JP2009156683A - Microchip - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microchip equipped with a centrifugal separation part which prevents outflow of a separated liquid (a part of a target component and/or a non-target component), which is separated by centrifugal separation, caused by the application of subsequent centrifugal force and which is capable of preventing gas (air) from remaining at the time of centrifugal separation. <P>SOLUTION: The microchip is equipped with the centrifugal separation part for separating the specimen, which is introduced into the microchip, into the target component and the non-target component by centrifugal separation. The centrifugal separation part includes the first housing part having a first opening, which introduces the specimen at its upper part and housing the target component separated by centrifugal separation, the second housing part connected to the bottom part of the first housing part, having a second opening at a position different from the connection position with the first housing part and mainly housing the non-target component separated by centrifugal separation, the first flow channel connected to the second opening, and the waste liquid sump connected to the other end of the first flow channel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a microchip useful as a micro-TAS (Micro Total Analysis System) or the like that is suitably used for biochemical tests such as blood, chemical synthesis, and environmental analysis.

  In recent years, the importance of detecting, detecting or quantifying biological substances such as DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid), enzymes, antigens, antibodies, proteins, viruses and cells, and chemical substances in fields such as medicine, health, food, and drug discovery There have been proposed various biochips and microchemical chips (hereinafter collectively referred to as microchips) that can be easily measured.

  The microchip has a fluid circuit inside thereof. The fluid circuit includes, for example, a liquid reagent holding unit that holds a liquid reagent, a specimen (blood, etc.) to be examined and analyzed, a specific component in the specimen, Appropriate components such as a measuring unit for measuring liquid reagents, a mixing unit for mixing a sample (or a specific component in the sample) and a liquid reagent, and a detecting unit for testing and analyzing the mixed liquid And a fine flow path connected to the.

  A microchip having such a fluid circuit can perform a series of experiments and analysis operations performed in a laboratory within a chip of several centimeters square and a thickness of about several millimeters. It has many advantages such as low cost, fast reaction speed, high throughput testing, and the ability to obtain test results immediately at the sample collection site, for example for biochemical tests such as blood tests. It is preferably used.

  Here, for example, in a microchip for blood tests and the like, various tests are often performed using plasma components in blood, and therefore, the fluid circuit of a microchip is usually based on blood introduced into the fluid circuit. A plasma separation unit (centrifugation unit) is provided for removing blood cell components by centrifugation and separating and extracting plasma components.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a microchip including a centrifuge tube for taking out a target component from a sample introduced into a fluid circuit. 3 to 8 are schematic process diagrams showing the operation method of the microchip described in Patent Document 1. FIG. The fluid circuit of the microchip shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 includes an intake port 105 for introducing a sample into the fluid circuit, a centrifuge tube 201 connected to the intake port 105, an adjustment tube connection part 241a, and a reservoir part. An adjustment tube 241 composed of 241b, a first weighing unit 205 for measuring the extracted target component, reagent reservoirs 219a and 219b in which the reagent 550 is incorporated, and a primary mixing unit in which the target component and the reagent 550 are mixed 217 and the secondary mixing unit 220, and a light detection path 230 for inspecting and analyzing the obtained mixed liquid. The centrifuge tube 201 includes components other than the target component (non-target component). ) Is mainly included (see FIG. 3). Hereinafter, an outline of the operation method of the microchip will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the sample 500 is introduced from the intake port 105 so that the centrifuge tube 201 and the adjustment tube connection portion 241a are filled (see FIG. 3). Next, the sample 500 on the centrifuge tube 201 side from the boundary B-B ′ is centrifuged in the centrifuge tube 201 by rotating the microchip about the first rotation shaft 310 (see FIG. 4). At this time, non-target components 520 other than the target component 510 in the sample 500 are accommodated in the first holding unit 203. The sample 500 on the adjustment tube 241 side from the boundary B-B 'is introduced into the reservoir 241b. Further, the reagent 550 accommodated in the reagent reservoirs 219 a and 219 b is introduced into the primary mixing unit 217 by the rotation around the first rotation shaft 310.

  Next, by rotating the microchip around the second rotation shaft 311, the centrifuged target component 510 is introduced from the centrifuge tube 201 into the first weighing unit 205 (see FIG. 5). The target component 510 overflowing from the first weighing unit 205 is introduced into a waste liquid reservoir 207 connected to the first weighing unit 205. Next, by rotating the microchip around the first rotation shaft 310 again, the target component 510 in the first weighing unit 205 is introduced into the primary mixing unit 217 and mixed with the reagent 550 (see FIG. 6). .

  Next, by sucking with a pump from the suction port 230a, the obtained mixed substance 560 is introduced into the secondary mixing unit 220 and further mixed (see FIG. 7), and the mixed substance 560 is introduced into the light detection path 230. (See FIG. 8). The mixed substance 560 introduced into the light detection path 230 is subjected to optical measurement such as introduction of light from the light entrance 233 and measurement of the amount of transmitted light taken out from the light exit 235 for inspection and analysis. Is done.

  As described above, according to the microchip described in Patent Document 1, the microchip is rotated using the two rotation shafts of the first rotation shaft 310 and the second rotation shaft 311, and centrifugal force in an appropriate direction is applied. Thus, it is possible to perform processing such as extraction of the target component in the sample, measurement of the target component, and mixing with the reagent.

  However, in the microchip described in Patent Document 1, when the microchip is rotated around the second rotation axis 311 in order to measure the target component 510, or to introduce the mixed substance 560 into the light detection path 230. When the microchip is rotated around the second rotation shaft 311, the non-target component 520 and the target component 510 held in the first holding unit 203 may flow out. Such outflow from the first holding unit 203 may be a factor that hinders accurate inspection / analysis for reasons such as preventing accurate measurement of the target component 510.

Further, when the sample 500 introduced into the fluid circuit is introduced into the first holding unit 203 by rotating the microchip around the first rotating shaft 310, gas (air) enters the first holding unit 203. The gas may remain without being discharged. If gas remains in the first holding unit 203, there is a possibility that a sufficient amount of the target component 510 to fill the first weighing unit 205 may not be introduced into the first weighing unit 205, which is also an accurate inspection. • It can interfere with the analysis.
International Publication No. 05/033666 Pamphlet

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to separate the separated liquid (part of the target component and / or non-target component) by centrifugal separation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a microchip including a centrifuge unit that does not flow out by application and can prevent gas (air) from remaining during centrifugation.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has provided a centrifuge for separating a target component in a specimen and an unnecessary non-target component by centrifugation, a site for containing the target component, and The present inventors have found that it is only necessary to configure two parts of a part for mainly storing non-target components and to provide two openings in the centrifuge. That is, the present invention is as follows.

  The present invention provides a fluid circuit formed by bonding at least a first substrate having a groove on the surface and a second substrate, and formed by the groove and the first substrate side surface of the second substrate. An internal microchip, in which the fluid circuit includes a centrifuge for separating a sample introduced into the microchip into a target component and a non-target component by centrifugation. . In the microchip of the present invention, the centrifuge section includes a first opening for introducing a specimen at an upper portion thereof, a first storage section for storing a target component to be separated by centrifugation, and the first A second opening provided at a position different from a position connected to the first housing portion and connected to the bottom of the first housing portion, for mainly housing non-target components separated by centrifugation. A second storage portion; a first flow path connected to the second opening; and a waste liquid reservoir connected to the other end of the first flow path.

  Here, the second accommodating portion includes a second opening at an upper portion thereof, and the first accommodating portion, the second accommodating portion, and the first flow path constitute a substantially U-shaped shape. Is preferred.

  In the microchip of the present invention, the fluid circuit further includes a measuring unit for measuring the separated target component, and the first opening of the first storage unit is connected to the measuring unit. It is preferable.

  It is preferable that the measuring unit and the waste liquid reservoir are disposed on the same side with respect to the first storage unit and the second storage unit.

  The microchip of the present invention may further include a through hole that is connected to the waste liquid reservoir and penetrates the first substrate in the thickness direction.

  In the present invention, the sample can include blood, and the target component can include a plasma component. In this case, the microchip of the present invention can be suitably used for blood tests.

  According to the microchip of the present invention, the separation liquid (part of the target component and / or non-target component) separated by centrifugation does not flow out by the subsequent application of centrifugal force, and at the time of centrifugation. Since gas (air) can be prevented from remaining, the target component can be accurately measured. Therefore, the accuracy and reliability of inspection / analysis using the microchip can be improved.

  In one preferred embodiment, the microchip of the present invention is formed by bonding a first substrate having a groove on the substrate surface and a second substrate. Such a microchip has a hollow portion formed by a groove provided on the surface of the first substrate and a first substrate side surface (bonding surface of the second substrate) of the second substrate. A fluid circuit is provided. In another preferred embodiment, the microchip of the present invention is formed by bonding a third substrate, a first substrate having grooves provided on both surfaces of the substrate, and a second substrate in this order. . The microchip including the three substrates includes a first fluid circuit configured by a groove provided on a first substrate side surface of the third substrate and a third substrate side surface of the first substrate; A two-layer fluid circuit including a first substrate-side surface of the second substrate and a second fluid circuit composed of grooves provided on the second substrate-side surface of the first substrate is provided. Here, two layers means that fluid circuits are provided at two different positions in the thickness direction of the microchip. The 1st fluid circuit and the 2nd fluid circuit may be connected by one or two or more penetration holes penetrated in the thickness direction formed in the 1st substrate.

  The material of each substrate constituting the microchip of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS) , Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyarylate resin (PAR), acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin (ABS), vinyl chloride resin (PVC), polymethylpentene resin (PMP), Organic materials such as polybutadiene resin (PBD), biodegradable polymer (BP), cycloolefin polymer (COP), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS); inorganic materials such as silicon, glass, and quartz can be used.

  The method for forming the grooves constituting the fluid circuit on the surface of the first substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include an injection molding method using a mold having a transfer structure, an imprint method, and the like. In the case of forming a substrate using an inorganic material, an etching method or the like can be used.

  In the microchip of the present invention, the fluid circuit (the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit when the fluid circuit having two layers is provided) is suitable for the fluid (particularly, liquid) in the fluid circuit. In order to be able to perform various processes, various parts are provided at appropriate positions in the fluid circuit, and these parts are appropriately connected through fine flow paths.

  In the microchip of the present invention, the fluid circuit includes, as one of the above-described parts, a centrifuge for separating a sample introduced into the microchip into a target component and a non-target component by centrifugation. Here, “specimen” in this specification means a substance (for example, blood) to be examined and analyzed that is introduced into the fluid circuit. In the present specification, the “target component” means a specific component in a specimen that is prepared in a microchip and that constitutes a sample to be used for examination / analysis. Is a specific component in the sample to be mixed or reacted with the liquid reagent previously held in the container. When the sample is blood, examples of the target component include plasma components. The “non-target component” refers to a component other than the “target component” in the sample.

  In the present invention, the fluid circuit may include a part other than the centrifugal separator, such as a liquid reagent holding part for holding a liquid reagent, a target component measuring part for measuring a target component, A liquid reagent metering unit for measuring a liquid reagent, a mixing unit for mixing the target component and the liquid reagent, and an inspection / analysis of the obtained liquid mixture (sample to be used for the inspection / analysis described above) (for example, And a detection unit for detecting or quantifying a specific component in the mixed solution. The microchip of the present invention may have all of these exemplified portions, or may not have any one or more. Moreover, you may have site | parts other than these illustrated site | parts.

  The “liquid reagent” is a substance (reagent) for mixing or reacting with the target component, and is usually built in the liquid reagent holding part of the fluid circuit in advance before using the microchip. The liquid mixture finally obtained by mixing the target component and the liquid reagent is not particularly limited. For example, light that is transmitted through irradiation of light to a portion (for example, a detection unit) in which the liquid mixture is accommodated. It is used for optical measurement such as a method for detecting the intensity (transmittance) of the light and inspected and analyzed.

  Extraction of target component from specimen (separation of target component and non-target component), measurement of target component and / or liquid reagent, mixing of target component and liquid reagent, introduction of obtained liquid mixture to detection unit, etc. Such fluid processing in the fluid circuit can be performed by sequentially applying centrifugal force in an appropriate direction to the microchip. Application of centrifugal force to the microchip is typically performed by placing the microchip on a device (centrifuge) that can apply centrifugal force thereto. Hereinafter, the microchip of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing a preferred example of the microchip of the present invention. A microchip 600 shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured by bonding a second substrate to a groove forming surface of a first substrate having a groove forming a fluid circuit on the surface and a through hole penetrating in the thickness direction. ing. FIG. 1 is a top view showing a first substrate side surface of such a microchip. Actually, the grooves constituting the fluid circuit are formed on the side opposite to the surface shown in FIG. 1, but the groove pattern is shown by a solid line so that the fluid circuit structure can be clearly understood.

  A fluid circuit formed inside the microchip 600 is connected to a sample inlet 601 for introducing a sample into the fluid circuit, and a centrifuge 602 for separating the sample into a target component and a non-target component. The target component measuring unit 603 for measuring the target component, connected to the first opening 602a of the centrifugal separator 602, and the second waste liquid for storing the target component overflowing from the target component measuring unit 603 at the time of measurement Reservoir 607, liquid reagent A (not shown), liquid reagent holders 604a and 604b for holding liquid reagent B (not shown), and mixing for mixing the measured target components with liquid reagents A and B It is mainly comprised from the detection part 606 for performing test | inspection and analysis about the liquid mixture obtained in the part 605 and the mixing part 605. The centrifuge 602 is provided with a first opening 602a for introducing a sample in the upper part (sample introduction port 601 side), and a first container 610 for accommodating a target component separated by centrifugation, The second storage unit 620 for mainly storing non-target components separated by centrifugation, connected to the bottom of the first storage unit 610, the first waste liquid reservoir 630, and the second storage unit 620 And a first flow path 640 connecting the first waste liquid reservoir 630.

  The second container 620 is connected to the bottom of the first container 610 in a region opposite to the first waste liquid reservoir 630 in the upper part (sample inlet 601 side) and the upper part (sample introduction). A second opening 620 a is provided in a region on the first waste liquid reservoir 630 side in the mouth 601 side, and the second opening 620 a is connected to one end of the first flow path 640.

  A first air hole 650 is connected to the first waste liquid reservoir 630, and liquid (such as a specimen or a separated liquid stored in the second storage portion) flows into the first waste liquid reservoir 630. The gas (air) is allowed to escape and the liquid can be smoothly introduced. Similarly, the second waste liquid reservoir 607 and the detection unit 606 are also provided with a second air hole 651 and a third air hole 652, respectively. These air holes are through holes penetrating the first substrate in the thickness direction. The sample introduction port 601 and the liquid reagent injection ports 660a and 660b provided in each liquid reagent holding unit are also through holes that penetrate the first substrate in the thickness direction.

  According to the configuration such as the centrifugal separator 602, a non-target component (for example, a blood cell component, which is separated by centrifugation and stored in the second storage unit 620. However, the liquid stored in the second storage unit 620 is , Which may include some target components together with non-target components)) by first applying a centrifugal force such as a centrifugal force for introducing the separated target components into the target component measuring unit 603. Outflow toward the portion 610 can be prevented. That is, when a centrifugal force (leftward centrifugal force in FIG. 1) for introducing the target component separated from the centrifugal separation and accommodated in the first accommodating unit 610 into the target component measuring unit 603 is applied, The separation liquid containing the non-target component stored in the storage unit 620 is introduced into the first waste liquid reservoir 630 not through the first storage unit 610 but through the first flow path 640. The separation liquid containing the non-target component can be prevented from flowing out toward the target component measuring unit 603.

  In addition, since the second opening 620a is provided separately from the first opening 602a for introducing the specimen, the gas (air) in the centrifugal separation section 602 is changed when the specimen is introduced into the centrifugal separation section 602. Since it is possible to escape in the direction of the first waste liquid reservoir 630, it is possible to prevent the gas (air) from remaining in the centrifugal separator 602. This makes it possible to reliably extract a sufficient amount of the target component to satisfy the target component measuring unit 603.

  Here, the first flow path 640 connecting the second storage portion 620 and the first waste liquid reservoir 630 extends upward from the second opening 620a of the second storage portion 620 ( That is, the first accommodating portion 610 and the first flow path 640 are disposed on the same side with respect to the second accommodating portion 620), the first accommodating portion 610, the second accommodating portion 620, and the second accommodating portion. It is preferable that one channel 640 constitutes a substantially U-shaped shape. By adopting such a shape, it is possible to prevent gas from remaining in the second storage unit 620 when the sample is introduced into the centrifuge unit 602.

  In addition, the target component measuring unit 603 and the first waste liquid reservoir 630 are preferably disposed on the same side with respect to the first storage unit 610 and the second storage unit 620. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the target component measuring unit 603 and the first waste liquid reservoir 630 are both arranged on the left side in FIG. 1 with respect to the first storage unit 610 and the second storage unit 620. Yes. According to such a configuration, by applying a centrifugal force (leftward centrifugal force in FIG. 1) for introducing the target component in the first container 610 that has been centrifuged into the target component measuring unit 603, the target The components can be introduced into the target component metering unit 603, and the separation liquid containing the non-target components in the second storage unit 620 can be introduced into the first waste liquid reservoir 630. At this time, the first flow path 640 allows the separation liquid containing the non-target component to be introduced into the first waste liquid reservoir 630 from the second opening 620a in FIG. 1 by applying the leftward centrifugal force in FIG. Rather than extending in the directly upward direction, it is preferable that it extends somewhat inclined to the left in FIG.

  The width of the connecting portion between the first housing portion 610 and the second housing portion 620 is not particularly limited, but when a leftward centrifugal force in FIG. 1 is applied, the boundary line X shown in FIG. 1 or the vicinity thereof Therefore, in order to sever the liquid in the centrifugal separator 602 with sufficient liquid breakage, the width of the connecting portion is preferably narrow. Therefore, the width of the connecting portion is preferably about 50 to 500 μm, for example. In addition, the 1st accommodating part 610 and the 2nd accommodating part 620 may be connected via the flow path.

  On the other hand, the first opening 602a in the upper part of the first storage unit 610 is an introduction port for introducing the specimen into the centrifuge unit 602, and introduces the target component separated by centrifugation into the target component metering unit 603. Therefore, the width is preferably relatively wide, for example, about 500 to 5000 μm. Therefore, typically, the shape of the 1st accommodating part 610 takes a shape like an inverted triangle.

  The shape of the second housing portion 620 is not particularly limited, but an inclination is provided on the bottom surface of the groove that constitutes the second housing portion 620 (a region sandwiched between two dotted lines in FIG. 1). It is preferable to increase the depth of the groove in the region on the bottom side of the inclined region. Thereby, a large amount of separation liquid can be accommodated in a small area. The position of the second opening 620a is not particularly limited, but is preferably provided on the upper portion (the sample introduction port 601 side). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the first waste liquid reservoir 630 is disposed on the left side with respect to the second storage portion 620, the second opening 620 a is formed in the second storage portion 620. It is preferable to be provided at the upper left end. This is because the separation liquid stored in the second storage unit 620 can be efficiently fed to the first waste liquid reservoir 630.

  Next, the separation process in the centrifugal separator 602 of the microchip 600 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the periphery of the centrifugal separation unit 602 of the microchip 600 shown in FIG. 1, and after a sample (blood or the like) is introduced from the sample introduction port 601, the downward centrifugal force in FIG. 2 is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the state after introduce | transducing a test substance into the centrifugation part 602 by this and performing centrifugation. As shown in FIG. 2, the sample introduced into the centrifugal separator 602 is separated into a target component I (for example, a plasma component) and a non-target component II (for example, a blood cell component) by centrifugation by applying a downward centrifugal force. To be separated. The interface position between the target component I and the non-target component II can be changed according to the amount of the non-target component in the specimen, but the first position is such that at least the interface is located in the second container 620. The volume of the second accommodating portion 620 is adjusted. For example, when the specimen is human blood and the non-target component II is a blood cell component, the hematocrit value of human blood is generally about 35 to 50%. The volume of the part 620 is adjusted.

  Here, when the specimen is introduced into the centrifugal separator 602 through the first opening 602 a, the gas (air) present in the centrifugal separator 602 passes through the first channel 640 and passes through the first channel 640. Since it moves in the direction of the waste liquid reservoir 630, gas (air) does not remain in the centrifugal separator 602. The gas that has moved to the first waste liquid reservoir 630 is discharged from the first air hole 650 to the outside of the microchip. In addition, when an amount of sample exceeding the total capacity of the first storage unit 610, the second storage unit 620, and the first flow path 640 is introduced into the centrifuge unit 602, the excess sample flows through the first stream. It is stored in the first waste liquid reservoir 630 through the path 640 (see FIG. 2).

  Note that, by applying the downward centrifugal force, the liquid reagents A and B stored in the liquid reagent holding units 604 a and 604 b are introduced into the mixing unit 605.

  Next, the target component I in the first container 610 is introduced into the target component measuring unit 603 by applying the centrifugal force in the left direction in FIG. 2 to the microchip from the centrifuged state shown in FIG. And measure. The target component I overflowing from the target component measuring unit 603 is accommodated in the second waste liquid reservoir 607 connected to the target component measuring unit 603. The target component I introduced into the target component measuring unit 603 by the application of the leftward centrifugal force is a target component on the upper side (the first accommodating unit 610 side) above or near the boundary line X shown in FIG. . On the other hand, the target component I and the non-target component II on the lower side of the boundary line X or the vicinity thereof (the second accommodating portion 620 side, including the target component I in the first flow path) are the leftward centrifugal force. Is introduced into the first waste liquid reservoir 630. In this way, the target component I and the non-target component II below the boundary line X or the vicinity thereof move to the first waste liquid reservoir 630 through the first flow path 640, and thus the target component measurement It does not flow out toward the part 603.

  The fluid processing (microchip operation method) after measuring the target component is as follows, with reference to FIG. First, the downward centrifugal force in FIG. 1 is applied, the target component in the target component measuring unit 603 is introduced into the mixing unit 605, and mixed with the liquid reagents A and B to obtain a mixed solution. Next, a leftward centrifugal force in FIG. 1 is applied and introduced into the detection unit 606. The mixed liquid in the detection unit 606 is subjected to optical measurement such as a method of detecting the intensity (transmittance) of light transmitted through the detection unit 606 by irradiating the light 670 to be inspected and analyzed.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a schematic top view which shows a preferable example of the microchip of this invention. It is a top view which shows the centrifuge part periphery of the microchip shown by FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic process diagram illustrating a method of operating a microchip described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic process diagram illustrating a method of operating a microchip described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic process diagram illustrating a method of operating a microchip described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic process diagram illustrating a method of operating a microchip described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic process diagram illustrating a method of operating a microchip described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic process diagram illustrating a method of operating a microchip described in Patent Document 1.

Explanation of symbols

  600 microchip, 601 sample inlet, 602 centrifuge, 602a first opening, 603 target component metering unit, 604a, 604b liquid reagent holding unit, 605 mixing unit, 606 detection unit, 607 second waste liquid reservoir, 610 1st accommodating part, 620 2nd accommodating part, 620a 2nd opening, 630 1st waste liquid reservoir, 640 1st flow path, 650 1st air hole, 651 2nd air hole, 652 3rd Air holes, 660a, 660b liquid reagent inlet, 670 light.

Claims (6)

At least a first substrate having a groove on the surface and a second substrate are bonded together, and a fluid circuit formed by the groove and the first substrate side surface of the second substrate is provided inside. A microchip having
The fluid circuit includes a centrifuge for separating a sample introduced into the microchip into a target component and a non-target component by centrifugation,
The centrifuge is
A first container for accommodating the target component to be separated by centrifugation, provided with a first opening for introducing the specimen at the top;
The non-target component to be separated by centrifugation, which is connected to the bottom of the first housing part and has a second opening at a position different from the connection position with the first housing part, is mainly housed. A second housing for
A first flow path connected to the second opening;
A waste liquid reservoir connected to the other end of the first flow path;
Including a microchip. The second accommodating portion includes the second opening at an upper portion thereof,
2. The microchip according to claim 1, wherein the first housing portion, the second housing portion, and the first flow path constitute a substantially U-shape. The fluid circuit further includes a measuring unit for measuring the target component,
The microchip according to claim 1, wherein the first opening is connected to the weighing unit.   The microchip according to claim 3, wherein the weighing unit and the waste liquid reservoir are disposed on the same side with respect to the first storage unit and the second storage unit.   The microchip according to claim 1, further comprising a through hole connected to the waste liquid reservoir and penetrating the first substrate in a thickness direction.   The microchip according to claim 1, wherein the specimen is blood, and the target component is a plasma component.

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