Microchip and analysis method using the same
An object of the present invention is to provide a microchip whereby, when chemical analysis is conducted, a specimen liquid can be directly collected and weighed without using any collecting and weighing devices. The present invention provides a microchip for analyzing liquid samples, which has a measuring structure for weighing and collecting a given amount of a specimen liquid within a range of 0.05 to 10 μl from an excessive amount of the specimen liquid which was introduced in the chip, wherein the measuring structure is located at the upstream side of an analysis element for analyzing a target substance in the specimen liquid inside the microchip.
1. A microchip for analyzing liquid samples, comprising:
a measuring structure comprising a first fluid channel provided on the chip body;
a second fluid channel in communication with the first fluid channel at one end of the second fluid channel;
a third fluid channel in communication with the other end of the second fluid channel;
and further comprising an agitation port at one end of the first fluid channel of the measuring structure and an absorption port at the other end of the first fluid channel of the measuring structure, wherein:
the perimeter and the cross-sectional area of the vicinity of an opening of the first fluid channel in communication with the second fluid channel are designated as L 1 and S 1 , respectively, and
the perimeter and the cross-sectional area of a first opening of the second fluid channel in communication with the first fluid channel are designated as L 2 and S 2 , respectively, and (L 1 /S 1 )<(L 2 /S 2 ).
2. The microchip of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of the first opening of the second fluid channel provided with a level difference is at least a half of the perimeter L 2 of the first opening of the second fluid channel.
3. The microchip of claim 1 wherein the perimeter of a second opening of the second fluid channel provided with a level difference is at least a half of the perimeter of the second opening of the second fluid channel.