JP2011095164A - Analysis chip and method of using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analysis chip that efficiently captures an analyte contained in a sample solution for analysis, and to provide a method that uses the analysis chip. <P>SOLUTION: In the analysis chip 1, an absorber 31 is housed in an absorber housing region 11A in the recess 11 of its body section 10 while absorbing the sample solution, the sample solution passes through a filter member 33 having a hole diameter smaller than that of the analyte included in the sample solution by pressing the absorber 31 from the outside of the analysis chip 1, and the analyte is captured by the filter member 33. Thus, even if the sample solution is small in amount and the concentration of the analyte is low, the analyte can be captured more efficiently by the filter member 33. Also, an analysis relating to the analyte can be performed after efficiently capturing the analyte, thus enabling high-precision analysis. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analysis chip and a method of using the analysis chip.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, diagnosis of medical conditions such as infectious diseases has been performed using body fluids such as blood, saliva, and urine as test liquids. When diagnosing the pathology of this infectious disease, etc., a method of measuring the number of microorganisms contained in the test solution including microorganisms is used, and various examinations have been conducted on instruments used for the measurement. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Japanese Patent No. 4262616 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-322594 JP 09-066583 A

  By the way, when saliva is used as a test solution and the health condition in the oral cavity is evaluated by measuring the number and type of microorganisms contained in the saliva and analyzed, the amount of saliva that can be collected from the oral cavity is very small. Therefore, the number of microorganisms contained in the saliva is very small, and the number and type of microorganisms cannot be accurately evaluated. In addition, even when the test solution is not saliva and the analyte is not a microorganism, the amount of the test solution that can be used for analysis is small or the concentration of the analyte contained in the test solution is low In this case, the amount of the analysis target contained in the test solution and usable for analysis is small, and it is difficult to perform the analysis with high accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an analysis chip capable of efficiently collecting an analysis target contained in a test solution and used for analysis, and a method of using the analysis chip. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, an analysis chip according to the present invention includes a main body having a recess and an edge surrounding the recess, a lid that covers the recess and the edge, and a test liquid contained in the recess. A portion that includes an absorbable absorber and a filter member that is connected to the absorber in the recess and has a pore diameter smaller than that of the analysis target contained in the test solution, and that accommodates the absorber in the recess And at least one of the cover part which an absorber opposes has a softness | flexibility, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In addition, the method of using the analysis chip according to the present invention is capable of absorbing the test solution by being accommodated in the recess, the main body having the edge surrounding the recess, the lid covering the recess and the edge, and the recess. And a filter member having a pore diameter smaller than that of an analysis object contained in a test solution, the filter chip having a pore diameter smaller than that of the analysis target contained in the test solution. The stored absorbent is pressed from the outside of the lid and / or the main body, and the test liquid is passed through the filter member.

  According to the analysis chip and the method for using the analysis chip, the test liquid passes through the filter member having a pore diameter smaller than the analysis target contained in the test liquid by pressing the absorber from the outside of the analysis chip. The analysis object is collected by the filter member. Therefore, even when the amount of the test solution is small and the concentration of the analyte is low, the analyte can be efficiently collected by the filter member. In addition, since the analysis object can be analyzed after efficiently collecting the analysis object in this way, the analysis can be performed with high accuracy.

  Here, it is preferable that a prefilter member is further provided between the filter member and the portion in which the absorber in the recess is accommodated.

  As described above, since the prefilter member is provided between the portion in which the absorber is accommodated and the filter member, foreign matter in the test liquid can be collected by the prefilter member. In this way, it is possible to reduce the amount of impurities in the sample and to concentrate the analysis object more efficiently.

  Here, the filter member may have a mode in which a molecular recognition element that can specifically bind to a specific analysis target is fixed, and is attached to the inside of the recess and / or the lid facing the recess. In addition, it is possible to specifically bind to a specific analysis target and include a labeled molecule recognition element. And it is preferable that the specific analyte to which the labeled molecule recognition element can bind is the same as the specific analyte to which the molecule recognition element can bind.

  In this way, the labeled molecule recognition element that can bind to a specific analyte and is attached to the recess that accommodates the absorber and / or the lid facing the recess, and further, the filter member has the specific analyte. By adopting a mode in which the molecular recognition element that can bind to the analyte is fixed, the amount of the labeled molecule recognition element that binds to the analyte changes according to the amount of the analyte, and the labeled molecule recognition The analysis object to which the element is coupled is collected by the filter member. Therefore, the collection of the analysis object is effectively performed in the filter member, and the pretreatment necessary for performing the analysis only on the analysis object is not required, so that the operability is high and quick. Analysis can be performed.

  Moreover, it can be set as the aspect which further has the contact bonding layer which can adhere | attach an edge part and a cover part.

  As described above, by having an adhesive layer that can bond the edge portion and the lid portion, the test solution absorbed by the absorber is easily moved toward the filter member, and the analysis target of the filter member is reduced. The collection efficiency is further increased.

  Here, the part which opposes a filter member and / or the part which opposes a filter member among recessed parts can be made into the aspect which has a light transmittance.

  Thus, the part which opposes a filter member among a cover part and / or a recessed part has a light transmittance, Therefore The analysis with respect to the analysis target object concentrated in the filter member of an analysis chip can be performed efficiently.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the analysis chip which can concentrate efficiently the analysis target object contained in a test liquid and used for an analysis, and the usage method of this analysis chip are provided.

It is a perspective view of the analysis chip concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a top view of the analysis chip of FIG. It is the III-III arrow line view of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the analysis chip of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the usage method of an analysis chip. It is a figure which shows the usage method of an analysis chip typically. It is a figure explaining the principle of the analysis by a test liquid analyzer. It is a figure explaining the external appearance of a test liquid analyzer. It is a figure explaining the internal structure of a test liquid analyzer. It is a perspective view of the analysis chip concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view of the analysis chip concerning a 3rd embodiment. (A) is a XII-XII arrow line view of FIG. 11, (B) is a figure which illustrates the usage method of the analysis chip 3 typically.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment)
1 is a perspective view of the analysis chip 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of the analysis chip 1 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line III-III of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the analysis chip 1. First, the analysis chip 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to these drawings.

  The analysis chip 1 according to the present embodiment is a rectangular sheet, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and includes a main body 10 having a recess 11 and an edge 12 provided around the recess 10, and a main body. The cover part 20 which covers the recessed part 11 and the edge part 12 of the part 10, and the absorber 31, the pre filter member 32, and the filter member 33 accommodated in the recessed part 11 are provided. The absorber 31, the prefilter member 32, and the filter member 33 are disposed in this order in the recess 11 along the longitudinal direction of the analysis chip 1, and adjacent members are connected to each other. Moreover, the recessed part 11 has the opening part 15 connected to the exterior. From the viewpoint of storage stability and the like, the opening 15 may be closed by a seal or the like before use of the analysis chip 1 and opened at the time of use.

  The analysis chip 1 according to the present embodiment accommodates the absorber 31 to which the test solution containing the analysis target is attached in the recess 11 and presses and deforms the absorber 31 from the outside of the analysis chip 1. The test liquid adhering to the absorber 31 is separated from the absorber 31, and the prefilter member 32 and the filter member 33 are passed in this order, and the test liquid that has passed through the filter member 33 is passed through the opening 15 from the analysis chip 1. To the outside. Here, the analysis object contained in the test solution is collected by the filter member 33, and the measurement light is irradiated to the filter member 33 holding the analysis object using a test solution analyzer described later. Thus, analysis such as measurement of the number of objects to be analyzed is performed. Test liquids to be analyzed using this analysis chip 1 include clinical samples, saliva, blood, urine, stool, nasal discharge, nasal discharge from nasal cavity, nasal cavity, pharynx, nasopharynx, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, Examples include various secretions such as urethra-genital swabs, throat swabs, tissue extracts, cell extracts, microbial cultures, environmental samples, and the like. Further, when the test liquid is, for example, saliva, the analysis target for evaluating the health condition in the oral cavity includes Streptococcus mutans bacteria (Sm bacteria) and Streptococcus sobrinus bacteria (causative bacteria for caries) ( Ss bacteria) and Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria (La bacteria). Analytical objects are not limited to microorganisms, and any protein, antibody, antigen, hormone, peptide, glycoprotein, nucleic acid, saccharide, vitamin, natural compound, synthetic compound, cell, cell tissue, virus contained in the test solution , Dyes, fluorescent molecules, metals, metal ions, and the like. In the following embodiment, the case where the test solution is saliva and the analysis target is a specific microorganism will be mainly described.

  The analysis chip 1 according to the present embodiment has a rectangular sheet shape in consideration of handleability, analysis that can be performed even with a small amount of test liquid, and accurate analysis. Moreover, although the magnitude | size of the analysis chip 1 is not specifically limited, From the surface of handleability, for example, thickness: 0.05 mm-5.0 mm, long side length: 5 mm-150 mm, short side length: 3 mm-100 mm It is preferable to do.

  Next, each part included in the analysis chip 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  The main body portion 10 is formed of a rectangular plate-like light-transmitting member, and includes a concave portion 11 and an edge portion 12 surrounding the concave portion 11. The main body 10 is formed from a laminate film such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, nylon (registered trademark), Glass is mentioned.

  In the main body 10 described above, the edge 12 is provided in a U shape with respect to the recess 11 extending in the longitudinal direction. And the one end side of the recessed part 11 extended in a longitudinal direction is the groove | channel 16 connected with the exterior. And the opening part 15 of the analysis chip 1 is formed because the upper surface of the groove | channel 16 shown in FIG. An adhesive layer 17 is provided on the surface of the edge 12. The adhesive layer 17 is provided in a region where the main body 10 and the lid 20 are in contact with each other when the lid 20 is attached to the main body 10.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrates the main-body part 10 in which the recessed part 11 and the edge part 12 were integrally molded, the main-body part 10 may be formed from several materials, for example, forms the bottom face of the recessed part 11. The main body 10 may be configured by combining a flat plate member and a frame member stacked on the flat plate member to form the side wall of the recess 11 and function as the edge 12.

  The lid portion 20 is a member that covers the concave portion 11 and the edge portion 12 of the main body portion 10, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, It is preferably a laminate film made of nylon (registered trademark) or the like, having light permeability and flexibility. The lid 20 is bonded to the edge 12 of the main body 10 via the adhesive layer 17. That is, the adhesive layer 17 provided on the surface of the edge portion 12 of the main body portion 10 is preferably made of a material capable of bonding the edge portion 12 and the lid portion 20, and the material constituting the edge portion 12 and the lid portion 20 is used. Based on this, it can be selected as appropriate. As an example of selection of the adhesive layer 17, for example, when the edge portion 12 is made of polyethylene and the lid portion 20 is made of polyethylene, an SBR adhesive is suitably used as the adhesive layer 17.

  The absorber 31 is a member for introducing the test liquid into the recess 11 by accommodating the test liquid in the recess 11 of the analysis chip 1 in a state where the test liquid is absorbed. Therefore, the absorber 31 is preferably made of a material capable of efficiently absorbing the test solution, and filter paper, nonwoven fabric, superabsorbent polymer, and the like can be suitably used. Glass fiber, silica fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, cotton, hemp, cotton, cellulose, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, rock wool, polyamide, aramid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, rayon, polyester, nylon (registered trademark) A porous mesh made of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid ester, sodium polyacrylate, superabsorbent quercetin glycoside, polyolefin, or the like can be used as the absorber 31.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the thickness t ₂ of the absorbent body 31 when absorbing the test solution is larger than the depth t ₁ of the concave portion 11 of the main body 10. When the thickness t ₂ of the absorber 31 is larger than the depth t ₁ of the recess 11, when the lid 20 is attached to the main body 10 after the absorber 31 is accommodated in the recess 11, the absorber 31. Is pressed by the lid 20, the absorber 31 is deformed, and the test liquid absorbed by the absorber 31 flows out into the recess 11.

  Here, a labeled molecule recognition element is attached to a portion (absorber accommodating region 11A in FIG. 4) corresponding to a region in which the absorber 31 is accommodated in the recess 11 of the main body 10. This labeled molecule recognition element is obtained by labeling a molecular recognition element that can specifically bind only to a specific analysis target to be analyzed by the analysis chip 1 of this embodiment with a labeling substance. Specifically, examples of the molecular recognition element include a DNA aptamer, an RNA aptamer, a peptide aptamer, an antibody (monoclonal antibody, polyclonal antibody), a molecular template, an enzyme, and the like, which are appropriately selected according to the analysis target. In addition, the substance that labels the molecular recognition element is a substance that is used when optically measuring the number and concentration of the analyte, and has a function of having an absorption peak with respect to light of a specific wavelength or emitting fluorescence. Etc. This labeling substance includes noble metal colloids (gold colloid particles, silver colloid particles, platinum colloid particles, etc.), latex particles, colored latex particles, magnetic fine particles, fluorescent substances, enzymes, biotin, dyes, radioisotopes, redox substances, etc. Is mentioned.

  As a method for attaching this labeled molecule recognition element to the recess 11 of the main body 10, for example, the labeled molecule recognition element may be ultrapure water, pure water, Tris buffer, borate buffer, phosphate buffer, glycine buffer, quencher. A method of mixing the acid buffer, acetate buffer, succinate buffer, MOPS buffer, HEPES buffer, MES buffer, tricine buffer, maleate buffer, etc. Etc.

  As described above, the absorber 31 that has absorbed the test liquid comes into contact with the absorber containing region 11A to which the labeled molecule recognizing element is attached, so that the labeled molecule recognizing element is recessed from the absorber containing region 11A. It dissolves in and binds to the analyte contained in the test solution.

  Next, the prefilter member 32 is provided between the absorber 31 and the filter member 33 in the recess 11 in order to remove impurities contained in the test solution. Examples of the material constituting the prefilter member 32 include a porous mesh made of glass fiber, silica fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, cotton, hemp, cotton nitrocellulose, cellulose, cellulose mixed ester, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, and the like. Can be mentioned. The pore diameter of the prefilter member 32 can be selected as appropriate according to the size of the analysis object. However, when the analysis object is a causative bacterium such as Streptococcus mutans (Sm bacterium), for example. The thing of about 10-200 micrometers is preferable. When the pore diameter is smaller than 10 μm, there is a possibility that the analyte to be bound with the labeled molecule recognition element may be captured by the prefilter member 32. When the pore diameter is larger than 200 μm, There is a possibility that the contained impurities cannot be removed suitably.

  The filter member 33 is provided to concentrate and capture the analysis object. A molecular recognition element for capturing an analysis target is fixed to the filter member 33, and the analysis target combined with the labeled molecular recognition element is combined with the molecular recognition element fixed to the filter member 33. Thus, the analysis object can be captured by the filter member 33. Examples of the material constituting the filter member 33 include glass fiber, silica fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, cotton, hemp, cotton nitrocellulose, cellulose, cellulose mixed ester, cellulose acetate, and polycarbonate. The pore diameter of the filter member 33 can be appropriately selected according to the size of the analysis object. However, when the analysis object is a causative bacterium such as Streptococcus mutans (Sm bacteria), for example, The thing with a hole diameter of about 0.2-10 micrometers is preferable. When the pore diameter is smaller than 0.2 μm, there is a possibility that a substance different from the microorganism of the analysis target (caustic causative fungus) may be captured by the filter member 33, and when the pore diameter is larger than 10 μm, There is a possibility that the microorganism of the analyte to be combined with the labeled molecule recognition element cannot be captured appropriately. Examples of the molecular recognition element fixed to the filter member 33 include DNA aptamers, RNA aptamers, peptide aptamers, antibodies (monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies), enzymes, and the like, which are appropriately selected according to the analysis target.

  The analytes that can be combined with the molecular recognition element to be attached to the recess 11 as the labeled molecule recognition element and the molecular recognition element to be fixed to the filter member 33 must be of the same type. It is preferable that the molecular recognition element fixed to the element and the filter member 33 are different from each other in the binding sites for the analysis target that is the analysis target.

  The labeled molecule recognition element attached to the recess 11 is bonded to the analysis object bonded to the molecule recognition element of the filter member 33 with the above configuration. Then, the amount of the analysis object can be analyzed by analyzing the color of the substance that labels the molecular recognition element bound to the analysis object with an analyzer described later.

  Here, the usage method of said analysis chip 1 is demonstrated using FIG.5 and FIG.6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining how to use the analysis chip 1, and FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing how to use the analysis chip 1.

  First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the test liquid is absorbed by the absorber 31 (S01). This is performed by a method such as immersing the absorber 31 in a container or the like in which the test liquid is stored. Next, the absorber 31 that has absorbed the test liquid is accommodated in the analysis chip 1 (S02). At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the prefilter member 32 and the filter member 33 are attached in advance to the concave portion 11 of the analysis chip 1, and further, the absorber accommodation of the concave portion 11 that accommodates the absorber 31. A labeled molecule recognition element is attached to the region 11A. The absorber 31 that has absorbed the test liquid is accommodated in the recess 11 of the analysis chip 1.

  Next, the absorber 31 that has absorbed the test liquid is pressed (S03). Specifically, the lid portion 20 is attached so as to cover the concave portion 11 and the edge portion 12 of the main body portion 10 in which the absorber 31 is accommodated in the concave portion 11, and the main body is interposed via the adhesive layer 17 provided on the surface of the edge portion 12. The part 10 and the edge part 12 are adhered. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the position corresponding to the absorber 31 is pressed from the vertical direction along the thickness direction of the analysis chip 1. Thereby, the absorber 31 is deformed, and the test solution absorbed by the absorber 31 flows out of the absorber 31. And this labeled molecule recognition element couple | bonds with a specific analysis object because this test liquid contact | connects the labeled molecule recognition element adhering to 11 A of absorber accommodating areas of a recessed part. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the pressure applied to the absorber 31 from the outside of the analysis chip 1 is applied along the longitudinal direction of the analysis chip 1 so as to handle the analysis chip 1 in the longitudinal direction. By moving in the direction, the test liquid containing the analysis target combined with the labeled molecule recognition element is discharged from the opening 15 via the prefilter member 32 and the filter member 33 to the outside. At this time, the impurities contained in the test solution are captured by the prefilter member 32. Then, the analysis object combined with the labeled molecule recognition element is captured by the filter member 33 by being combined with the molecular recognition element fixed to the filter member 33. Next, the analysis object captured by the filter member 33 is analyzed using an analyzer (S04). Thereby, the analysis object concentrated by the filter member 33 is analyzed by the analysis chip 1, and the characteristics of the test solution are evaluated.

  Here, the test liquid analyzer 100 used for analyzing the analysis object concentrated by the filter member 33 by the analysis chip 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the appearance of the test liquid analyzer 100, FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the principle of analysis by the test liquid analyzer 100, and FIG. It is a figure explaining the internal structure of.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the test liquid analyzer 100 includes an insertion port 103 for accommodating the analysis chip 1, and accommodates the analysis chip 1 and blocks light from the outside during analysis of the analysis chip 1. The housing 104 covers the analysis chip 1. The housing 104 of the test liquid analyzer 100 includes an analysis start button 105 for instructing start of analysis and an indicator 106 for displaying the analysis result. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the test solution analyzer 100 includes a light source 101A that emits light E1 including light of a predetermined wavelength and a light source 101B that emits light E2. These light sources 101A and 101B are attached corresponding to the position where the filter member 33 is provided when the analysis chip 1 is inserted from the insertion port 103 and accommodated in a predetermined position.

  And it arrange | positions in the position which opposes the light source 101A through the filter member 33 of the analysis chip 1, and is located in the position which opposes the light receiving part 102A which has sensitivity with respect to the light E1 emitted from the light source 101A, and the light source 101B. And a light receiving unit 102B having sensitivity to the light E2 emitted from the light source 101B. These light sources 101A and 101B and the light receiving units 102A and 102B function as a measurement unit. Note that the wavelength of the light E1 emitted from the light source 101A and the wavelength of the light E2 emitted from the light source 101B may be the same or different. In addition, when the analysis object is coupled to the labeled molecule recognition element, the wavelengths of these lights E1 and E2 are determined by the characteristics of the labeling substance. Note that the number of light sources may be one, or two or more.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the test liquid analyzer 100 includes a control unit 108 in which the light sources 101A and 101B and the light receiving units 102A and 102B are electrically connected. The control unit 108 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an external storage device. The CPU stores a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a calculation program for performing a predetermined calculation process is stored and various data during the calculation process. RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU detects the depression of the analysis start button 105 and starts emission of measurement light from the light sources 101A and 101B, and receives information on the light intensity detected by the light receiving units 102A and 102B. The light transmittance of the labeling substance calculated based on the wavelength and intensity of the measurement light received from the light source 102B and output from the light sources 101A and 101B and the light intensity detected by the light receiving units 102A and 102B is stored in the external storage device. Based on the correlation (calibration curve) between the light transmittance of the stored labeling substance obtained in advance and the index of the labeling substance (causal bacteria concentration, etc.), the index value of the test solution (for example, based on the causative bacteria concentration) A function of calculating (environmental evaluation in the oral cavity) and causing the indicator 106 to display an evaluation based on the obtained result.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the test liquid analyzer 100 presses the position corresponding to the absorber 31 of the analysis chip 1 accommodated therein via the lid portion 20 from the outside of the analysis chip 1. Part 109 is provided. Then, the analysis chip 1 is accommodated in the test liquid analyzer 100, and the test liquid remaining in the analysis chip 1 flows backward by the pressing by the pressing unit 109 when performing the above-described analysis, and the absorber 31. To be absorbed again.

  Thus, the amount of the analysis target can be calculated by analyzing the analysis target collected on the filter member 33 of the analysis chip 1 using the test liquid analyzer 100 described above. Specifically, for example, when gold colloid particles are used as a substance for labeling the molecular recognition element, the gold colloid particles have absorption characteristics with respect to light having a wavelength of 520 nm. The amount of colloidal gold particles collected by the filter member 33 can be measured by measuring the intensity of the light passing through the filter member 33 by irradiating the filter member 33. From this result, it is included in the test liquid. The amount of the analysis object can be analyzed.

  As described above, according to the analysis chip 1 according to the present embodiment, the absorber 31 is accommodated in the absorber accommodating region 11A of the recess 11 in a state in which the test liquid is absorbed, and the absorber is absorbed from the outside of the analysis chip 1. By pressing 31, the test solution passes through the filter member 33 having a pore diameter smaller than that of the analysis target contained in the test solution, and the analysis target is collected by the filter member 33. Therefore, even when the amount of the test solution is small and the concentration of the analysis object is low, the analysis object can be efficiently collected by the filter member 33. In addition, since the analysis object can be analyzed after efficiently collecting the analysis object in this way, the analysis can be performed with high accuracy.

  Further, in the analysis chip 1 according to the above embodiment, since the lid portion 20 has flexibility, the absorber 31 can be easily pressed, and the test solution can be easily passed through the filter member 33. Can do.

  Further, in the analysis chip 1 according to the above embodiment, a specific analyte can be bonded to the absorber housing region 11A of the recess 11 that houses the absorber 31, and a labeled molecule recognition element is attached. The molecular recognition element that can bind to the specific analyte is fixed to the filter member 33. Therefore, in the case of an analysis using a labeled molecule recognition element, the number of labeled molecule recognition elements that bind to the analysis object changes according to the amount of the analysis object, so that the filter member 33 collects it. The number of labeled molecule recognition elements that are coupled to the analysis target and collected by the filter member 33 changes. Therefore, in addition to effectively collecting the analysis object in the filter member 33, the pretreatment necessary for performing the analysis on the analysis object is not required, so that the operability is high and the analysis is quickly performed. It can be carried out.

  Further, in the analysis chip 1 described above, since the adhesive layer 17 is provided on the surface of the edge 12 of the main body 10 of the analysis chip 1, the test solution absorbed by the absorber 31 moves toward the filter member 33. It becomes easy to move and the collection efficiency of the analysis object in the filter member 33 is further improved.

  Furthermore, since the main body 10 and the lid 20 are light transmissive, it is possible to efficiently perform measurement on the analysis object repaired in the filter member 33 of the analysis chip 1.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the analysis chip 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the analysis chip 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The analysis chip 2 according to this embodiment is different from the analysis chip 1 according to the first embodiment in the following two points. That is, the downstream side (upper side in the drawing) of the filter member 33 in the recess 11 is closed instead of the opening, and the second absorber 34 is provided on the downstream side of the filter member 33.

  The second absorber 34 on the downstream side of the filter member 33 flows out of the absorber 31 by pressing the absorber 31, and absorbs the test liquid that has passed through the prefilter member 32 and the filter member 33. Is. That is, in the analysis chip 1, the test solution that has passed through the pre-filter member 32 and the filter member 33 is discharged to the outside from the opening 15, but in the analysis chip 2 of the present embodiment, the sample that has passed through the filter member 33 is discharged. It has a function of absorbing the test solution in the second absorber 34.

  Moreover, as the 2nd absorber 34, a filter paper, a nonwoven fabric, a super absorbent polymer, etc. can be used conveniently. Glass fiber, silica fiber, carbon fiber, boron fiber, cotton, hemp, cotton, cellulose, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, rock wool, polyamide, aramid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, rayon, polyester, nylon (registered trademark) A porous mesh made of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid ester, sodium polyacrylate, superabsorbent quercetin glycoside, polyolefin, or the like can be used as the second absorbent body 34. The amount of liquid that can be absorbed by the second absorber 34 (water retention amount) is preferably in the range of 1/10 of the water retention amount of the absorber 31 to the water retention amount of the absorber 31.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the second absorber 34 has a function of changing the state by absorbing the test liquid. Specifically, for example, printing with aqueous ink or the like is performed on the second absorber 34 in advance, and the printing with this aqueous ink disappears when the second absorber 34 absorbs the test liquid. It can be configured. In addition, when the analysis chip 2 has a configuration in which the analysis target combined with the labeled molecule recognition element is collected by the filter member 33, the unreacted labeled molecule recognition element that has not been combined with the analysis target is the first. When the second absorber 34 reaches the second absorber 34 and is collected by the second absorber 34, the second absorber 34 is colored by the labeling substance. Thus, it is set as the structure which confirms that the test liquid reached | attained the 2nd absorber 34, and the analysis object contained in the test liquid that the test liquid passed the filter member 33 is mentioned. It can be confirmed that is collected by the filter member 33.

  The usage method of the analysis chip 2 is the same as that of the analysis chip 1. That is, the absorbent 31 that has absorbed the test liquid is accommodated in the recess 11 and covered with the lid 20, and then the absorbent 31 is pressed from the outside, so that the test liquid flows out of the absorbent 31. Then, the test liquid passes through the pre-filter member 32 and the filter member 33, whereby the analysis target in the test liquid is collected by the filter member 33. And the analysis which concerns on the analysis target object collected by the filter member 33 is performed by irradiating this filter member 33 with measurement light.

  Thus, even in the analysis chip 2 according to the present embodiment, the absorber 31 is accommodated in the absorber accommodating region 11A of the recess 11 in a state in which the test liquid is absorbed, and the absorber is absorbed from the outside of the analysis chip 1. By pressing 31, the test solution passes through the filter member 33 having a pore diameter smaller than that of the analysis target contained in the test solution, and the analysis target is collected by the filter member 33. Therefore, even when the amount of the test solution is small and the concentration of the analysis object is low, the analysis object can be efficiently collected by the filter member 33.

  Further, in the analysis chip 2, no opening is provided, and the test liquid that has passed through the filter member 33 is absorbed by the second absorber 34, so that the test liquid flows out of the analysis chip 2. Can be prevented.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an analysis chip 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the analysis chip 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12A is a view taken along arrow XII-XII in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12B is an analysis chip. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method of using 3. FIG.

  The difference between the analysis chip 3 according to the present embodiment and the analysis chip 2 according to the second embodiment is as follows. That is, the main body 40 is made of a flexible material, and the absorber 31 can be pressed from the back side of the main body 40. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the main body portion 40 of the analysis chip 3 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the concave portion 41 protrudes downward with respect to the edge portion 42. Further, the absorber 31, the pre-filter member 32, the filter member 33, and the second absorber 34 inside the analysis chip 3 are arranged in the recess 41 along the longitudinal direction of the analysis chip 3 so as to be in this order. The configuration is the same as that of the analysis chip 2 according to the second embodiment.

  The usage method of the analysis chip 3 having such a configuration is as follows. That is, the absorber 31 that has absorbed the test liquid is accommodated in the recess 41 and covered with the lid 20, and then the absorber 31 is pressed from the outside. Here, in the analysis chip 3, since the main body portion 40 constituting the concave portion 41 is made of a flexible material, when the absorber 31 is pressed from the outside, as shown in FIG. The absorber 31 is pressed from the position corresponding to the absorber 31 on the back side of the 40 recesses 41. As a result, the recess 41 is deformed to deform the absorber 31, and the test liquid flows out of the absorber 31. Then, the test liquid passes through the pre-filter member 32 and the filter member 33, whereby the analysis target in the test liquid is collected by the filter member 33. And the analysis which concerns on the analysis target object collected by the filter member 33 is performed by irradiating this filter member 33 with measurement light.

  Thus, even in the analysis chip 3 according to the present embodiment, the absorber 31 is accommodated in the recess 41 in a state where the test liquid is absorbed, and corresponds to the absorber 31 on the back side of the recess 41. By pressing the absorber 31 from the position, the test solution passes through the filter member 33 having a pore diameter smaller than that of the analysis target contained in the test solution, and the analysis target is collected by the filter member 33. Therefore, even when the amount of the test solution is small and the concentration of the analysis object is low, the analysis object can be efficiently collected by the filter member 33.

  When used for the analysis of the analysis chip 3 described above, in the test liquid analyzer, the arrangement of the pressing portion 109 is the main body 40 of the components provided in the test liquid analyzer 100 shown in FIG. It can measure suitably by changing so that the back side of crevice 41 may be pressed among them. Further, the size of the insertion port for accommodating the analysis chip 3 and the area for accommodating the analysis chip 3 are appropriately changed.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various changes can be made to the analysis chip according to the present invention and the method of using the analysis chip.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the case where the entire lid portion 20 has flexibility has been described, and in the third embodiment, the case where the entire body portion 40 has flexibility has been described. The whole part does not need to be flexible, and only the position corresponding to the absorber 31 may be flexible. For example, the position of the lid 20 facing the absorber 31 (the region in FIG. 4). Even if only 20A) is a mode having flexibility, it is possible to easily press the absorber 31 from the outside via the lid portion 20 as in the first and second embodiments. Moreover, only the specific area | region of the recessed part 41 in which the absorber 31 is accommodated among the main-body parts 40 of the analysis chip 3 of 3rd Embodiment can also be set as the structure which has a softness | flexibility. Moreover, both the cover part and main-body part which comprise an analysis chip may be formed from the material which has a softness | flexibility.

  Moreover, the whole main-body part 10 and the cover part 20 do not need to have a light transmittance. That is, in the case where the measurement related to the light transmittance of the substance collected in the filter member 33 is performed as in the above embodiment, of the bottom surface of the recess 11 (41) in the main body 10 (or main body 40). The region facing the filter member 33 (the region 11B in FIG. 4) and the region facing the filter member 33 (the region 20B in FIG. 4) of the lid 20 need only be light transmissive. In addition, when measuring the light reflected by the filter member 33 instead of measuring the light transmitted through the filter member 33, only one of the region 11B and the region 20B has a light transmitting mode. You can also.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the labeled molecule recognition element is attached to the recess 11 has been described. However, the region to which the label molecule element is attached does not have to be the recess 11, that is, the main body 10 side. It may be on the lid 20 side. In this case, the absorber 31 that has absorbed the test liquid by adhering the labeled molecule recognition element to the region (region 20A in FIG. 4) of the lid portion 20 where the absorber 31 accommodated in the recess 11 faces. When the test solution comes into contact with the labeled molecule recognition element when it is accommodated in the recess 11, the test solution and the labeled molecule recognition element are mixed, and the analysis target of the analysis target contained in the test solution And the labeled molecule recognition element can be combined.

  Moreover, although the labeled molecule recognition element is attached to the concave portion 11 and the molecule recognition element is fixed to the filter member 33 in the above embodiment, the labeled molecule recognition element and the molecule recognition element are not essential. Absent. That is, it is sufficient that the pore diameter of the filter member 33 is smaller than that of the analysis object. With such a configuration, the analysis object cannot pass through the filter member 33 having a small hole diameter and is collected by the filter member 33. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently collect the analysis object and increase its concentration.

  Similarly to the above, even if the labeled molecule recognition element is not attached to the region in contact with the absorber 31 such as the recess 11 and the molecule recognition element is fixed to the filter member 33, The analysis target can be collected by binding only the specific analysis target to the molecular recognition element. However, when analyzing collected analytes by optical techniques, not limited to microorganisms, it is necessary to label the microorganisms using a molecular recognition element and a labeling substance. Therefore, after the microorganisms are captured by the filter member 33, a process of binding the labeled molecule recognition element and the microorganisms captured by the filter member 33 is performed. Further, instead of attaching the labeled molecule recognition element to the concave portion 11, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which the absorbent 31 is absorbed after mixing the test solution and the labeled molecule recognition element.

  In the above-described embodiment, the method of detecting only a specific analysis target by binding a labeled molecule recognition element to the analysis target and realizing high-precision analysis has been described. The method of collecting the analysis object with the filter member 33 using the relationship between the pore diameter of the sample and the size of the analysis object, and the method of analyzing only the specific analysis object by combining other known methods are used. You can also. Specifically, a substance (including the analysis object) larger than the hole diameter of the filter member 33 is collected using the relationship between the hole diameter of the filter member 33 and the size of the analysis object, and then the analysis object is collected. It is also possible to adopt a mode in which only the analyte is reacted using a reagent (for example, a DNA probe, an RNA probe, etc.) that specifically binds only, and the reaction result is measured.

1, 2, 3 ... analysis chip, 10, 40 ... main body, 11, 41 ... recess, 12, 42 ... edge, 20 ... lid, 31 ... absorber, 32 ... pre-filter member, 33 ... filter member, 34 ... 2nd absorber, 100 ... Test liquid analyzer.

Claims (8)

A main body having a recess and an edge surrounding the recess;
A lid that covers the recess and the edge;
An absorber housed in the recess and capable of absorbing the test liquid;
A filter member provided in connection with the absorber in the recess, and having a smaller pore diameter than the analyte contained in the test solution;
An analysis chip in which at least one of the portion of the recess in which the absorber is accommodated and the lid portion facing the absorber has flexibility.   The analysis chip according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-filter member between the filter member and the portion of the recess in which the absorber is accommodated.   The analysis chip according to claim 1, wherein a molecular recognition element capable of specifically binding to a specific analysis target is fixed to the filter member.   4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a labeled molecule recognition element that is attached to the lid portion in the recess and / or to the recess facing the recess, specifically capable of binding to a specific analyte. The analysis chip described.   The analysis chip according to claim 4, wherein the specific analysis target to which the labeled molecule recognition element can be bound is the same as the specific analysis target to which the molecular recognition element can be bound.   The analysis chip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an adhesive layer capable of adhering the edge portion and the lid portion.   The analysis chip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a portion of the lid portion that faces the filter member and / or a portion of the concave portion that faces the filter member has light transmittance. A main body having a recess and an edge surrounding the recess;
A lid that covers the recess and the edge;
An absorber housed in the recess and capable of absorbing the test liquid;
A filter member provided in connection with the absorber in the recess, and having a smaller pore diameter than the analyte contained in the test solution;
Using an analysis chip comprising:
A method of use in which the test liquid is passed through the filter member by pressing the absorber housed in the recess from the outside of the lid and / or the main body.

Images