JP2015179038A - Chip for measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce reaction irregularity of fluid to a reagent with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A chip 10 for measurement comprises: a blood passage 48 capable of circulating blood in an extension direction; a blood expansion part 54 having plural projections 60 on a midway position of the blood passage 48 and to which a reagent is applied; and a measurement part 56 disposed on a downstream side of the blood expansion part 54. The measurement part 56 is configured so that width W2 in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction on a connection floor part 62 continuous to at least the blood expansion part 54 is narrower than width W1 in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the blood expansion part 54.

Description

  The present invention relates to a measurement chip for optically measuring a predetermined component in a fluid by reacting the fluid with a reagent.

  Conventionally, a component measuring device has been developed in order to measure the amount and properties of a body fluid (fluid) such as blood. Examples of this type of component measuring apparatus include a simple blood glucose meter for diabetes diagnosis and determination of insulin dose. The principle of blood glucose measurement using a blood glucose meter is based on the "electrode type", in which a reagent is fixed to an electrode and the electrical change is measured, and the color level of the reaction between the reagent soaked in a porous membrane and blood. There is a “colorimetric method” for optically measuring the color.

  Among these, the colorimetric blood glucose meter adopting the colorimetric method has advantages such as easy correction using the hematocrit value when calculating the blood glucose level and a simple manufacturing process. When measuring a blood glucose level using a colorimetric blood glucose meter, a measuring chip having a test paper carrying a reagent (enzyme, coloring reagent, etc.) in a porous membrane such as polysulfone or polyethersulfone is used as the blood glucose meter. Installing. The blood glucose level is measured by optically detecting the color of the test paper that is colored by the reaction of glucose in the blood with the reagent by taking blood into the measurement chip and immersing it in the test paper. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-64596 A

  By the way, the measuring chip of the colorimetric blood glucose meter (component measuring device) may be configured to cause blood to flow to the measuring part of the optical system inside and to react with the reagent in the flow process. If comprised in this way, the structure control of the test paper (porous membrane) which carry | supported the reagent can be omitted, and reduction of a manufacturing cost etc. will be aimed at.

  However, when reacting with a reagent during flow as described above, blood may have a color that has a part that reacts sufficiently with the reagent and a part that hardly reacts with the reagent (hereinafter referred to as uneven reaction). is there. If uneven reaction between the blood and the reagent occurs in this way, the coloration state of the portion irradiated with the light for component measurement becomes unstable, which causes a decrease in blood glucose measurement accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can reduce the uneven reaction of the fluid with respect to the reagent with a simple configuration, thereby improving and stabilizing the measurement accuracy of the component measurement. The object is to provide a possible measuring chip.

  In order to achieve the above object, a measuring chip according to the present invention includes a main body, a fluid passage that linearly extends in the main body, and can flow a fluid in the extending direction, and the fluid passage. A fluid development part provided at a midway position and coated with a component measurement reagent, and a measurement provided in the fluid flow direction downstream of the fluid development part of the fluid passage and irradiated with light for component measurement A width of a direction perpendicular to the extending direction at least in a connecting part connected to the fluid developing part is greater than a width of the fluid developing part in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction. It is characterized by being narrow.

  Based on the above, since the measurement chip has a narrow width of the connecting portion of the measuring portion relative to the width of the fluid developing portion, the fluid in which the reagent is sufficiently dissolved can flow into the measuring portion from the fluid developing portion. That is, although the reagent is dissolved in the fluid in the fluid development part, the solubility varies partially (in the width direction of the blood development part) depending on the application state of the reagent and the like. For this reason, by narrowing the width of the measurement section rather than the width of the fluid spreading section, a fluid with a high amount of reagent dissolution is allowed to flow into the measurement section, while a fluid with a small amount of reagent dissolution is guided to a location where the reagent exists. Or it can be retained. As a result, a fluid in which the reagent is dissolved substantially uniformly exists on the measurement unit, and measurement accuracy can be improved and stabilized by performing component measurement on the fluid.

  In this case, it is preferable that the width of the connecting portion in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction is set to 40% or less with respect to the width of the fluid spreading portion in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction.

  As described above, in the measuring chip, the width of the connecting portion is set to 40% or less of the width of the fluid developing portion, so that the fluid in which the reagent is sufficiently dissolved can flow more reliably to the measuring portion. Therefore, component measurement can be performed on the fluid in which the reagent is dissolved more uniformly.

  In addition, the measurement unit has a measurement main body portion on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction with respect to the connection portion, and a width of the measurement main body portion in a direction orthogonal to the extension direction is the extension of the connection portion. It is preferable to substantially match the width in the direction orthogonal to the direction.

  In this way, the measurement unit can allow the fluid to flow into the measurement unit in a relatively short time because the width of the measurement main body and the width of the connection unit match, thereby reducing the time required for component measurement. can do.

  Alternatively, the measurement part has a measurement main body part on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction with respect to the connection part, and the width of the measurement main body part in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction is the extension of the connection part. It may be wider than the width in the direction orthogonal to the direction.

  Thus, since the width of the measurement main body portion is wider than the width of the connection portion, the fluid that has been dissolved in the reagent once flows into the connection portion, and then the fluid that has flowed in the measurement main body portion can be widened. Thereby, turbulent flow occurs in the fluid flowing into the measurement main body, and component measurement can be performed on the fluid in which the reagent is dissolved more uniformly. Moreover, since the part where the light for component measurement is actually irradiated becomes wide, for example, even if the mounting of the measuring chip is slightly deviated, the irradiation range can be covered, and measurement errors can be greatly reduced.

  The fluid development part may have a plurality of protrusions coated with the reagent.

  Providing a plurality of protrusions in this way has the effect of increasing the contact area between the reagent and blood and further providing a turbulent effect (stirring effect) on the blood flow. Therefore, the reaction between the reagent and blood glucose is promoted, and the measurement time can be shortened.

  The measurement chip according to the present invention can reduce the uneven reaction of the fluid with respect to the reagent with a simple configuration, thereby improving the measurement accuracy and stabilizing the component measurement.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a component measuring apparatus equipped with a measuring chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the measuring chip of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the measurement chip | tip of FIG. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the measuring chip and the component measuring apparatus in FIG. 1. 5A is a plan view showing a blood passage of the measurement chip in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a plan view showing a conventional measurement chip blood passage. 6A is a first explanatory diagram showing the blood flow when blood is taken in the measurement chip of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6B is a second explanatory diagram showing the blood flow following FIG. 6A. It is a top view which shows the blood channel | path of the measuring chip which concerns on a 1st modification. FIG. 8A is a perspective view schematically showing a component measuring device equipped with a measuring chip according to a second modification, and FIG. 8B schematically shows a part of the measuring chip and component measuring device of FIG. 8A. It is side surface sectional drawing shown. It is a top view which shows the measurement position of the transmitted light quantity in experiment of the measurement chip | tip which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10A is a line graph showing the relationship between the measurement position of the measurement chip according to Example 1 and the transmitted light amount, and FIG. 10B is a line graph showing the relationship between the measurement position of the measurement chip according to Example 2 and the transmitted light amount. FIG. 10C is a line graph showing the relationship between the measurement position of the measurement chip according to Example 3 and the amount of transmitted light.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the measuring chip according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring chip 10 is a member attached to the component measuring device 12 in order to measure a predetermined component in the fluid. The component measuring apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment is configured as a so-called blood glucose meter, takes blood as a fluid into the measuring chip 10, and measures glucose (blood sugar) in the blood as a predetermined component. The component measuring device 12 is not limited to a blood glucose meter, and various devices capable of measuring components contained in a fluid can be applied. For example, devices for measuring urine components, industrial water and wastewater components A device for measuring

  The component measuring device 12 is configured to optically measure blood taken into the measuring chip 10. The component measuring device 12 includes a housing 14 and a control unit 16 that is provided inside the housing 14 and operates an optical system to measure a blood sugar level.

  The casing 14 is preferably easy to carry and has a shape and size that can be easily gripped when measuring blood sugar levels. For example, the casing 14 may be formed in a rectangular shape with rounded corners as shown in FIG. The material which comprises the housing | casing 14 is not specifically limited, Resin etc. can be applied.

  The housing 14 is provided with a display 18, operation buttons 20, a chip mounting unit 22, an eject operation unit 24, and the like. The display 18 displays information to be provided to the user (measurement person) in blood glucose level measurement, such as display of a blood glucose level as a measurement result or error display. The operation button 20 is configured as a user operation unit when measuring or displaying a blood glucose level, for example, turning on / off the power supply, switching display of a measurement result, or the like.

  The chip mounting portion 22 has a function of detachably holding the measurement chip 10. For example, the chip mounting portion 22 includes a mounting hole 22a formed on one side surface of the housing 14, and a lock mechanism (not shown) that can lock the measurement chip 10 in the mounting hole 22a. The mounting hole 22a is formed in a relatively small cross-sectional shape that substantially matches the front cross-sectional shape of the measurement chip 10, and has a depth that allows the measurement chip 10 to be partially inserted. Since the opening of the mounting hole 22a is small, entry of dust or the like into the hole is suppressed.

  For example, the lock mechanism can employ a configuration in which the upper and lower surfaces of the measurement chip 10 are firmly held by friction. In this case, when the measurement chip 10 is held, it may be configured to transmit the tactile or sound holding (click) to the user. The lock mechanism is not limited to this configuration, and various mechanical or electrical structures can be applied. For example, a convex portion is provided in the mounting hole 22a and a concave portion 66 is provided in the measurement chip 10, so that both The structure which engages may be sufficient. When the measuring chip 10 is inserted in a predetermined direction from the opening of the mounting hole 22a and pushed in a predetermined amount, the measuring chip 10 is positioned and fixed at a position where the blood glucose level can be measured by the lock mechanism.

  The eject operation unit 24 has an operation element 24a on one side surface of the housing 14, and based on the operation of the user operation element 24a, the ejection of the measurement chip 10 by the lock mechanism is performed. It pushes out from the mounting hole 22a. The user can discard the measuring chip 10 without touching the used measuring chip 10 (which has taken in blood) by operating the eject operation unit 24.

  On the other hand, the control unit 16 of the component measuring device 12 includes a calculation unit, a storage unit, and an input / output unit (not shown), and the calculation unit processes the program stored in the storage unit, whereby the operation of the entire component measurement device 12 is performed. To control. For example, the control unit 16 detects the mounting state of the measurement chip 10 with respect to the chip mounting unit 22 by a sensor (not shown). When the measuring chip 10 is attached, the operation of the optical system is controlled to measure the blood component taken into the measuring chip 10 (measure the blood sugar level). Further, the control unit 16 performs processing such as displaying the measurement result on the display 18 or switching display contents based on the operation of the operation button 20 by the user.

  Next, the measurement chip 10 attached to the component measurement device 12 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the measurement chip 10 includes a base member 30 (first member) and a cover member 32 (second member) that overlaps the base member 30. The main body 34 of the measuring chip 10 is configured by assembling the base member 30 and the cover member 32 up and down.

  Further, a gas permeable film 36 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 may be disposed between the base member 30 and the cover member 32. In this case, a film disposition portion (not shown) for disposing the gas permeable film 36 is formed on one facing surface of the base member 30 or the cover member 32, and a gas flow for circulating gas on the other facing surface. A path (not shown) is preferably formed.

  The main body portion 34 is formed in a flat plate shape, and in a plan view, the insertion portion 38 formed in a substantially square shape on the proximal end side, and the intake portion formed in a trapezoidal shape with rounded corners on the distal end side of the insertion portion 38 40. The insertion portion 38 has a width and a thickness that can be inserted into the mounting hole 22a of the above-described component measuring device 12 (housing 14) in a front sectional view. On the other hand, the taking-in part 40 protrudes from the housing 14 in a state where the insertion part 38 is inserted and held in the housing 14 and constitutes a mark for the user to take in (drop on) blood. Note that the shape of the main body 34 is not particularly limited as long as it can be attached to the housing 14. For example, the main body 34 may be configured in another shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon.

  The main body portion 34 includes a hollow inflow portion 42 that allows blood to flow into the inside, and a space 44 that communicates with the inflow portion 42 in the main body portion 34 and allows blood to flow. That is, when using the measuring chip 10, the user's blood is taken from the outside into the inside via the inflow portion 42 and flows to the proximal end side (depth side) of the space 44. During the flow of the space 44, the blood has a color (color density) developed by the reaction of the reagent T and blood glucose in the blood expanding section 54 described later.

  The component measuring device 12 (see FIG. 1) configured as a colorimetric blood glucose meter calculates a blood glucose level by detecting the color density. Specifically, the component measuring device 12 irradiates the colored blood with light of a specific wavelength, detects the intensity of color development according to the blood glucose level by receiving the transmitted light amount or the reflected light amount, and prepared in advance. A blood glucose level is calculated based on the calibration curve. Therefore, the main body 34 (the base member 30 or the cover member 32) is made of a highly transparent material (resin or the like) for light irradiation / light reception.

  In particular, in the configuration in which the irradiation source 26 and the light receiving element 28 are arranged to face each other and the amount of transmitted light is detected (see FIG. 4), it is preferable that both the base member 30 and the cover member 32 are materials with good transparency. On the other hand, as will be described later, in the configuration in which the irradiation source 26 and the light receiving element 28 are arranged on the same side to detect the amount of reflected light (see FIGS. 8A and 8B), either the base member 30 or the cover member 32 is transparent, May be colored to reflect light. In this case, a reflective film may be inserted between the base member 30 and the cover member 32 while using a material with good transparency for both the base member 30 and the cover member 32, or the measuring chip 10 is mounted. A reflective surface may be provided on the chip mounting portion 22 side.

  When either one of the base member 30 or the cover member 32 is used as a reflection surface, the member to be reflected must be colored. The color to be colored is not particularly limited as long as it can be efficiently reflected without absorbing light having an irradiation wavelength, but white is most preferable. The resin to be colored can be selected from many plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, and polyethylene terephthalate. If necessary, the resin can be mixed with pigments such as titanium oxide and barium sulfate. May be.

  Further, a reflective surface can be obtained by depositing a metal such as aluminum or zinc or an oxide such as titanium oxide or silicon dioxide on at least a part of a member used as the reflective surface by means of vacuum deposition or sputtering. . If such a vapor deposition method is used, the reflecting surface can be made into a mirror surface, and light can be reflected more efficiently.

  Furthermore, examples of the highly transparent resin material constituting the base member 30 and the cover member 32 include polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, cyclic polyolefin, and polycarbonate. Since blood flows in the space 44 through the inflow portion 42 by capillary action, the material of the base member 30 and the cover member 32 is optimally polymethyl methacrylate having high hydrophilicity. Even if the resin is inferior in hydrophilicity, the same effect can be obtained by applying a hydrophilization treatment to the portion forming the inflow portion 42 and the space 44 (the portion contacting the fluid) by a known method. .

  Examples of the hydrophilic treatment method include immersion of an aqueous solution containing a hydrophilic polymer such as polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and polyacrylamide in addition to surfactant, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, water-soluble silicone, and the like. Examples thereof include a method of coating by a method or a spray method, a method of plasma irradiation, glow discharge, corona discharge, ultraviolet irradiation and the like, and these methods may be used alone or in combination.

  The space 44 provided in the main body 34 is obtained by combining the base member 30 and the cover member 32 that are precisely designed. The shape of the space 44 is arbitrary, but the height H (thickness: see FIG. 4) is set so that blood flows smoothly, the necessary blood volume is small, and a wide range of blood sugar levels can be measured. About 30-100 micrometers is desirable. The size of the space 44 is also set so that the necessary blood volume is small as long as optical measurement is possible. For example, the width W (see FIG. 3) is about 0.5 to 2 mm (in this embodiment, 1 .3 mm) and the length L (see FIG. 4) is preferably about 1 to 10 mm.

  If the height H of the space 44 is smaller than 30 μm, the amount of blood required for blood glucose level measurement can be reduced, but it is expected that blood development will be delayed and it will take time until measurement is possible. When the height H of the space 44 exceeds 100 μm, the amount of blood necessary for blood glucose level measurement increases, and the transmitted light amount or reflected light amount is difficult to obtain due to the thick blood layer. In this case, it can be dealt with by increasing the amount of irradiation light, but power consumption increases.

  If the width W of the space 44 is smaller than 0.5 mm, optical measurement becomes difficult, which is not desirable. On the other hand, if it is larger than 2 mm, there is no particular problem in the measurement system and there is no limitation, but the amount of blood necessary for measurement increases.

  Since the length L of the space 44 mixes the blood that has flowed in and the reagent T, if it is shorter than 1 mm, the mixing may be insufficient and an accurate blood glucose level may not be obtained. On the other hand, when the length L of the space 44 is longer than 10 mm, not only the amount of blood necessary for measurement increases, but also the measuring chip 10 itself becomes large.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the base member 30 that constitutes one of the main body portions 34 is a flat plate-like member that is formed to have a plate thickness that is substantially half that of the main body portion 34. A plurality (four in the illustrated example) of fitting holes 30 a that fit into fitting protrusions 32 a provided on the lower surface of the cover member 32 are formed on the upper surface (opposing surface) of the base member 30.

  In addition, on the upper surface of the base member 30, a linear groove 46 extending from the distal end to the proximal end through the center in the width direction of the base member 30 is formed to form the space 44 described above. That is, the space 44 is formed in the main body 34 so as to have a predetermined volume by covering the upper part of the groove 46 with the cover member 32 by assembling the base member 30 and the cover member 32. The groove portion 46 is constituted by a blood passage 48 (fluid passage) constituting the bottom surface and a pair of side walls 50 provided on both sides of the blood passage 48. The blood passage 48 is a bed through which blood in the space 44 flows. The side wall 50 is a wall perpendicular to the blood passage 48, and the distance between the pair of side walls 50 forms the width W of the space 44. The base member 30 and the cover member 32 can be assembled by a known method such as ultrasonic welding or solvent bonding in addition to the fitting.

  More specifically, the blood passage 48 extends from the distal end side upstream in the blood flow direction to the downstream proximal end side, the inflow side passage 52, the blood deployment section 54 (fluid deployment section), and the measurement section 56. including. Further, the groove part 46 has a step groove 58 that is further deeply recessed around the measurement part 56. As a result, the measurement unit 56 has a peninsular shape in which only the distal end side is connected to the blood deployment unit 54 and the other periphery is surrounded by the step groove 58.

  The inflow side passage 52 communicates with the inflow portion 42 at the tip portion and extends linearly toward the center direction of the base member 30. The inflow side passage 52 causes the blood flowing from the inflow portion 42 to flow in the proximal direction of the blood passage 48 by capillary action.

  Further, the tip of the inflow side passage 52 is somewhat narrowed by the pair of side walls 50. The inflow side passage 52 in the vicinity of the intake portion 40 of the main body 34 is formed so as to gradually become wider from the distal end toward the proximal end. Thereby, blood can be taken into the space 44 smoothly. Further, when the inflow side passage 52 reaches the insertion portion 38 of the main body portion 34, the inflow side passage 52 extends in a substantially constant width W toward the proximal end direction and continues to the blood deployment portion 54.

  The blood spreading part 54 is provided in the vicinity of the substantially central part of the base member 30. The blood spreader 54 is set as a rectangular region having the major axis in the direction in which the blood passage 48 extends. The width W1 (see FIG. 5A) in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the blood spreader 54 (the short axis direction of the blood spreader 54) coincides with the width of the proximal end side of the inflow side passage 52 by the pair of side walls 50. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5A, the blood deployment part 54 forms a row (hereinafter, referred to as a projection row 61) by providing a plurality of projections 60 at intervals in the minor axis direction (width direction). The projection row 61 is provided in a plurality of rows at a predetermined interval in the major axis direction of the blood deployment portion 54. In the illustrated example, the protrusion rows 61 are arranged at a relatively narrow interval every three rows along the long axis direction of the blood spreader 54 to form a group, and this group is arranged at a slightly wider interval. ing. In the protrusion rows 61 constituting a group, the adjacent protrusion rows 61 are arranged such that the phases of the protrusions 60 are shifted in the minor axis direction.

  In addition, a reagent T is applied to the blood spreader 54. Prior to combining the base member 30 and the cover member 32, the reagent T is applied and held on the blood deployment portion 54 having a large number of protrusions 60 produced by molding. That is, the place where the reagent T is applied is arranged not in front of the measurement unit 56 irradiated with the light for measuring blood glucose level, but in front of it (upstream in the blood flow direction).

  In the measurement chip 10, when blood flows into and develops in the blood development part 54 and blood in which the reagent T is dissolved flows into the measurement part 56, the color development in the measurement part 56 is measured. Since the blood in which the reagent T is dissolved flows into the measurement unit 56, the influence of the undissolved reagent T itself can be eliminated at the time of measurement. Further, since the measurement place (place where the light is irradiated) and the place where the reagent T is held are different, even if the reagent T is slightly discolored over time, the light intensity for optical system check (calibration) before the measurement Does not affect the measurement.

  As described above, by appropriately providing a large number of protrusions 60, the contact area between the reagent T and blood can be increased, and a turbulent flow effect (stirring effect) can be obtained in the blood flow. As a result, the reaction between the reagent T and blood glucose is promoted, and the measurement time can be shortened. Further, the solution-like reagent T is favorably held on the blood passage 48 (blood development portion 54) by the capillary force of the plurality of protrusions 60 arranged at a narrow interval. For this reason, there is an advantage that the coating T can be uniformly and highly applied in the thickness direction of the space 44 by suppressing uneven coating such as a so-called coffee stain phenomenon at the portion where the protrusion 60 is present. However, there is a possibility that the reagent T is reduced in the vicinity of the pair of side walls 50 (both sides in the short axis direction) in the blood deployment part 54. This point will be described later.

  The shape of the protrusion 60 is not particularly limited, and any of a cylindrical shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape and a quadrangular shape, a polygonal shape such as a cone, a triangular shape and a quadrangular shape, and a hemispherical shape may be adopted. These shapes may be used alone or in combination of two or more. From the viewpoint of producing a mold for forming a part, a cylindrical shape is most easily produced.

  When the protrusion 60 has a cylindrical shape, the outer diameter is desirably about 10 to 200 μm. If the protrusions 60 are small, a large number of protrusions 60 can be erected with respect to a certain area, which is advantageous in that the surface area of the reagent application is widened. However, if the outer diameter is smaller than 10 μm, the protrusions 60 are formed to have a constant height. It becomes difficult. On the other hand, when the outer diameter of the protrusion 60 is larger than 200 μm, the number of protrusions 60 that can be provided with respect to the area of the blood spreading portion 54 is reduced, and not only the surface area of the reagent application is reduced but also the blood turbulence effect is reduced. To do.

  The height of the protrusion 60 is desirably 30 to 100% with respect to the height H of the space 44 where blood is developed, and the height may be partially changed within this range. If the height of the protrusion 60 is smaller than 30% with respect to the height H of the space 44, a sufficient blood turbulence effect cannot be obtained, and the reaction end point between the blood glucose and the reagent T may become unstable. In addition, by providing the protrusions 60 that are partially different in height from among the many protrusions 60, the blood deployment speed changes, and the turbulence effect can be further enhanced.

  In addition, the arrangement | positioning of the processus | protrusion 60 will not have a restriction | limiting in particular in the space | interval and an arrangement | positioning state, if it is arrange | positioned widely in the width direction within the range which does not prevent the inflow expansion | deployment of blood. For example, the protrusion rows 61 may be arranged at regular intervals in the major axis direction of the blood deployment part 54. Further, for example, the interval between the protrusions 60 or the protrusion rows 61 may be partially changed in the blood deployment part 54. By changing the interval partially, a change occurs in the blood deployment speed in the blood deployment section 54, so that the turbulence effect can be enhanced.

  Furthermore, the reagent T can be applied in different amounts and components depending on the arrangement of the protrusions 60. For example, changes such as increasing (or decreasing) the amount of application of the reagent T gradually toward the downstream side. You may give it. When blood moves through the blood spreader 54, the flow can be changed depending on the application state of the reagent T as described above, so that the turbulence effect can be further enhanced. Furthermore, in order to give momentum to the blood flow to the measurement unit 56, the inflow side passage 52 or the blood deployment unit 54 may be formed on an inclined surface that becomes lower along the blood flow direction.

  The measurement part 56 of the blood passage 48 shown in FIG. 5A is a part irradiated with light by the component measurement device 12 as described above, and is also an arrival part of blood flowing into the measurement chip 10. The measuring unit 56 is formed on a flat surface in order to retain blood so that the thickness is uniform. Further, the measurement unit 56 is surrounded by the step groove 58 so that the blood around the measurement unit 56 is held by surface tension.

  Furthermore, the measurement unit 56 is formed in a rectangular shape having a long axis along the extending direction of the blood passage 48 in a plan view, and a connection floor 62 (connection unit) connected to the downstream side of the blood deployment unit 54; It has the measurement main floor part 64 (measurement main-body part) to which the light of the component measuring device 12 is actually irradiated. In the present embodiment, the width W2 in the minor axis direction (direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the blood passage 48) of the measurement unit 56 (the connection floor unit 62 and the measurement main floor unit 64) is the short of the blood deployment unit 54. It is formed narrower than the axial width W1. The relationship between the width dimensions of the blood spreading part 54 and the measuring part 56 will be described in detail later. In the measurement unit 56 shown in FIG. 3, the width W2a in the minor axis direction of the measurement main floor portion 64 and the width W2b in the minor axis direction of the connecting floor portion 62 are formed constant (substantially coincident shapes). As will be described later, the width W2b in the minor axis direction of the connecting floor 62 may be narrower than the width W2a in the minor axis direction of the measurement main floor 64 (see FIG. 7).

  Further, the step groove 58 of the base member 30 is formed on the floor surface where the pair of side walls 50 extend to the pair of side walls 50 of the blood deployment part 54 with the same width, but is slightly lower than the measurement part 56. . The step groove 58 extends to the base end of the base member 30, thereby penetrating the groove portion 46 of the base member 30 from the front end to the base end. Thereby, circulation of the gas used or discharged in the reaction of blood and reagent T can be promoted. In addition, the base part side of the base member 30 may be provided with a wall part, a film, etc. so that blood may not leak. As the film, a film that passes gas while blocking blood (for example, a porous material) can be suitably used.

  On the other hand, the cover member 32 that constitutes the main body portion 34 together with the base member 30 is formed as a flat plate member having substantially the same planar shape as the base member 30, and has approximately half the plate thickness of the main body portion 34. The cover member 32 has a flat bottom surface, and forms a ceiling of the space 44 by closing the groove 46. Further, as described above, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) fitting protrusions 32a to be fitted into the fitting holes 30a are formed on the lower surface of the cover member 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 32 has a concave portion 66 constituting the blood inflow portion 42 at the tip (the intake portion 40 of the main body portion 34). The recess 66 is recessed from the distal end side of the cover member 32 in the proximal direction and is formed to penetrate in the vertical (plate thickness) direction.

  The recessed portion 66 is disposed at a position overlapping the inflow side passage 52 of the blood passage 48 in the assembled state of the base member 30 and the cover member 32, and a lower portion thereof is the groove portion 46 of the base member 30 (that is, the space 44 of the main body portion 34). ). Therefore, when the user's body surface comes into contact with the upper surface of the cover member 32 and the blood outflow location on the body surface overlaps, the recess 66 allows blood to flow into the space 44 of the main body portion 34 by capillary action.

  The recess 66 preferably has a width that allows the drop-like blood flowing out from the body surface of the user to flow in, and a depth deeper than the width so that the user can easily locate the blood outflow location. Moreover, the deep part of the recessed part 66 is good to be formed in circular arc shape so that it may become difficult for blood to stay.

  The configuration of the blood inflow portion 42 is not particularly limited, and various structures can be applied. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a tapered blood collection nozzle 70 having an inlet 72 and an introduction path 74 is provided in the cover member 80, blood is spotted on the inlet 72 of the blood collection nozzle 70, and the introduction path is caused by capillary action. It is good also as a structure led to the space 44 through 74.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the measurement chip 10 configured as described above is inserted from the insertion portion 38 on the proximal end side with respect to the chip mounting portion 22 of the component measurement device 12. Thereby, the measurement part 56 (measurement main floor part 64) is arrange | positioned in the position which overlaps with the photometry part 25 (optical system) provided in the inside of the component measurement apparatus 12. FIG.

  The photometry unit 25 of the component measurement device 12 includes an irradiation source 26 that irradiates light for component measurement, and a light receiving element 28 that receives the light via the measurement unit 56. The irradiation source 26 includes a first light emitting element 26a that irradiates the measurement unit 56 with light having a first wavelength, and a second light emission that irradiates the measurement unit 56 with light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. Element 26b. The first light emitting element 26a and the second light emitting element 26b are provided in the direction facing the measuring chip 10 (downward) in the housing 14, and irradiate the measuring unit 56 with light through the aperture 27 communicating with the mounting hole 22a. . The aperture 27 may be provided with a lens (not shown) that defines the irradiation range.

  The first light emitting element 26a and the second light emitting element 26b are juxtaposed in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. The 1st light emitting element 26a and the 2nd light emitting element 26b may be comprised by a light emitting diode (LED), for example. The first wavelength is a wavelength for detecting the color density of the reagent T according to the blood glucose level, and is, for example, 620 to 640 nm. The second wavelength is a wavelength for detecting the concentration of red blood cells in blood, and is, for example, 510 to 540 nm.

  The light receiving element 28 receives the transmitted light of the measuring chip 10 and is disposed on the opposite side of the irradiation source 26 with the measuring chip 10 in between so as to face the measuring unit 56. The light receiving element 28 may be configured by, for example, a photodiode (PD). The transmitted light from the measurement chip 10 reaches the light receiving element 28 through the aperture 29.

  The photometry unit 25 configured as described above irradiates the measurement main floor 64 of the measurement unit 56 with component measurement light with a predetermined irradiation area, and receives the light transmitted through the measurement main floor 64. At this time, the blood on the measurement main floor 64 is uniformly colored by the reagent T, so that the measurement accuracy of the blood sugar level is improved and the measurement is stabilized.

  In order to guide the colored blood to the measurement main floor portion 64, the measurement chip 10 according to this embodiment has a short width of the measurement portion 56 with respect to the width W1 in the short axis direction of the blood expansion portion 54 as shown in FIG. 5A. The axial width W2 is formed to be narrow. Further, the center line in the width direction of the measuring unit 56 is set to coincide with the center line in the width direction of the blood deployment part 54.

  More specifically, the width W1 of the blood deployment part 54 is formed to be 1.3 mm by being sandwiched between the pair of side walls 50. On the other hand, the width W2 of the measurement unit 56 is formed to be 0.3 mm due to the presence of the step grooves 58 on both sides. That is, the ratio R (= W2 / W1 × 100) of the width W2 of the measurement unit 56 to the width W1 of the blood deployment unit 54 is about 23%. In this way, the blood passage 48 narrows the width W2 of the measurement unit 56 with respect to the width W1 of the blood deployment unit 54, so that the blood developed in the blood deployment unit 54 and reacting with the reagent T It can be guided to the central part and flow into the measuring part 56.

  Here, it is desirable that the reagent T applied to the blood expansion part 54 is originally applied in an equal amount (thickness) over the entire surface of the blood expansion part 54. However, in practice, the application amount of the reagent T on both sides of the short axis direction is reduced as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B due to the structure of the measurement chip 10 and manufacturing convenience. That is, in the manufacture of the measuring chip 10, the reagent T is basically applied with reference to the central portion in the short axis direction of the blood deployment portion 54 in order to prevent the application portion of the reagent T from being biased. In particular, since the plurality of protrusions 60 are provided, the reagent T easily adheres to the protrusions 60, and as a result, the amount of the reagent T does not reach the both sides in the short axis direction of the blood spreader 54 and the amount decreases.

  Although it is conceivable that the amount of the reagent T is increased and spread in the minor axis direction at the time of manufacture, since it is originally formed in the narrow groove portion 46, a large amount of the applied reagent T is in the minor axis direction (groove portion 46). Easily move to both corners. When a large amount of the reagent T collects between the side wall 50 and the blood passage 48 on both sides in the short axis direction, the collected reagent T acts so as to flow more easily in the long axis direction than remains on both side portions in the short axis direction. To do. As a result, the application amount of the reagent T is smaller at both side portions in the short axis direction of the blood spreading portion 54 than at the portion where many protrusions 60 are present.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the width W1 of the blood deployment unit 100 and the width W2 of the measurement unit 102 are the same, when blood flows, the reaction with the reagent T occurs at both sides in the width direction of the blood deployment unit 54. The portion where there is little (uneven reaction) is likely to occur. In particular, in the space 104, the taken-in blood moves and gathers on both sides in the width direction like the reagent T, and there is a concern that the unreacted portion further increases by flowing in the long axis direction in this state. .

  In contrast, in the blood passage 48 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the width W2 of the measurement unit 56 is narrower than the width W1 of the blood deployment unit 54. As a result, the blood passage 48 preferentially flows blood passing through the center portion in the width direction at the boundary portion between the blood developing portion 54 and the connecting floor portion 62 of the measuring portion 56, while the blood on both side portions in the width direction is blood expanded. It can be guided around the part 54. As a result, blood that has sufficiently reacted with the reagent T is stored in the measurement main floor 64.

  Note that the ratio R of the width W2 of the measurement unit 56 to the width W1 of the blood deployment unit 54 is not limited to about 23%, and is set to a range of 40% to 20% with reference to experimental results described later. It is desirable. This is because if the ratio R exceeds 40%, there is a concern that blood that has not sufficiently reacted with the reagent T may easily enter the measurement unit 56 in the blood deployment unit 54. On the other hand, when the ratio R is less than 20%, the irradiation range of the side light portion is narrowed, so that the possibility that the measurement portion 56 is not irradiated with light increases due to a mechanical error in mounting the measurement chip 10, and blood is measured in the measurement portion 56. This is because it becomes difficult to flow into. In FIG. 5A, the base end side of the blood deployment portion 54 and the sides on the short axis direction side of the measurement portion 56 intersect at right angles. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, it may be formed in a taper shape that becomes narrower in the proximal direction.

  The measurement chip 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation and effect will be described below based on the relationship with component measurement by the component measurement device 12.

  When measuring the blood sugar level, the user turns on the power of the component measuring device 12 and attaches the measurement chip 10 to the chip attachment portion 22 of the housing 14. When the control unit 16 detects the mounting of the measurement chip 10 by a sensor (not shown) or the like, the measurement chip before emitting blood by emitting the irradiation source 26 (the first light emitting element 26a and the second light emitting element 26b) is collected. Ten transmitted lights are detected by the light receiving element 28. The light from the irradiation source 26 passes through the measurement unit 56 not coated with the reagent T and is received by the light receiving element 28. For this reason, even when the reagent T has undergone a color change over time in the blood spreader 54, the state of the measurement unit 56 is not affected. The control unit 16 stores the detected transmitted light intensity (hereinafter referred to as “first transmission intensity”) in the storage unit. The 1st light emitting element 26a and the 2nd light emitting element 26b continue irradiation with respect to the measurement part 56 after that.

  Next, the user punctures the body surface (for example, a finger) with a puncture device and causes a small amount (for example, about 0.3 to 1.5 μL) of blood to flow out on the skin. Thereafter, the blood outflow location is positioned at the inflow portion 42 of the measurement chip 10, and the user's blood is caused to flow into the measurement chip 10. As a result, blood flows from the inflow portion 42 into the space 44, further flows on the blood passage 48 that forms the space 44, and travels toward the measurement portion 56.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the blood B flows into the blood deployment part 54 after passing through the inflow side passage 52 in the flow of the blood passage 48. In the blood spreader 54, the blood glucose in the blood B that has flowed starts to react with the reagent T and is colored according to the amount of blood glucose. Since the reagent T is applied to the blood development part 54 in which the plurality of protrusions 60 are formed, dissolution of the reagent T when the blood B flows into the blood development part 54 is promoted. That is, by providing a large number of protrusions 60, blood B rapidly develops on the blood deployment portion 54 by capillary force, and a turbulent flow effect of the blood B occurs, so that the reagent T is efficiently dissolved. Is called.

  At this time, the blood B that flows in the vicinity of both sides in the short axis direction of the blood spreader 54 continuously flows in the long axis direction although it obtains some turbulence effect by the blood B affected by the protrusion 60. That is, the blood B flows to the proximal end side of the blood expansion part 54 in a state where the dissolution amount of the reagent T near both sides in the short axis direction is smaller than the dissolution amount of the reagent T near the center in the short axis direction of the blood expansion part 54 To do.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, at the stage where blood B flows into the measurement unit 56 from the blood expansion unit 54, the width W2 of the measurement unit 56 is narrower than the width W1 of the blood expansion unit 54. Blood B near the center in the minor axis direction enters the measurement unit 56. As described above, the reagent T is sufficiently dissolved in the blood B in this portion. Accordingly, the blood B containing the reagent T flows into the measurement unit 56.

  Furthermore, the blood B around the central portion in the short axis direction of the blood development part 54 in which the reagent T is dissolved sequentially flows in, but the width W2 of the measurement part 56 is narrow, so that the blood development part 54 and the measurement part 56 The blood B is crowded around the boundary portion. Therefore, the blood B that has flowed near the both sides in the short axis direction of the blood expanding portion 54 stays in the vicinity of both sides in the short axis direction, or flows so as to wrap around inwardly. At this time, the blood B circulated inward is dissolved by the contact of the reagent T applied to the protrusion 60. Therefore, the blood B in which the reagent T is sufficiently dissolved can flow into the measurement unit 56. In view of the flow of the blood B, it is preferable to apply a large amount of the reagent T to the proximal end side of the blood spreading portion 54. If it is the base end side of the blood spreader 54, it is relatively easy to suppress the flow of the reagent T even when the reagent T is applied.

  Then, the component measuring apparatus 12 irradiates the measurement unit 56 to which the blood B has arrived with component measurement light from the first light emitting element 26a and the second light emitting element 26b, and detects the transmitted light by the light receiving element 28. The color density is measured based on the transmission intensity (transmitted light amount). Specifically, the transmission intensity (hereinafter referred to as “second transmission intensity”) after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after the reaction intensity between the reagent T and blood glucose has advanced and the transmission intensity has changed greatly. Call). Then, the absorbance is obtained from the first transmission intensity and the second transmission intensity, and the blood glucose level is calculated with reference to a calibration curve (stored in the storage unit) indicating the relationship between the absorbance and the blood glucose level. . In order to perform measurement with higher accuracy, third and fourth transmission intensity measurements may be further added.

  In this case, the pigment produced by the reaction between the reagent T and blood glucose is detected by the light emitted from the first light emitting element 26a, and the color density corresponding to the amount of blood glucose is measured. Further, red blood cells are detected by the light emitted from the second light emitting element 26b, and the red blood cell concentration is measured. Then, the blood sugar level obtained from the color density is corrected using the hematocrit value obtained from the red blood cell concentration to obtain the blood sugar level. Note that the measurement wavelength may be further increased in order to estimate the height H of the space 44 or to correct individual differences in red blood cell color.

  As described above, according to the measurement chip 10, the blood B in which the reagent T is sufficiently dissolved is measured from the blood expansion part 54 because the width W 2 of the measurement part 56 is narrower than the width W 1 of the blood expansion part 54. It is possible to flow into the portion 56. In other words, the measurement chip 10 can introduce or retain the blood B in which the reagent T is present at the location where the reagent T exists, while allowing the blood B in which the reagent T is highly dissolved to flow into the measurement unit 56. . As a result, the blood B in which the reagent T is dissolved almost uniformly flows onto the measurement unit 56. Therefore, the component measuring apparatus 12 can obtain a blood glucose level with high accuracy and stable measurement accuracy by measuring the sugar content in the blood B.

  In this case, the measurement unit 56 can cause the blood B to flow into the measurement unit 56 in a relatively short time because the width of the measurement main floor portion 64 and the width of the connection floor portion 62 coincide with each other. Measurement time can be shortened.

  The measurement chip 10 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various application examples and modifications can be taken. For example, in the present embodiment, the blood passage 48 (including the groove 46: the protrusion 60) is provided in the base member 30, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided in the cover member 32. Further, the protrusion 60 of the blood deployment part 54 may be provided on both the base member 30 and the cover member 32. Furthermore, the blood deployment part 54 of the measuring chip 10 is not provided with the projection 60, and the reagent T may simply be applied to the floor surface.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the measurement chip 10A according to the first modified example is for measurement in that the portion (connection floor portion 62A) connected to the blood deployment portion 54 of the measurement portion 56A is formed in a constricted shape. Different from the chip 10. That is, the width W2b in the minor axis direction of the connecting floor portion 62A is formed to be narrower than the width W1 in the minor axis direction of the blood deployment portion 54 and the width W2a in the minor axis direction of the measurement main floor portion 64A. The width W2a in the minor axis direction of the measurement main floor portion 64A is also narrower than the width W1 in the minor axis direction of the blood deployment portion 54. In short, the relationship of the width of the blood passage 48A is set to W1> W2a> W2b.

  In this case, for example, the width W1 of the blood deployment portion 54 can be set to 1.3 mm, the width W2a of the measurement main floor portion 64A can be set to 0.8 mm, and the width W2b of the connection floor portion 62A can be set to 0.3 mm. Accordingly, the ratio R of the width W2b of the connecting floor portion 62A to the width W1 of the blood spreading portion 54 is about 23%, as in the measurement chip 10. Further, the sides 63 on both sides in the short axis direction of the connection floor 62A are formed in an arc shape, and smoothly guide the inflow of blood B into the measurement unit 56A, and from the connection floor 62A to the measurement main floor 64A. The blood B can be smoothly spread.

  Thus, the same effect as the measurement chip 10 can also be obtained by narrowing the width W2b of the connecting floor portion 62A into which the blood B flows from the blood deployment portion 54 into the measurement portion 56A. Further, since the width W2a of the measurement main floor portion 64A is widened, the blood B having a large amount of dissolution of the reagent T is once allowed to flow into the connection floor portion 62A, and then the blood B that has flowed into the measurement main floor portion 64A is expanded. it can. Thereby, a turbulent flow occurs in the blood B in which the reagent T flowing into the measurement main floor portion 64A is much dissolved, and the component measurement can be performed on the blood B in which the reagent T is dissolved more uniformly. Further, even if a mechanical error occurs in the mounting state of the measuring chip 10A and the component measuring device 12, the irradiation range of the photometry unit 25 can be sufficiently covered, and the chance of measurement errors and the like can be greatly reduced. it can.

  The measurement chip 10B according to the second modification shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B has a configuration in which a main body 76 is formed in a disc shape, and the main body 76 is attached to the distal end surface of the component measurement device 12A. The main body 76 is composed of a base member 78 and a cover member 80 as in the measurement chip 10.

  On one surface of the base member 78 (an assembly surface of the cover member 80), a groove portion 46 that constitutes the space 44 is provided in the same manner as the measurement chips 10 and 10A. Further, a mounting protrusion 78a for mounting in the fitting hole 23a of the chip mounting portion 23 of the component measuring device 12A is provided on one surface of the base member 78 (the cover member 32 is the surface opposite to the mounting surface). Yes. The measurement chip 10B is attached to the component measurement device 12A so that the space 44 extends in the vertical direction.

  The cover member 80 is provided with a blood collection nozzle 70 having an inlet 72 and an introduction path 74, and the introduction path 74 communicates with the space 44 in the main body 76. The blood B that has flowed into the space 44 via the inlet 72 and the introduction path 74 flows downward, reacts with the reagent T at the blood deployment section 54, and further enters the measurement section 56 that is narrower than the blood deployment section 54. Flows in. Therefore, the measurement chip 10B can flow the blood B in which the reagent T is sufficiently dissolved from the blood development part 54 into the measurement part 56, and the same effect as the measurement chip 10 can be obtained.

  In the component measuring apparatus 12A, the photometric unit 25 receives the reflection intensity (the amount of reflected light) of the blood B. Specifically, an opening 15 that is blocked by mounting of the measurement chip 10B is provided at the front end surface of the housing 14A, and the irradiation source 26 and the light receiving element 28 are vertically moved in the housing 14A on the back side of the opening 15. (Or right and left) The light emitted from the irradiation source 26 hits the blood B or the cover member 80 existing in the measurement unit 56 through the opening 15 and is reflected toward the light receiving element 28. The light receiving element 28 receives the uniform reflected light of the blood B that has reacted with the reagent T in the measurement unit 56. Therefore, the component measuring apparatus 12A can calculate the blood sugar level accurately and stably. The cover member 80 may be provided with a reflecting portion 82 (film, plate material, filter, etc.) that can sufficiently reflect light.

  An experiment for confirming the effect obtained by the above configuration was performed on the measurement chips 10 and 10A according to the present invention. In the experiment, a blue dye (dye 2 mg / ml, Lucentite 0.3%) is used as the reagent T, and applied to the blood spreader 54 having a plurality of protrusions 60 and dried following a normal manufacturing process. It was. As the blood B sample, RO water is used, and the RO water is spotted from the inflow portion 42 of the measuring chips 10 and 10A in the same manner as the actual blood glucose level measurement, and the space 44 (blood passage) in the main body 34 is obtained. 48) was allowed to flow, the dye was dissolved in the blood spreader 54 and flowed into the measuring portions 56 and 56A.

  Then, in a state where the RO water in which the dye was dissolved reached the measurement units 56 and 56A, the measurement units 56 and 56A were irradiated with a predetermined amount of light, and the transmittance was subjected to image analysis. In the image analysis, as shown in FIG. 9, an image processing range (0.15 mm × 0.15 mm) was set for a predetermined position of the measurement main floor 64, 64A. The specific positions on the measurement units 56 and 56A will be described. On the line C passing through the center in the minor axis direction of the measurement units 56 and 56A, the upstream position Cu, the center position Cc, and the downstream position Cd are set at equal intervals. . In addition, the upstream position Su, the center position Sc, and the downstream position Sd were set at equal intervals on the line S passing through one side of the measuring units 56 and 56A in the short axis direction. The upstream positions Cu and Su, the center positions Cc and Sc, and the downstream positions Cd and Sd are set to positions aligned in the minor axis direction of the measuring units 56 and 56A.

  In the experiment, the measurement chip 10 with the width W or the shape of the measurement units 56 and 56A changed was prepared, and the transmittance based on the image analysis of each of the positions Cu, Cc, Cd, Su, Sc, and Sd was calculated. The results of this image analysis are shown in Table 1.

  Here, it is important that the measurement units 56 and 56A have a small difference (difference) in transmittance between the positions Cu, Cc, Cd, Su, Sc, and Sd. This is because if the difference in transmittance is small, the reagent T is uniformly dissolved in the blood B on the measurement units 56 and 56A. Hereinafter, Examples 1 to 3 will be verified.

  In the measurement chip 10α according to Example 1, the width W1 in the minor axis direction of the blood deployment part 54 is 1.3 mm, and the width W2 in the minor axis direction of the measurement part 56 is 0.5 mm. Therefore, the ratio R of the measurement unit 56 to the width of the blood deployment unit 54 is about 38%. FIG. 10A is a graph showing the transmittance when the position is changed on the line C and the transmittance when the position is changed on the line S in the measurement chip 10α according to the first embodiment.

  In the measurement chip 10α, it can be seen that the line C and the line S vary with substantially the same transmittance (a variation of about 3%) along the major axis direction of the measurement main floor 64. Here, as in the measurement chip shown in FIG. 5B, for example, when the widths of the blood deployment unit 100 and the measurement unit 102 are the same (= 1.3 mm), the transmittance between the line C and the line S is 10%. % Or more, and the transmittance was as high as 80% or more. On the other hand, in the measurement chip 10α according to Example 1, it can be said that the variation in the transmittance of the line C and the line S is about 3%, indicating a sufficiently close transmittance. In other words, if the ratio R of the width of the measurement unit 56 is 40% or less with respect to the width of the blood deployment unit 54, it is considered that the reagent T is dissolved almost uniformly in the blood B on the measurement main floor 64. be able to. Therefore, the measurement chip 10α can improve and stabilize the blood glucose level measurement accuracy.

  Note that the measurement chip 10α according to Example 1 has an increasing transmittance in the order of the upstream positions Cu and Su, the center positions Cc and Sc, and the downstream positions Cd and Sd. This is presumed that the RO water present in the downstream positions Cd and Sd flows without taking time in the blood deployment part 54 and flows into the measurement main bed part 64 first, so that the dissolution of the dye is somewhat lowered. . In particular, it is considered that the permeability has changed because the viscosity of the RO water that is the sample is lower than the viscosity of blood B, and can be expected to be sufficiently improved when the blood glucose level is actually measured.

  The embodiment described above is applied to the measurement chip 10 according to Example 2. That is, the width W1 in the minor axis direction of the blood deployment part 54 is 1.3 mm, and the width W2 in the minor axis direction of the measurement part 56 is 0.3 mm. Therefore, the ratio R of the measurement unit 56 to the width of the blood deployment unit 54 is about 23%. FIG. 10B is a graph showing the transmittance when the position is changed on the line C and the transmittance when the position is changed on the line S in the measuring chip 10 according to the second embodiment.

  In this measuring chip 10, as with the measuring chip 10 α according to the first embodiment, it can be seen that the line C and the line S vary with substantially the same transmittance along the major axis direction of the measuring main floor 64. . In particular, in both the line C and the line S, the transmittance changes at the upstream positions Cu and Su, the center positions Cc and Sc, and the downstream positions Cd and Sd are smaller. Therefore, in the measurement chip 10 according to Example 2, it can be said that the reagent T is more uniformly dissolved in the blood B flowing into the measurement main floor portion 64.

  The first modification example described above is applied to the measurement chip 10A according to the third embodiment. That is, the width in the minor axis direction of the blood deployment portion 54 is 1.3 mm, the width W2a in the minor axis direction of the measurement main floor portion 64A is 0.8 mm, and the width W2b in the minor axis direction of the connecting floor portion 62A is 0. It is 3 mm. Accordingly, the ratio R of the connecting floor portion 62A to the width of the blood spreading portion 54 is about 23%. FIG. 10C is a graph showing the transmittance when the position is changed on the line C and the transmittance when the position is changed on the line S in the measuring chip 10 according to the third embodiment.

  In the measurement chip 10A, as in the measurement chips 10α and 10 according to the first and second embodiments, the line C and the line S vary with substantially the same transmittance along the major axis direction of the measurement main floor 64A. I understand that. Further, in both the line C and the line S, the change in transmittance at the upstream positions Cu and Su, the central positions Cc and Sc, and the downstream positions Cd and Sd is smaller. Therefore, in the measurement chip 10A according to Example 3, it can be said that the reagent T is more uniformly dissolved in the blood B flowing into the measurement main floor 64A.

  In the above description, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Yes.

10, 10A, 10B, 10α ... measuring chip 12, 12A ... component measuring device 30, 78 ... base member 32, 80 ... cover member 34, 76 ... main body 44 ... space 46 ... groove 48, 48A ... blood passage 52 ... Inflow side passages 54, 100 ... Blood deployment parts 56, 56A, 102 ... Measurement part 60 ... Projection 62, 62A ... Connection floor part 64, 64A ... Measurement main floor part B ... Blood T ... Reagent

Claims (5)

The main body,
A fluid passage extending linearly in the main body and capable of flowing fluid in the extending direction;
A fluid development portion provided in the middle of the fluid passage and coated with a component measurement reagent;
A measurement unit that is provided on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction of the fluid passage of the fluid passage and is irradiated with light for component measurement,
The measurement unit is characterized in that a width in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction is narrower than a width in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the fluid developing part at least in a connecting part connected to the fluid developing part. Measuring chip. The measuring chip according to claim 1,
The width of the connecting portion in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction is set to 40% or less with respect to the width of the fluid spreading portion in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction. The measuring chip according to claim 1 or 2,
The measurement part has a measurement main body part on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction from the connection part,
The measurement chip according to claim 1, wherein a width of the measurement main body portion in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction substantially coincides with a width of the connecting portion in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction. The measuring chip according to claim 1 or 2,
The measurement part has a measurement main body part on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction from the connection part,
The measurement chip according to claim 1, wherein a width of the measurement main body portion in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction is wider than a width of the connecting portion in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction. In the measurement chip according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The measurement tip, wherein the fluid deployment part has a plurality of protrusions coated with the reagent.

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