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Microchip inspection system and microchip inspection system program

Microchip inspection system and microchip inspection system program description/claims

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-315368 filed on Nov. 22, 2006, which is incorporated hereinto by reference.

The present invention relates to a microchip inspection system and a microchip inspection system program.

In recent years, by micro-machine technology and microscopic processing technology, systems have been developed in which devices and means (for example pumps, valves, flow paths, sensors and the like) for performing conventional sample preparation, chemical analysis, chemical synthesis and the like are micronized and integrated on a single chip (refer to Patent Document 1, for example). This is also called μ-TAS (Micro Total Analysis System), bioreactor, lab-on-chips, and biochips, and much is expected of their application in the fields of medical testing and diagnosis, environmental measurement and agricultural manufacturing. As seen in gene testing in particular, in the case where complicated steps, skilful operations, and machinery operations are necessary, a microanalysis system which is automatic, speedy and simple is very beneficial not only in terms of cost, required amount of sample and required time, but also in terms of achieving analyses, regardless of time and place.

In various analyses and tests, the quantitation of analysis, accuracy of analysis and economic factors with such analyzing chips (microchips) are of great importance. Consequently, it is desired to establish a liquid feeding system with a simple structure and highly reliability. A micro fluid control element with high accuracy and excellent reliability is demanded. The inventors have disclosed the operation principle of a micropump suitable for such the application in Patent Document 2.

The inventors have also disclosed a reaction-detecting apparatus by which reaction results can be measured by feeding liquid into a fine flow path by the micropump after sealing a reagent or such in a fine flow path of the microchip, and by flowing the reagent or such into a flow path constituting a reaction section and next into a flow path constituting a detection section (refer to Patent Document 1, for example). After feeding a driving liquid into the microchip by a micropump unit equipped with a plurality of micropumps, liquid-feeding control such as timing in which liquid is fed to the predetermined portion in the microchip, liquid quantity, a rate of change in liquid quantity, or a feeding direction thereof is conducted in such the reaction-detecting apparatus.

(Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2004-28589

(Patent Document 2) Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2001-322099

(Patent Document 3) Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 2006-149379

However, in cases when, for example, the reaction-detecting apparatus was left for a long time after using it previously, the driving liquid vaporized, whereby shown were variations of an amount of the driving liquid remaining in a flow path between the micropump and the microchip. In this case, even though the liquid-feeding control such as timing in which liquid is fed from the micropump, liquid quantity thereof or such is conducted at the same condition, no predetermined liquid-feeding tends to be controlled since timing in which the driving liquid is fed into the microchip, and liquid quantity thereof have a margin of error.

The present invention was made on the basis of the above-described situation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a microchip inspection system in which an amount of driving liquid filled in a flow path between a micropump and a microchip is kept constant before feeding the driving liquid into the microchip to control liquid-feeding with accuracy, and also to provide a microchip inspection system program.

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements numbered alike in several figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an external view of microchip inspection system 80 in the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2(a) shows a plan view of micropump unit 5 in the present invention;

FIG. 2(b) shows the left side view;

FIG. 2(c) shows the right side view;

FIG. 2(d) shows a cross-sectional view at a section indicated by A-A in FIG. 2(a);

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