JP2017223532A - Microchannel chip and analyte concentration measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microchannel chip capable of separating a specific component from a minute amount of analyte and letting a required amount of the specific component fill a measurement section in a short period of time without using externally added kinematic effect such as centrifugal force, and to provide an analyte concentration measurement device capable of efficiently measuring concentration of the specific component in the analyte.SOLUTION: A microchannel chip comprises a tabular body having therein: a first flow channel 20 for letting a liquid analyte flow; second flow channels 25 branching off from the first flow channel 20, each second flow channel having a width that allows a specific component to be separated from the analyte flowing through the first flow channel 20 and being in communication with the first flow channel 20; and a measurement section 30 connected to the second flow channels 25 and configured to be filled with the specific component separated from the analyte. At least a portion of a space defining the measurement section 30 is wedge-shaped such that a void thereof gradually decreases toward one direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a microchannel chip and a sample concentration measuring apparatus using the microchannel chip. More specifically, the present invention relates to a microchannel chip capable of separating a specific component such as a plasma component from a sample such as blood and a sample concentration measuring apparatus for measuring the concentration of the separated specific component.

In the medical field, a minute-sized component (for example, plasma component) is extracted from a sample (for example, blood), and the concentration of the obtained extracted component or a test object contained in the extracted component is measured. .
Conventionally, as a method for extracting a plasma component from blood, a method of separating blood plasma component and blood cell component in blood by centrifuging the blood sealed in a capillary tube is known (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP-A-6-43158

  However, when centrifugal separation is used to extract plasma from blood, a relatively large amount of blood is required, and since a centrifugal separator is used, it is necessary to configure a large apparatus. There is a problem. Therefore, a means that can separate plasma components from a very small amount of blood without using centrifugation is desired.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to separate a specific component from a very small amount of sample without applying a kinematic action such as centrifugal force from the outside, and a measurement unit is filled with a necessary amount of the specific component. An object of the present invention is to provide a microchannel chip capable of obtaining the above state in a short time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample concentration measuring apparatus capable of efficiently measuring the concentration of a specific component in a sample using the microchannel chip.

The microchannel chip of the present invention is capable of separating a specific component from a first channel that circulates a liquid sample and a sample that is branched from the first channel and circulates through the first channel. A plate-like body having a second flow channel communicating with the first flow channel having a certain width and a measurement unit connected to the second flow channel and filled with a specific component separated from the specimen More
At least a part of the space forming the measurement part is formed by a wedge-shaped space in which the gap gradually decreases toward one direction.

In the microchannel chip of the present invention, when xyz orthogonal coordinates with the one direction as the x direction are assumed,
The wedge-shaped space may have a configuration in which a pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces opposed to each other in the z direction represented by a plan view from the y direction has a wedge shape.
In such a configuration, the measurement unit has a constant volume space in which the cross-sectional shape of the yz section is a rectangular shape that is continuous with the wedge-shaped space.
An angle formed by two continuous constant volume space forming surfaces represented in the yz section of the constant volume space is γ, and the pair of wedge space forming surfaces represented by a plan view from the y direction of the wedge space is formed. When the angle is α, the wedge-shaped space preferably has a space shape that satisfies the relationship α <γ.

Moreover, in the microchannel chip of the present invention, the wedge-shaped space has a configuration in which a pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces facing each other in the y direction represented by a plan view from the z direction has a wedge-shaped portion. It can be.
In such a configuration, when the angle formed by the pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces represented in a plan view from the z direction of the wedge-shaped space is β, the wedge-shaped space is expressed as β <γ. It is preferable to have a space shape that satisfies this relationship.

  Furthermore, in the microchannel chip of the present invention, it is preferable that the wedge-shaped space has a measurement region in which the dimension in the y direction or the dimension in the z direction is a constant size.

The analyte concentration measuring apparatus of the present invention includes a microchannel chip having a measurement region in which the wedge-shaped space has a constant width in the y direction or the z direction,
A light source for irradiating the measurement area in the microchannel chip with light;
Imaging means for capturing an image of a region including a measurement region in the microchannel chip;
And a control mechanism having a function of calculating the density of the specific component based on the image data acquired by the imaging means.

  According to the microchannel chip of the present invention, the second channel has a width capable of separating a specific component from the sample flowing through the first channel, so that a kinematic action such as centrifugal force is externally applied. Specific components can be separated from the specimen without adding. In addition, the specific component that is separated by the second flow path and flows into the measurement unit can be concentrated in the narrow direction of the wedge-shaped space by the capillary force due to the wedge-shaped space, so that the necessary amount of the specific component is The state filled in the measurement unit can be obtained in a short time.

  According to the sample concentration measuring apparatus of the present invention using the above microchannel chip, a necessary amount of a specific component separated from the sample can be efficiently stored (filled) in the measurement region in the microchannel chip. Therefore, high inspection efficiency can be obtained. In addition, since the measurement area of the microchannel chip irradiated with light from the light source has a constant thickness, the optical path length can be constant and the concentration of a specific component can be reliably achieved. Can be measured.

It is a top view which shows the structure in an example of the microchannel chip | tip of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the area | region enclosed with the dashed-two dotted line in FIG. 1, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view. It is an AA cross section end view in Drawing 2 (a). It is a BB cross section end view in Drawing 2 (a). It is explanatory drawing which shows the spatial shape of a measurement part roughly, Comprising: (a) Perspective view, (b) The top view seen from z direction, (c) Sectional drawing by yz plane of constant volume space, (d) y It is the side view seen from the direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the state by which the specific component isolate | separated from the test substance is filled into a measurement part. It is a top view which shows the structure of the principal part in the other example of the microchannel chip | tip of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure in the further another example of the microchannel chip | tip of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the structure in an example of the sample density | concentration measuring apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the structure in the other example of the specimen concentration measuring apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time-dependent change of the storage length with respect to the measurement part of the test fluid about each microchannel chip produced in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the microchannel chip of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an example of the microchannel chip of the present invention. 2A and 2B are explanatory views showing a region surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 2B is a side view. 3 is an end view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 4 is an end view taken along the line BB in FIG.
The microchannel chip 10 includes a first channel 20 for circulating a liquid sample, a plurality of second channels 25 for separating and extracting specific components from the sample flowing through the first channel 20, It has a chip substrate 11 made of a plate-like body having a measuring unit 30 filled with a specific component separated from a specimen.

In the illustrated example, the chip base 11 is configured by bonding a first substrate 12 and a second substrate 15, and the first flow path 20, the second flow path 25, and the measurement unit 30 are the thickness of the chip base 11. It is formed two-dimensionally along a plane perpendicular to the direction.
The measurement unit 30 is formed so as to extend in one direction in the plane direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the chip base 11, and is connected to the second discharge unit 28 via the third flow path 27.
The first flow path 20 includes linear flow path portions 20 a and 20 b that extend along the measurement unit 30 at positions on both sides of the measurement unit 30. The upstream end in the sample flow direction in the first flow path 20 is connected to a sample storage unit 22 that stores the sample introduced from the sample introduction unit 21. The downstream end of the first flow path 20 in the specimen flow direction is connected to the first discharge part 23.
Each of the plurality of second flow paths 25 is formed to branch from the first flow path 20 and extend in a direction perpendicular to the first flow path 20. The upstream end in the sample flow direction in the second flow path 25 communicates with the linear flow path portions 20 a and 20 b in the first flow path 20, and the downstream end in the sample flow direction communicates with the space constituting the measurement unit 30. ing. In the illustrated example, each of the plurality of second flow paths 25 is formed in a state of being spaced apart at equal intervals over the entire region of the measurement unit 30 in the direction in which the measurement unit 30 extends.
Although the thickness of each of the 1st board | substrate 12 and the 2nd board | substrate 15 is not specifically limited, For example, they are 0.1 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less.

In the illustrated example, the first flow path 20 is formed by being partitioned by an inner wall surface of the first flow path groove 13 a formed in the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15. The second flow path 25 is formed by being partitioned by the first substrate 12 and the inner wall surface of the second flow path groove 16 formed in the second substrate 15. The measurement unit 30 is formed by being partitioned by the inner wall surface of the measurement unit recess 13 b formed in the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15. Note that all of the first flow path groove 13 a, the second flow path groove 16, and the measurement portion recess 13 b may be formed in one of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15.
It is preferable that the inner wall surfaces of the first flow path 20, the second flow path 25, and the measurement unit 30 are subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. Specifically, the contact angle of water on the inner wall surface of each of the first flow path 20, the second flow path 25, and the measurement unit 30 is preferably less than 90 °, and more preferably 50 ° or less.

The first flow path 20 has a width that allows a liquid specimen (for example, blood) to circulate. In the present invention, the “width” of the flow channel means the smallest width of the flow channel in a cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the flow channel extends. In the first channel 20 and the second channel 25 in the illustrated example, the width in the thickness direction of the microchannel chip 10 is the smallest width.
The width of the first flow path 20 is preferably 10 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and more preferably 50 μm or more and 100 μm or less. When the width of the first channel 20 is too small, the flow rate of the specimen decreases due to an increase in channel resistance in the first channel 20, and a specific component (for example, a plasma component) to the second channel 25 is reduced. There is a risk that the supply amount of the product will be insufficient. On the other hand, when the width of the first flow path 20 is excessive, there is a possibility that the amount of the sample required increases. Further, since the capillary force is reduced, the flow rate of the specimen flowing through the first flow path 20 is reduced, and it may take a considerably long time for a specific component to reach the measurement unit 30.
Further, the length from the upstream end of the first flow path 20 to the branch point with the second flow path 25 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less.

The second channel 25 has a width capable of separating a specific component (for example, plasma component) from a specimen (for example, blood) flowing through the first channel 20.
The width of the second flow path 25 is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and more preferably 1.0 μm or more and 3.0 μm or less. If the width of the second flow path 25 is too small, the amount of the specific component that can be supplied to the measurement unit 30 is reduced, and it may take a considerably long time to extract the specific component. On the other hand, if the width of the second flow path 25 is excessive, components other than specific components (for example, blood cell components such as red blood cells) in the sample may be mixed, and the separation function may not be exhibited.
Further, the length of the second flow path 25 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less.
Moreover, the number of the 2nd flow paths 25 is 100 or more and 10,000 or less, for example.

  In the measurement unit 30, at least a part of the space forming the measurement unit 30 is formed by a wedge-shaped space in which the gap gradually decreases in one direction.

In the illustrated example, one end portion of the measurement unit 30 in the direction in which the measurement unit 30 extends is formed by a wedge-shaped space. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the measurement unit 30 includes a wedge-shaped space 35 and a constant volume space 31 that is continuous with the wedge-shaped space 35.
In the following description, xyz orthogonal coordinates are defined in which the direction in which the wedge-shaped space 35 (measurement unit 30) extends is “x direction” and the thickness direction of the chip substrate 11 is “z direction”, and the spatial shape of the measurement unit 30 is defined. This will be specifically described.

The constant volume space 31 in the measurement unit 30 has substantially the same space shape in the x direction, and the cross-sectional shape of the yz section is rectangular. The angle γ formed by two continuous constant volume space forming surfaces represented in the yz section of the constant volume space 31 is, for example, not less than 45 ° and not more than 90 °.
In the illustrated example, the constant volume space 31 is formed by an upper bottom surface 30a and a lower bottom surface 30b extending along the xy plane, and a pair of constant volume space forming surfaces 32a and 32b inclined with respect to the lower bottom surface 30b. And has a space shape in which the cross-sectional shape in the yz cross-section is a trapezoidal shape. Then, the angles γ1 and γ2 formed by the pair of constant volume space forming surfaces 32a and 32b facing each other in the y direction represented in the yz section of the constant volume space 31 with respect to the lower bottom surface 30b along the xy plane are 45 °, for example. The angle is set to 90 ° or less. γ1 and γ2 may be the same size or different sizes.

The wedge-shaped space 35 has a wedge-shaped portion formed by a pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces facing each other in the z direction represented by a plan view from the y direction, and y represented by a plan view from the z direction. It is preferable that the pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces facing each other in the direction have a space shape having a wedge-shaped portion.
Specifically, when the angle formed by a pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces expressed in a plan view from the y direction (hereinafter referred to as “wedge tip inclination angle”) is α, the wedge-shaped space 35 is formed. Preferably has a spatial shape satisfying the relationship of α <γ1 and α <γ2. In addition, when the angle formed by a pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces expressed in a plan view from the z direction (hereinafter referred to as “open angle of the wedge-shaped space”) is β, the wedge-shaped space 35 has β < It is preferable to have a space shape having a space shape that satisfies the relationship of γ1, β <γ2.

In the illustrated example, the wedge-shaped space 35 is formed with a pair of wedge-shaped spaces inclined toward the lower bottom surface 30b and approaching each other toward the one end side in the x direction, and the upper bottom surface 30a and the lower bottom surface 30b along the xy plane. The surfaces 36a and 36b are formed.
And as shown in FIG.5 (d), the front-end | tip inclination angle of the wedge-shaped space 35 which the ridgeline C and the lower bottom face 30b of a pair of wedge-shaped space formation surfaces 36a and 36b represented by planar view from ay direction form α is smaller than the inclination angles γ1 and γ2 with respect to the lower bottom surface 30b of the constant volume space forming surfaces 32a and 32b. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the opening angle β of the wedge-shaped space 35 formed by the pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces 36a and 36b represented in a plan view from the z direction is the constant volume space forming surface 32a. , 32b are smaller than the inclination angles γ1, γ2 with respect to the lower bottom surface 30b.
The space shape of the wedge-shaped space 35 may be a quadrangular pyramid, for example.

The opening angle α of the wedge-shaped space 35 is preferably 15 ° or more and 45 ° or less, for example. Moreover, it is preferable that the front-end | tip inclination angle (beta) of the wedge-shaped space 35 is 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, for example.
The capillary force P due to the wedge-shaped space 35 is P = 2Fcosα + (θ / R) or P = 2Fcosβ + (θ / R) where F is the surface tension, θ is the contact angle of the liquid, and R is the radius of curvature of the liquid surface. R). Accordingly, the capillary force P is determined by the size of the opening angle α of the wedge-shaped space or the size of the tip inclination angle β of the wedge-shaped space.
Since the wedge-shaped space 35 has the above-described space shape, a specific component that is separated by the second flow path 25 and flows into the measuring unit 30 is surely preferentially stored in the narrow direction of the wedge-shaped space 35. Can be made.

In addition, the wedge-shaped space 35 is preferably configured to have a measurement region in which the dimension in the y direction or the z direction is constant.
In the illustrated example, a measurement region 38 having a constant dimension (thickness) in the z direction is formed in the other end portion in the x direction of the wedge-shaped space 35.
With such a configuration, in the concentration measurement based on the absorbance of a specific component, which will be described later, the optical path length can be set to a constant size, so that a highly reliable concentration measurement can be performed for the specific component in the specimen. It can be carried out.

In the above, the dimension D in the z direction in the constant volume space 31 of the measurement unit 30 and the measurement region 38 of the wedge-shaped space 35 is preferably 10 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and more preferably 100 μm or more and 500 μm or less. If the dimension D is too small, the optical path length of the size required in the absorbance measurement described later cannot be ensured, so that the concentration measurement of a specific component cannot be performed. On the other hand, when the dimension D is excessive, there is a possibility that the required amount of specimen increases. In addition, since the capillary force is small, it may take a long time for a specific component to reach the measurement unit 30.
Moreover, it is preferable that the dimension W1 of the surface direction (y direction) in the constant volume space 31 of the measurement part 30 is 100 micrometers or more and 1000 micrometers or less.

<Constituent material of chip base>
As a material constituting the chip base 11 (the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15), a material that can transmit light from the light source unit in the specimen concentration measuring apparatus described later, for example, a resin material can be used.
As the resin material, for example, an acrylic resin, a polystyrene resin, a COP resin (cycloolefin polymer resin), or the like can be used, but it is preferable to use a resin composition shown below.

The resin composition used as the constituent material of the chip substrate 11 preferably has a deflection temperature under load of 40 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower and a glass transition temperature of −40 ° C. or higher and −20 ° C. or lower.
Here, the deflection temperature under load and the glass transition temperature of the resin composition refer to those measured by the methods defined in JIS K7191 and JIS K7121.

  Examples of such a resin composition include a polypropylene resin, a polymer block X that is incompatible with the polypropylene resin (hereinafter simply referred to as “polymer block X”), and an elastomeric polymer block Y (hereinafter simply referred to as “polymer block X”). A hydrogenated derivative (hereinafter referred to as “specific hydrogenated derivative”) of a block copolymer (hereinafter referred to as “specific block copolymer”) comprising “polymer block Y”). It is preferable to use a resin composition exhibiting adhesiveness (hereinafter referred to as “specific resin composition”).

<Polypropylene resin>
As the polypropylene resin, a homopolymer of propylene or a random copolymer of propylene and an α-olefin other than propylene such as ethylene or butene-1 or hexene-1 can be used. Specifically, for example, commercially available “Micro Resico” (registered trademark) (manufactured by Richell Co., Ltd.) can be used.

<Specific block copolymer>
The specific block copolymer may have at least one, preferably at least one and at most five polymer blocks X and Y, and the specific structure is (XY) _n (wherein Any of a structure represented by n = 1 to 5), a structure represented by X—Y—X, a structure represented by Y—X—Y, and the like may be used.

<Polymer block X>
In the specific block copolymer, the polymer block X is not particularly limited as long as it is incompatible with the polypropylene resin. For example, a vinyl aromatic monomer (for example, styrene), ethylene or methacrylate (for example, methyl methacrylate) is polymerized. The polymer block obtained can be used. Specific examples of the polymer block X include polystyrene type and polyolefin type.

  Examples of the polystyrene-based polymer block X include 1 selected from styrene, α-methylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, vinylnaphthalene, and vinylanthracene. Examples thereof include polymer blocks obtained by polymerizing seeds or two or more kinds of vinyl aromatic compounds.

Another example of the polyolefin-based polymer block X is a polymer block obtained by copolymerizing ethylene and an α-olefin having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. This polymer block may be conjugated polymerized with a non-conjugated diene.
Specific examples of the α-olefin include propylene, 1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-pentene, 1-octene, 1-octene, Examples include decene.
Specific examples of the non-conjugated diene include 1,4-hexadiene, 5-methyl-1,5-hexadiene, 1,4-octadiene, cyclohexadiene, cyclooctadiene, cyclopentadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbonel, Examples include 5-butylidene-2-norbornel and 2-isopropenyl-5-nerbornene.
Specific examples of the polyolefin-based polymer block X include an ethylene-propylene copolymer block, an ethylene-1-butene copolymer block, an ethylene-1-octene copolymer block, and an ethylene-propylene-1,4-hexadiene copolymer. Examples thereof include a polymer block and an ethylene-propylene-5-ethylidene-2-norbornene copolymer block.

  In the specific block copolymer, the content of the polymer block X is, for example, 10% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less.

<Polymer block Y>
As the polymer block Y, a polybutadiene block constituted by a structural unit composed of at least one group selected from the group consisting of a 2-butene-1,4-diyl group and a vinylethylene group, as one before hydrogenation, Poly constituted by a structural unit comprising at least one group selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-2-butene-1,4-diyl group, isopropenylethylene group and 1-methyl-1-vinylethylene group An isoprene block is mentioned.
Further, as the polymer block Y before hydrogenation, the isoprene unit is selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-2-butene-1,4-diyl group, isopropenylethylene group and 1-methyl-1-vinylethylene group. An isoprene / butadiene copolymer block which is a structural unit composed of at least one group, and in which the butadiene unit is composed of a structural unit composed of a 2-butene-1,4-diyl group and / or a vinylethylene group. . The arrangement of the structural unit derived from isoprene and the structural unit derived from butadiene in the isoprene / butadiene copolymer block may be any of random, block, and tapered block.

  Moreover, the polymer block Y may be formed by copolymerizing a vinyl aromatic compound. As such a polymer block Y, units derived from vinyl aromatic compounds are styrene, α-methylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, vinylnaphthalene. A copolymer block which is a monomer unit selected from vinyl anthracene and the conjugated diene unit is a 2-butene 1,4-diyl group and / or a vinyl ethylene group can be used. Further, the arrangement of the structural unit derived from the vinyl aromatic compound and the structural unit derived from the conjugated diene may be any of random, block, and tapered block shapes.

<Specific hydrogenated derivatives>
Specific hydrogenated derivatives are obtained by hydrogenating the specific block copolymers described above. The state of hydrogenation in a specific hydrogenated derivative may be partial hydrogenation or complete hydrogenation.
As such a specific hydrogenated derivative, in a specific block copolymer before hydrogenation, the polymer block X is a polystyrene block, and the polymer block Y is a 1,2-bond, 3,4-bond and / or 1, Those that are 4-bond polyisoprene blocks, or those in which the polymer block X is a polystyrene block and the polymer block Y is a 1,2-bond and / or 1,4-bond polybutadiene block are readily available. is there.
In addition, since polystyrene blocks are difficult to be compatible with polypropylene resins, when a specific hydrogenated derivative having a high ratio of polystyrene blocks is used, a specific resin composition is prepared (a specific hydrogenated derivative and a polypropylene resin). Since a long time is required for mixing with the resin, it is preferable that the mixture be sufficiently mixed in advance by making a master batch.

<Preparation of specific resin composition>
The specific resin composition can be obtained by mixing (kneading) a polypropylene resin and a specific hydrogenated derivative in a heated and melted state. In such a specific resin composition, the polypropylene resin and the polymer block X are not compatible with each other.

Here, whether or not the polypropylene resin and the polymer block X are compatible with each other in the specific resin composition can be confirmed as follows.
When the polymer block X is incompatible with the polypropylene-based resin, in the specific resin composition, the polymer block X forms a microdomain having a size on the order of its inertia radius. Such microdomains can be confirmed by observing with a transmission electron microscope or by measuring and analyzing the scattering pattern of isolated domains by small-angle X-ray scattering.
When the polymer block X is incompatible with the polypropylene resin, the glass transition temperature of the polymer block X does not change even when mixed with the polypropylene resin. The presence or absence of such a change in the glass transition temperature of the polymer block X can be confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or dynamic viscoelasticity measurement.

When the polymer block Y is compatible with the polypropylene resin, each of the glass transition temperature of the polymer block Y and the glass transition temperature of the polypropylene changes, and a new glass transition temperature is set between these temperatures. appear.
The presence or absence of such a change in glass transition temperature can be confirmed by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement or the like.

When both the polymer block X and the polymer block are incompatible with the polypropylene-based resin, in a specific resin composition, a morphological polymer phase (a phase of the polymer block X and a phase of the polymer block Y is morphologically). And a polymer phase made of a polypropylene resin. On the other hand, when the polymer block Y is compatible with the polypropylene resin, in a specific resin composition, the interval between the micro domains of the polymer block X is increased, or the micro domain of the polymer block X is polypropylene. Or evenly dispersed in the resin.
The morphological change when such a polymer block Y is compatible with the polypropylene resin is such that the mutual positions of the microdomains are observed by a transmission electron microscope, or the distance between the microdomains is analyzed by small-angle X-ray scattering. This can be confirmed.

  In the specific resin composition, the ratio of the specific hydrogenated derivative is preferably a ratio of 40 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polypropylene resin.

  The specific resin composition may contain various additives, for example, a nucleating agent for polypropylene resins, as necessary. Such nucleating agents include metal salt type (phosphate metal salts, carboxylic acid metal salt) nucleating agents that improve physical properties and transparency by nucleation effect, and benzylidene sorbitol type that imparts transparency by forming a network. A nucleating agent can be used. The benzylidene sorbitol type nucleating agent is a condensate of benzaldehyde and sorbitol, and has a hydroxyl group in the molecule.

<Manufacturing method of microchannel chip>
The microchannel chip 10 can be manufactured by, for example, the following first method or second method.

<First Method>
First, the first substrate 12 on which the first channel groove 13a for forming the first channel 20 and the measurement unit recess 13b for forming the measurement unit 30 are formed, and the second channel 25 are formed. A second substrate 15 having a second flow path groove 16 is formed.
For example, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are manufactured by manufacturing a mold for manufacturing a microchannel chip, and using the mold for manufacturing the microchannel chip, for example, molding the above resin material by an injection molding method. Can be produced. Micro-channel chip manufacturing molds are manufactured, for example, by anisotropic etching of silicon wafers, or by electroforming the one obtained by tilt exposure of photosensitive resin or multistage processes can do. Further, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are formed by forming the first flow path groove 13a, the measurement portion recess 13b, and the second flow path groove 16 by machining the substrate material. It can also be produced.

In the first method, the bonding surface including the surfaces of the first flow path groove 13 a and the measurement portion recess 13 b in the first substrate 12 and the bonding surface including the second flow path groove 16 in the second substrate 15 are provided. On the other hand, it is preferable to perform a surface activation treatment. As a method for surface activation treatment, a method of coating a hydrophilic agent, a method of surface treatment by irradiating vacuum ultraviolet rays, a method of surface treatment by plasma, etc. can be used. A method of surface treatment by irradiation is preferred. By performing such surface activation treatment, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 can be bonded more firmly and in a short time.
In the case of performing surface activation treatment by irradiating vacuum ultraviolet rays, specific examples of vacuum ultraviolet irradiation conditions include an excimer lamp enclosing xenon gas as an ultraviolet light source, and irradiating vacuum ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 172 nm. Irradiate for 10 minutes under the condition of 30 mW / cm ² .

Thereafter, the first substrate 12 is placed in contact with the bonding surface of the second substrate 15 in an aligned state.
And the 1st board | substrate 12 and the 2nd board | substrate 15 are joined using a self-fusion property by heating the 1st board | substrate 12 and the 2nd board | substrate 15 simultaneously.

The heating temperature of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 is lower than the melting point of the constituent materials of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15, and the constituent materials of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are the same. The temperature is higher than the glass transition temperature. In particular, the heating temperature is preferably selected from a temperature range that is 80 ° C. or more lower than the melting point of the constituent material and 60 ° C. or more higher than the glass transition temperature of the constituent material.
A specific heating temperature of the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 is, for example, 50 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower. Moreover, when the specific heating time of the 1st board | substrate 12 and the 2nd board | substrate 15 is shown, when heating temperature is 60 degreeC, it is 1 hour or more and 2 hours or less, for example.

<Second method>
First, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are produced in the same manner as in the first method.
Next, vacuum ultraviolet rays are applied to the bonding surface including the surfaces of the first flow path groove 13 a and the measurement portion recess 13 b in the first substrate 12 and the bonding surface including the second flow path groove 16 in the second substrate 15. The surface activation treatment is performed by irradiating.
As a specific example of the irradiation conditions of vacuum ultraviolet rays in the surface activation treatment, an excimer lamp enclosing xenon gas is used as an ultraviolet light source, and vacuum ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 172 nm are irradiated for 10 minutes under an illuminance of 30 mW / cm ^2. .

  Then, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are brought into contact with the bonding surface of the second substrate 15 in a state where the first substrate 12 is aligned and left at room temperature without being heated. Join.

According to such a first method or a second method, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are bonded at a temperature lower than the melting point of these constituent materials. The one substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are not deformed. Therefore, even if the microchannel chip to be manufactured has the fine second channel 25 having a width of 5 μm or less, for example, the desired microchannel chip 10 can be reliably manufactured.
Further, since the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 can be bonded at a temperature lower than the melting point of these constituent materials, the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are bonded when the first substrate 12 and the second substrate 15 are bonded. The two substrates 15 can be joined by heating at a relatively low temperature. For this reason, the fine second flow path grooves 16 formed in the second substrate 15 are prevented from being deformed by heat deformation.

  In the microchannel chip 10 described above, a liquid sample, for example, blood is introduced from the sample introduction unit 21, so that the sample is stored in the sample storage unit 22. The sample stored in the sample storage unit 22 flows through the first flow path 20 by capillary action and reaches a branch point with the second flow path 25. At this branch point, a component having a size larger than the width of the second flow channel 25 in the sample, for example, a blood cell component, cannot enter the second flow channel 25, so that the first flow channel 20 is moved downstream. It circulates toward. On the other hand, a specific component having a size smaller than the width of the second flow path 25 in the sample, for example, a plasma component, can enter the second flow path 25, and thus flows through the second flow path 25 to measure the measurement unit 30. Flow into. As shown in FIG. 6, the specific component PL that has flowed into the measurement unit 30 is wedge-shaped along the inner wall surface of the chip base 11 that forms the measurement unit 30 due to the capillary force generated by the wedge-shaped space 35 in the measurement unit 30. Flows in 35 narrow directions. For this reason, the specific component PL concentrates in the wedge-shaped space 35 and is preferentially filled from the wedge-shaped space 35.

As described above, according to the microchannel chip 10 described above, basically, the second channel 25 has a width capable of separating a specific component from the sample flowing through the first channel 20. Therefore, a specific component can be separated from a very small amount of specimen without applying a kinematic action such as centrifugal force from the outside.
In addition, according to the microchannel chip 10 described above, the specific component that is separated by the second channel 25 and flows into the measurement unit 30 is narrowed in the wedge-shaped space 35 by the capillary force of the wedge-shaped space 35. Can focus on. That is, in the configuration in which the spatial shape of the measurement unit 30 is, for example, a prismatic shape, the specific component that has flowed into the measurement unit 30 is at the boundary between two consecutive measurement unit formation surfaces (for example, the bottom surface and the side wall surface). It is held at a position in the vicinity of the measurement unit forming surface by the generated capillary force. In other words, the specific component is gradually filled from the position near the measurement unit formation surface. For example, in order to fill the specific component in an amount necessary for concentration measurement, the extraction amount of the specific component is It becomes enormous and takes a long time. In addition, the specific component reaches the discharge part (second discharge part 28) along the measurement part forming surface and inhibits the discharge of air in the measurement part 30.
However, since a part of the space forming the measurement unit 30 is formed by the wedge-shaped space 35, the microchannel chip 10 can efficiently extract a necessary amount of a specific component from the specimen. Thus, it is possible to obtain in a short time a state in which an optical path length (a thickness of a specific component filled in the measuring unit 30 is 100 μm, for example) required for concentration measurement based on absorbance described later is ensured.

While the embodiments of the microchannel chip of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the microchannel chip described above, the second channel does not need to be formed over the entire region of the measurement unit in the direction in which the measurement unit extends, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). As shown, it may be configured to be formed only in a portion of the constant volume space 31 in the measurement unit 30. Even with such a configuration, the specific component flowing into the measurement unit 30 can be concentrated in the narrow direction of the wedge-shaped space 35. Further, the inner wall surface (the wedge-shaped space forming surface) forming the wedge-shaped space in the chip base does not need to be a flat surface, and the inner surface shape is formed in a stepped shape as shown in FIG. Also good. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the second flow path 25 is configured to be formed only on one side of the measurement unit 30 in the surface direction, that is, a straight line positioned upstream of the sample flow direction in the first flow path 20. Only the second flow path 25 that allows the flow path portion 20a and the measurement unit 30 to communicate with each other may be formed.
Furthermore, in the above microchannel chip, a wedge-shaped space is formed at one end portion of the measurement unit extending in the surface direction of the chip base, but the spatial shape of the measurement unit is particularly limited. For example, the wedge-shaped space may be formed so as to extend in any direction of the surface direction, or may be formed so as to extend in the thickness direction.
Furthermore, the chip substrate may be configured by bonding a plurality of substrates, and the first channel, the second channel, and the measurement unit may be formed in a three-dimensional manner.

Hereinafter, the sample concentration measuring apparatus of the present invention provided with the above microchannel chip will be described.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in an example of the sample concentration measuring apparatus of the present invention.
This sample concentration measuring apparatus measures the concentration of bilirubin by separating plasma containing bilirubin, which is a test target component, from blood, which is a liquid sample, for example.

  9 includes the microchannel chip 10 having the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 and the measurement region 38 in the measurement unit 30 of the microchannel chip 10. A light source 40 that emits light in the thickness direction, an imaging unit 50 that captures an image of an area including the measurement unit 30 in the microchannel chip 10, and an inspection object based on image data relating to the image captured by the imaging unit 50 And a control mechanism 60 having a function of calculating the concentration of the component.

  On the optical path between the light source 40 and the microchannel chip 10, an optical filter 45 that restricts the wavelength range of transmitted light is disposed. Between the optical filter 45 and the microchannel chip 10, a lens 48 for collimating incident light is disposed. Between the microchannel chip 10 and the image pickup means 50, a lens 51 for magnifying and projecting a light image made of light emitted from the light source 40 onto the image pickup means 50 is disposed. The light source 40 is electrically connected to a power source 41 that supplies electricity to the light source 40. The power supply 41 is electrically connected to the control mechanism 60.

As the light source 40, a light source that emits light including a wavelength region necessary for measuring the concentration of the component to be inspected is used. In this example, a light source 40 that emits light including a wavelength region near 455 nm and a wavelength region near 575 nm necessary for measuring the concentration of bilirubin contained in plasma is used.
Specific examples of such a light source 40 include two types of LED elements that emit light in different wavelength ranges, such as an LED element having a peak emission wavelength of 450 nm and an LED element having a peak emission wavelength of 570 nm. It is done.

  As the optical filter 45, a band-pass filter that limits the wavelength range of transmitted light to a wavelength range necessary for measuring the concentration of the component to be inspected is used. In this example, the optical filter 45 is a multiband pass filter that limits the wavelength range of transmitted light to a wavelength range near 455 nm and a wavelength range near 575 nm necessary for measuring the concentration of bilirubin contained in plasma. Is used. The bandwidths of the wavelength region near 455 nm and the wavelength region near 575 nm that pass through the optical filter 45 are 10 nm or more and 15 nm or less in half width.

As the image pickup means 50, an image pickup device including an image pickup element having an area including the measurement unit 30 in the microchannel chip 10 as an image pickup field is used. Specifically, the imaging field of the imaging device of the imaging means 50 is a region where the measurement unit 30 is located and its peripheral region on the other surface facing the imaging device of the microchannel chip 10. In the illustrated example, an area including a part of the linear flow path portions 20a and 20b in the first flow path 20 and each of the plurality of second flow paths 25 together with the measurement unit 30 is an imaging field of view of the image sensor. The light from the light source 40 is radiated to the entire region constituting the imaging field.
As the image pickup means 50, for example, a CMOS camera equipped with a CMOS image pickup element is used. The imaging field of view of the CMOS image sensor of this CMOS camera, that is, the image size obtained in the CMOS camera is 640 × 480 pixels (corresponding to an area of 1090 × 820 μm in vertical and horizontal dimensions in the microchannel chip 10).
For example, an achromatic lens is used as the lens 51, and the magnification of the optical image by the lens 51 is, for example, 5 times.

The control mechanism 60 performs image processing on the image data relating to the image captured by the imaging device of the imaging unit 50, thereby measuring the luminance at the position (pixel position) of the measurement unit 30 in the image and calculating the absorbance of the plasma component. Has a function to calculate. Further, it has a function of controlling a power source 41 that supplies electricity to the light source 40.
In this example, the absorbance A _{455 at} a wavelength of 455 nm is calculated based on the blue luminance value of the image data obtained by performing image processing on the image captured by the imaging means 50, and the green color of the image data is calculated. Based on the luminance value, an absorbance A _{575 at} a wavelength of 575 nm is calculated. Here, the absorbance A ₄₅₅ can be regarded as the sum of the absorbance of bilirubin and the absorbance of hemolyzed hemoglobin at a wavelength of 455 nm. On the other hand, A ₅₇₅ can be regarded as the absorbance of hemolyzed hemoglobin at a wavelength of 575 nm. Then, the absorbance of hemolysis hemoglobin at a wavelength of 575nm, since a value approximating to the absorbance of hemolysis hemoglobin at a wavelength of 455nm, a value obtained by subtracting the absorbance A ₅₇₅ from the absorbance A ₄₅₅ a (A ₄₅₅ -A _575), at a wavelength of 455nm It can be regarded as the absorbance of bilirubin. Then, the concentration of bilirubin is calculated from the calibration curve obtained in advance and the value of A ₄₅₅ -A ₅₇₅ using the proportionality between absorbance and concentration (Lambert-Beer law).

In such a sample concentration measuring apparatus, as described above, a specific component (this is separated from the liquid sample (blood in this example) in the measurement unit 30 (wedge-like space 35) in the microchannel chip 10. In the example, plasma containing bilirubin, which is a component to be examined, is filled.
Then, in a state where the measurement unit 30 of the microchannel chip 10 is filled with a specific component, the light emitted from the light source 40 passes through the optical filter 45 and the lens 48 and the measurement region 38 in the microchannel chip 10. Is irradiated. The wavelength range of the light transmitted through the optical filter 45, that is, the light irradiated to the measurement region 38 in the microchannel chip 10 is limited by the optical filter 45 to a wavelength region near 455 nm and a wavelength region near 575 nm. Thereafter, an optical image of light transmitted through the measurement region 38 in the microchannel chip 10 is captured by the imaging unit 50. Based on the image data obtained by the imaging means 50, the concentration of bilirubin, which is a component to be examined, is calculated.

  According to the sample concentration measuring apparatus, a necessary amount of a specific component separated from the sample in the microchannel chip 10 is efficiently stored in the measurement region 38 in the measurement unit 30 by the capillary force of the wedge-shaped space 35 ( High inspection efficiency can be obtained. Moreover, since the measurement region 38 of the microchannel chip 10 irradiated with light from the light source 40 has a constant thickness, the optical path length can be made constant and the concentration of a specific component is high. It can be measured with reliability.

  The analyte concentration measuring apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the one having the above configuration, and as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a first light source 40a including an LED element that emits light having a peak emission wavelength of 450 nm; For example, the second light source 40b including an LED element that emits light having a peak emission wavelength of 570 nm may be separately provided. In this sample concentration measuring apparatus, the first light source 40a is disposed so as to face the measuring unit 30 in the microchannel chip 10, and the second light source 40b is connected to the optical path of light from the first light source 40a. It is arranged in a state that faces in a vertical direction. The first light source 40 a and the second light source 40 b are electrically connected to the power source 41. The light from the first light source 40a is transmitted and the light from the second light source 40b is reflected at the intersection of the light path from the first light source 40a and the light path from the second light source 40b. The dichroic mirror 42 is arranged in a state inclined at 45 ° with respect to each of the optical path of the light from the first light source 40a and the optical path of the light from the second light source 40b.

  On the optical path between the first light source 40a and the dichroic mirror 42, a first optical filter 46a that restricts the wavelength range of transmitted light is disposed. Between the first optical filter 46a and the dichroic mirror 42, a lens 49a for collimating incident light is disposed. On the optical path between the second light source 40b and the dichroic mirror 42, a second optical filter 46b for limiting the wavelength range of transmitted light is disposed. Between the second optical filter 46b and the dichroic mirror 42, a lens 49b for collimating incident light is disposed. Other configurations in the sample concentration measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 10 are the same as those in the sample concentration measuring apparatus shown in FIG.

  In this sample concentration measuring apparatus, the operation of irradiating light from the first light source 40a and the operation of irradiating light from the second light source 40b to the measurement unit 30 of the microchannel chip 10 are performed simultaneously. However, after one of the operations is performed, the other operation may be performed.

<Example 1>
(1) Production of first substrate and second substrate 50 parts by mass of a polypropylene resin (“NOBAK® PP” manufactured by Nippon Polypro Co., Ltd.) and hydrogenated styrene / isoprene / butadiene block copolymer (Co., Ltd.) A specific resin composition was prepared by heating and kneading 50 parts by mass of “Hibler 7311” manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd., polystyrene block content = 12% by mass). The specific resin composition obtained had a melting point of 142 ° C., a deflection temperature under load of 43 ° C., and a glass transition temperature of −35 ° C.
Next, by injection molding the prepared specific resin composition, a first substrate having a first flow channel groove and a measurement portion recess formed on the surface, and a second flow channel groove formed on the surface. A second substrate was manufactured.
In the obtained first substrate, the first channel groove has a total length of 50 mm (see FIG. 1) from the sample introduction part (21) to the first discharge part (23), and the width (depth) of the first substrate. And the width in the surface direction of the first substrate is 300 μm.
With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the measurement portion recess has a total length (the length of the portion where the plurality of second flow paths are formed) of 15 mm, and the wedge-shaped space (35) has a length (L 1) of 1 mm. The length (L2) of the measurement region is 0.5 mm. Further, the dimension (D) in the thickness direction of the first substrate in the portion forming the constant volume space (31) is 100 μm, the dimension (W1) in the surface direction of the first substrate at the opening end surface is 200 μm, and a constant volume forming space is formed. The angles (γ1, γ2) formed by the pair of constant volume space forming surfaces (32a, 32b) with respect to the bottom surface of the measurement portion recess are 85 °. Further, the opening angle (α) of the wedge-shaped space (35) is 45 °, the opening angle (β) of the wedge-shaped space (35) is 11.4 °, and the opening at one end position in the length direction of the measurement region is opened. The dimension (W2) in the surface direction of the first substrate at the end face is 20 μm.
Further, in the obtained second substrate, the second channel groove has a length of 0.5 mm, a width (depth) in the thickness direction of the second substrate of 2 μm, and a width in the surface direction of the second substrate of 50 μm. And the number of grooves for the second flow path is 300. The intervals between adjacent second flow path grooves are the same size (equal intervals).

(2) Surface activation treatment of the first substrate and the second substrate The bonding surface including the surface of the first channel groove and the measurement portion recess in the obtained first substrate, and the second substrate for the second channel A surface activation treatment was performed by irradiating the bonding surface including the groove with vacuum ultraviolet rays. With respect to the surface subjected to the surface activation treatment, the contact angle of water was measured and found to be 45 °.
In the above, the surface activation treatment by irradiation with vacuum ultraviolet rays was performed by irradiating vacuum ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 172 nm for 10 minutes under the condition of an illuminance of 30 mW / cm ² using an excimer lamp enclosing xenon gas as an ultraviolet light source.

(3) Manufacture of microchannel chip The first substrate was placed in contact with the bonding surface of the second substrate in an aligned state. Then, by heating the first substrate and the second substrate at 60 ° C., the first substrate and the second substrate were joined using the self-bonding property, and thus the microchannel chip was manufactured.
In the obtained microchannel chip, the length from the upstream end of the first channel to the branch point with the second channel branched at the most upstream side of the first channel is 5 mm.
Further, when the second channel of the obtained microchannel chip was observed with a microscope, no abnormality such as deformation was observed.

(4) Test Water was introduced as a test fluid into the above microchannel chip, and the amount of the test fluid charged into the measurement unit with respect to elapsed time (reservation length) was examined. The results are shown by curve a (square mark plot) in FIG. Here, the storage length of the test fluid in the measurement unit refers to the length in the direction in which the measurement unit extends from the boundary position between the wedge-shaped space and the constant volume space.

<Comparative example 1>
Produced in Example 1 except that a recess for a measurement part having a substantially constant space shape in the length direction (a recess for a measurement part having only a constant volume space without a wedge-shaped space) is formed. A comparative first substrate having the same configuration as the above was prepared. The recess for the measurement section in the first substrate for comparison has a total length (the length of the portion where the plurality of second flow paths are formed) of 20 mm, the thickness in the thickness direction of the first substrate is 100 μm, and the first end on the opening end surface. The dimension of one substrate in the surface direction is 200 μm, and the angle formed by the pair of measurement part formation surfaces with respect to the bottom surface of the measurement part recess is 85 °.
A microchannel chip for comparison was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this first substrate for comparison was used, and water was introduced as a test fluid into the microchannel chip. The filling amount (retention length) of the test fluid into the measurement part with respect to time was examined. The results are shown by curve b (circled plot) in FIG.

  From the above results, it was confirmed that the microfluidic chip according to Example 1 can efficiently fill the measurement unit with the test fluid. Therefore, it is expected that the amount of the test target component required for actual sample concentration measurement can be extracted from the sample in a short time.

  Further, 5 μL of human blood was introduced into the microchannel chip produced in Example 1 and allowed to stand for 10 minutes, and then the spectral absorption spectrum of the liquid filled in the measurement part of the microchannel chip was measured. The liquid filled in the part was a plasma component, and it was confirmed that the plasma component was separated from the blood.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Micro flow path chip | tip 11 Chip base | substrate 12 1st board | substrate 13a 1st groove | channel for channel 13b Recessed part for measurement part 15 2nd board | substrate 16 2nd groove | channel for groove 20 First flow path 20a Linear flow path part 20b Linear flow path Part 21 Specimen introduction part 22 Specimen storage part 23 First discharge part 25 Second flow path 27 Third flow path 28 Second discharge part 30 Measurement part 30a Upper bottom face 30b Lower bottom face 31 Constant volume space 32a Constant volume space formation surface 32b Constant Volume space forming surface 35 Wedge-like space 36a Wedge-like space forming surface 36b Wedge-like space forming surface 38 Measurement region 40 Light source 40a First light source 40b Second light source 41 Power source 42 Dichroic mirror 45 Optical filter 46a First optical filter 46b Second optical filter 48 Lens 49a Lens 49b Lens 50 Imaging means 51 Lens 60 Controller Structure C Ridge line PL Specific component

Claims (7)

A first channel through which a liquid sample flows, and a first channel formed by branching from the first channel and having a width capable of separating a specific component from the sample flowing through the first channel. A plate-like body having a second flow channel communicating therewith and a measurement unit connected to the second flow channel and filled with a specific component separated from the specimen;
A microchannel chip, wherein at least a part of a space forming the measurement part is formed by a wedge-shaped space in which a gap gradually decreases in one direction. Assuming xyz orthogonal coordinates with the one direction as the x direction,
2. The micro-flow according to claim 1, wherein the wedge-shaped space has a wedge-shaped portion formed by a pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces facing each other in the z direction represented by a plan view from the y direction. Road chip. The measurement unit has a constant volume space that is continuous with the wedge-shaped space and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape of a yz section;
An angle formed by two continuous constant volume space forming surfaces represented in the yz section of the constant volume space is γ, and the pair of wedge space forming surfaces represented by a plan view from the y direction of the wedge space is formed. 3. The microchannel chip according to claim 2, wherein when the angle is α, the wedge-shaped space has a space shape satisfying a relationship of α <γ.   The micro flow according to claim 3, wherein the wedge-shaped space has a wedge-shaped portion formed by a pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces facing each other in the y direction represented in plan view from the z direction. Road chip.   When the angle formed by the pair of wedge-shaped space forming surfaces expressed in a plan view from the z direction of the wedge-shaped space is β, the wedge-shaped space has a space shape that satisfies the relationship β <γ. The microchannel chip according to claim 4, wherein:   6. The microchannel chip according to claim 2, wherein the wedge-shaped space has a measurement region in which a dimension in the y direction or a dimension in the z direction is constant. The microchannel chip according to claim 6,
A light source for irradiating the measurement area in the microchannel chip with light;
Imaging means for capturing an image of a region including a measurement region in the microchannel chip;
A specimen concentration measuring apparatus comprising: a control mechanism having a function of calculating the concentration of the specific component based on image data acquired by the imaging means.

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