JPWO2008004550A1 - Liquid analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

By driving the micro liquid by the flow of the transport medium, mixing the micro liquid, stirring, measuring by capturing at a desired position, etc., it is possible to accurately transport the micro liquid that is difficult to transport, and A liquid analyzer that captures and analyzes the fusion of the sample and reagent at the measurement position.

Description

Import by reference

  This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-185106 filed on Jul. 5, 2006, and is incorporated herein by reference.

  The present invention relates to an analyzer that detects the amount of a component contained in a sample. In particular, the present invention relates to an analysis technique using a very small amount of sample.

  In the analysis to detect the amount of components contained in the sample, the sample solution is irradiated with white light from a halogen lamp, etc., the light transmitted through the sample solution is dispersed with a diffraction grating, and the necessary wavelength component is extracted. A spectroscopic technique for measuring the amount of a target component by determining the absorbance is widely used. As for the light irradiation system, a method of irradiating a sample solution after separating white light with a diffraction grating and a method using a multiwavelength photometer are also used. In analyzers based on these technologies, samples and reagents are conventionally dispensed into a plastic or glass reaction vessel, and these components are mixed to irradiate light into a sample solution to measure the amount of components. It was. However, in recent years, in order to reduce reagent costs and reduce the burden on the environment, there has been a demand for a small amount of sample solution used for analysis.

  As a method for transporting a minute amount of liquid, there is a technique for injecting liquid and segmented oil into a microchannel to control the propagation of the liquid (for example, Patent Document 1). Also, there is a technique for preventing mixing of an aqueous solution sample by introducing an immiscible liquid segment, an air segment, and a sample segment into a conduit using a piston or the like (for example, Patent Document 2). Further, there is a technique for introducing a droplet into a hydrophobic liquid and electrostatically inducing the droplet to sort the droplet (for example, Patent Document 3).

  As a method of manipulating a minute amount of liquid, a phenomenon (Dielectrophoresis) in which a substance in an electric field is polarized in an electric field generated by applying a voltage between a plurality of electrodes and moved in a direction in which the electric field is concentrated by electrostatic force is used. There is a technique (for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 2003-200041 A U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,291 JP-A-2005-37346 US Pat. No. 4,390,403

  In conventional liquid analyzers that dispense reagents and samples into reaction containers made of plastic or glass, if the sample solution is made very small, it becomes difficult to handle the liquid, and measurement may be caused by bubbles that may occur during dispensing and mixing. There was a risk that the accuracy would drop.

  In addition, when oil or a sample is introduced into a microchannel or the like, if the sample is captured inside the microchannel or the like, the flow of the oil or the like inside the microchannel is blocked, making it difficult to control the sample or the like. Furthermore, when using a piston or the like for transferring a sample or the like as in Patent Document 2, in order to apply pressure by pushing the piston, if a negative pressure is applied to the conduit by pulling the piston in advance, bubbles may be generated therein. is there. In this case, the conveyance of the sample solution may be hindered, and problems such as an adverse effect of bubbles may occur when measuring the amount of components by irradiating the sample solution with light.

  An object of the present invention is to accurately transport a minute liquid and accurately capture a sample or the like at a measurement position for analysis.

  In order to solve the above problem, the liquid capturing means is used when the micro liquid is driven by the flow of the transport medium and the micro liquid is stopped at a desired position.

  The liquid analyzer includes an inlet for introducing the liquid to be transported, a medium flow generating unit that generates a circulation flow for the transport medium for transporting the liquid to be transported, the liquid to be transported, and the liquid A flow path through which the transport medium flows, a transported liquid capture means that captures the transported liquid provided in at least a part of the flow path, and a transported liquid captured by the transported liquid capture means A measuring section for measuring the flow direction of the transport medium in the flow path, wherein the transported liquid capture means has a maximum width in a plane substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the transport medium. It is characterized by being smaller than the maximum width in a substantially vertical plane.

  As a liquid analysis method, a first step of introducing a first liquid to be transported from an inlet, a second step of transporting the first liquid to be transported in a flow path by a flow of a transport medium, and A third step of introducing a second transported liquid from the inlet after the first step, and a flow of the second transported liquid by the flow of the transport medium after the third step. A fourth step of transporting in the path; a fifth step of capturing either the transported first transported liquid or the transported second transported liquid by a first capturing means; Sixth of the first transported liquid or the second transported liquid that has been captured by the transported liquid capturing means and the other transported liquid are brought into contact with each other to form a mixed liquid. And the mixed liquid is used as the first capturing means or the second transported liquid. And having a seventh step of measuring captures in 捉 means.

According to the present invention, since the micro liquid is transported by the flow of the transport medium, it is possible to reliably transport the liquid regardless of the difference in liquid properties of the micro liquid. Further, when performing analysis and detection while transporting a sample, it is possible to determine the position by capturing a micro liquid such as a sample without stagnation of the flow of the transport medium. Thereby, analysis and detection can be performed in parallel while transporting a plurality of micro liquids in parallel.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 6 are schematic views showing the configuration of the liquid analyzer, FIG. 1 is a plan view seen through the second substrate 5, and FIG. 2 is a front side along the AA portion of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view from the side along the line BB in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view from the plane side along the line CC in FIG. . 5 is a three-dimensional view of the whole, and FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the components shown in FIG.

  The configuration of the liquid analyzer in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The liquid analyzer in the present embodiment mainly includes the first substrate 1, the outer spacer 2, the inner spacer 3, the stirring mechanism 4, the second substrate 5, the inlet cylinder 6, the medium flow from the lower side in FIG. It consists of the parts of the generating unit 7 and the transported liquid recovery unit frame 8, and after being stacked, the transported liquid and the transport medium are joined so as not to leak from the internal space. The agitation mechanism 4 in the present embodiment represents structures (fins) for deforming, combining, etc., the liquid being conveyed. An agitation mechanism such as an ultrasonic agitation mechanism, a screw mechanism, or a mechanism that rotates a member such as a spatula may be used. Further, the medium flow generation unit 7 generates a liquid flow with respect to a transport medium for transporting a sample or the like. It is a part that has a pump or a waterwheel-like member inside that discharges the medium taken in from one end from the other end and generates a flow circulating in the medium, and the principle for generating the flow is not limited. The flow rate may be controllable according to the flow load. The first substrate 1 has a transported liquid capturing means 9 for capturing a transported liquid such as a sample and a waste liquid capturing means 10 for capturing a waste liquid. The transported liquid catching means 9 is disposed downstream of the introduction port tube (introduction port) 6 in the flow direction of the transport medium when the medium flow generation unit is regarded as the starting point in the flow direction of the transport medium.

The first substrate 1 and the second substrate 5 are made of a material that transmits light having a necessary wavelength for liquid conveyance described later and detection of a component amount contained in the sample. Only portions of the substrate 1 and the second substrate 5 corresponding to the position of the transported liquid capturing means 9 may be made of a material that transmits light. Further, the transported liquid capturing means 9 is configured by an electrode, an electret region, or a combination of the electret region and the electrode, and emits light in the same manner as the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 5. A transparent material is used. In the first embodiment, an example in which an electrode is used for the transported liquid capturing means 9 will be described. Therefore, electrodes are patterned on all the positions of the transported liquid catching means 9 on the upper surface of the first substrate 1 shown in FIG. 2 as the transported liquid catching means 9 of the first substrate 1. Covered with an insulating film of about 1 μm to 100 μm, and the surface of the insulating film is subjected to water repellent treatment. As a material for the insulator, a fluorine-based resin, SiO ₂ (quartz), SiN, Al ₂ O ₃ (alumina), or HfO ₂ can be used. As the material of the _electrode, ITO, may be utilized _{SnO 2, ZnO, ZnO + Al} 2 O 3 + Ga 2 O 3 (AZO or GZO). Each electrode may be arranged independently and wired externally. However, in this embodiment, each electrode is connected like the electrode 11 shown in FIG. 7 and patterned so as to have the same potential. Has been. In addition, as a counter electrode of the electrode, the counter electrode 12 is formed on the surface of the second substrate 5 facing the first substrate shown in FIG. 2 on the surface facing the first substrate or on the surface including all of the electrodes. Like the electrode, the surface is covered with an insulating film of about 0.1 μm to 100 μm, and the surface of the insulating film is further subjected to water repellent treatment. Here, the counter electrode 12 does not need to be provided. When the counter electrode 12 is not used, the liquid to be transported can be controlled with a simple configuration using only the electrodes on the first substrate. On the other hand, in the case of use, it is possible to improve the accuracy of control of the transport liquid by the electrodes. In this embodiment, the drawing is simplified for the sake of clarity, and the electrode and the counter electrode 12 are illustrated as being embedded in the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 5, respectively.

  The configuration of the electrodes of this example is patterned so that the electrodes have the same potential as described above. Here, substantially only a pair of the electrode and the counter electrode 12 is provided. That is, one substrate is provided with an electrode group which is a plurality of separated electrodes and the switch is turned on and off synchronously by supplying the same potential, and the other substrate is provided with the electrode group. Opposing electrodes are provided, and the electrode group and the facing electrode form a pair of electrode groups.

  The liquid analyzer assembled by laminating and joining the components mainly includes the first substrate 1, the outer spacer 2, the inner spacer 3, the second substrate 5, and the transported liquid recovery unit frame 8. A flow path 13 that enables a flow as indicated by an arrow is formed. The flow path 13 is a space 16 having a substantially rectangular cross section in the direction perpendicular to the flow except for the transported liquid recovery section 14 and the introduction port 15. A portion of the space 16 of the flow path 13 used for analyzing and / or detecting the liquid to be transported is shown as an analysis region 17 in FIG. The width W and the height H, which are dimensions of a substantially rectangular cross section in the direction perpendicular to the flow, of the flow path 13 in the analysis region 17 are as shown in FIG.

  Next, a method of using the liquid analyzer according to this embodiment will be described.

  First, prepare for analysis. The flow path of the liquid analyzer is filled with a carrier medium in advance. (Note that filling of the transport medium 18 can be performed from the waste liquid port by using, for example, a waste liquid port as a transport medium introduction outlet.) At that time, no air bubbles remain in the flow path 13 and a medium flow is generated. In order to prevent bubbles from entering the flow path 13 after the flow is generated in the transfer medium 18 by the section 7, the flow path 13 and the medium flow generation section 7 are filled with the transfer medium 18 and then transferred in the flow path 13. It is introduced so that the liquid level of the transport medium 18 in the transported liquid recovery unit 14, which is a region where the transported liquid capturing means 9 is not located, is higher than the liquid level of the medium 18. Further, in the transported liquid recovery unit 14 where the transported liquid capturing unit 9 is not located, a gas phase region that is not filled with the transport medium 18 and is in contact with the transport medium 18 may remain. Thereby, when bubbles are mixed at the time of introduction, the bubbles can be removed by letting the gas escape to the gas phase region. The transport medium used is a liquid having a lower dielectric constant than that of the liquid to be transported, such as silicone oil or fluorine oil, which does not react with the liquid to be transported. Thereafter, the medium flow generator 7 is driven to generate a flow as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The speed of the flow varies depending on the reaction time and the measurement time at the time of analysis, but is a gentle flow of approximately 0.1 mm / Sec to 50 mm / Sec.

  Next, a description will be given of the actual analysis procedure from introduction and mixing of the sample and reagent. 8A to 8D are enlarged views of the introduction port and a part of the transported liquid capturing means 9 in FIG. 2, and the steps from the introduction of the sample and the reagent to the mixing are arranged in time series and are shown in a plurality of diagrams.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8A, a switch (voltage application control means) 19 is turned on, and a voltage is applied between the electrode 11 that is the transported liquid capturing means 9 and the counter electrode 12. Next, the first transported liquid 20, which is a sample to be analyzed, is introduced into the flow path 13 of the analysis region 17 from the inlet 15 using a pipetter (introducing means) 21 or the like. The introduced first transported liquid 20 is caused to flow by the flow of the transport medium 18, but is attracted by the electrostatic force of the electrode 11 and is captured on the electrode 11 as the transported liquid capturing means 9 as shown in FIG. 8B. The Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8C, the second transported liquid 22, which is a reagent for analyzing the first transported liquid 20, is introduced from the inlet 15 into the flow path 13 in the analysis region 17 using a pipetter 21 or the like. To introduce. The introduced second liquid to be transported 22 is caused to flow by the flow of the transport medium 18, but “is attracted by the electrostatic force of the electrode 11 and is captured by the electrode 11 as the transported liquid capturing means 9 as shown in FIG. It is mixed with the first transported liquid 20 that has already been captured, where the pipettor for introducing the sample and the pipettor for introducing the reagent may be the same or different. The order of introduction of the transport liquid and the second transported liquid may be either first.

  Next, the process from the mixing of the sample and reagent in the actual analysis procedure to the analysis will be described. 9A and 9B are enlarged views of the introduction port and a part of the transported liquid capturing means 9 in FIG. 2, and the processes from the mixing of the sample and the reagent to the analysis are arranged in chronological order and represented by a plurality of diagrams.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9A, the switch 19 is turned off, the voltage applied between the electrode 11-1 as the transported liquid capturing means 9-1 and the counter electrode 12 is once released, and the electrode 11-1 is started. After the attractive force to the first transported liquid 20 and the second transported liquid 22 is released and these liquids are separated from the electrodes, the switch 19 is turned on again as shown in FIG. A voltage is applied again between the electrode 11-2 that is 9-2 and the counter electrode 12. The first transported liquid 20 and the second transported liquid 22 are caused to flow by the flow of the transport medium 18 and are stirred by being subjected to physical deformation through the stirring mechanism 4 to become the reaction liquid 23. The first transported liquid 20 and the second transported liquid 22 are attracted by the electrostatic force of the electrode 11-2, and are electrodes that are the second transported liquid capturing means 9-2 as shown in FIG. 9B. Captured on 11-2. As shown in FIG. 9B, a light source 25 and a light receiving unit 26 are disposed corresponding to the transported liquid capturing unit 9 after the second transported liquid capturing unit 9-2 as shown in FIG. 9B. The measurement light 27 is irradiated from the light source 25 through the second substrate 5, the reaction solution 23, and the first substrate 1, and is detected by the light receiving unit 26. By analyzing the measurement light 27 detected by the light receiving unit 26, the components of the reaction liquid 23 are analyzed, and as a result, the amount of a specific component contained in the first transported liquid 20 that is the sample to be analyzed is measured. can do.

  As the measurement of the reaction result, in many cases, the state of the reaction proceeding in the reaction solution 23 is measured over time, and finally the component amount is obtained. Then, in order to supply the sample and the reagent one after another into the liquid analyzer and sequentially analyze the components, the switch 19 is repeatedly turned on and off, and the reaction solution 23 is moved between the measurement units one after another to perform measurement. . Thereby, several sample measurement can be advanced in parallel and the throughput of an apparatus can be improved. At that time, when the reaction liquid 23 exists in each of the plurality of transported liquid capturing means 9, the electrodes 11 are electrically integrated, so that the switches are turned off all at once, but depending on the location of the flow path in the analysis region 17 It is conceivable that the reaction liquids are not separated from the transported liquid capturing means 9 at the same time due to the difference in flow rate. However, if a voltage is applied to the transported liquid capturing means 9 after the switch is turned off and all the reaction liquids 23 are separated, the timing at which each reaction liquid 23 is separated or each reaction liquid 23 is the next transported liquid. Even if the timing of reaching the capturing means 9 is different, each reaction solution can be reliably moved and captured.

  Next, a method for recovering the reaction solution 23 for which measurement has been completed will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D. 10A and 10B are diagrams in which the display orientation of FIG. The reaction liquid 23 for which the measurement has been completed is released from the capture of the last transported liquid capturing means 9 and is flowed to the position of FIG. 10A by the flow of the transport medium 18. When the liquid is further flowed up to the transported liquid recovery unit 14, at least the height of the transported liquid recovery unit 14 is greater than the height H of the flow path 13. Then, it is released from the state of being crushed into a disk shape, and is deformed into a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 10B by the surface tension of the reaction solution 23 itself. Thereby, the reaction liquid 23 becomes the waste liquid 28 in principle. Since the diameter d of the waste liquid 28 released from the state of being crushed into a disk and turned into a spherical shape is larger than the height H that is the gap between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 5, the flow path 13 is closed. It does not enter the space 16 again. If the waste liquid 28 has a specific gravity smaller than that of the transport medium 18, it rises in the transported liquid recovery unit 14, and is collected by suction with a sipper 29 or the like as shown in FIG. 10C. If the waste liquid 28 has a specific gravity greater than that of the transport medium 18, it is precipitated in the transported liquid recovery section 14, and is collected by suction with a sipper (collection means) 29 as shown in FIG. 10D. When the waste liquid 28 has a specific gravity greater than that of the transport medium 18 and precipitates, a plurality of the waste liquids 28 are gathered into a large lump, and the closed space of the flow path 13 that is a gap between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 5. Since there is a possibility of reentering into the area 16, it is preferable to provide a precipitation section 30 that is a depression area as shown in FIG. 10D. The waste liquid capturing means 10 is for increasing the waste liquid capturing effect on the basis of the same principle as the transported liquid capturing means 9 and is provided at a position on the transported liquid recovery unit 14 on the upper surface of the first substrate 1. It has been. In the case where an electrode is used for the waste liquid capturing means 10, the waste liquid is optically disposed by providing a light transmitting property and a measuring unit (not shown) similar to the above at a position corresponding to the waste liquid capturing means 10. It is possible to detect the amount.

  FIG. 11 shows an enlarged part of the analysis region 17 of FIG. In this embodiment, the width X of the transported liquid capturing means 9 is set to be smaller than W with respect to the width W of the flow path 13 in the analysis region 17, that is, W> X. As a result, the maximum width of the transported liquid capturing means 9 is smaller than the maximum width of the flow path 13 on a surface substantially perpendicular to the direction of the transport medium flow. This is to prevent the transported liquid from blocking the flow path 13 when the transported liquid is captured by the transported liquid capturing unit 9. In the present embodiment, the transported liquid that has entered the flow path 13 in the analysis region 17 is crushed by being sandwiched between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 5 and formed into a disk shape having a diameter D and a height H. Become. At this time, the diameter D of the liquid to be transported is the diameter D of the first liquid to be transported 20 as the sample to be analyzed, and the diameter D of the second liquid to be transported 22 as the reagent is the width of the liquid to be transported capturing means 9. Smaller than X, so that the diameter D of the reaction liquid 23 after the first transported liquid 20 and the second transported liquid 22 are mixed and stirred is about the same as the diameter W of the flow path 13. It is set to be smaller. That is, the maximum width of the reaction solution 23 is smaller than the maximum width of the flow path 13 on a surface substantially perpendicular to the direction of the transport medium flow. Therefore, even if the transported liquid is captured by the transported liquid capturing means 9 and the transported liquid stagnates on the spot, the transporting medium flows from the side, so that the transporting medium does not stagnate. Thereby, even when the conveyance medium is circulated, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the conveyance medium is stagnated and the flow is disturbed. Furthermore, when a plurality of liquids to be transported are located in the analysis region 17, the fact that one liquid to be transported is captured by the transported liquid capturing means affects the transport or capture of other transported liquids. It can be avoided.

  Even if the width X of the transported liquid capturing means 9 is larger than the width W of the flow path 13 in the analysis region 17, if the transported liquid has a small diameter D, even if the transported liquid stagnates on the spot, Since the transport medium flows from the transport medium, the transport medium does not stagnate. However, in this case, the liquid to be transported moves within the width X of the transported liquid capturing means 9, and the position in the width X direction is not determined. Therefore, the measurement light 27 is not reliably irradiated to the reaction solution 23 at the measurement position, and the analysis accuracy is lowered.

  If the diameter D of the liquid to be transported is smaller than the width X of the liquid capture means 9 to be transported, the location is not fixed as described above. However, in this embodiment, the diameter D of the first transported liquid is usually It is smaller than the width X of the transport liquid capturing means 9. However, the diameter D is set to be approximately the same as the width X when the reaction liquid 23 is mixed with the second liquid to be transported, and the first liquid to be transported is the liquid transport capturing means. As long as it is above 9, the second liquid to be transported can be brought into contact with the first liquid to be mixed.

  As described above, the transport medium is circulated inside the apparatus, and the transported liquid is transported in a circulating flow, so that mixing with the reagent to be analyzed, stirring, movement to the measurement section, and movement to the collection section can be simplified. The configuration can be automated at high speed.

  In the present embodiment, an electrode is used for the transported liquid capturing means 9 in the first embodiment, but an example in which an electretized insulator is used for the transported liquid capturing means 9 will be described. Here, a part of the insulating film is an electret region.

  The configuration of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment except for the wiring such as the electrode 11, the counter electrode 12, and the switch 19 for applying a voltage. The transported liquid is captured in an area 31 that is electretized only in the range of the transported liquid capturing means 9 as shown in FIG. 12A. The electretization is a state in which a high voltage is applied to the polymer material while heating it so that the magnetic material is magnetized to the N pole and the S pole, or it is semipermanently charged by corona discharge or the like (for example, non-polarization). Patent Document 1). If the electretized region is used, a state where polarization is maintained as shown in FIG. 12A can be realized without a power source. When the first transported liquid 20, the second transported liquid 22 or the reaction liquid 23 flows in the electret region 31 by the flow of the transport medium, it is captured by electrostatic force as shown in FIG. 12B. In order to release the captured first transported liquid 20, second transported liquid 22 or reaction liquid 23 and move to the next transported liquid capturing means 9, the medium flow rate stored in the medium flow generation unit 7 The flow rate may be controlled by the control unit, and a fast flow may be temporarily generated so that the attractive force in the flow direction of the medium is temporarily stronger than the electrostatic force captured. Here, the medium flow rate control unit performs control such as speeding up the rotation of the pump. Since such a fast flow is temporary, even if the plurality of reaction liquids leave the transported liquid capturing means 9 at different timings, the next transported liquid capturing means 9 has already been in the first transported liquid. 20, since the second transported liquid 22 or the reaction liquid 23 can be captured, the timing at which the first transported liquid 20, the second transported liquid 22 or the reaction liquid 23 is separated, or Even if the timing at which one transported liquid 20, second transported liquid 22 or reaction liquid 23 arrives at the next transported liquid capturing means 9 is different, each reaction liquid can be reliably moved and captured. Is possible.

  Other stirring, measurement, waste liquid recovery, and the like are the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, an electrode, a power source for applying a voltage to the electrode, and a control mechanism for the electrode are not required, so that the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Proceedings of the 9th Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Power and Energy Technology Symposium No. 04-2

  In the present embodiment, an example in which an electret insulating film and an electrode are used in combination for the transported liquid capturing means 9 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, one electret region and the region occupied by one electrode are arranged so as to overlap at least partially when viewed from the counter electrode. The difference from the first embodiment is that in the first embodiment, the voltage is continuously applied between the electrode 11 and the counter electrode 12 while the liquid to be transported is captured, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. As in Example 2, the transported liquid is captured in the electretized region, and as shown in FIG. 13B, a voltage that temporarily cancels electretization is applied between the electrode 11 and the counter electrode 12, thereby capturing the captured target. Release the transport liquid.

  When the reaction liquid 23 is present in each of the plurality of transported liquid capturing means 9, the electrodes 11 are electrically integrated, so that a voltage is applied simultaneously between the electrodes 11 and the counter electrode 12. Similarly to Example 1 and Example 2, depending on the location of the flow path in the analysis region 17, it is conceivable that the respective reaction liquids are not separated from the respective transported liquid capturing means 9 at the same time due to the difference in flow velocity. However, if the switch is turned off at the time when the switch is turned on and all the reaction liquids 23 are separated, the next transported liquid capturing means 9 is already in a state in which the reaction liquid 23 can be captured. Even when the timing at which the liquid 23 is separated or the timing at which each reaction solution 23 reaches the next transported liquid capturing means 9 is different, each reaction solution can be reliably moved and captured.

  Other stirring, measurement, waste liquid recovery, and the like are the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the droplet is transported by the oil flow, captured by the electretized region, and opened by applying the voltage, so that the droplet is controlled more precisely and the time for applying the voltage to the electrode Thus, the lifetime of the insulating film disposed on the electrode can be extended.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which there are a plurality of analysis regions 17 in the methods in the first to third embodiments will be described. FIG. 14 shows an embodiment thereof. Here, the plurality of inlets and the plurality of analysis regions 17 are respectively arranged in branch paths that are branches. The difference between the present embodiment and the first to third embodiments is that there are a plurality of analysis regions 17 used for analyzing the liquid to be transported. When the electrode 11 is used for the transported liquid capturing means 9, the shape of the electrode as shown in FIG. 7 is provided as many as the number of the analysis regions 17 as shown in FIG. An integrated type as shown in FIG. 15B may be used, and parallel analysis may be performed almost simultaneously. Further, the shape of the transported liquid capturing means 9 part of the electrode 11 can be round or square. As the transported liquid capturing means, an electrode may be used as in the first embodiment, an electret region as in the second embodiment may be used, or an electrode and electret may be used as in the third embodiment. A combination of the above-described regions may be used.

When there are a plurality of analysis regions, a plurality of analyzes can be performed in parallel in each of the plurality of regions. At this time, as in the first embodiment, the transported liquid capturing means captures the transported liquid by the transported liquid capturing means because the width X of the transported liquid capturing means is larger than W with respect to the width W of the flow path in the analysis region. In this case, the transported liquid does not block the flow path. When the transported liquid blocks the flow path, the transport medium overflows from the flow path and enters another flow path, disturbing the flow of the transport medium not only in one flow path but also in a plurality of flow paths. In the configuration of the present embodiment, such a situation can be avoided, and parallel processing of a plurality of analyzes by a plurality of flow paths can be reliably achieved.
While the above description has been made with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto and that various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

The top view which shows the structure of the liquid analyzer by this invention. Sectional drawing from the front side which shows the structure of the liquid analyzer by this invention. Sectional drawing from the side surface which shows the structure of the liquid analyzer by this invention. Sectional drawing from the plane side of the liquid analyzer by this invention. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a liquid analyzer according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the components shown in FIG. 5. The figure showing only the electrode of the liquid analyzer by this invention. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view from the inlet of FIG. 2 to a part of the transported liquid capturing unit. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view from the inlet of FIG. 2 to a part of the transported liquid capturing unit. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view from the inlet of FIG. 2 to a part of the transported liquid capturing unit. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view from the inlet of FIG. 2 to a part of the transported liquid capturing unit. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view from the inlet of FIG. 2 to a part of the transported liquid capturing unit. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view from the inlet of FIG. 2 to a part of the transported liquid capturing unit. The figure which expanded the display direction of FIG. 3 back to horizontal. The figure which expanded the display direction of FIG. 3 back to horizontal. The figure which expanded the display direction of FIG. 3 back to horizontal. The figure which expanded the display direction of FIG. 3 back to horizontal. The elements on larger scale of the analysis area | region 17 of FIG. The enlarged view of the cross section using the insulator electretized for the liquid feeding capture | acquisition means. The enlarged view of the cross section using the insulator electretized for the liquid feeding capture | acquisition means. The enlarged view of the cross section which used the insulator and electrode which were electret-ized in the liquid feeding capture | acquisition means. The enlarged view of the cross section which used the insulator and electrode which were electret-ized in the liquid feeding capture | acquisition means. It is a top view which shows the structure of the liquid analyzer by this invention, and is an example with multiple analysis area | regions. The figure which shows an example of the electrode shape of the liquid analyzer by FIG. The figure which shows an example of the electrode shape of the liquid analyzer by FIG.

Claims (16)

An inlet for introducing the liquid to be transported;
About the medium for transport for transporting the liquid to be transported, a medium flow generating unit for generating a circulation flow,
A flow path through which the transported liquid and the transport medium flow,
A transported liquid capturing means provided in at least a part of the flow path and capturing the transported liquid;
A measuring unit for measuring the transported liquid captured by the transported liquid capturing means;
And the transported liquid capturing means has a maximum width in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transport medium that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transport medium in the flow path. Liquid analyzer smaller than the maximum width on the surface.   2. The transported liquid capturing unit is disposed downstream of the introduction port in the flow direction of the transport medium when the medium flow generation unit is regarded as a starting point in the flow direction of the transport medium. Liquid analyzer.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transported liquid capturing unit is an electrode, and further includes a voltage application control unit configured to control a voltage applied to the electrode.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the electrodes are a plurality of first electrodes.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the electrodes are a plurality of first electrodes and a second electrode that is disposed to face the first electrodes.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transported liquid capturing unit is an electret region.   The transported liquid capturing means is disposed in at least one first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and a region overlapping at least partly with a region occupied by the first electrode as viewed from the second electrode. The liquid analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage application control unit that is an electret region and controls a voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the transport medium is a liquid having a lower dielectric constant than the transport liquid.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 1, further comprising a transported liquid recovery unit that recovers the transported liquid and has a height higher than the flow path.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 9, wherein the transported liquid recovery unit includes a recessed region.   The liquid analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the flow path has a plurality of branch paths each including at least one introduction section and at least one transported liquid capturing unit. A first step of introducing the first transported liquid from the introduction port;
A second step of transporting the first transported liquid in the flow path by a flow of circulation of the transport medium;
A third step of introducing a second liquid to be transported from the inlet after the first step;
A fourth step of transporting the second transported liquid in the flow path by the flow of the transport medium after the third step;
A fifth step of capturing either of the transported first transported liquid or the transported second transported liquid with a first capturing means;
One of the first transported liquid and the second transported liquid, which is captured by the transported liquid capturing means, is brought into contact with the other transport liquid to form a mixed liquid. 6 steps,
A seventh step of capturing and measuring the mixed liquid by the first capturing means or the second transported liquid capturing means;
A liquid analysis method comprising:   The maximum width of the mixed liquid in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transport medium is greater than the maximum width of the flow path in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transport medium. The liquid analysis method according to claim 12, which is small.   The liquid analysis method according to claim 12, wherein in the seventh step, measurement with time is performed by a plurality of the second capturing means.   The liquid analysis method according to claim 12, wherein one of the first transported liquid and the second transported liquid is a sample and the other is a reagent.   15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising an eighth step of transporting and recovering the mixed liquid from the analysis region to the recovery region, wherein the mixed liquid is deformed when transported from the analysis region to the recovery region. The liquid analysis method described in 1.

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