Figure 8. This allows the valve to be kept in a pressed state during transportation or storage, preventing the liquid in the liquid storage section A-3-8 from leaking into the flow path or valve, and also preventing the liquid from evaporating out of the microchip. Furthermore, by providing an elastic body on the back surface of the hard cover A-5 (the surface in contact with the elastic molded sheet A-2) in the areas corresponding to the exhaust port A-2-3, intake / exhaust port A-2-4, and sample injection port A-2-5 of the elastic molded sheet A-2, the areas are sealed with the elastic body without the need for sealing with a seal, thereby preventing the liquid in the liquid storage section from leaking into the flow path or valve. The microchip A-1 is provided with a claw, and the hard cover A-5 presses the valve A-2-2. In Fig. 8, a claw is provided on the microchip A-1, but a claw can also be provided on the hard cover A-5 side so that it can be hooked onto the film material side of the microchip A-1. Also, the hard cover can be made cylindrical, and the microchip A-1 can be slid into the cylindrical cover while the valve A-2-2 is pressed to store it.

[0072] Thus, according to the third embodiment, a microchip can be provided that can control the flow and movement of a liquid stored in advance in the microchip and an injected specimen by operating a pump and multiple valves. In this embodiment, too, the functional structure capable of controlling the flow of a liquid sample introduced into a flow channel can be referred to as a control function. Furthermore, by providing flow channels on the front and back surfaces of the substrate, complex paths can be made compact. Furthermore, a structure can be created in which air is introduced from the upper surface (elastic molded sheet side) of the liquid storage section or mixing section, and the liquid is released from the lower surface (film material side) of the liquid storage section or mixing section. This allows, for example, the liquid in the liquid storage section to be released with minimal residual liquid, allowing the reaction between the specimen and the chromogenic substrate in the mixing section, washing of the reactant, and discharge of the washing liquid to a waste tank to be efficiently carried out, thereby enabling detection of fluorescent substances in the mixing section, status observation, etc., and is expected to not only improve operability but also improve washing efficiency and reduce residual liquid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1··Microchip, 7··Waste liquid section, 8··Reaction measurement section, 9, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g··Flow path, 10··Base material, 10a··Mating surface, 10b··Joint surface, 11, 12, 13··Area, 14, 15, 41··Inlet section, 14a, 15a, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 19, 41a, 42a, 42b··Through-hole, 20··Elastic material, 21, 22, 23··Valve, 21a, 22a, 23a··Bottom, 25··Pump, 25a··Arrangement location, 25b, 30··Film material, A-1··Microchip, A -2 Elastic molded sheet, A-2-1 Pump flow path, A-2-2 Valve, A-2-3 Exhaust port, A-2-4 Intake and exhaust port, A-2-5 Sample injection port, A-3 Base, A-3-1 Pump through-hole, A-3-2 Valve through-hole, A-3-3 Exhaust port, A-3-4 Intake and exhaust port, A-3-5 Sample injection port, A-3-6 Flow path, A-3-7 Liquid injection port, A-3-8 Liquid storage section, A-3-9 Mixing section, A-3-10 Sample storage section, A-3-11 Waste tank, A-4 Film material, A-5 Hard cover

Claims

1. a substrate having a bonding surface on which are formed a first flow path for passing a liquid sample introduced into the upstream side through a first through-hole connected to the downstream side, and a second flow path for passing a liquid sample introduced through a second through-hole connected to the upstream side through a measurement unit connected to the downstream side for analyzing the characteristics of the liquid sample; a film material to be bonded to the joining surface of the base material; an elastic material bonded to an opposing surface opposite to the bonding surface of the base material, the elastic material having a control function of controlling the passage of liquid between the first through hole and the second through hole that open to the opposing surface; A microchip comprising:

2. 2. The microchip according to claim 1, wherein the control function formed in the elastic material is at least one of a valve function that opens and closes the passage of the liquid sample introduced through the first through-hole to the second through-hole, and a pump function that sends the liquid sample introduced through the first through-hole to the second through-hole.

3. The microchip according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic material is made of an elastomer material.

4. 4. The microchip of claim 3, wherein the elastomeric material has a Type A durometer hardness of 8 to 98.

5. The microchip of claim 3 , wherein the tensile stress at break of the elastomer material is from 1 MPa to 70 MPa.

6. 4. The microchip of claim 3, wherein the elongation at break of the elastomeric material is between 100% and 700%.

7. 4. The microchip according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the elastomer material is 0.1 mm to 50 mm, and when a valve function is formed, the thickness of the portion that operates as a valve is 10 μm to 5000 μm.

8. 4. The microchip according to claim 3, wherein when a valve function is formed in the elastomer material, the shape of the portion that operates as a valve is circular in plan view and has a diameter of 0.5 mm to 50 mm.

9. The microchip according to claim 3 , wherein the elastomer material and the substrate, and the substrate and the film material are bonded together by a UV-curable adhesive or a UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive.

10. The microchip according to claim 3 , wherein the elastomer material and the substrate are bonded together by an olefin-based UV-curable adhesive or a UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive.

11. 2. The microchip according to claim 1, wherein the control function formed in the elastic material is a valve function that opens and closes the passage of the liquid sample introduced through the first through-hole to the second through-hole, and a film material attached to the joining surface of the base material has an easy-peel structure.

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