Reaction treatment container

Abstract

Heated steam passes through a first flow path region 30A. The first flow path region 30A has a first widened flow path 80A having a greater flow path width than a first part to be heated 61A, at least on the first-filter-placement-region 53A side in terms of the flow path length. The first widened flow path 80A suppresses generation of droplets resulting from cooling of steam on the first-filter-placement-region 53A side and can suppress blockage of the flow path through use of the wide cross-sectional area even if droplets are generated. In the first flow path region 30A, a connection part 81 connected to the first filter placement region 53A is formed by a single flow path. Specifically, the connection part 81 is simpler than structures in which the connection part 81 is branched into a plurality of parts to suppress blockage.

Description

Reaction processing container

[0001] The present invention relates to a reaction processing container.

[0002] Genetic testing is widely used in tests in various medical fields, identification of agricultural crops and pathogenic microorganisms, safety evaluation of foods, and further tests for pathogenic viruses and various infectious diseases. In order to detect a very small amount of DNA, which is a gene, with high sensitivity, a method of analyzing a product obtained by amplifying a part of the DNA is known. Among them, the PCR method (PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a remarkable technique for selectively amplifying a certain part of a very small amount of DNA collected from a living body or the like. In the PCR method, a predetermined thermal cycle is applied to a sample solution in which a biological sample containing DNA and a PCR reagent composed of a primer, an enzyme, etc. are mixed, and reactions such as denaturation, annealing, and extension are repeatedly caused to selectively amplify a specific part of the DNA.

[0003] In the PCR method, it is common to place a predetermined amount of a target sample solution in a reaction processing container such as a PCR tube or a microplate (microwell) having a plurality of holes formed therein. In recent years, it has been put into practical use to perform it using a reaction processing container (also called a chip) having a fine flow path formed on a substrate (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-232700, Patent No. 6226284

[0005] Here, in the flow path between the temperature zone where heating is performed and the filter arrangement region where the filter is arranged, the vapor generated by heating in the temperature zone may be cooled in the flow path to generate droplets. There is a possibility that the flow path may be blocked due to such droplets. On the other hand, when suppressing blockage by providing a chamber in the middle of the flow path or branching it into a plurality of flow paths, problems such as complication of the flow path occur.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a reaction processing container that can suppress blockage of a flow path with a simple structure.

[0007] A reaction vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention is a reaction vessel having at least one microchannel, the microchannel comprising a first heated section corresponding to a high temperature region and a second heated section corresponding to a medium temperature region, an intermediate section connecting the first heated section and the second heated section, a first connecting section capable of connecting the first heated section and a first liquid delivery mechanism, and a second connecting section capable of directly or indirectly connecting the second heated section and the second liquid delivery mechanism, wherein the first connecting section has a first filter arrangement region where a first filter is arranged and a first channel region between the first filter arrangement region and the first heated section, the connecting section of the first channel region that connects to the first filter arrangement region is formed by a single channel, and the first channel region has a first widened channel having a wider channel width than the first heated section, at least on the side of the channel length that is adjacent to the first filter arrangement region.

[0008] The reaction vessel has a microchannel comprising a first heated section, a second heated section, an intermediate section, a first connecting section, and a second connecting section. Therefore, by attaching the reaction vessel to the reaction apparatus, nucleic acid amplification can be performed by using the first and second liquid delivery mechanisms within the reaction apparatus to move the sample solution injected into the reaction vessel back and forth between a high-temperature region and a medium-temperature region. Here, the first channel region is provided between the first filter arrangement region and the first heated section heated in the high-temperature region. Therefore, heated vapor passes through the first channel region. In contrast, the first channel region has a first widened channel, at least on the side of the channel length toward the first filter arrangement region, which has a channel width wider than that of the first heated section. The first widened channel suppresses the generation of droplets due to the cooling of vapor on the side toward the first filter arrangement region, and even if droplets are generated, the wide cross-sectional area can suppress blockage of the channel. Furthermore, the connecting section of the first channel region that connects to the first filter arrangement region is formed by a single channel. In other words, compared to structures that branch the connection point into multiple sections to suppress blockage, this structure has a simpler connection point. Therefore, blockage of the flow path can be suppressed with a simple structure.

[0009] The first flow path region may be composed of linear flow paths extending from the first heated section to the entire area of ​​the first filter placement region. In this case, the first flow path region can have a simpler structure compared to a structure that includes a chamber or the like.

[0010] The first flow path region may also have a first widened flow path on the side of the first heated portion. In this case, the first flow path region can suppress blockage of the flow path over a wide area.

[0011] The connecting section may be composed of a channel that is narrower than the first widened channel. In this case, it is possible to address situations where it is difficult to widen the channel width of the connecting section in relation to the first filter placement area.

[0012] The first widened channel may be directly connected to the connecting section. In this case, the range of the first widened channel can be extended to just before the connecting section.

[0013] Since the connecting portion is composed of a part of the first widened flow path, the first widened flow path may be directly connected to the first filter placement area. In this case, blockage of the flow path at the connecting portion can be further suppressed.

[0014] A reaction vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention is a reaction vessel having at least one microchannel, the microchannel comprising a first heated section corresponding to a high-temperature region, a second heated section corresponding to a first medium-temperature region, and a third heated section corresponding to a second high-temperature region, an intermediate section connecting the first heated section and the second heated section, a first connecting section capable of connecting the first heated section and a first liquid delivery mechanism, and a second connecting section capable of connecting the second heated section and the second liquid delivery mechanism via the third heated section, wherein the region of the second connecting section between the third heated section and the second liquid delivery mechanism has a second filter arrangement region where a second filter is arranged, and a second channel region between the second filter arrangement region and the third heated section, and the second channel region has a second widened channel having a wider channel width than the third heated section.

[0015] In this case, the second flow path region has a second widened flow path that is wider than the third heated portion. The second widened flow path suppresses the generation of droplets due to the cooling of the steam on the side of the second filter placement region, and even if droplets are generated, the wide cross-sectional area can suppress blockage of the flow path. Thus, blockage of the flow path can be suppressed with a simple structure.

[0016] According to the present invention, a reaction processing vessel can be provided that can suppress blockage of the flow path with a simple structure.

[0017] This is a schematic diagram of the reaction apparatus. This is a plan view showing the reaction vessel (the microchannel 60 shown in the figure is formed on the lower surface 50f). This is an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of the first channel region. (a) is a conceptual diagram showing multiple connecting parts, and (b) is a conceptual diagram showing the chamber. This is a diagram showing the first channel region of the reaction vessel according to a modified example. This is a diagram showing the first channel region of the reaction vessel according to a modified example. This is a diagram showing the second channel region of the reaction vessel according to a modified example. This is a diagram showing the first channel region of the reaction vessel according to a comparative example. This is a diagram for explaining the cross-sectional shape of the channel. This is an overall view of the reaction vessel according to comparative example 2.

[0018] A reaction vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the reaction apparatus 1. Figure 2 is a plan view of the reaction vessel 50. The microchannels 60 shown in the figures are formed on the lower surface 50f, but are shown with solid lines to clearly illustrate the structure of the microchannels 60.

[0020] Furthermore, the reaction apparatus 1 is a device that uses the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method, which performs thermal cycling by moving the sample solution back and forth between two temperature zones within the microchannel of the attached reaction apparatus container 50. The reaction apparatus 1 amplifies nucleic acids by utilizing denaturation, annealing of the primer pair to the target strand, and primer elongation that leads to an exponential increase in the copy number of the target nucleic acid sequence. In this embodiment, the nucleic acid amplification method using the reaction apparatus 1 may use DNA as a template or RNA as a template. When RNA is used as a template, it is preferable to use reverse transcriptase in combination.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the reaction apparatus 1 comprises a reaction vessel mounting section 2, temperature adjustment sections 3A, 3B, and 3C, a first liquid delivery mechanism 4A, a second liquid delivery mechanism 4B, a detection section 5, and a control section 10.

[0022] The reaction processing vessel mounting section 2 is the part to which the reaction processing vessel 50 is mounted. By mounting the reaction processing vessel 50 in the reaction processing vessel mounting section 2, the position of the reaction processing vessel 50 relative to the various components of the reaction processing apparatus 1 is determined.

[0023] Now, with reference to Figure 2, the configuration of the reaction vessel 50 will be described. As shown in Figure 2, the reaction vessel 50 is constructed by forming microchannels 60 in a plate-shaped container body 51.

[0024] The container body 51 for forming the microchannel 60 is preferably made of a material that satisfies some or all of the following requirements: (i) low autofluorescence, (ii) stability in the temperature range required for PCR, (iii) resistance to corrosion by electrolyte solutions and organic solvents, and (iv) low adsorption of nucleic acids and proteins. Specifically, the material of the container body 51 is exemplified by, but is not limited to, various plastics such as glass, quartz, silicon, and cycloolefin polymer (COP).

[0025] The microchannels 60 are formed by creating grooves on the surface of the container body 51 using methods such as machining by NC machining, injection molding, nanoimprinting, or soft lithography, and then sealing them with a seal (preferably a transparent seal made of polyolefin, for example). Alternatively, the microchannels 60 can be formed inside the container body 51 by three-dimensional printing. The cross-sectional shape of the microchannels 60 is not particularly limited and can be semicircular, circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc. Furthermore, the cross-section of the microchannels 60 can have an average width (length in the direction parallel to the surface of the container body 51) of about 10 to 1000 μm and an average depth (length in the thickness direction of the container body 51) of about 10 to 1000 μm. In addition, the width and depth of the microchannels 60 can be constant, or the width or depth can vary in part.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 2, the microchannel 60 has a first heated section 61A, a second heated section 61B, a third heated section 61C, an intermediate section 62A, a first connecting section 63A, and a second connecting section 63B.

[0027] The heated sections 61A, 61B, and 61C are heated by the temperature control sections 3A, 3B, and 3C (see Figure 1) to adjust the temperature of the sample solution passing through them. The first heated section 61A is formed in the container body 51 at a position corresponding to the temperature zone 66A heated by the temperature control section 3A. The second heated section 61B is formed in the container body 51 at a position corresponding to the temperature zone 66B heated by the temperature control section 3B. The third heated section 61C is formed in the container body 51 at a position corresponding to the temperature zone 66C heated by the temperature control section 3C. The shape of the heated sections 61A, 61B, and 61C can be a curved flow path such as a loop-shaped meandering shape or a spiral shape in order to secure the flow path length, i.e., the area where the sample solution stays in each temperature zone 66A, 66B, and 66C.

[0028] The temperature ranges of temperature zones 66A, 66B, and 66C can be appropriately adjusted to either a high-temperature range or a medium-temperature range. For example, temperature zone 66A may be set to a high-temperature range, temperature zone 66B to a medium-temperature range, and temperature zone 66C to a medium-temperature range. In this case, the widened flow path 80A (see Figure 3), described later, is required in at least a part of the first connection part 63A. Alternatively, for example, temperature zone 66A may be set to a high-temperature range, temperature zone 66B to a medium-temperature range, and temperature zone 66C to a high-temperature range. In this case, the first widened flow path 80A (see Figure 3), described later, is required in at least a part of the first connection part 63A, and the second widened flow path 80B (see Figure 7), described later, is required in at least a part of the third connection part 63C.

[0029] Furthermore, an inlet 54 for the sample solution is formed in the third heated section 61C. The inlet 54 can be sealed with a seal or valve as needed. The position of the inlet 54 can be changed as appropriate and is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 2. For example, it is possible to provide a branching point in the third heated section 61C, form a branched flow path with one end connected to the branching point, and provide an inlet at the other end of the branched flow path.

[0030] The first connection portion 63A is a portion to which a communication port 52A to the first liquid delivery mechanism 4A (see Figure 1) and the first heated portion 61A can be connected. The first connection portion 63A has a first filter placement area 53A, a first flow path area 30A, and a first connection flow path area 31A. The first filter placement area 53A is the area in which the first filter FT1 is placed. The first filter placement area 53A is an area that extends in a direction parallel to the surface of the container body 51. The first filter placement area 53A is formed at a height position different from the microflow path 60 in the thickness direction of the container body 51. The first flow path area 30A is the area between the first filter placement area 53A and the first heated portion 61A. The first connection flow path area 31A is the area that connects the first filter placement area 53A and the communication port 52A of the first liquid delivery mechanism 4A. The first filter FT1 is a component that prevents aerosols generated from the heated sample from contaminating the first liquid delivery mechanism 4A. The connection point between the first heated section 61A and the first connection section 63A is configured as an inlet and outlet for each temperature zone 66A.

[0031] The second connection portion 63B is a portion that directly or indirectly connects the communication port 52B to the second liquid delivery mechanism 4B (see Figure 1) and the second heated portion 61B. The second connection portion 63B indirectly connects the second heated portion 61B and the second liquid delivery mechanism 4B via the heated portion 61C. The second connection portion 63B comprises an intermediate portion 62B and a third connection portion 63C. The third connection portion 63C has a second filter placement area 53B, a second flow path area 30B, and a second connecting flow path area 31B. The second filter placement area 53B is the area where the second filter FT2 is placed. The second filter placement area 53B is an area that extends in a direction parallel to the surface of the container body 51. The second filter placement area 53B is formed at a different height position from the microflow channel 60 in the thickness direction of the container body 51. The second flow path region 30B is the region between the second filter placement region 53B and the third heated section 61C. The second connecting flow path region 31B is the region connecting the second filter placement region 53B and the communication port 52B of the second liquid delivery mechanism 4B. The second filter FT2 is a component for preventing aerosols generated from the heated sample from contaminating the second liquid delivery mechanism 4B. The connection point between the third heated section 61C and the third connection portion 63C is configured as an inlet and outlet for each temperature zone 66C.

[0032] In addition, a configuration in which the heated portion 61C is omitted may be adopted. In this case, the second connecting portion 63B connects the second heated portion 61B and the second liquid supply mechanism 4B (without going through the third heated portion 61C and the intermediate portion 62B). In such a connection relationship, the second connecting portion 63B can be said to be the part that directly connects the second heated portion 61B and the second liquid supply mechanism 4B.

[0033] The intermediate section 62A is the part that connects the first heated section 61A and the second heated section 61B. That is, the first heated section 61A and the second heated section 61B are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the surface of the container body 51. Therefore, the intermediate section 62A is located between the first heated section 61A and the second heated section 61B. The intermediate section 62B is the part that connects the second heated section 61B and the third heated section 61C. That is, the second heated section 61B and the third heated section 61C are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the surface of the container body 51. Therefore, the intermediate section 62B is located between the second heated section 61B and the third heated section 61C. In the example shown in Figure 2, the intermediate sections 62A and 62B have a linear or substantially linear shape, but they may also have a curved shape. The connection point between the heated sections 61A and 61B and the intermediate section 62A is configured as an inlet and outlet for each temperature zone 66A and 66B. Similarly, the connection point between the heated sections 61B and 61C and the intermediate section 62B is configured as an inlet and outlet for each temperature zone 66B and 66C.

[0034] As described above, the reaction vessel 50 has a rectangular plate shape. The longitudinal direction of the reaction vessel 50 is referred to as the "longitudinal direction Y," and the width direction as the "width direction X." The reaction vessel 50 has a positive end face 50a in the longitudinal direction Y, a negative end face 50b in the longitudinal direction Y, a positive side surface 50c in the width direction X, a negative side surface 50d in the width direction X, an upper surface 50e constituting the upper main surface, and a lower surface 50f constituting the lower main surface. The first heated section 61A, the intermediate section 62A, the second heated section 61B, the intermediate section 62B, and the third heated section 61C are arranged in this order from the positive side to the negative side in the longitudinal direction Y, near the side surface 50c. The communication ports 52A and 52B are located near the side surface 50d.

[0035] Returning to Figure 1, the temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C each form temperature zones 66A, 66B, and 66C, respectively. It is preferable that the temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C maintain each of the temperature zones 66A, 66B, and 66C at a constant temperature. To achieve this temperature maintenance, it is preferable that the temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C are composed of heat sources such as cartridge heaters and plate heaters. However, the temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C are not particularly limited as long as they are temperature-adjustable devices.

[0036] The temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C maintain the temperatures of temperature zones 66A, 66B, and 66C at a constant level, thereby maintaining the heated portions 61A, 61B, and 61C of the microchannels 60 formed in each temperature zone 66A, 66B, and 66C at the corresponding temperatures. Therefore, the temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C can change the temperature of the sample solution that has moved to each temperature zone 66A, 66B, and 66C to the desired temperature in each temperature zone 66A, 66B, and 66C.

[0037] In this specification, "high temperature region" means a temperature region higher than the medium temperature region, and the specific temperature range is preferably around 90 to 100°C, more preferably 95 to 100°C, even more preferably around 95°C, and even more preferably 95°C. "Medium temperature region" means a temperature region higher than room temperature and lower than the high temperature region, and the specific temperature range is preferably around 37 to 80°C, more preferably 37 to 80°C, even more preferably 45 to 70°C, even more preferably 45 to 70°C, particularly preferably 55 to 65°C, and most preferably 55 to 65°C. For example, the temperature control unit 3A may maintain the temperature zone 66A as a high temperature region, for example, a denaturation temperature zone, at the temperature required for the DNA denaturation reaction in PCR. The temperature of the denaturation temperature zone is preferably around 90 to 100°C, more preferably 95 to 100°C, even more preferably around 95°C, and even more preferably 95°C. The temperature control unit 3B may maintain temperature zone 66B in the medium temperature range, for example, as the extension / annealing temperature range, at the temperature necessary for the DNA annealing and extension reactions in PCR. The temperature of the extension / annealing temperature range is preferably around 37 to 80°C, more preferably 37 to 80°C, even more preferably 45 to 70°C, even more preferably 45 to 70°C, particularly preferably 55 to 65°C, and most preferably 55 to 65°C. The temperature control unit 3C may maintain temperature zone 66C in the medium or high temperature range, for example, as the reverse transcription reaction temperature range, at the temperature necessary for the reverse transcription reaction suitable for the PCR reaction reagent. The temperature of the reverse transcription reaction temperature range can be appropriately set within the preferred range of the high temperature range or medium temperature range described above. In particular, when using a hot-start PCR reaction reagent, the reverse transcription reaction temperature range can be appropriately set within the preferred range of the high temperature range described above.

[0038] The temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C are connected to drivers 21A, 21B, and 21C, and temperature monitoring units 22A, 22B, and 22C. The drivers 21A, 21B, and 21C are devices that control the temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C to generate heat to maintain each temperature zone 66A, 66B, and 66C at the desired temperature, based on control signals from the control unit 10. The temperature monitoring units 22A, 22B, and 22C are devices that monitor the temperature of the temperature control units 3A, 3B, and 3C and transmit the monitoring results to the control unit 10.

[0039] The liquid delivery mechanisms 4A and 4B are mechanisms that move the sample solution within the microchannel 60 so as to move back and forth between temperature zone 66A and temperature zone 66B. This allows the sample solution to move back and forth between the denaturation temperature zone and the extension / annealing temperature zone. The liquid delivery mechanisms 4A and 4B use a mechanism in which the air pressure at the air intake and air discharge sections become equal when liquid delivery stops. Examples of liquid delivery mechanisms 4A and 4B that have equal air pressure at the air intake and air discharge sections when liquid delivery stops include microblowers and fans.

[0040] The liquid delivery mechanisms 4A and 4B are connected to the communication ports 52A and 52B (see Figure 2) of the reaction processing vessel 50, respectively, via air supply channels 23A and 23B. The liquid delivery mechanisms 4A and 4B are connected to drivers 24A and 24B. Drivers 24A and 24B are devices that control the liquid delivery mechanisms 4A and 4B to supply air at the desired timing based on control signals from the control unit 10. When the first liquid delivery mechanism 4A supplies air, the sample solution in the microchannel 60 (see Figure 2) is delivered from the temperature zone 66A side to the temperature zone 66B side. When the second liquid delivery mechanism 4B supplies air, the sample solution in the microchannel 60 (see Figure 2) is delivered from the temperature zone 66B side to the temperature zone 66A side.

[0041] The detection unit 5 is a device for detecting the sample solution in the reaction processing vessel 50. The detection unit 5 detects the sample solution and transmits the detection result to the control unit 10. The detection unit 5 detects the sample solution in the reaction processing vessel 50 between temperature zone 66A and temperature zone 66B. Specifically, the detection unit 5 detects the sample solution in a detection region 67 near the center of the intermediate part 62A of the microchannel 60 (see Figure 2). The channel width of the microchannel 60 in the detection region 67 may be larger than the channel width of the microchannel 60 in other locations. Increasing the channel width improves the detection accuracy of the detection unit 5. The detection unit 5 is composed of, for example, a fluorescence detector.

[0042] The control unit 10 includes a heating control unit 11, a signal detection unit 12, and a liquid feed mechanism control unit 13. The heating control unit 11 controls the temperature adjustment units 3A, 3B, and 3C so that the temperatures in the temperature zones 66A, 66B, and 66C become constant at desired temperatures. The signal detection unit 12 receives the detection result from the detection unit 5. The liquid feed mechanism control unit 13 may control the liquid feed mechanisms 4A and 4B based on the received signal of the signal detection unit 12 so that the sample solution in the microchannel 60 performs a desired movement.

[0043] Next, referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the first flow path region 30A will be described in detail. The first flow path region 30A has a configuration in which the microchannel 60 meanders a plurality of times. First, the configuration of a portion of the first heating unit 61A that is close to the location connected to the first flow path region 30A will be described. Specifically, in the flow path of the first heating unit 61A, the straight portion 71A on the positive side in the width direction X extends from the negative side to the positive side in the longitudinal direction Y along the end portion 66a on the negative side in the width direction X in the temperature zone 66A. The straight portion 71A is connected to a folded-back portion 72A that is folded back to the negative side in the width direction X at the end portion on the positive side in the longitudinal direction Y. The folded-back portion 72A extends from the end portion 66a toward the negative side in the width direction X in the vicinity of the end portion on the positive side in the longitudinal direction Y in the temperature zone 66A. The portion of the folded-back portion 72A on the negative side in the width direction X from the end portion 66a of the temperature zone 66A belongs to the first flow path region 30A.

[0044] The first flow path region 30A includes a part of the folded-back portion 72A, a straight portion 71B, a folded-back portion 72B, a straight portion 71C, a folded-back portion 72C, a straight portion 71D, a bent portion 73, and a straight portion 74. The straight portions 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D are spaced apart from each other in the width direction X and are arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0045] The straight section 71B extends from the negative end of the folded section 72A in the width direction X, from the positive side to the negative side in the longitudinal direction Y. At the negative end of the longitudinal direction Y, the straight section 71B is connected to the folded section 72B, which is folded back to the negative side in the width direction X. The straight section 71C extends from the negative end of the folded section 72B in the width direction X, from the negative side to the positive side in the longitudinal direction Y. At the positive end of the longitudinal direction Y, the straight section 71C is connected to the folded section 72C, which is folded back to the negative side in the width direction X. The straight section 71D extends from the negative end of the folded section 72C in the width direction X, from the positive side to the negative side in the longitudinal direction Y. At the negative end of the longitudinal direction Y, the straight section 71D is connected to the folded section 73, which is bent to the positive side in the width direction X. A straight section 74 extends from the positive end of the bent section 73 in the width direction X toward the positive side of the width direction X. The positive end of the straight section 74 in the width direction X is connected to the entrance / exit 53Aa of the first filter placement area 53A. The straight section 74 and the entrance / exit 53Aa of the first filter placement area 53A are located on the negative side of the longitudinal direction Y relative to the folded section 72B. A portion of the bent section 73 and the straight section 74 overlap with the first filter placement area 53A.

[0046] The first flow path region 30A has a first widened flow path 80A that is wider than the first heated section 61A, at least on the side of the first filter arrangement region 53A in terms of the flow path length. Here, the flow path width of the first widened flow path 80A will be described. Let the flow path width of the first widened flow path 80A be "W1", and the flow path width of the first heated section 61A be "W2". In this case, "flow path width W1 > flow path width W2". Note that if the flow path width W2 is not constant when considering the total length of the flow path of the first heated section 61A, the flow path width W2 shall be the average value with respect to the total length of the flow path of the first heated section 61A. The flow path width W1 of the first widened flow path 80A shall also be the average value with respect to the total length of the first widened flow path 80A. Note that the average value of the flow path width with respect to the total length of the flow path can be obtained, for example, by measuring the flow path width at a predetermined pitch (not limited, but for example 0.1 mm) along the flow path length and dividing the sum of the measured values ​​by the number of measurement points. However, other known methods for calculating average values ​​may be used. The flow path widths W1 and W2 are set such that "cross-sectional area of ​​the first widened flow path 80A > cross-sectional area of ​​the first heated portion 61A". For example, the explanation will be given assuming that the cross-sectional shape of the first widened flow path 80A and the cross-sectional shape of the first heated portion 61A are both rectangular. Here, the flow path widths W1 and W2 are the width of the first widened flow path 80A and the width of the first heated portion 61A (each width will be described later), respectively, and the depth of the first widened flow path 80A and the depth of the first heated portion 61A (each depth will be described later) are the same. In this case, "flow path width W1 > flow path width W2".

[0047] Here, with reference to Figure 10, the relationship between the cross-sectional shape of the microchannel 60 and the channel width will be explained. The cross-sectional shape of the microchannel 60 is not particularly limited, but may be trapezoidal, for example, as shown in Figure 10. The microchannel 60 has a lower base 60a which is the longer side and an upper base 60b which is the shorter side. The width DL1 of the lower base 60a is greater than the width DL2 of the upper base 60b. The channel width of the microchannel 60 is defined by its maximum width. Here, the width DL1 of the lower base 60a is assumed to be the channel width. In the example shown in Figure 10, a first member 50A having a groove corresponding to the microchannel 60 is prepared, and the microchannel 60 is formed by joining a second member 50B to the first member 50A. The first member 50A having a groove may be molded, for example, by a mold. To facilitate removal from the mold, the angle θ of the inclined surface on the trapezoidal side may be 10° or more. However, the cross-sectional shape of the microchannel 60 is not limited, and θ may be 0°. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape may be an inverted U-shape, a dome shape, or the like. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the first heated part 61A and the cross-sectional shape of the first widened flow path 80A are not particularly limited and can be a semicircle, circle, rectangular, trapezoid, inverted U-shape, dome shape, etc., and the cross-sectional shapes may be the same or different. The flow path width is defined according to the cross-sectional shape. For example, if the cross-sectional shape is a semicircle or circle, the flow path width may be defined by the diameter. If the cross-sectional shape is a rectangular, the flow path width may be defined by the maximum width among the width and depth. If the cross-sectional shape is a trapezoid, the flow path width may be defined by the maximum width among the width (e.g., bottom base) and depth (height). If the cross-sectional shape is an inverted U-shape or dome shape, the flow path width may be defined by the maximum width among the width (bottom) and depth (height).

[0048] Note that the channel width W1 of the first widened channel 80A is expressed as a ratio (W1 / W2 × 100 (%)) of the channel width W2 of the first heated portion 61A. The lower limit value of the channel width W1 of the first widened channel 80A is not particularly limited, and the channel width W1 may be larger than 100%, but in order to suppress the blockage of the channel by droplets, it may be 105% or more, and more preferably 120% or more. The upper limit value of the channel width W1 of the first widened channel 80A is not particularly limited, but the first widened channel 80A may be suppressed to a size within a range where it can be regarded as a linear channel rather than a chamber (see, for example, FIG. 4(b)). That is, when the channel width W1 of the first widened channel 80A is too large, it becomes a chamber (see, for example, FIG. 4(b)) instead of a linear channel, and restrictions on arrangement and the like occur. Therefore, the channel width W1 of the first widened channel 80A may be 300% or less, and more preferably 200% or less. Further, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the first widened channel 80A is expressed as (cross-sectional area of the first widened channel 80A / cross-sectional area of the first heated portion 61A) × 100 (%). Here, the lower limit value of the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the first widened channel 80A is not particularly limited, and in order to suppress the blockage of the channel by droplets, it may be larger (wider) than 100%, preferably 105% or more, more preferably 120% or more, and even more preferably 130% or more. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of further increasing the degree of freedom in arranging various components such as channels in the reaction processing container 50, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the first widened channel 80A may be 350% or less, preferably 300% or less, more preferably 250%, and even more preferably 210% or less.

[0049] Here, we will describe a configuration in which the first flow path region 30A has a first widened flow path 80A "at least on the side of the first filter placement region 53A" in terms of the flow path length. The first flow path region 30A has one end 30Aa on the side of the first heated portion 61A and the other end 30Ab on the side of the first filter placement region 53A. In this embodiment, one end 30Aa of the first widened flow path 80A is set at the boundary between the temperature zone 66A and the region outside the temperature zone 66A. The other end 30Ab of the first widened flow path 80A is set at the connection point with the first filter placement region 53A. In this embodiment, the first widened flow path 80A is connected at the inlet / outlet 53Aa at the central position of the first filter placement region 53A. Therefore, the connection point with the inlet / outlet 53Aa becomes the other end 30Ab. However, the location at which the first flow path region 30A is connected to the first filter arrangement region 53A is not particularly limited. For example, the first flow path region 30A may be connected to the outer edge of the first filter arrangement region 53A, as in the first connecting flow path region 31A. In this case, the other end 30Ab of the first flow path region 30A is set at the outer edge of the first filter arrangement region 53A (see "30Ab" indicated by the dashed leader line).

[0050] The flow path length of the first flow path region 30A is determined by the length of the center line CL of the flow path extending between one end 30Aa and the other end 30Ab. As shown in Figure 3, the center line CL is formed by connecting the center lines of a part of the folded section 72A, the straight section 71B, the folded section 72B, the straight section 71C, the folded section 72C, the straight section 71D, the bent section 73, and the straight section 74. A central position CP is set in the flow path length for the first flow path region 30A. The position on the first filter placement region 53A side in the flow path length is the position in the flow path length that is closer to the first filter placement region 53A than the central position CP. Specifically, the section of the flow path length between the other end 30Ab and the central position CP corresponds to the position on the first filter placement region 53A side in the flow path length. The position on the first heated portion 61A side of the flow path length is the position on the first heated portion 61A side of the flow path length that is closer to the first heated portion 61A than the central position CP. Specifically, the portion of the flow path length between the end portion 30Aa and the central position CP corresponds to the first heated portion 61A side of the flow path length. The first flow path region 30A has the first widened flow path 80A in at least one portion of the position on the first filter arrangement region 53A side. The first flow path region 30A only needs to have the first widened flow path 80A on the first filter arrangement region 53A side. The first widened flow path 80A may extend beyond the central position CP to the first heated portion 61A side of the flow path length. In addition, there may be one or more other first widened flow paths 80 on the first heated portion 61A side of the flow path length, in addition to the first widened flow path 80A located on the first filter arrangement region 53A side of the flow path length. The phrase "the first widening channel is also present on the first heated portion side" includes both patterns: one in which a long, continuous first widening channel 80A exists on the first heated portion 61A side, as shown in Figure 3; and another in which, as shown in Figure 5(b), one of the spaced-apart first widening channels 80A exists on the first heated portion 61A side.

[0051] The first flow path region 30A may be composed of linear flow paths throughout the entire area from the first heated section 61A to the first filter placement region 53A. A linear flow path means having an elongated shape with a flow path width that is not extremely wide. A linear flow path has a flow path width that falls within a certain range. For example, as shown in Figure 4(b), if a structure with a widening, such as a chamber 90, is provided in the middle of the flow path, the chamber 90 does not qualify as a linear flow path. That is, if a chamber 90 is provided at any position in the first flow path region 30A, the structure does not qualify as a structure composed of linear flow paths throughout the entire area from the first heated section 61A to the first filter placement region 53A. Specifically, a linear flow path is a state in which the width of the flow path is relatively narrow compared to its length and functions as a passage for fluid to flow in one direction. For example, if the flow path width is 300% or less of the flow path width W2 of the first heated section 61, it qualifies as a linear flow path.

[0052] In this embodiment, the entire area of ​​the first flow path region 30A, except for a portion near the ends 30Aa and 30Ab, is configured as the first widened flow path 80A. One end 80Aa of the first widened flow path 80A on the side of the first heated portion 61A is set at a position separated by a predetermined distance along the flow path length from one end 30Aa of the first flow path region 30A. The one end 30Aa is set at the positive end in the longitudinal direction Y of the straight portion 71B. One end 80Ab of the first widened flow path 80A on the side of the first filter placement region 53A is set at a position separated by a predetermined distance D1 along the flow path length from the outer peripheral edge of the first filter placement region 53A. The predetermined distance D1 is determined, for example, by the idea of ​​making it difficult for droplets trapped at the widened portion to enter the first filter placement region 53A, and may be set to approximately 0.75 mm. With this configuration, the first flow path region 30A also has a first widened flow path 80A on the side of the first heated portion 61A. Furthermore, the first flow path region 30A does not have a chamber or the like in the middle, and is composed of a linear flow path throughout the entire area from the first heated portion 61A to the first filter placement region 53A. The first widened flow path 80A is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, and may be configured over a wider or narrower area. For example, the first widened flow path 80A may be provided in at least a part of the area of ​​the first flow path region 30A. In one example, the first widened flow path 80A may be provided only in a flow path at a position in contact with the connection portion 81 with the first filter placement region 53A, or in a very small part of a flow path near the connection portion 81. Even with such a configuration, blockage of the flow path by droplets can be suppressed by allowing droplets to accumulate at the widened portion.

[0053] Of the first flow path region 30A, the connecting portion 81 that connects to the first filter placement region 53A is formed by a single flow path. Of the first flow path region 30A, the portion that overlaps with the first filter placement region 53A is included in the connecting portion 81. Also, of the first flow path region 30A, the extraction points 82 that are drawn out from the outer edge of the first filter placement region 53A are included in the connecting portion 81. For example, as shown in Figure 4(a), if the first flow path region 30A is drawn out from multiple locations (two locations in this case) of the first filter placement region 53A and merges into a single flow path, the connecting portion 81 will be formed by multiple flow paths rather than a single flow path.

[0054] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 81 is composed of a flow path that is narrower than the first widening flow path 80A. The flow path of the connecting portion 81 has the same flow path width as the straight portion 71A of the first heated portion 61A. The first widening flow path 80A is directly connected to the connecting portion 81. The other end 80Ab of the first widening flow path 80A and the end 81a of the connecting portion 81 are directly connected without the interposition of a chamber (Figure 4(b)) or multiple flow paths (Figure 4(a)).

[0055] The first widening channel 80A is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, the configurations shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) may be adopted. In Figure 5(a), the first channel region 30A has the first widening channel 80A only on the side of the first filter placement region 53A, i.e., on the side of the first filter placement region 53A from the central position CP. In Figure 5(b), the first channel region 30A has the first widening channel 80A on the side of the first filter placement region 53A, i.e., on the side of the first heated portion 61A, i.e., on the side of the first heated portion 61A from the central position CP. The first widening channels 80A on both sides are not continuous as shown in Figure 3, but are spaced apart from each other.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the connecting portion 81 is formed by a part of the first widened channel 80A, so the first widened channel 80A may be directly connected to the first filter placement area 53A. Specifically, the end portion 30Ab is also formed as part of the first widened channel 80A and is connected to the inlet / outlet 53Aa. In addition, the extension portion 82 that extends from the outer peripheral edge of the first filter placement area 53A is also formed as part of the first widened channel 80A.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the second flow path region 30B may have a second widened flow path 80B that is wider than the third heated portion 61C. The second widened flow path 80B may be provided at any position within the second flow path region 30B. In the example shown in Figure 7(a), the second widened flow path 80B is provided on the side of the second filter placement region 53B in terms of the flow path length, and a portion of the second flow path region 30B on the side of the third heated portion 61C is configured as a normal flow path. The position on the side of the second filter placement region 53B in terms of the flow path length of the second flow path region 30B is a position closer to the second filter placement region 53B than the central position in terms of the flow path length of the second flow path region 30B. Specifically, the distance between the end of the second flow path region 30B on the side of the second filter placement region 53B and the central position in terms of the flow path length corresponds to the position on the side of the second filter placement region 53B in terms of the flow path length of the second flow path region 30B. In the example shown in Figure 7(b), the second widened channel 80B is provided over substantially the entire area of ​​the second channel region 30B. As shown in Figure 7(c), the second widened channel 80B may extend not only to the second channel region 30B but also to the third heated section 61C. Furthermore, the second widened channel 80B is not necessarily provided on the second filter placement region 53B side of the second channel region 30B, but may be provided only on the third heated section 61C side.

[0058] Next, an experiment to confirm the effect of the reaction vessel 50 according to this embodiment will be described. For Examples 1, 2, and 3, a reaction vessel having the first flow path region 30A shown in Figure 3 was prepared. The overall view of the reaction vessel 50 according to Examples 1, 2, and 3 is shown in Figure 2. For Examples 1, 2, and 3, the part corresponding to the first flow path region in Figure 2 is changed to the first flow path region 30A shown in Figure 3. For Comparative Example 1, a reaction vessel having the first flow path region 130A shown in Figure 8 was prepared. The reaction vessel according to Comparative Example 1 is a reaction vessel of the same model number as in Example 1, but the part corresponding to the first flow path region is changed to the first flow path region 130A shown in Figure 8. For Comparative Example 2, a reaction vessel having the first flow path region 230A shown in Figure 9 was prepared. The overall view of the reaction vessel 250 according to Comparative Example 2 is shown in Figure 11.

[0059] In the embodiment 1 shown in Figure 3, dimension D2 was set to 6.62 mm and dimension D3 was set to 4.5 mm. The radius of curvature of the outer circumference of the folded portions 72A, 72B, 72C and the bent portion 73 was set to 0.75 mm. Dimension D4 from the end 66a of the temperature zone 66A to the end 71Da of the straight portion 71D was set to 3.75 mm. The flow path length (length of the center line CL) of the first flow path region 30A was set to 16.745 mm. In the first heated portion 61A, the reagent was present up to a point 4.72 mm beyond the detection point.

[0060] In Examples 1, 2, and 3, the upper width of the first heated section 61A was set to 0.5 mm and the lower width to 0.75 mm. That is, the flow path width W2 was set to 0.75 mm. In Example 1, the upper width of the first widened flow path 80A was set to 0.7 mm and the lower width to 0.95 mm. That is, the flow path width W1 was set to 0.95 mm. In this case, "W1 / W2" is 127%. In Example 2, the upper width of the first widened flow path 80A was set to 0.9 mm and the lower width to 1.15 mm. That is, the flow path width W1 was set to 1.15 mm. In this case, "W1 / W2" is 153%. In Example 3, the upper width of the first widened flow path 80A was set to 1.1 mm and the lower width to 1.51 mm. That is, the flow path width W1 was set to 1.51 mm. In this case, "W1 / W2" is 201%. In all three examples (1, 2, and 3), the height of the first heated section 61A and the first widened flow path 80A was set to 0.7 mm.

[0061] In Comparative Example 1 shown in Figure 8, the chamber 190 was created by connecting the portion corresponding to the straight section 71C and the portion corresponding to the straight section 71D of Examples 1, 2, and 3 shown in Figure 3 as the same space. The flow path width of the straight section 71B was made the same as that of the first heated section 61A. In the chamber 190, since the vapor travels along the side wall 190a, the center line CL was set assuming that a flow path with the same flow path width as the straight section 71B runs along the side wall 190a. The configuration of the other parts was the same as in Examples 1, 2, and 3. The dimension D5 from the end 66a of the temperature zone 66A to the end 190b of the chamber 190 was set to 3.75 mm. The flow path length (length of the center line CL) of the first flow path region 130A was set to 10.48 mm. In the first heated section 61A, the reagent was present up to a point 4.72 mm beyond the detection point. The flow path width W2 of the first heated section 61A in Comparative Example 1 is the same as in Example 1.

[0062] In Comparative Example 2 shown in Figure 9, the first flow path region 230A includes a straight section 231 extending from the positive end in the longitudinal direction Y of the straight section 270 to the negative side in the width direction X via a bent section 271, and a straight section 233 extending to the negative side in the longitudinal direction Y via a bent section 232. The length dimension D6 of the straight section 270 was set to 8 mm. The length dimension D7 of the straight section 231 was set to 4.06 mm. The dimension D8 from the end 66a of the temperature zone 66A to the end 233a of the straight section 233 was set to 4.81 mm. The length dimension D9 of the straight section 233 was set to 10.75 mm. The radius of curvature of the outer circumference of the bent sections 271, 232, and the folded-back section 272 was set to 0.75 mm. The flow path length (length of the center line CL) of the first flow path region 230A was set to 15.988 mm. In the first heated section 61A, the reagent was present up to a point 13.65 mm away from the detection point. The flow path width of the first flow path region 230A in Comparative Example 2 is the same as the flow path width W2 of the first heated section 61A in Example 1.

[0063] As Comparative Example 3, in contrast to Examples 1, 2, and 3 shown in Figure 3, instead of the first widened flow path 80A, the entire first flow path region 30A was made to have the same flow path width as the first heated portion 61A.

[0064] The above-described examples 1 and 2, and comparative examples 1, 2, and 3 were operated in the reaction apparatus. The temperature conditions were set as follows: temperature zone 66C to 50°C, temperature zone 66B to 65°C, and temperature zone 66A to 98°C. The blower output of the liquid delivery mechanism was set to 200, the cycle condition to N2, and the number of cycles to 97. In comparative example 3, no liquid delivery errors occurred, but liquid droplets that could be delivered were generated in the first flow path region. In addition, the first flow path region was cloudy up to the vicinity of the first filter placement region 53A. The cause of the clouding and droplets due to aggregation is thought to be the cooling of the steam-containing air by the room temperature air supplied from the blower. Note that the process is completed before the flow path is blocked by droplets. No liquid delivery errors occurred in comparative example 2. In comparative example 2, the distance from temperature zone 66A to the straight section 233 connected to the filter placement region is large, but this configuration has the problem of increasing the size of the reaction treatment vessel. In Comparative Example 1, there were no liquid delivery errors and no liquid droplets were generated, but condensation occurred in the first flow path region 130A up to the vicinity of the first filter placement region 53A. In contrast, in Examples 1 and 2, no liquid delivery errors occurred, no liquid droplets were generated, and the condensation was limited to the return section 72C, not approaching the first filter placement region 53.

[0065] Next, the operation and effects of the reaction treatment vessel 50 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0066] The reaction vessel 50 has a microchannel 60 comprising a first heated section 61A, a second heated section 61B, (in this embodiment) a third heated section 61C, an intermediate section 62A, a first connecting section 63A, and a second connecting section 63B. Therefore, by mounting the reaction vessel 50 in the reaction apparatus 1, the sample solution injected into the reaction vessel 50 can be moved back and forth between a high-temperature region 66A and a medium-temperature region 66B using the liquid transfer mechanisms 4A and 4B within the reaction apparatus 1 to amplify nucleic acids. Here, the first channel region 30A is provided between the first filter arrangement region 53A and the first heated section 61A which is heated in the high-temperature region. Therefore, heated steam passes through the first channel region 30A. In contrast, the first flow path region 30A has a first widened flow path 80A, at least on the side of the first filter placement region 53A in terms of the flow path length, which has a wider flow path width than the first heated portion 61A. The first widened flow path 80A suppresses the generation of droplets due to the cooling of steam on the side of the first filter placement region 53A, and even if droplets are generated, the wide cross-sectional area can suppress blockage of the flow path. Furthermore, the connecting portion 81 that connects to the first filter placement region 53A within the first flow path region 30A is formed by a single flow path. That is, it is a simpler connecting portion 81 compared to a structure in which the connecting portion 81 is branched into multiple parts to suppress blockage. As described above, blockage of the flow path can be suppressed with a simple structure. Such a simple structure can reduce the manufacturing cost of the reaction treatment vessel 50. In addition, it improves the degree of design freedom compared to a complex branching structure.

[0067] The first flow path region 30A may be composed of linear flow paths throughout the entire area from the first heated section 61A to the first filter placement region 53A. In this case, the first flow path region 30A can have a simpler structure compared to a structure that includes a chamber or the like.

[0068] The first flow path region 30A may also have a first widened flow path 80A on the side of the first heated portion 61A. In this case, the first flow path region 30A can suppress blockage of the flow path over a wide area.

[0069] The connecting portion 81 may be composed of a flow path that is narrower than the first widened flow path 80A. In this case, it is possible to accommodate situations where it is difficult to widen the flow path width of the connecting portion 81 in relation to the first filter placement area 53A.

[0070] The first widened channel 80A may be directly connected to the connecting portion 81. In this case, the range of the first widened channel 80A can be extended to just before the connecting portion 81. This makes it possible to more effectively capture droplets generated by the cooling of vapor in the vicinity of the first filter placement area 53A. Since the captured droplets remain in the first widened channel 80A, they are less likely to pass through the connecting portion 81 and enter the first filter placement area 53A. This further prevents the first filter FT1 from getting wet with droplets, thus further preventing deterioration of the performance of the first filter FT1.

[0071] Since the connecting portion 81 is formed from a part of the first widened flow path 80A, the first widened flow path 80A may be directly connected to the first filter placement area 53A. In this case, blockage of the flow path in the connecting portion 81 can be further suppressed.

[0072] The reaction vessel 50 according to this embodiment is a reaction vessel 50 having at least one microchannel 60, the microchannel 60 having a first heated section 61A corresponding to a high temperature region, a second heated section 61B corresponding to a first medium temperature region, and a third heated section 61C corresponding to a second high temperature region, an intermediate section 62A connecting the first heated section 61A and the second heated section 61B, a first connecting section 63A capable of connecting the first heated section 61A and the liquid supply mechanism 4A, and the second heated section 6 The device comprises a second connecting portion 63B that can connect 1B and the liquid delivery mechanism 4B via a third heated portion 61C, wherein the region of the second connecting portion 63B between the third heated portion 61C and the liquid delivery mechanism 4B includes a second filter arrangement region 53B where the second filter FT2 is arranged, and a second flow path region 30B between the second filter arrangement region 53B and the third heated portion 61C, and the second flow path region 30B has a second widened flow path 80B which has a flow path width wider than that of the third heated portion 61C.

[0073] In this case, the second flow path region 30B has a second widened flow path 80B that is wider than the third heated portion 61C. The second widened flow path 80B suppresses the generation of droplets due to the cooling of steam on the second filter arrangement region 53B side, and even if droplets are generated, the wide cross-sectional area can suppress blockage of the flow path. Thus, blockage of the flow path can be suppressed with a simple structure.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0075] The structure of the reaction vessel 50 described above is merely an example, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the flow path configuration of the microchannel 60 may be modified as appropriate. Also, the third heated section 61C may be omitted.

[0076] [Embodiment 1] A reaction vessel having at least one microchannel, wherein the microchannel comprises a first heated section corresponding to a high temperature region and a second heated section corresponding to a medium temperature region, an intermediate section connecting the first heated section and the second heated section, a first connecting section capable of connecting the first heated section and a first liquid delivery mechanism, and a second connecting section capable of directly or indirectly connecting the second heated section and the second liquid delivery mechanism, wherein the first connecting section comprises a first filter placement region where a first filter is arranged, and a first channel region between the first filter placement region and the first heated section, the connecting section of the first channel region that connects to the first filter placement region is formed by a single channel, and the first channel region has a first widened channel having a wider channel width than the first heated section, at least on the side of the channel length that is adjacent to the first filter placement region. [Embodiment 2] The reaction processing vessel according to Embodiment 1, wherein the first flow path region is composed of a linear flow path extending from the first heated section to the entire area of ​​the first filter placement region. [Embodiment 3] The reaction processing vessel according to Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the first flow path region also has the first widening flow path on the side of the first heated section. [Embodiment 4] The reaction processing vessel according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the connecting section is composed of a flow path narrower than the first widening flow path. [Embodiment 5] The reaction processing vessel according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the first widening flow path is directly connected to the connecting section. [Embodiment 6] The reaction processing vessel according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the connecting section is composed of a part of the first widening flow path, and the first widening flow path is directly connected to the first filter placement region.[Embodiment 7] A reaction vessel having at least one microchannel, wherein the microchannel comprises a first heated section corresponding to a high-temperature region, a second heated section corresponding to a first medium-temperature region, and a third heated section corresponding to a second high-temperature region; an intermediate section connecting the first heated section and the second heated section; a first connecting section capable of connecting the first heated section and a first liquid delivery mechanism; and a second connecting section capable of connecting the second heated section and the second liquid delivery mechanism via the third heated section, wherein the region of the second connecting section between the third heated section and the second liquid delivery mechanism comprises a second filter arrangement region where a second filter is arranged, and a second channel region between the second filter arrangement region and the third heated section, and the second channel region has a second widened channel having a wider channel width than the third heated section.

[0077] 1... Reaction apparatus, 3A, 3B, 3C... Temperature control unit, 4A... First liquid delivery mechanism, 4B... Second liquid delivery mechanism, 50... Reaction vessel, 30A... First flow path region, 30B... Second flow path region, 53A... First filter placement region, 53B... Second filter placement region, 60... Microchannel, 61A... First heated section, 61B... Second heated section, 61C... Third heated section, 62A... Intermediate section, 63A... First connection section, 63B... Second connection section, 80A... First widened flow path, 80B... Second widened flow path.

Claims

A reaction vessel having at least one microchannel, The aforementioned microchannel is A first heated section corresponding to a high temperature range, and a second heated section corresponding to a medium temperature range, The first heated portion and the intermediate portion connecting the second heated portion, It comprises a first connecting part capable of connecting the first heated part and the first liquid supply mechanism, and a second connecting part capable of directly or indirectly connecting the second heated part and the second liquid supply mechanism, The first connection part is, A first filter placement region in which the first filter is placed, It has a first flow path region between the first filter arrangement region and the first heated portion, Of the first flow path region, the connecting portion that connects to the first filter arrangement region is formed by a single flow path. The reaction vessel has a first widened channel, at least on the side of the channel length toward the first filter placement region, which has a wider channel width than the first heated portion. 　 The reaction processing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the first flow path region is composed of linear flow paths extending from the first heated portion to the entire area of ​​the first filter arrangement region. 　 The reaction processing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the first flow channel region also has the first widened flow channel on the side of the first heated portion. 　 The reaction processing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is composed of a channel that is narrower in width than the first widening channel. 　 The reaction processing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the first widened channel is directly connected to the connecting portion. 　 The reaction processing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is formed by a part of the first widened flow path, and the first widened flow path is directly connected to the first filter placement area. 　 A reaction vessel having at least one microchannel, The aforementioned microchannel is A first heated section corresponding to a high temperature range, a second heated section corresponding to a first medium temperature range, and a third heated section corresponding to a second high temperature range, The first heated portion and the intermediate portion connecting the second heated portion, It comprises a first connecting part that can connect the first heated part and the first liquid supply mechanism, and a second connecting part that can connect the second heated part and the second liquid supply mechanism via the third heated part, Of the second connection portion, the region between the third heated portion and the second liquid supply mechanism is A second filter placement region where the second filter is placed, It has a second flow path region between the second filter placement region and the third heated portion, The reaction vessel has a second widened channel in the second channel region, which has a wider channel width than the third heated section.

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