JP2005106740A - Sample injection method and micro device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample injection method which enables the reduction in size of a micro device to be used, accurate analysis of the micro device and inexpensive implementation thereof, as well as a small micro device which enables accurate analysis. <P>SOLUTION: A buffer is introduced in a first opening part 16, and the first opening part 16 is pressurized to fill the buffer in an injection path 24. While inhibiting the buffer in the injection path 24 and a second opening part 18 from being substantially moved in an introduction flow path 28 or a quantitative path 26, a sample is introduced in a third opening part 20. The buffer is introduced in the first and second opening parts 16, 18, and voltage is applied between the buffer in the first opening part 16 and the buffer in the second opening part 18. Further, the third opening part 20 is pressurized to fill a sample in the introduction flow path 28 and quantitative path 26 while inhibiting the buffer in the injection path 24 from being substantially moved. By an electroendosmosis phenomenon, a quantitative amount of the sample in the quantitative path 26 is separated from the sample in the introduction flow path 28 to move the quantitative amount of the sample in a main flow path 22 from the second opening part 18 in a direction toward the first opening part 16 for the injection of a quantitative amount of the sample. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample injection method and a microdevice for injecting a fixed amount of sample used in so-called μTAS (Micro Total Analysis Systems).

  Conventionally, various sample injection methods have been used to inject a fixed amount of sample with so-called μTAS. For example, Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a sample injection method using an electroosmosis phenomenon.

  In the sample injection methods of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 and 2, plate-like microdevices 40 and 42 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are used. These micro devices 40 and 42 are formed with an introduction channel 46 and a main channel 48 which intersect with each other to form a common portion 44 having a predetermined volume. The introduction channel 46 and the main channel 48 have a “cross” shape shown in FIG. 6 (A) or a “double T-shape” shown in FIG. 6 (B).

  On the upper surface of the microdevices 40 and 42, four openings are formed to communicate each end of the flow path with the outside. Openings formed at each end of the main channel 48 are buffer reservoirs 50 and 52 into which buffers are introduced. The opening formed at one end of the introduction channel 46 is a sample introduction port 54 through which a sample is introduced, and the opening formed at the other end is a discharge port 56.

  In the sample injection methods of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 and 2, a sample is first introduced into the sample introduction port 54 of the introduction channel 46. Next, voltage is applied to both ends of the introduction channel 46 to cause an electroosmosis phenomenon, and the sample in the sample introduction port 54 is introduced into the introduction channel 46 as shown by arrows in FIG. It is moved from the port 54 toward the discharge port 56. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, the introduction channel 46 is filled with the sample, and a part of the sample is positioned in the common portion 44. Thereafter, the application of voltage to both ends of the introduction channel 46 is removed.

  Then, a voltage is applied to both ends of the main flow path 48 to cause an electroosmosis phenomenon, and the sample in the common portion 44 is compared with the other samples in the introduction flow path 46 as shown by arrows in FIG. Separate and move to one end in the main channel 48. In this way, an amount of sample equal to the volume of the common part 44 is separated. The quantitative sample is injected into an analysis unit (not shown) disposed in the main channel 48 for analysis.

  Further, in the sample injection method of Patent Document 2, a part of the sample moved in the introduction channel 46 is accurately positioned in the common part 44, and the sample in the common part 44 is placed in the main channel 48. The voltage applied to both ends of the introduction channel 46 or both ends of the main channel 48 is set so that the sample in the introduction channel 46 does not continuously enter the main channel 48 when moving toward one end. Adjustments are made according to the situation.

Further, in the sample injection method of Patent Document 3, the same microdevices 40 and 42 as in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 and 2 are used. In the sample injection method of Patent Document 3, the electroosmosis phenomenon is not used as a driving force for moving the liquid in the main channel 48 or the introduction channel 46. Instead, the liquid is driven by generating a pressure difference at the openings at both ends of the main flow path 48 or at the openings at both ends of the introduction flow path 46.
Analytical Chemistry 1992, 64, p. 1926-1932 Analytical Chemistry 1993, 65, p. 1481-1488 Analytical Chemistry 2001, 73, p. 2656 ~ 2662 Analytical Chemistry 2002, 74, p. 1223-1231 Analytical Chemistry 2002, 74, p. 1952-1961 Special Table 2000-513813 JP 2000-74880 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-542489

  In the microdevices 40 and 42, a large area is required for the interface portion with the outside such as the sample introduction port 54 and the discharge port 56. Here, in the sample injection methods of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 to 3, at least four interface portions of the sample introduction port 54, the discharge port 56, and the two buffer reservoirs 50 and 52 are required. For this reason, in the sample injection methods of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 to 3, the microdevices 40 and 42 cannot be made sufficiently small. This is because the sample is injected into one microdevice 40 or 42. This is particularly a problem when a plurality of flow paths are provided.

  In the sample injection methods of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 and 2, both ends of the introduction channel 46 are moved when the sample is moved from the sample introduction port 54 to the discharge port 56 in the introduction channel 46. It is necessary to apply a voltage to For this reason, the sample in the introduction channel 46 is in an electrophoretic state. As a result, the sample located in the introduction flow path 46 may have a component composition different from the original component composition depending on the position. Therefore, the component composition of the sample moved to the common portion 44 may also be different from the original component composition. That is, there is a possibility that a sample different from the original component composition is injected into the analysis unit, and precise analysis cannot be performed.

  Furthermore, in the sample injection methods of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 and 2, in order to accurately separate a sample of a predetermined volume, both ends of the introduction flow path 46 or the mainstream are used according to each stage of each process. It is necessary to adjust the voltage applied to both ends of the path 48 in a complicated manner. For example, in the sample injection method of Patent Document 2, the magnitude of the voltage applied to both ends of each channel is adjusted, the voltage is switched from both ends of the introduction channel 46 to both ends of the main channel 48, It is necessary to set the end of each flow path to a floating voltage or a ground voltage. For this reason, in the sample injection methods of Non-Patent Documents 1 to 5 and Patent Documents 1 and 2, complicated power supply control is required, and the power supply device tends to be expensive.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a sample injection method capable of downsizing, precise analysis, and low-cost implementation of a microdevice to be used, and precise analysis. It is to provide a possible small micro device.

The invention of claim 1 is a sample injection method for injecting a sample of a predetermined volume using a microdevice in which a flow path is formed,
Introducing a buffer into a first opening that communicates one end of the main channel with the outside;
The first opening communicates with the second opening that communicates the other end of the main channel with the outside and the end of the introduction channel that branches off from the main channel and the outside. Filling the inside of the injection path forming the portion between the first opening in the main flow path and the branching section in the introduction flow path with the buffer at a pressure higher than that of the third opening. When,
Introducing a sample into the third opening;
Introducing a buffer into the first and second openings and applying a voltage between the buffer in the first opening and the buffer in the second opening;
The third opening has a pressure higher than that of the first and second openings, and has a volume equal to the predetermined volume in the introduction flow path and the branch of the introduction flow path of the main flow path Filling the sample with a quantitative path forming a portion between a portion and the second opening; and
Due to the electroosmosis phenomenon, the sample of the predetermined volume in the fixed flow path is separated from the sample in the introduction flow path and is directed from the second opening to the first opening in the main flow path. Moving in the direction,
It is a sample injection method characterized by comprising.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the sample injection method according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of the metering channel and the inner surface of the introduction channel have hydrophobicity.

  In the second aspect of the invention, the inner surface of the metering path and the inner surface of the introduction channel are made hydrophobic so that the step of filling the buffer and the step of applying the voltage after the step of filling with the buffer. In this buffer, the buffer is hardly moved into the introduction flow path or the fixed flow path.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the sample injection method according to claim 1, wherein the injection path has a larger flow path resistance than the quantitative path and the introduction flow path.

  In the invention of claim 3, in the step of filling the injection channel with the sample so that the injection channel has a larger channel resistance than the metering channel and the introduction channel, the sample moves in the metering channel or the introduction channel. On the other hand, the buffer in the injection path is hardly moved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the step of filling with the sample is performed between the buffer in the first opening and the buffer in the second opening when the sample reaches the second opening. 2. The sample injection method according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of detecting a current that starts flowing in step 1 and releasing a pressure difference between the first and second openings and the third opening. It is.

  In the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the step of filling with the sample, when the sample reaches the second opening, it starts to flow between the buffer in the first opening and the buffer in the second opening. The sample is prevented from moving into the second opening by detecting the detected current and releasing the pressure difference between the first and second openings and the third opening.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the step of moving, the liquid level height of the buffer in the first and second openings is set higher than the liquid level height of the sample in the third opening. The sample injection method according to claim 1, further comprising:

  In the invention of claim 5, in the moving step, the liquid surface height of the buffer in the first and second openings is made higher than the liquid surface height of the sample in the third opening, and the quantitative determination is performed. When the sample in the channel is separated from the sample in the introduction channel and is moved in the main channel in the direction from the second opening to the first opening, the sample in the introduction channel is in the main channel. The sample is returned to the sample inlet naturally without being moved.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the sample injection method according to the first aspect, wherein the inner surface of the injection path has hydrophilicity.

  In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the inner surface of the injection path is made hydrophilic so that the buffer can be moved smoothly in the injection path.

The invention of claim 7 is a microdevice for injecting a sample of a predetermined volume using a microdevice in which at least one main channel is formed,
Each of one end and the other end of the main flow path communicates with the outside, a buffer is introduced, and first and second openings to which a voltage is applied between the buffers in each of the main flow path;
An introduction channel branched from the main channel;
A third opening through which an end of the introduction channel is communicated with the outside and a sample is introduced;
A quantitative path having a volume equal to the predetermined volume, the portion of the main flow path between the branch of the introduction flow path and the second opening;
A portion between the first opening of the main channel and the branch of the introduction channel is formed, and the third opening is set to a pressure higher than those of the first and second openings, and the quantitative determination is performed. An injection path having a flow path resistance larger than that of the quantitative path and the introduction flow path so that the buffer is not substantially moved in the injection path when the sample is moved in the path or the introduction flow path;
A hydrophobic portion provided on the inner surface of the introduction channel and the metering channel, and having a hydrophobic property so that a buffer in the injection channel or the second opening is not substantially moved into the introduction channel or the metering channel; The
It is a microdevice characterized by comprising.

  In the invention of claim 7, a buffer is introduced into the first opening, the first opening is made to have a higher pressure than the second and third openings, and the injection path is filled with the buffer, and The sample is introduced into the third opening while the buffer in the injection path and the second opening is not substantially moved into the introduction channel or the quantitative path by the action of the hydrophobic part, and the first and second A buffer is introduced into the first opening, a voltage is applied between the buffer in the first opening and the buffer in the second opening, and the third opening is further connected to the first and second openings. The sample in the introduction channel and the metering channel is kept at a high pressure so that the buffer in the injection channel is hardly moved by the channel resistance of the injection channel that is larger than the channel resistance of the metering channel and the introduction channel. Satisfies and introduces a fixed amount of sample in the flow path through the electroosmosis phenomenon. The sample is separated from the sample and moved in a direction from the second opening toward the first opening in the main channel, and a fixed amount of sample is injected.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the microdevice according to claim 7, wherein an interface portion with the outside of the main channel is only the first to third openings.

  In the eighth aspect of the present invention, the interface portion with the outside of the main flow path is only the first to third openings.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to inexpensively perform sample injection capable of precise analysis using a miniaturized microdevice, and a small microdevice capable of precise analysis is provided. It has been realized.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a microdevice 2 used in a sample injection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The micro device 2 is formed by sticking together two plate-like members made of a hydrophilic material. In this embodiment, a glass plate is used as the plate member.

  FIG. 2A shows a first glass plate 4 that forms the microdevice 2. A groove 6 is formed on one surface of the first glass plate 4. The cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove 6 is substantially constant throughout, for example, a rectangle as shown in FIG. This rectangle has, for example, a width of 100 μm and a depth of 50 μm.

  In the present embodiment, the groove 6 is formed by etching. Examples of the processing method of the groove 6 include a wet method of processing with hydrofluoric acid after patterning by photolithography, a dry method of processing using a laser, an ion beam, or the like.

  In FIG. 3, the 2nd glass plate 8 which forms the microdevice 2 is shown. The second glass plate 8 is bonded to the surface of the first glass plate 4 where the grooves 6 are formed. Three through holes 10, 12, 14 are formed in the second glass plate 8. These through-holes 10, 12, and 14 are, for example, about φ3. The through holes 10, 12, and 14 communicate the ends of the grooves 6 of the first glass plate 4 with the outside.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, two through holes 10 and 12 form first and second buffer reservoirs (first and second openings) 16 and 18 into which a buffer is dropped. The first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 are electrodes 30a and 30b (FIG. 4) for applying a voltage between the buffer in the first buffer reservoir 16 and the buffer in the second buffer reservoir 18. The shape is such that it can be inserted. Furthermore, current detection means for detecting a current flowing between the electrodes 30a and 30b is disposed on the electrodes 30a and 30b. The remaining one through hole 14 forms a sample introduction port (third opening) 20 through which a sample is introduced.

  The volumes of the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 and the sample inlet 20 are defined by the hole diameters of the through holes 10, 12 and 14. In the present embodiment, the volumes of the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 and the volume of the sample introduction port 20 are substantially the same. However, since the amount of the sample is very small, the volume of the sample inlet 20 can be made smaller than the volumes of the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18.

  A main flow path 22 is formed between the first buffer reservoir 16 and the second buffer reservoir 18. The main flow path 22 includes an injection path 24 disposed on the first buffer reservoir 16 side and a quantitative path 26 disposed on the second buffer reservoir 18 side. The injection path 24 is provided with an analysis unit (not shown) for analyzing the sample. The quantification path 26 has a predetermined length L. As will be described later, this length L defines the sample plug length, and a sample having the same volume as the volume of the quantification path 26 is injected into the analyzer at a time. It is like that.

  An introduction flow path 28 branches from the main flow path 22 at the connection portion between the injection path 24 and the fixed quantity path 26. The sample introduction port 20 is disposed at the end of the introduction flow path 28.

  The inner surfaces of the metering channel 26 and the introduction channel 28 are modified by a hydrophobic group and have hydrophobicity. The injection path 24 is hydrophilic. Therefore, even when the injection path 24 and the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 are filled with the buffer, the first buffer reservoir 16, the second buffer reservoir 18, and the sample introduction port 20 If the pressure applied to each is substantially equal, the buffer is not moved into the metering passage 26 and into the introduction passage 28.

  Further, the injection path 24 is sufficiently longer than the metering path 26 and the introduction flow path 28. Since the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the injection path 24, the quantitative path 26 and the introduction flow path 28 is substantially constant throughout, the flow path resistance of the injection path 24 is the flow path resistance of the quantitative path 26 and the introduction flow path 28. Is much larger than. For this reason, the main flow path 22 and the first buffer reservoir 16 are filled with the buffer, or the injection path 24 and the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 are filled with the buffer. When the sample inlet 20 is pressurized while being filled with the sample, the buffer or the sample is moved in the introduction channel 28 and the quantitative channel 26 while the buffer in the injection channel 24 is not moved. It has become.

  Next, the sample injection method of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 and the sample inlet 20 are under atmospheric pressure.

  First, a buffer is dropped into the first buffer reservoir 16 to fill the first buffer reservoir 16 with the buffer. Then, the first buffer reservoir 16 is pressurized to fill the injection path 24 with the buffer. The buffer filling the injection path 24 reaches the connection between the injection path 24 and the metering path 26. Although the metering channel 26 and the introduction channel 28 are hydrophobic, applying a larger pressure to the first buffer reservoir 16 fills the metering channel 26 with the buffer as shown in FIG. At this time, although not shown, a part of the buffer is also introduced into the introduction flow path 28. Thereafter, the pressurization to the first buffer reservoir 16 is released.

  Then, pressure is applied to the sample inlet 20. As a result, the gas in the introduction flow path 28 and the sample introduction port 20 causes the buffers in the introduction flow path 28 and the quantitative determination path 26 to be expelled to the second buffer reservoir 18 as shown in FIG. It is. At this time, since the flow path resistance of the injection path 24 is much larger than the flow path resistances of the quantitative path 26 and the introduction flow path 28, the buffer in the injection path 24 is hardly moved, and almost no gas is in the injection path 24. Do not fit. In FIG. 4B, the buffer in the second buffer reservoir 18 is not shown.

  Thereafter, the pressurization to the sample introduction port 20 is released. Further, a buffer is dropped into the second buffer reservoir 18 to fill the second buffer reservoir 18 with the buffer. At this time, since the introduction flow path 28 and the quantitative path 26 are hydrophobic, the injection path 24 and the buffer of the second buffer reservoir 18 do not flow into the introduction flow path 28 and the quantitative path 26.

  Subsequently, the sample is dropped into the sample introduction port 20 to fill the sample introduction port 20 with the sample. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the electrodes 30a and 30b are inserted into the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18, and the buffer in the first buffer reservoir 16 and the second buffer reservoir 18 are inserted. A voltage is applied to the internal buffer. At this time, since the metering path 26 is filled with gas, no current flows between the buffer in the first buffer reservoir 16 and the buffer in the second buffer reservoir 18.

  In this state, the sample introduction port 20 is pressurized. As a result, the sample in the sample introduction port 20 is moved through the introduction flow path 28 and the quantitative path 26 and fills the introduction flow path 28 and the quantitative path 26 as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the sample includes both a water-soluble component and a fat-soluble component, for example, serum and plasma. For this reason, even if the pressure applied to the sample introduction port 20 is relatively small, the sample can easily move through the introduction flow path 28 and the determination path 26 having hydrophobicity.

  In addition, since the flow path resistance of the injection path 24 is sufficiently larger than the flow path resistance of the quantitative path 26 and the introduction flow path 28, when the introduction flow path 28 and the quantitative path 26 are filled with the sample, the buffer in the injection path 24 is almost the same. Not moved. For this reason, the buffer in the injection channel 24 and the sample in the quantitative channel 26 are continuously connected.

  Here, at the moment when the sample reaches the second buffer reservoir 18, the main flow path 22 becomes conductive, and current is detected by the current detection means. When the current is detected, the pressurization to the sample introduction port 20 is released. As a result, the sample is not moved into the second buffer reservoir 18, but is stopped at the end portion on the second buffer reservoir 18 side in the quantitative passage 26.

  The amount of the buffer dropped into the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 and the amount of the sample dropped into the sample introduction port 20 are the same as those when the introduction channel 28 and the quantitative channel 26 are filled with the sample. The liquid level of the buffers in the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 is adjusted to be higher than the liquid level of the sample in the sample introduction port 20.

  When the main flow path 22 becomes conductive, the sample in the fixed flow path 26 is separated from the sample in the introduction flow path 28 as shown by an arrow A in FIG. Is moved in the direction from the second buffer reservoir 18 to the first buffer reservoir 16. The sample plug length of the sample that is separated and moved is equal to the length L of the quantitative path 26, and its volume is equal to the volume of the quantitative path 26. Instead of the separated and moved sample, the buffer in the second buffer reservoir 18 flows into the main flow path 22.

  In addition, since the liquid level of the buffer in the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 is higher than the liquid level of the sample in the sample introduction port 20, the sample in the introduction flow path 28 is shown in FIG. As indicated by arrow B in (E), the sample returns to the sample inlet 20 by the siphon principle. Instead of the sample returning to the sample introduction port 20, the buffer of the main channel 22 flows into the introduction channel 28.

  The sample moving in the injection path 24 is injected into the analysis part of the injection path 24 and analyzed.

  When the sample injection is completed, the sample introduction port 20 is set to a negative pressure, and the sample in the introduction channel 28 is moved to the sample introduction port 20. Thereafter, the sample in the sample introduction port 20 is removed, and the separated and moved sample is removed from the first buffer reservoir 16. In this way, the sample is removed from the microdevice 2.

  Therefore, the sample injection method of the present embodiment has the following effects. A fixed amount of sample can be injected by only three interface portions, that is, the first buffer reservoir 16, the second buffer reservoir 18, and the sample introduction port 20. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the size of the microdevice 2 used in the sample injection method. In addition, it is possible to simplify the external mechanism of the interface portion.

  Then, the sample introduction port 20 is pressurized against the first and second buffer reservoirs 16, 18, and the sample in the sample introduction port 20 is moved in the introduction channel 28 and the quantification channel 26 to move the quantification channel 26. Is filled with the sample. For this reason, no electrophoresis phenomenon occurs when the sample is moved into the quantitative path 26, and the sample located in the quantitative path 26 has the same component composition as the original sample. All of the samples in the quantification path 26 are injected into the analysis unit at once using the electroosmosis phenomenon. For this reason, it is possible to inject the sample into the analysis unit without impairing the component composition of the original sample. Therefore, it is possible to perform a precise analysis.

  In addition, the power source applies a voltage to the buffer in the first buffer reservoir 16 and the buffer in the second buffer reservoir 18, and causes the sample in the fixed passage 26 to flow in the main channel 22 by electroosmosis. It is only used to move from the first buffer reservoir 16 toward the second buffer reservoir 18. For this reason, it is not necessary to prepare a special power source for sample injection, and sample injection can be performed at low cost.

  Further, when the sample introduction port 20 is pressurized to fill the inside of the introduction channel 28 and the fixed passage 26 with the sample, a voltage is applied between the buffer of the first buffer reservoir 16 and the buffer of the second buffer reservoir 18. Is applied, and when the sample reaches the second buffer reservoir 18, a current that has started to flow between the buffer of the first buffer reservoir 16 and the buffer of the second buffer reservoir 18 is detected to introduce the sample. Since the pressurization to the mouth 20 is released, the fixed passage 26 is accurately filled up to the end portion on the second buffer reservoir 18 side. In addition, when the fixed sample in the fixed channel 26 is separated from the sample in the introduction flow channel 28 and moved in the main flow channel 22 in the direction from the second buffer reservoir 18 to the first buffer reservoir 16, The liquid level height of the buffers in the first and second buffer reservoirs 16 and 18 is set higher than the liquid level height of the sample in the sample introduction port 20, and the sample in the introduction flow path 28 naturally enters the sample introduction port 20. In this manner, the sample in the introduction channel 28 is prevented from moving following the sample in the quantitative channel 26. For this reason, it is possible to inject an accurate amount of sample into the analysis unit, and it is possible to perform analysis with high quantitativeness.

  Furthermore, the inner surface of the injection path 24 is hydrophilic, and the buffer can be moved smoothly in the injection path 24. For this reason, when the first buffer reservoir 16 is filled with the buffer and the first buffer reservoir 16 is pressurized to fill the injection path 24 with the buffer, a very large pressure is applied to the first buffer reservoir 16. Therefore, it is possible to easily fill the inside of the injection passage 24 sufficiently longer than the fixed passage 26 and the introduction passage 28 with the buffer.

  FIG. 5 shows a modification of the microdevice used in the sample injection method of one embodiment of the present invention. The micro device 32 has a plurality of flow paths similar to those of the micro device 2 of the embodiment. In these flow paths 34a, 34b, 34c,..., The first buffer reservoir 16, the second buffer reservoir 18, and the sample introduction port 20 are arranged linearly in order. A plurality of such flow paths 34a, 34b, 34c,... Are arranged side by side so that the main flow paths 22 are substantially parallel to each other.

  In the embodiment described above, glass is used as the plate-like members 4 and 8, but a hydrophobic material such as PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) resin may be used instead of glass. Since this PDMS resin has hydrophobicity, the operation similar to that of the plate-like member in the above-described embodiment is achieved by subjecting the injection path 24 to hydrophilic treatment, contrary to the configuration of the plate-like members 4 and 8 made of glass. , You can get the effect.

Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application are appended as follows.
Record
(Additional Item 1) At least one glass of two substantially transparent substrates has a groove having a width and a depth of 1 mm or less, and a microfluid constituting a flow path (capillary tube) by bonding these substrates together In the device, the device has at least one main channel, and has one branch channel connected without traversing the main channel, and the main channel has openings at both ends and at the end of the branch channel A microdevice in which a channel inner wall is modified with a hydrophobic group from an end of a branch channel to one end of a main channel, and a method for injecting a sample into the microdevice.

(Additional Item 2) The pressure loss in the channel from the branch point of the main channel and the branch channel to one opening of the main channel is the flow from the branch point to the other opening of the main channel. Microfluidic device based on additional item 1 provided with a branch point at a position larger than the pressure loss in the road (Appended item 3) Microfluidic device based on additional item 1 that uses a pressure difference for liquid injection means to the microdevice Sample Injection Method (Additional Item 4) Sample Injection Method to Microfluidic Device Based on Additional Item 1 for Completing Sample Injection by Current Detection Means

  The present invention enables miniaturization, precise analysis, and inexpensive implementation of a micro device to be used, and enables a sample injection method for injecting a quantitative sample used in so-called μTAS and precise analysis. Provided is a microdevice for injecting a small amount of a sample to be used in a so-called μTAS.

Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the microdevice used for the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows the 1st plate-shaped member which forms the microdevice used for the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention, (B) is a sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing perpendicular | vertical to the longitudinal direction of the groove | channel which shows the groove | channel formed in the 1st plate-shaped member which forms the microdevice to be used. The perspective view which shows the 2nd plate-shaped member which forms the microdevice used for the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the process of filling the main flow path of the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention with a buffer, (B) expels a buffer from the fixed_quantity | assay path of the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows a process, (C) shows the process of applying a voltage between the buffer in the 1st buffer reservoir and the buffer in the 2nd buffer reservoir of the sample injection method of one embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing, (D) is explanatory drawing which shows the process of filling the introduction flow path and fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay path of the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention with a sample, (E) is the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the process of isolate | separating the sample in the fixed_quantity | quantitative_assay path from the sample in an introduction flow path, and moving the inside of a main flow path toward a 2nd buffer reservoir from a 1st buffer reservoir. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the modification of the microdevice used for the sample injection method of one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the micro device used for the conventional sample injection method, (B) is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of another micro device used for a sample injection method. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the process of moving the sample introduce | transduced into the sample introduction port of the introduction flow path of the sample injection method of a prior art from a sample introduction port toward a discharge port within an introduction flow path, (B). FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a process of positioning a part of the sample of the sample injection method in the common part, and (C) is a diagram for separating the sample in the common part of the sample injection method from other samples in the introduction channel. Then, explanatory drawing which shows the process made to move toward the 1st buffer reservoir in the main flow path.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Micro device, 16 ... 1st opening part, 18 ... 2nd opening part, 20 ... 3rd opening part, 22 ... Main flow path, 24 ... Injection | pouring path, 26 ... Metering path, 28 ... Introduction | transduction flow path.

Claims (8)

A sample injection method for injecting a sample of a predetermined volume using a microdevice in which a flow path is formed,
Introducing a buffer into a first opening that communicates one end of the main channel with the outside;
The first opening communicates with the second opening that communicates the other end of the main channel with the outside and the end of the introduction channel that branches off from the main channel and the outside. Filling the inside of the injection path forming the portion between the first opening in the main flow path and the branching section in the introduction flow path with the buffer at a pressure higher than that of the third opening. When,
Introducing a sample into the third opening;
Introducing a buffer into the first and second openings and applying a voltage between the buffer in the first opening and the buffer in the second opening;
The third opening has a pressure higher than that of the first and second openings, and has a volume equal to the predetermined volume in the introduction flow path and the branch of the introduction flow path of the main flow path Filling the sample with a quantitative path forming a portion between a portion and the second opening; and
Due to the electroosmosis phenomenon, the sample of the predetermined volume in the fixed flow path is separated from the sample in the introduction flow path and is directed from the second opening to the first opening in the main flow path. Moving in the direction,
A sample injection method comprising:   2. The sample injection method according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the metering path and an inner surface of the introduction channel have hydrophobicity.   The sample injection method according to claim 1, wherein the injection path has a channel resistance larger than that of the quantitative path and the introduction path.   The step of filling with the sample detects a current that has started to flow between the buffer in the first opening and the buffer in the second opening when the sample reaches the second opening. The sample injection method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of releasing a pressure difference between the first and second openings and the third opening.   The moving step includes a step of setting a liquid level height of the buffer in the first and second openings higher than a liquid level height of the sample in the third opening. The sample injection method according to claim 1.   2. The sample injection method according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the injection path has hydrophilicity. A microdevice for injecting a predetermined volume of a sample using a microdevice in which at least one main channel is formed,
Each of one end and the other end of the main flow path communicates with the outside, a buffer is introduced, and first and second openings to which a voltage is applied between the buffers in each of the main flow path;
An introduction channel branched from the main channel;
A third opening through which an end of the introduction channel is communicated with the outside and a sample is introduced;
A quantitative path having a volume equal to the predetermined volume, the portion of the main flow path between the branch of the introduction flow path and the second opening;
A portion between the first opening of the main channel and the branch of the introduction channel is formed, and the third opening is set to a pressure higher than those of the first and second openings, and the quantitative determination is performed. An injection path having a flow path resistance larger than that of the quantitative path and the introduction flow path so that the buffer is not substantially moved in the injection path when the sample is moved in the path or the introduction flow path;
A hydrophobic portion provided on the inner surface of the introduction channel and the metering channel, and having a hydrophobic property so that a buffer in the injection channel or the second opening is not substantially moved into the introduction channel or the metering channel; The
A microdevice comprising the microdevice.   8. The microdevice according to claim 7, wherein an interface portion with the outside of the main channel is only the first to third openings.

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