JP2009156741A - Opening sealing member, opening sealing method, micro inspection chip, and opening sealing tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an opening sealing member, an opening sealing method, a micro inspection chip, and an opening sealing tool, having low cost, capable of sealing easily and surely an opening part of the micro inspection chip. <P>SOLUTION: Concerning the opening sealing member, the opening sealing method, the micro inspection chip, and the opening sealing tool, having low cost, the opening part of the micro inspection chip can be sealed easily and surely, by sealing the opening part of the micro inspection chip by using the opening sealing member comprising a first member and a second member which are separable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening sealing member, an opening sealing method, a micro inspection chip, and an opening sealing jig, and more particularly, inspection / analysis of biological materials by gene amplification reaction, antigen-antibody reaction, etc. The present invention relates to an opening sealing member, an opening sealing method, a micro inspection chip, and an opening sealing jig for sealing an opening of a micro inspection chip used for chemical synthesis of a target compound by analysis, organic synthesis, or the like.

  In recent years, by making full use of micromachine technology and ultrafine processing technology, devices and means (for example, pumps, valves, flow paths, sensors, etc.) for performing conventional sample preparation, chemical analysis, chemical synthesis, etc. have been miniaturized. An analysis chip (hereinafter referred to as a micro inspection chip) integrated on a chip has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This is also called μ-TAS (Micro Total Analysis System), bioreactor, Lab-on-chip, biochip, and it is used in the medical examination / diagnosis field, environmental measurement field, and agricultural production field. Application is expected. In particular, when complicated processes such as those found in genetic testing, skilled techniques, and operation of equipment are required, micro test chips that excel in automation, speed-up, and simplification are cost-effective and require sample volume. Because it enables analysis not only for the required time but also for any time and place, the benefits are great.

  In the micro test chip as described above, it is necessary to inject a sample such as blood used for the test or a liquid such as a reagent for the test into the micro test chip from the opening provided in the micro test chip. . The micro test chip into which the sample or reagent has been injected is connected to a liquid feeding means such as a micropump in the testing device, and the sample and the reagent are mixed and reacted by the liquid feeding pressure of the liquid feeding means, so that the target substance Inspections such as detection of disease and determination of illness are performed.

  Therefore, the opening into which the specimen or reagent is injected needs to be tightly sealed so that the specimen or reagent does not leak outside due to the liquid feeding pressure of the liquid feeding means. Also, from the viewpoint of safety and contamination, it is important to seal the opening so that the user of the micro test chip does not accidentally touch the sample or reagent.

Therefore, for example, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 of Patent Document 2 show a method of sealing a blood sample after it is introduced from the opening using a sealable lid attached to a flexible hinge in the manner of snap fastening. Has been.
JP 2004-28589 A JP 9-504608 A

  However, in the method disclosed in Patent Document 2, the position of the lid on the chip is limited because it is necessary to form a hinge, a snap, or the like, and there is no degree of freedom in arranging the opening for introducing the sample. In addition, since the shapes of the hinges and snaps are complicated, the size of the lid increases, which is against the miniaturization of the micro inspection chip. Furthermore, since the portion where the opening of the micro inspection chip is formed is generally constituted by a sheet-like member, it is difficult to form a complicated shape such as a hinge or snap.

  In addition, since the micro inspection chip is often used as POCT (Point Of Care Test), it is required that the opening cover can be easily made. Also, it is required to be inexpensive in terms of cost.

  In general, the micro inspection chip is often configured in a flat plate shape. Therefore, a sheet-like sealing member is often used as a lid for the opening from the viewpoint of ease of sealing, certainty, and cost. However, in an actual inspection site, it is very difficult for a user wearing gloves for safety to handle the sheet-like sealing member.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An opening sealing member, an opening sealing method, a micro inspection chip, and an opening sealing that can easily and reliably seal an opening of a micro inspection chip and are low in cost. The purpose is to provide a jig.

  The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

1. In the opening sealing member for sealing the opening of the micro inspection chip having the opening,
The opening sealing member includes a first member and a second member,
The opening sealing member, wherein the first member and the second member are separable.

2. The first member includes a sealing lid for the opening and a first adhesive layer for adhering the sealing lid to the opening,
2. The opening according to claim 1, wherein the second member includes a holding portion that holds the first member and a second adhesive layer that causes the sealing lid to adhere to the holding portion. Sealing member.

3. The first member includes a sealing lid for the opening, a first adhesive layer for adhering the sealing lid to the opening, and an adhesive for adhering the sealing lid to the second member. Of the second adhesive layer,
2. The opening sealing member according to 1, wherein the second member is a holding portion that holds the first member.

  4). The opening sealing member according to 2 or 3, wherein the second adhesive layer has an adhesive strength weaker than that of the first adhesive layer.

  5). The opening sealing member according to 2 or 3, wherein the second adhesive layer has an adhesive area smaller than that of the first adhesive layer.

  6). The opening sealing member according to any one of 2 to 5, wherein the sealing lid has an area larger than an area of the opening.

  7. The opening sealing member according to any one of 2 to 6, wherein a portion of the first adhesive layer in contact with the opening is removed.

  8). An opening sealing method, wherein the opening of a micro inspection chip having an opening is sealed using the opening sealing member according to any one of 1 to 7.

9. Has an opening,
In the micro inspection chip that seals the opening by the opening sealing member according to any one of 1 to 7,
A micro inspection chip having a positioning mark at a position where the opening sealing member is pasted.

10. In an opening sealing jig for sealing the opening of the micro inspection chip having the opening,
A chip holder for holding the micro inspection chip;
An opening sealing jig comprising a guide portion that guides the opening sealing member according to any one of 1 to 7 to the opening.

  According to the present invention, the opening of the micro inspection chip is simply sealed by sealing the opening of the micro inspection chip using the opening sealing member made of the separable first member and the second member. An opening sealing member, an opening sealing method, a micro inspection chip, and an opening sealing jig that can be reliably sealed and are low-cost can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, an inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus 1 includes a tray 3, a transport port 5, an operation unit 7, a display unit 9, and the like. A micro test chip 100 into which a sample, a reagent, etc. are injected and sealed using an opening sealing member to be described later is set on the tray 3 and is transported from the transport port 5 into the test apparatus 1 by a loading mechanism (not shown). And inspection is performed. Inspection contents, inspection target data, and the like are input to the inspection apparatus 1 using the operation unit 7, and inspection results are displayed on the display unit 9.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the inspection apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the inspection apparatus 1 includes a micro pump unit 210, a heating / cooling unit 230, a detection unit 250, a drive control unit 270, and the like. The micro inspection chip 100 is transported from the transport port 5 into the inspection apparatus 1 by a loading mechanism (not shown) and connected to the micro pump unit 210. Tests such as detection of a target substance and determination of disease are performed by mixing and reacting the specimen and reagent in the micro test chip 100 by liquid feeding by a micropump.

  The micro inspection chip 100 is equivalent to what is generally called an analysis chip, a microreactor chip, and the like. For example, the micro inspection chip 100 is made of resin, glass, silicon, ceramics, and the like. Is formed with a fine flow path having a level of several μm to several hundred μm. The size and shape of the micro inspection chip 100 is usually a plate shape having a length and width of several tens of mm and a thickness of several mm.

  Here, the micro test chip 100 is formed of a water-repellent resin material such as polypropylene, for example, and has a channel substrate 101 on the surface of which a groove-shaped channel for flowing a liquid such as a reagent or a specimen is formed. Suppose that it is composed of a top plate 103 that is bonded to the surface of the flow path substrate 101 on which the flow path is formed and functions as a groove-shaped flow path cover of the flow path substrate 101. In addition, the top plate 103 is provided with a connection port between the micro pump unit 210 and the micro test chip 100, an opening for injecting a specimen, a reagent, and the like.

  The micro pump unit 210 is a pump unit for performing liquid feeding in the micro test chip 100, and includes a micro pump 211, a chip connection unit 213, a driving liquid tank 215, a driving liquid supply unit 217, and the like. The micropump unit 210 includes one or a plurality of micropumps 211. The micropump 211 feeds the liquid in the micro test chip 100 by injecting or sucking the driving liquid 216 into the micro test chip 100. The chip connection unit 213 connects the micropump 211 and the micro inspection chip 100.

  The driving liquid supply unit 217 supplies the driving liquid 216 from the driving liquid tank 215 to the micropump 211. The driving liquid tank 215 can be removed and replaced from the driving liquid supply unit 217 to replenish the driving liquid 216. One or a plurality of pumps are formed on the micropump 211, and the plurality of pumps can be driven independently or in conjunction with each other.

  The micro test chip 100 and the micro pump 211 are connected and communicated with each other by a chip connection unit 213, and the micro pump 211 is driven to be injected or sucked from the micro pump 211 to the micro test chip 100 via the chip connection unit 213. By the liquid 216, specimens, reagents, and the like housed in a plurality of housing parts in the micro test chip 100 are sent in the micro test chip 100.

  The heating / cooling unit 230 includes a cooling unit 231, a heating unit 233, and the like, and heats and cools a specimen, a reagent, a mixed solution thereof, and the like in order to promote and suppress a reaction in the micro test chip 100. The cooling unit 231 includes a Peltier element or the like. The heating unit 233 includes a heater or the like. Of course, the heating unit 233 may also be formed of a Peltier element.

  The detection unit 250 includes a light source 251 such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser, a light receiving element 253 such as a photodiode (PD), and the like, and a target substance contained in a generated liquid obtained by a reaction in the micro inspection chip 100. Is detected optically at the position of the detection region 255 on the micro inspection chip 100.

  The drive control unit 270 includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like (not shown), and drives, controls, and detects each unit in the inspection apparatus 1.

  Next, a first embodiment of the opening sealing member in the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing a first embodiment of the opening sealing member 300 according to the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a state before sealing, and FIG. 3B shows a state after sealing.

  In FIG. 3A, the opening sealing member 300 includes a first member 301 and a second member 311. When sealing the opening 110 for injecting a specimen, a reagent, or the like provided in the micro test chip 100, the operator holds the second member 311 by hand and holds the first member 301 in the opening 110. Press on top.

  In FIG.3 (b), after pressing the 1st member 301 on the opening part 110, an operator lifts the 2nd member 311 by hand. At this time, the first member 301 and the second member 311 are separated, the first member 301 remains on the opening 110 of the micro inspection chip 100, and the opening 110 is sealed by the first member 301. The

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the micro inspection chip 100 and the opening sealing member 300 taken along a plane A indicated by a one-dotted line in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A shows the opening sealing before sealing. FIG. 4B shows a vertical cross section of the micro inspection chip 100 and the opening sealing member 300 after sealing.

  In FIG. 4A, the opening sealing member 300 is composed of a first member 301 and a second member 311, and the first member 301 is composed of a sealing lid 303 and a first adhesive layer 305. The second member 311 includes a holding portion 313 and a second adhesive layer 315. The second adhesive layer 315 is set to be weaker than the adhesive force of the first adhesive layer 305 by using an adhesive having an adhesive force weaker than that of the first adhesive layer 305.

  In addition, the sealing lid 303 and the second adhesive layer may be formed by using adhesives having different adhesive strengths on the front and back sides, or by performing processing for reducing the adhesive strength such as embossing or embossing on the upper surface 303a of the sealing lid 303. The adhesive strength with 315 is set to be weaker than the adhesive strength between the holding portion 313 and the second adhesive layer 315. Thereby, the sealing lid 303 and the second adhesive layer 315 are easily separated.

  In FIG. 4B, the micro test chip 100 has a flow path substrate 101 on the surface of which a groove-shaped flow path for flowing a liquid such as a reagent or a specimen is formed, and a flow path of the flow path substrate 101 is formed. The top plate 103 is bonded to the surface and functions as a groove-shaped channel lid of the channel substrate 101. Here, a reservoir 121 for storing a liquid 151 such as a specimen or a reagent, a fine flow path 123 such as a water repellent valve, a flow path 125, and the like are provided on the flow path substrate 101. And an opening 110 for injecting a reagent or the like. In addition, the storage unit 121 is filled with a liquid 151 such as a specimen or a reagent, and the fine channel 123 and the channel 125 are filled with air 153.

  In order to seal the opening 110 provided in the micro inspection chip 100, the operator holds the holding part 313 of the opening sealing member 300 by hand and pushes the first member 301 onto the opening 110. After the contact, the holding portion 313 is lifted. As described above, the adhesive force of the second adhesive layer 315 is set to be weaker than the adhesive force of the first adhesive layer 305, and the adhesive force between the sealing lid 303 and the second adhesive layer 315 is low. It is set to be weaker than the adhesive force between the holding portion 313 and the second adhesive layer 315. For this purpose, the sealing lid 303 is attached to the opening 110 of the micro test chip 100 by the first adhesive layer 305, and the sealing lid 303 and the second adhesive layer 315 are separated. Therefore, the opening 110 of the micro test chip 100 is sealed by the sealing lid 303.

  The thickness of the first member 301 of the opening sealing member 300 is preferably several mm or less so as not to interfere with the transport port 5, the heating / cooling unit 230, the detection unit 250, or the like when transported into the inspection apparatus 1. Further, the length of the holding portion 313 of the second member 311 is preferably about several tens of mm so that it can be easily handled by hand. The second member 311, that is, the holding unit 313 and the second adhesive layer 315 may be disposable, or may be reused after being integrated with the new first member 301 as shown in FIG. Also good.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the opening sealing member 300 includes the first member 301 including the sealing lid 303 and the first adhesive layer 305, the holding unit 313, and the second member. The adhesive member 315 is composed of a second member 311, and the adhesive force between the sealing lid 303 and the second adhesive layer 315 is set weak.

  The opening sealing member 300 is pressed against and released from the opening 110 of the micro inspection chip 100 to separate the sealing lid 303 and the second adhesive layer 315 having a weak adhesive force, and the separated sealing member is separated. By sealing the opening 110 with the stop lid 303 and the first adhesive layer 305, the opening of the micro inspection chip can be easily and surely sealed, and the opening sealing member and the opening sealing method are inexpensive. A micro inspection chip and an opening sealing jig can be provided.

  Next, a second embodiment of the opening sealing member in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the micro inspection chip 100 after sealing and the opening sealing member 300 taken along the plane A in FIG. 3A, showing a second embodiment of the opening sealing member.

  In FIG. 5, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, for example, adhesives having different front and back adhesive forces are used, or adhesive such as embossing or embossing is used on the lower surface 313 a of the holding portion 313. By performing the process of reducing the force, the adhesive force between the holding portion 313 and the second adhesive layer 315 is set to be weaker than the adhesive force between the sealing lid 303 and the second adhesive layer 315. is there. Therefore, when the opening 110 is sealed, the opening sealing member 300 is separated between the holding portion 313 and the second adhesive layer 315.

  That is, the first member 301 of the opening sealing member 300 includes the sealing lid 303, the first adhesive layer 305, and the second adhesive layer 315, and the second member 311 includes the holding portion 313. . Others are the same. The second member 311, that is, the holding unit 313 may be disposable, or may be integrated again with the new first member 301 and reused.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the opening sealing member 300 includes the first member 301 including the sealing lid 303, the first adhesive layer 305, and the second adhesive layer 315. And the second member 311 including the holding portion 313, and the adhesive force between the holding portion 313 and the second adhesive layer 315 is set to be weak.

  The opening sealing member 300 is pressed against and released from the opening 110 of the micro test chip 100 to separate the holding portion 313 and the second adhesive layer 315 having a weak adhesive force, and the separated sealing. By sealing the opening 110 with the lid 303, the first adhesive layer 305, and the second adhesive layer 315, the opening of the micro inspection chip can be easily and reliably sealed, and the opening sealing is inexpensive. A member, an opening sealing method, a micro inspection chip, and an opening sealing jig can be provided.

  Next, 3rd and 4th embodiment of the opening sealing member in this invention is described using FIG. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the micro inspection chip 100 and the opening sealing member 300 taken along the plane A in FIG. 3A, showing the third and fourth embodiments of the opening sealing member. FIG. 6A shows a third embodiment of the opening sealing member 300, and FIG. 6B shows a fourth embodiment of the opening sealing member 300.

  In FIG. 6A, the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the opening 110 of the first adhesive layer 305a of the first member 301, that is, the liquid 151 such as a specimen or a reagent. The other part is the same in that the part that contacts with is glued or cut away.

  In this way, there is less influence when the sample, reagent, etc. are in contact with the first adhesive layer 305a, such as when a reaction occurs when the sample, reagent, etc. are in contact with the first adhesive layer 305a. can do.

  In FIG. 6B, in the fourth embodiment, the portion in contact with the opening 110 of the first adhesive layer 305a is glued in the same manner as in the third embodiment. In addition, the area of the second adhesive layer 315a of the second member 311 that is in contact with the sealing lid 303 and the holding portion 313 is greater than the area of the first adhesive layer 305a that is in contact with the micro inspection chip 100 and the sealing lid 303. The paste has been killed to make it smaller.

  By doing in this way, it is not necessary to use different adhesives for the first adhesive layer 305a and the second adhesive layer 315a, and the same adhesive is used to give a difference in adhesive force depending on the area of the adhesive. be able to.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the portion of the first adhesive layer 305a that is in contact with the opening 110 is glued so that the specimen, reagent, or the like comes into contact with the first adhesive layer 305a. When the condition is bad, the influence can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the fourth embodiment, the area where the second adhesive layer 315a is in contact with the sealing lid 303 and the holding portion 313 is the same as the area where the first adhesive layer 305a is connected to the micro test chip 100 and the sealing lid 303. Even if the same pressure-sensitive adhesive is used for the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 305a and the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 315a, it is possible to give a difference in pressure-sensitive adhesive force depending on the area of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Can do.

  Next, an embodiment of the micro inspection chip 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the micro test chip 100.

  7, in this embodiment, in addition to FIG. 3A, positioning marks 130 that serve as a guide for positioning at the time of sealing are formed around the opening 110 of the micro test chip 100 by printing or molding. Etc. are provided. The operator can more easily and reliably seal the opening 110 by pressing the opening sealing member 300 against the micro inspection chip 100 using the positioning mark 130 as a guide.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the micro test chip 100, the positioning mark 130 is provided around the opening 110 of the micro test chip 100, whereby the opening 110 is sealed more easily and reliably. be able to.

  Next, an embodiment of an opening sealing jig used for sealing the opening 110 of the micro inspection chip 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along plane A of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the micro test chip 100 and the opening sealing member 300 are the same as those shown in FIG. The micro test chip 100 is set in the chip holding part 401 of the opening sealing jig 400 after being filled with a liquid 151 such as a specimen or a reagent. A guide part 403 is opened in the chip holding part 401, and the opening sealing member 300 is guided onto the opening part 110 of the micro test chip 100.

  The operator can more easily and reliably seal the opening 110 by inserting the opening sealing member 300 into the guide part 403 and pressing it against the micro inspection chip 100.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the opening sealing jig 400, the opening sealing member 300 is inserted into the guide portion 403 of the opening sealing jig 400 and pressed against the micro inspection chip 100. The opening 110 can be sealed more easily and reliably.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the opening portion of the micro inspection chip is sealed by using the opening sealing member formed of the separable first member and the second member. It is possible to provide an opening sealing member, an opening sealing method, a micro inspection chip, and an opening sealing jig that can easily and reliably seal the opening of the inspection chip and that are low in cost.

  In addition, regarding the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component constituting the opening sealing member, the opening sealing method, the micro inspection chip, and the opening sealing jig according to the present invention, the scope without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be changed as appropriate.

It is a perspective view which shows one example of the test | inspection apparatus in this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of the test | inspection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of the opening sealing member in this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 1st Embodiment of an opening sealing member. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 2nd Embodiment of an opening sealing member. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows 3rd and 4th embodiment of an opening sealing member. It is a perspective view which shows embodiment of a micro test | inspection chip. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows embodiment of an opening sealing jig.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inspection apparatus 100 Micro test | inspection chip 101 Flow path board | substrate 103 Top plate 110 Opening part 121 Storage part 123 Fine flow path 125 Flow path 130 Positioning mark 151 Liquid 153 Air 300 Opening sealing member 301 First member 303 Sealing lid 303a Upper surface of sealing lid 305 First adhesive layer 305a First adhesive layer 311 Second member 313 Holding portion 313a Holding portion lower surface 315 Second adhesive layer 315a Second adhesive layer 400 Opening sealing jig 401 Chip holding portion 403 Guide section

Claims (10)

In the opening sealing member for sealing the opening of the micro inspection chip having the opening,
The opening sealing member includes a first member and a second member,
The opening sealing member, wherein the first member and the second member are separable. The first member includes a sealing lid for the opening and a first adhesive layer for adhering the sealing lid to the opening,
The said 2nd member consists of a holding part holding the said 1st member, and a 2nd adhesion layer for making the said sealing lid adhere to the said holding part. Opening sealing member. The first member includes a sealing lid for the opening, a first adhesive layer for adhering the sealing lid to the opening, and an adhesive for adhering the sealing lid to the second member. Of the second adhesive layer,
The opening sealing member according to claim 1, wherein the second member is a holding portion that holds the first member. The opening sealing member according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second adhesive layer has an adhesive force weaker than that of the first adhesive layer. The opening sealing member according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second adhesive layer has an adhesive area smaller than that of the first adhesive layer. The opening sealing member according to claim 2, wherein the sealing lid has an area larger than an area of the opening. The opening sealing member according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a portion of the first adhesive layer in contact with the opening is removed. An opening sealing method, wherein the opening of a micro inspection chip having an opening is sealed using the opening sealing member according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Has an opening,
In the micro inspection chip which seals the opening by the opening sealing member according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A micro inspection chip having a positioning mark at a position where the opening sealing member is pasted. In an opening sealing jig for sealing the opening of the micro inspection chip having the opening,
A chip holder for holding the micro inspection chip;
An opening sealing jig comprising: a guide portion that guides the opening sealing member according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to the opening.

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