US20040223874A1 - Biochemical reaction cartridge - Google Patents
Biochemical reaction cartridge Download PDFInfo
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- US20040223874A1 US20040223874A1 US10/811,917 US81191704A US2004223874A1 US 20040223874 A1 US20040223874 A1 US 20040223874A1 US 81191704 A US81191704 A US 81191704A US 2004223874 A1 US2004223874 A1 US 2004223874A1
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- chamber
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
- B01L3/502761—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip specially adapted for handling suspended solids or molecules independently from the bulk fluid flow, e.g. for trapping or sorting beads, for physically stretching molecules
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B3/00—Machines or pumps with pistons coacting within one cylinder, e.g. multi-stage
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
- B01L3/502—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures
- B01L3/5027—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip
- B01L3/502715—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures by integrated microfluidic structures, i.e. dimensions of channels and chambers are such that surface tension forces are important, e.g. lab-on-a-chip characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/10—Valves; Arrangement of valves
- F04B53/102—Disc valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/16—Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
- B01L2200/026—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
- B01L2200/027—Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details for microfluidic devices
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0809—Geometry, shape and general structure rectangular shaped
- B01L2300/0816—Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
- B01L2300/0861—Configuration of multiple channels and/or chambers in a single devices
- B01L2300/087—Multiple sequential chambers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
- B01L2300/18—Means for temperature control
- B01L2300/1805—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks
- B01L2300/1822—Conductive heating, heat from thermostatted solids is conducted to receptacles, e.g. heating plates, blocks using Peltier elements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2400/00—Moving or stopping fluids
- B01L2400/04—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means
- B01L2400/0475—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure
- B01L2400/0487—Moving fluids with specific forces or mechanical means specific mechanical means and fluid pressure fluid pressure, pneumatics
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L7/00—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices
- B01L7/52—Heating or cooling apparatus; Heat insulating devices with provision for submitting samples to a predetermined sequence of different temperatures, e.g. for treating nucleic acid samples
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a technology to analyze cell, microorganism, chromosome, nuclei acid, etc., in a specimen by utilizing a biochemical reaction. More specifically, the present invention relates to a biochemical reaction cartridge for use in the analysis and a biochemical treatment apparatus for effecting the biochemical reaction in the cartridge.
- analyzers for analyzing specimens uses an immunological procedure utilizing antigen-antibody reaction or a procedure utilizing nuclei acid hybridization.
- protein or single-stranded nucleic acid such as antibody or antigen, which specifically connects with a material or substance to be detected, is used as a probe and is fixed on a surface of solid phase, such as fine particles, beads or a glass plate, thus effecting antigen-antibody reaction or nuclei acid hybridization.
- an antigen-antibody compound or double-stranded nucleic acid is detected by a labeled antigen or labeled nucleic acid, which causes a specific interaction such that a labeled material having a high detection sensitivity, such as an enzyme, a fluorescent material or a luminescent material, is supported, thus effecting detection of presence or absence of the material to be detected or quantitative determination the detected material.
- a labeled material having a high detection sensitivity such as an enzyme, a fluorescent material or a luminescent material
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,934 has disclosed a so-called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) array wherein a large number of DNA probes having mutually different base sequences are arranged on a substrate in array form.
- Anal. Biochem., 270(1), pp. 103-111 (1999) has disclosed a process for preparing a protein-array, like the DNA array, such that various species of proteins are arranged on a membrane filter. By using these DNA and protein arrays and the like, it has become possible to effect a test on a large number of items at the same time.
- JP-A Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application
- Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) (Tokuhyo) Hei 11-509094 has disclosed a biochemical reaction cartridge, including DNA array, in which a plurality of chambers are disposed and a solution is moved by a differential pressure so as to permit a reaction such as extraction, amplification or hybridization of DNA in a specimen within the cartridge.
- JP-A Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application
- 5,690,763 has disclosed a constitution for reacting a three-dimensionally curved passage through sheet lamination
- U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,167,910 and 6,494,230 have disclosed structures of ⁇ -TAS (micro-total analysis system) wherein a passage is provided between a first layer and a second layer and between a second layer and a third layer, constituting a three-layer structure, and the respective passages are partially connected with each other.
- ⁇ -TAS micro-total analysis system
- a disposable cartridge containing a necessary solution is used from the viewpoints of prevention of secondary infection or contamination and usability but the cartridge containing a pump is expensive.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a disposable biochemical reaction cartridge having a structure capable of causing a sequence of a biochemical reaction to proceed by moving a solution under the action of an external pump without containing a pump and capable of preventing the solution from flowing out of the cartridge.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a biochemical treatment apparatus for effecting the biochemical reaction within the cartridge by using the biochemical reaction cartridge described above.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method o fusing a biochemical reaction cartridge capable of ensuring appropriate movement in such a manner that in a biochemical reaction cartridge for effecting movement of liquid therein, an optimum passage is selected and used properly with respect to movement of a reagent or a specimen only requiring injection into a subsequent chamber and movement of a reaction liquid requiring reciprocating motion.
- a biochemical reaction cartridge comprising:
- a second chamber for containing therein a reagent which contributes to a biochemical reaction
- the plurality of nozzle ports communicate with the first or second chamber, and fluid is present between the plurality of nozzle ports and the first or second chamber and is pressurized or depressurized by the plurality of nozzles to move the specimen and/or the reagent and/or the reaction liquid, thereby to effect a sequence of a biochemical reaction within the cartridge.
- a biochemical treatment apparatus comprising:
- a cartridge mounting portion for mounting a cartridge having a plurality of chambers containing a solution for biochemically treating a specimen
- control means for controlling a fluid pressure in the cartridge through the nozzle portions
- control means controls the fluid pressure so that the solution in the cartridge is moved only in the cartridge.
- a biochemical treatment process for effecting biochemical treatment in a cartridge having a plurality of chambers containing a solution for biochemically treating a specimen comprising:
- a biochemical reaction cartridge comprising:
- a bottom position of a first connecting portion for connecting the first chamber to the first passage is higher than a bottom position of a second connecting portion for connecting the first chamber to the second passage.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the biochemical reaction cartridge according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a plan view of the biochemical reaction cartridge.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a treatment apparatus for controlling movement of liquid and various reactions within the biochemical reaction cartridge.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a treatment procedure.
- FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of a chamber.
- FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another part of the chamber.
- FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another part of the chamber.
- FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of a chamber according to another embodiment.
- FIG. 1 is an external view of a biochemical reaction cartridge 1 in this embodiment.
- a specimen port 2 for injecting a specimen such as blood by a syringe (injector) or the like is disposed and sealed up with a rubber cap.
- a rubber cap is fixed on each of the nozzle ports 3 .
- the other side surface of the cartridge 1 has a similar structure.
- a body of the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 comprises transparent or semitransparent synthetic resin, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyester or polyvinyl chloride.
- PMMA polymethyl methacrylate
- ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer
- polystyrene polycarbonate
- polyester or polyvinyl chloride polyester or polyvinyl chloride
- FIG. 2 is a plan view of the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 .
- 10 nozzle ports 3 a to 3 j are provided and also on the other side surface thereof, 10 nozzle ports 3 k to 3 t are provided.
- the respective nozzle ports 3 a to 3 t communicate with chambers 5 , which are portions or sites for storing the solution or causing a reaction, through corresponding air passages 4 a to 4 t , respectively.
- the nozzle ports 3 n , 3 p , 3 q and 3 s are not used, these nozzle ports do not communicate with the chambers 5 and are used as reserve ports. More specifically, in this embodiment, the nozzle ports 3 a to 3 j communicate with the chambers 5 a to 5 j through the passages 4 a to 4 j , respectively.
- the nozzle ports 3 k , 3 l , 3 m , 3 o , 3 r and 3 t communicate with the chambers 5 k , 5 l , 5 m , 5 o , 5 r and 5 t through the passages 4 k , 4 l , 4 m , 4 o , 4 r and 4 t , respectively.
- the specimen port 2 communicates with a chamber 7 .
- the chambers 5 a , 5 b , 5 c and 5 k communicate with the chamber 7
- the chambers 5 g and 5 o communicate with a chamber 8
- the chambers 5 h , 5 i , 5 j , 5 r and 5 t communicate with a chamber 9 .
- the chamber 7 communicate with the chamber 8 via a passage 10
- the chamber 8 communicates with the chamber 9 via a passage 11 .
- the chambers 5 d , 5 e , 5 f , 5 l and 5 m communicate via passages 6 d , 6 e , 6 f , 6 l and 6 m , respectively.
- a square hole is provided.
- a DNA microarray 12 on which several tens to several hundreds of thousand of different species of DNA probes are arranged in high density on a surface of solid phase, such as a glass plate having a size of ca. square centimeter, with the probe surfaces up, is attached.
- the DNA probes are regularly arranged in a matrix form, and an address (position determined by the number of row and the number of column on the matrix) of each of the DNA probes is readily read as information.
- the genes to be tested includes, e.g., genetic polymorphism of each individual in addition to infections viruses, bacteria and disease-associated genes.
- a first hemolytic agent containing EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) for destructing cell wall and a second hemolytic agent containing a protein modifying agent such as a surfactant are stored, respectively.
- An eluent, comprising a buffer of low-concentration salt, for eluting DNA from the magnetic particles is stored in the chamber 5 d , a mixture liquid for PCR (polymeraze chain reaction) comprising a primer, polymerase, a dNTP (deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate), a buffer, Cy-3dUTP containing a fluorescent agent, etc., is stored in the chamber 5 g .
- a cleaning agent containing a surfactant for cleaning a fluorescence-labeled specimen DNA, which is not subjected to hybridization, and a fluorescence label is stored in the chamber 5 i .
- the chamber 5 e is a chamber in which dust other than DNA of blood accumulates
- the chamber 5 f is a chamber in which waste of the first and second extraction cleaning liquids in the chambers 5 l and 5 m accumulate
- the chamber 5 r is a chamber in which waste liquid of the first and second cleaning liquids accumulate
- the chambers 5 k , 5 o and 5 t are blank chambers provided for preventing the solution to flow into the nozzle ports.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the treatment apparatus for controlling movement of the solution within the biochemical reaction cartridge and various reactions.
- the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 is mounted on a table 13. Further, on the table 13, an electromagent 14 to be actuated at the time of extracting DNA or the like from the specimen in the cartridge 1 , a Peltier element 15 for effecting temperature control at the time of amplifying DNA from the specimen through a method such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and a Peltier element 16 for effecting temperature control at the time of performing hybridization between the amplified specimen DNA and the DNA probe on the DNA microarray within the cartridge 1 and at the time of cleaning or washing the specimen DNA which is not hybridized, are disposed and connected to a control unit 17 for controlling the entire treatment apparatus.
- PCR polymerase chain reaction
- an electric (motor-driven) syringe pumps 18 and 19 and pump blocks 22 and 23 each of which is a port for discharging or sucking in air by these pumps 18 and 19 and is provided with 10 pump nozzles 20 or 21 on its side surface, are disposed.
- a plurality of electric switching (selector) valves are disposed and connected to the control unit 17 together with the pumps 18 and 19 .
- the control unit 17 is connected to an input unit 24 to which inputting by a tester is performed.
- the control unit 17 controls the pump nozzles 20 and 21 so that each of the respective 10 pump nozzles is selectively opened and closed with respect to the electric syringe pumps 18 and 19 , respectively.
- the tester when the tester injects blood as a specimen into the cartridge 1 through the rubber cap of the specimen port 2 by a syringe or an injector, the blood flows into the chamber 7 . Thereafter, the tester places the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 on the table 13 and moves the pump blocks 22 and 23 i directions of arrows indicated in FIG. 3 by operating an unshown lever, whereby the pump nozzles 20 and 21 are injected into the cartridge 1 through the corresponding nozzle ports 3 at the both side surfaces of the cartridge 1 .
- the nozzle ports 3 a to 3 t are concentrated at two surfaces, i.e., both side surfaces, of the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 , so that it is possible to simplify shapes and arrangements of the electric syringe pumps 18 and 19 , the electric switching valves, the pump blocks 22 and 23 containing the pump nozzles, etc. Further, by effecting such a simple operation that the cartridge 1 is sandwiched between the pump blocks 22 and 23 at the same time while ensuring necessary chambers 5 and passages, it is possible to inject the pump nozzles 20 and 21 and simplify the structure of the pump blocks 22 and 23 .
- all the nozzle ports 3 a to 3 t are disposed at an identical level, i.e., are arranged linearly, whereby all the heights of the passages 4 a to 4 t connected to the nozzle ports 3 a to 3 t become equal to each other. As a result, preparation of the passages 4 a to 4 t becomes easy.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a treatment procedure in the treatment apparatus in this embodiment.
- a step S 1 the control unit 24 opens only the nozzle ports 3 a and 3 b , and air is discharged form the electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in the cartridge 1 from the electric syringe pump 19 , whereby the first hemolytic agent 1 is injected from the chamber 5 a into the chamber 7 containing blood.
- the solution can flow smoothly without causing splash or scattering thereof at its leading end although it depends on a viscosity of the hemolytic agent and a resistance of the passage.
- the solution can be caused to flow further smoothly by effecting such a control that a degree of suction of air is linearly increased from the initiation of air discharge from the pump 18 . This is true in the case of subsequent liquid movement.
- the air supply control can be readily realized by using the electric syringe pumps 18 and 19 . More specifically, after only the nozzle ports 3 a and 3 o are opened, discharge and suction of air are repeated alternately by the pumps 18 and 19 to cause repetitive flow and flowback of the solution of the chamber 7 in the passage 10 , thus stirring the solution. Alternatively, the solution can be stirred while continuously discharging air from the pump 19 to generate bubbles.
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 along a cross section intersecting the chambers 5 a , 7 and 5 k , and shows such a state that the nozzle port 3 a is pressurized by injecting therein the pump nozzle 20 and the nozzle port 3 k is reduced in pressure by injecting therein the pump nozzle 21 , whereby the first hemolytic agent in the chamber 5 a flows into the chamber 7 through the passage 6 a .
- FIG. 5 in order to clarify a height (level) relationship, a cross section of the passage 10 is also shown.
- a volume of the first hemolytic agent in the chamber 5 a is determined so that it ensures a requirement. Further, dimensions and positions of the chambers 5 a and 7 are determined so that the liquid level in the chamber 7 is lower than a height (vertical position) of a bottom surface 25 of a connecting portion between the passage 6 a and the chamber 7 when the first hemolytic agent flows into the chamber 7 .
- a step S 2 in a step S 2 , only the nozzle ports 3 b and 3 k are opened and the second hemolytic agent in the chamber 5 b is caused to flow into the chamber 7 in the same manner as in the case of the first hemolytic agent. Similarly, in a step 53 , the magnetic particles in the chamber 5 c are caused to flow into the chamber 7 .
- stirring is performed in the same manner as in the step S 1 .
- step S 3 DNA resulting from dissolution of cells in the steps S 1 and S 2 attaches to the magnetic particles.
- Cross sectional shapes of the chambers 5 b and 5 c and the passages 6 b and 6 c are the same as those of the chamber 5 a and the passage 6 a . Volumes of the second hemolytic agent and the magnetic particle solution are determined so that they ensure their requirements. Further, dimensions and positions of the chambers 5 b , 5 c and 7 are determined, similarly as in the step S 1 , so that the liquid level in the chamber 7 is lower than height of bottom surfaces of connecting portions between the passages 6 b and 6 c and the chamber 7 .
- the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 is prepared through ultrasonic fusion bonding of three injection molded parts 1 A, 1 B and 1 C defined by chain double-dashed lines indicated in FIG. 5.
- the passages 6 a , 6 b and 6 c are identical in height (vertical position) to each other. Accordingly, the associated connection portions are also at the same height.
- the chambers having the same height as the chambers 5 a , 5 b and 5 c are the chamber 5 k shown in FIG. 1 and the chambers 5 g and 5 o shown in FIG. 2.
- the reagent is caused to flow from a higher position than the chamber to be moved, so that it is possible to smoothly move reliably the entire amount of the reagent stored in the storage chamber with less resistance. Further, there is such a case that avoidance of generation of bubbles is desired with respect to some reagents. In such case, when the movement of the reagent is performed as described above, the entire amount of the solution can be moved with a simple structure while avoiding the generation of bubbles without monitoring completion of movement of the solution.
- an electromagnet 14 is turned on and only the nozzle ports 3 e and 3 k are opened. Then, air is discharged from the electric syringe pump 19 and sucked in form the pump 18 to move the solution from the chamber 7 to the chamber 5 e . At the time of movement, the magnetic particles and DNA are trapped in the passage 10 on the electromagnet 14 . The suction and discharge by the pumps 18 and 19 are alternately repeated to reciprocate the solution two times between the chambers 7 and 5 e , whereby a trapping efficiency of DNA is improved. The trapping efficiency can be further improved by increasing the number of reciprocation. In this case, however, it takes a longer treating time by that much.
- DNA is trapped in a flowing state on such a small passage having a width of about 1-2 mm and a height of about 0.2-1 mm by utilizing the magnetic particles, so that DNA can be trapped with high efficiency. This is also true for RNA and protein.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 along a cross section intersecting the chambers 5 e , 7 and 5 k , and shows a height relationship between the chambers 5 e and 7 and the passage 6 e .
- the passage 6 e connects the bottom portions of the chambers 5 e and 7 , so that the movement direction of the solution is changed to an opposite direction when the suction by the pump 18 and the discharge by the pump 19 are inverted. As a result, when the suction and the discharge is alternately repeated, it is possible to reciprocate the solution any number of times between the chambers 7 and 5 e.
- a step S 5 the electromagnet 14 is turned off, and only the nozzle ports 3 f and 3 l are opened. Thereafter, air is discharged from the electric syringe pump 19 and sucked in from the pump 18 to move the first extraction cleaning liquid from the chamber 5 l to the chamber 5 f . At this time, the magnetic particles and DNA trapped in the step S 4 are moved together with the extraction cleaning liquid, whereby cleaning is performed.
- the electromagnet 14 is turned on, and the reciprocation of two times is similarly performed to recover the magnetic particles and DNA in the passage 10 on the electromagnet 14 and return the solution to the chamber 5 l.
- a step S 6 cleaning is further performed in the same manner as in the step S 5 by using the second extraction cleaning liquid in the chamber 5 m in combination with the nozzle ports 3 f and 3 m.
- a step 7 only the nozzle ports 3 d and 3 o are opened while the electromagnet 14 is kept on, and air is discharged from the pump 18 and sucked in from the pump 19 , whereby the eluent in the chamber 5 d is moved to the chamber 8 .
- the magnetic particles and DNA are separated by the action of the eluent, so that only the DNA is moved together with the eluent to the chamber 8 , and the magnetic particles remain in the passage 10 .
- extraction and purification of the DNA are performed.
- the chamber containing the extraction cleaning liquid and the chamber containing waste liquid after the cleaning are separately provided, so that it becomes possible to effect extraction and purification of the DNA in the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 .
- a step S 8 only the nozzle ports 3 g and 3 o are opened, and air is discharged from the electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from the pump 19 to cause the PCR agent in the chamber 5 g to flow into the chamber 8 . Further, only the nozzle ports 3 g and 3 t are opened, and air discharge and suction by the pumps 18 and 19 are repeated alternately to cause the solution in the chamber 8 to flow. Thereafter, the returning operation is repeated to effect stirring. Then, the Peltier element 15 is controlled to retain the solution in the chamber 8 at 96° C. for 10 min. Thereafter, a cycle of heating at 96° C./10 sec, 55° C./10 sec, and 72° C./1 min. is repeated 30 times, thus subjecting the eluted DNA to PCR to amplify the DNA.
- a step S 9 only the nozzle ports 3 g and 3 t are opened, and air is discharged from the electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from the pump 19 to move the solution in the chamber 8 to the chamber 9 . Further, by controlling the Peltier element 16 , the solution in the chamber 9 is kept at 45° C. for 2 hours to effect hybridization. At this time, discharge and suction of air by the pumps 18 and 19 are repeated alternately to move the solution in the chamber 9 to he passage 6 t . Thereafter, the hybridization proceeds while effecting stirring by repeating the returning operation.
- a step S 10 while keeping the temperature at 45° C., only the nozzle ports 3 h and 3 r are opened, and air is discharged from the electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from the pump 19 to cause the first cleaning liquid in the chamber 5 h to flow into the chamber 5 r through the chamber 9 while moving the solution in the chamber 9 to the chamber 5 r .
- the suction and discharge by the pumps 18 and 19 are repeated alternately to reciprocate the solution two times between the chambers 5 h , 9 and 5 r and finally return the solution to the chamber 5 h .
- the fluorescence-labeled specimen DNA and the fluorescence label which are not hybridized are cleaned.
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 along a cross section intersecting the chambers 5 h , 9 and 5 r .
- the cartridge 1 is pressurized by injecting the pump nozzle 20 into the nozzle port 3 h and is reduced in pressure by injecting the pump nozzle 21 into the nozzle port 3 r .
- FIG. 7 illustrates such a state that the first cleaning liquid is caused to flow into the chamber 5 r through the chamber 9 .
- a step S 11 while keeping the temperature at 45° C., the cleaning is further effected in the same manner as in the step S 10 by using the second cleaning liquid in the chamber 5 j in combination with the nozzle ports 3 j and 3 r , and the solution is finally returned to the chamber 5 j .
- the chambers 5 h and 5 j containing the cleaning liquids and the chamber 5 r containing waste liquid after the cleaning are separately provided, so that it becomes possible to effect extraction and purification of the DNA microarray 12 in the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 .
- a step 12 only the nozzle ports 3 i and 3 r are opened, and air is discharged from the electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from the pump 19 to move alcohol in the chamber 5 i to the chamber 5 r through the chamber 9 . Thereafter, only the nozzle port 3 i and 3 t are opened, and air is discharged from the pump 18 and sucked in from the pump 19 to dry the chamber 9 .
- the tester When the tester operates a lever (not shown), the pump blocks 22 and 23 are moved away from the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 . As a result, the pump nozzles 20 and 21 are removed from the nozzle ports 3 of the cartridge 1 . Then, the tester mounts the cartridge 1 in a reader for DNA array, such a known scanner to effect measurement and analysis.
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a biochemical reaction cartridge 1 of this embodiment, and illustrates a cross section intersecting the chambers 5 a , 7 and 5 k shown in FIG. 2 of Embodiment 1. Further, FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 in Embodiment 1 are also applicable to this embodiment.
- the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 is pressurized by injecting the pump nozzle 20 into the nozzle port 3 a and reduced in pressure by injecting the pump nozzle 21 into the nozzle port 3 k .
- FIG. 8 illustrates such a state that a first hemolytic agent in the chamber 5 a is caused to flow into the chamber 7 containing blood through the passage 6 a .
- a cross section of the passage is also indicated.
- the passage connecting the chambers 5 a and 7 extends in not only a horizontal direction but also a vertical direction, so that a (vertical) height of a bottom surface 25 of the connection portion between the passage 6 a and the chamber 7 is increased, i.e., a permissible liquid level is increased.
- a mount of a solution to be contained in the chamber 7 is made larger. If it is not necessary to increase the solution amount, the height of the biochemical reaction cartridge 1 can be decreased.
- the vertical portion of the passage 6 a is required in this embodiment.
- it can be provided by using two injection molded parts A and B defined a chain double-dashed line shown in FIG. 8.
- the passage 6 a may be tilted to have an oblique surface.
- the movement from the storage chamber is performed with respect to the reagent but may also be performed with respect to liquid specimen or cleaning liquid.
- the movement of liquid is performed by utilizing pressure application and reduction of air but may also be performed in other manners such that the cartridge 1 is opened at one side surface and only pressurized or reduced in pressure at the other side surface, that a pump which directly moves a solution to be moved is used, and that electrical movement or movement by utilizing a magnetic force is adopted.
- a predetermined amount of the solution is stored in the storage chamber and all the amount of the solution is moved but, the amount of the moving solution may also be controlled by a liquid amount sensor or a flow rate sensor.
- the biochemical reaction cartridge according to the present invention moves the solution only therein by an external pump without incorporating a pump to cause an necessary reaction to proceed, so that it becomes possible to provide a disposable cartridge which does not cause outflow of the solution therefrom with an inexpensive structure. As a result, possibilities of secondary infection and contamination are eliminated. Further, the cartridge incorporates therein the necessary solution, so that it is not necessary to prepare a reagent and cleaning liquids. As a result, it becomes possible to realize elimination of labor and prevent an error in selection of the reagent.
- air pressure within the cartridge is controlled by the (external) pump on the treatment apparatus side to move the solution only within the cartridge, thus causing a necessary biochemical reaction. Accordingly, it becomes possible to effect the biochemical reaction within the cartridge by using the inexpensive biochemical reaction cartridge.
- the biochemical reaction cartridge according to the present invention can effect movement with reliability and simple structure by properly using an optimum passage with respect to both of movement, for a reagent or specimen, which can be performed only by causing the reagent or specimen to flow into a subsequent chamber, and movement of a reaction liquid requiring reciprocating motion. Further, such an effect that it is possible to move most efficiently a liquid, such as a reagent or an liquid specimen, to a subsequent chamber without causing generation of bubbles, can be attained.
Abstract
A biochemical reaction cartridge includes an injection port for injecting a specimen, a chamber for containing therein the specimen, a chamber for containing a regand for treating the specimen, nozzle ports for applying or reducing pressure by using fluid. In the cartridge, the specimen is subjected to a sequence of a biochemical reaction by controlling the fluid. The cartridge is mounted in a biochemical reaction apparatus.
Description
- The present invention relates to a technology to analyze cell, microorganism, chromosome, nuclei acid, etc., in a specimen by utilizing a biochemical reaction. More specifically, the present invention relates to a biochemical reaction cartridge for use in the analysis and a biochemical treatment apparatus for effecting the biochemical reaction in the cartridge.
- Most of analyzers for analyzing specimens such as blood uses an immunological procedure utilizing antigen-antibody reaction or a procedure utilizing nuclei acid hybridization. For example, protein or single-stranded nucleic acid, such as antibody or antigen, which specifically connects with a material or substance to be detected, is used as a probe and is fixed on a surface of solid phase, such as fine particles, beads or a glass plate, thus effecting antigen-antibody reaction or nuclei acid hybridization. Then, for example, an antigen-antibody compound or double-stranded nucleic acid is detected by a labeled antigen or labeled nucleic acid, which causes a specific interaction such that a labeled material having a high detection sensitivity, such as an enzyme, a fluorescent material or a luminescent material, is supported, thus effecting detection of presence or absence of the material to be detected or quantitative determination the detected material.
- As an extension of these technologies, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,934 has disclosed a so-called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) array wherein a large number of DNA probes having mutually different base sequences are arranged on a substrate in array form.
- Further, Anal. Biochem., 270(1), pp. 103-111 (1999) has disclosed a process for preparing a protein-array, like the DNA array, such that various species of proteins are arranged on a membrane filter. By using these DNA and protein arrays and the like, it has become possible to effect a test on a large number of items at the same time.
- Further, in various methods of specimen analysis, in order to realize alleviation of contamination by specimen, promotion of reaction efficiency, reduction in apparatus size, and facilitation of operation, there have been also proposed disposable biochemical reaction cartridges in which a necessary reaction is performed in the cartridge. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) (Tokuhyo) Hei 11-509094 has disclosed a biochemical reaction cartridge, including DNA array, in which a plurality of chambers are disposed and a solution is moved by a differential pressure so as to permit a reaction such as extraction, amplification or hybridization of DNA in a specimen within the cartridge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,763 has disclosed a constitution for reacting a three-dimensionally curved passage through sheet lamination, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,167,910 and 6,494,230 have disclosed structures of μ-TAS (micro-total analysis system) wherein a passage is provided between a first layer and a second layer and between a second layer and a third layer, constituting a three-layer structure, and the respective passages are partially connected with each other.
- As a method for externally injecting a solution into the inside of such biochemical reaction cartridges, it is possible to utilize an external syringe or vacuum pump. Further, a a method for moving the solution within the biochemical reaction cartridges, those utilizing gravity, capillarity, and electrophoresis are known. Further, as a compact micropump which can be provided inside of the biochemical reaction cartridge, Japanese Patent No. 2832117 has disclosed one utilizing a heat generating element, JP-A (Tokkai) 2000-274375 has disclosed one utilizing a piezoelectric element, and JP-A (Tokuhyo) Hei 11-5-9094 has disclosed a diaphragm pump.
- As described above, it is preferable that a disposable cartridge containing a necessary solution is used from the viewpoints of prevention of secondary infection or contamination and usability but the cartridge containing a pump is expensive.
- Further, in the conventional biochemical reaction cartridges, such as μ-TAS, there is no disclosure as to how to use properly a manner of movement of liquid performed by only injecting, e.g., a regand, liquid or a specimen in one direction and a manner of movement of reaction liquid required for reciprocating motion. Particularly, the former movement is accompanied with such a problem that when the whole quantity of liquid is moved, bubbles are generated after completion of the movement, and thus the whole quantity of liquid cannot be moved completely in the case of preventing the generation of bubbles.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a disposable biochemical reaction cartridge having a structure capable of causing a sequence of a biochemical reaction to proceed by moving a solution under the action of an external pump without containing a pump and capable of preventing the solution from flowing out of the cartridge.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a biochemical treatment apparatus for effecting the biochemical reaction within the cartridge by using the biochemical reaction cartridge described above.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a method o fusing a biochemical reaction cartridge capable of ensuring appropriate movement in such a manner that in a biochemical reaction cartridge for effecting movement of liquid therein, an optimum passage is selected and used properly with respect to movement of a reagent or a specimen only requiring injection into a subsequent chamber and movement of a reaction liquid requiring reciprocating motion.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a biochemical reaction cartridge, comprising:
- an injection port for injecting a specimen therefrom,
- a first chamber for containing the specimen therein,
- a second chamber for containing therein a reagent which contributes to a biochemical reaction,
- a passage for passing therethrough the specimen and/or the reagent and/or a reaction liquid, and
- a plurality of nozzle ports for receiving therethrough a plurality of nozzles for applying or reducing pressure,
- wherein the plurality of nozzle ports communicate with the first or second chamber, and fluid is present between the plurality of nozzle ports and the first or second chamber and is pressurized or depressurized by the plurality of nozzles to move the specimen and/or the reagent and/or the reaction liquid, thereby to effect a sequence of a biochemical reaction within the cartridge.
- According to the present invention, there is also provided a biochemical treatment apparatus, comprising:
- a cartridge mounting portion for mounting a cartridge having a plurality of chambers containing a solution for biochemically treating a specimen,
- a plurality of nozzle portions each connected to an associated passage communicating with an associated chamber of the chambers of the cartridge, and
- control means for controlling a fluid pressure in the cartridge through the nozzle portions,
- wherein the control means controls the fluid pressure so that the solution in the cartridge is moved only in the cartridge.
- According to the present invention, there is further provided a biochemical treatment process for effecting biochemical treatment in a cartridge having a plurality of chambers containing a solution for biochemically treating a specimen, the process comprising:
- a step of connecting each of nozzles to an associated port of passage communicating with an associated chamber of the cartridge, and
- a step of injecting fluid into the cartridge to move the liquid in the cartridge.
- According to the present invention, there is still further provided a biochemical reaction cartridge, comprising:
- a storage chamber for accumulating a liquid,
- a first chamber,
- a first passage for connecting the storage chamber to the first chamber to move the liquid in the storage chamber to the first chamber,
- a second chamber, and
- a second passage for connecting the first chamber to the second chamber to move the liquid in the first chamber to the second chamber,
- wherein a bottom position of a first connecting portion for connecting the first chamber to the first passage is higher than a bottom position of a second connecting portion for connecting the first chamber to the second passage.
- These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the biochemical reaction cartridge according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a plan view of the biochemical reaction cartridge.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a treatment apparatus for controlling movement of liquid and various reactions within the biochemical reaction cartridge.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a treatment procedure.
- FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of a chamber.
- FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another part of the chamber.
- FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of another part of the chamber.
- FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of a chamber according to another embodiment.
- Hereinbelow, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings.
- (Embodiment 1)
- FIG. 1 is an external view of a
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, on thecartridge 1, aspecimen port 2 for injecting a specimen such as blood by a syringe (injector) or the like is disposed and sealed up with a rubber cap. On a side surface of thecartridge 1, a plurality ofnozzle ports 3 into which nozzles are injected to apply or reduce pressure in order to move a solution in thecartridge 1. A rubber cap is fixed on each of thenozzle ports 3. The other side surface of thecartridge 1 has a similar structure. - A body of the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 comprises transparent or semitransparent synthetic resin, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymer, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyester or polyvinyl chloride. In the case where an optical measurement is not required, the material for the body of thecartridge 1 is not required to be transparent. - FIG. 2 is a plan view of the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1. Referring to FIG. 2, on one side surface of thecartridge nozzle ports 3 a to 3 j are provided and also on the other side surface thereof, 10nozzle ports 3 k to 3 t are provided. Therespective nozzle ports 3 a to 3 t communicate with chambers 5, which are portions or sites for storing the solution or causing a reaction, through correspondingair passages 4 a to 4 t, respectively. - In this embodiment, however, the
nozzle ports nozzle ports 3 a to 3 j communicate with thechambers 5 a to 5 j through thepassages 4 a to 4 j, respectively. On the other side surface, thenozzle ports chambers passages - The
specimen port 2 communicates with achamber 7. Thechambers chamber 7, thechambers 5 g and 5 o communicate with achamber 8, and thechambers chamber 9. Further, thechamber 7 communicate with thechamber 8 via apassage 10, and thechamber 8 communicates with thechamber 9 via apassage 11. With thepassage 10, thechambers passages chamber 9, a square hole is provided. To the square hole, aDNA microarray 12, on which several tens to several hundreds of thousand of different species of DNA probes are arranged in high density on a surface of solid phase, such as a glass plate having a size of ca. square centimeter, with the probe surfaces up, is attached. - It is possible to test a large number of genes at the same time by effecting a hybridization reaction with the use of the
microarray 12. - The DNA probes are regularly arranged in a matrix form, and an address (position determined by the number of row and the number of column on the matrix) of each of the DNA probes is readily read as information. The genes to be tested includes, e.g., genetic polymorphism of each individual in addition to infections viruses, bacteria and disease-associated genes.
- In the
chambers - In the
chamber 5 c, particles of magnetic material coated with silica by which DNA is adsorbed are stored. In thechambers 5 l and 5 m, a first extraction cleaning liquid and a second extraction cleaning liquid which are used for purifying DNA at the time of extraction of DNA are stored, respectively. - An eluent, comprising a buffer of low-concentration salt, for eluting DNA from the magnetic particles is stored in the chamber5 d, a mixture liquid for PCR (polymeraze chain reaction) comprising a primer, polymerase, a dNTP (deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate), a buffer, Cy-3dUTP containing a fluorescent agent, etc., is stored in the
chamber 5 g. In thechambers chamber 5 i, alcohol for drying the inside of thechamber 9 including theDNA microarray 12 is stored. - The
chamber 5 e is a chamber in which dust other than DNA of blood accumulates, thechamber 5 f is a chamber in which waste of the first and second extraction cleaning liquids in thechambers 5 l and 5 m accumulate, thechamber 5 r is a chamber in which waste liquid of the first and second cleaning liquids accumulate, and thechambers - When the liquid specimen such a blood is injected into the biochemical reaction cartridge described above and the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 is set in a treatment apparatus described later, extraction and amplification of DNA or the like are performed within thecartridge 1. Further, hybridization between the amplified specimen DNA and DNA probes on the DNA microarray disposed in the cartridge and cleaning of the fluorescence-labeled specimen DNA, which is not hybridized, and the fluorescence label are performed. - FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the treatment apparatus for controlling movement of the solution within the biochemical reaction cartridge and various reactions.
- On a table 13, the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 is mounted. Further, on the table 13, anelectromagent 14 to be actuated at the time of extracting DNA or the like from the specimen in thecartridge 1, aPeltier element 15 for effecting temperature control at the time of amplifying DNA from the specimen through a method such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and aPeltier element 16 for effecting temperature control at the time of performing hybridization between the amplified specimen DNA and the DNA probe on the DNA microarray within thecartridge 1 and at the time of cleaning or washing the specimen DNA which is not hybridized, are disposed and connected to acontrol unit 17 for controlling the entire treatment apparatus. - At both side surfaces of the table 13, an electric (motor-driven) syringe pumps18 and 19 and pump blocks 22 and 23 each of which is a port for discharging or sucking in air by these
pumps pump nozzles pump nozzles control unit 17 together with thepumps control unit 17 is connected to aninput unit 24 to which inputting by a tester is performed. Thecontrol unit 17 controls thepump nozzles - In this embodiment, when the tester injects blood as a specimen into the
cartridge 1 through the rubber cap of thespecimen port 2 by a syringe or an injector, the blood flows into thechamber 7. Thereafter, the tester places thebiochemical reaction cartridge 1 on the table 13 and moves the pump blocks 22 and 23 i directions of arrows indicated in FIG. 3 by operating an unshown lever, whereby thepump nozzles cartridge 1 through the correspondingnozzle ports 3 at the both side surfaces of thecartridge 1. - Further, the
nozzle ports 3 a to 3 t are concentrated at two surfaces, i.e., both side surfaces, of thebiochemical reaction cartridge 1, so that it is possible to simplify shapes and arrangements of the electric syringe pumps 18 and 19, the electric switching valves, the pump blocks 22 and 23 containing the pump nozzles, etc. Further, by effecting such a simple operation that thecartridge 1 is sandwiched between the pump blocks 22 and 23 at the same time while ensuring necessary chambers 5 and passages, it is possible to inject thepump nozzles nozzle ports 3 a to 3 t are disposed at an identical level, i.e., are arranged linearly, whereby all the heights of thepassages 4 a to 4 t connected to thenozzle ports 3 a to 3 t become equal to each other. As a result, preparation of thepassages 4 a to 4 t becomes easy. - Further, in the treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 3, in the case where the length of the pump blocks22 and 23 is increased n times the original length with respect to n
biochemical reaction cartridges 1, when then cartridge 1 are arranged in series, it is possible to perform a necessary step to all then cartridges 1 at the same time. As a result, a biochemical reaction can be performed in the large number of biochemical reaction cartridges with a very simple apparatus structure. - Treatment starts when the tester inputs a command of procedure entry at the
input unit 24. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a treatment procedure in the treatment apparatus in this embodiment. - Referring to FIG. 4, in a step S1, the
control unit 24 opens only thenozzle ports electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in thecartridge 1 from theelectric syringe pump 19, whereby the firsthemolytic agent 1 is injected from thechamber 5 a into thechamber 7 containing blood. At this time, by controlling suction of air from thepump 19 so as to start 10-20 msec after initiation of air discharge from thepump 18, the solution can flow smoothly without causing splash or scattering thereof at its leading end although it depends on a viscosity of the hemolytic agent and a resistance of the passage. - As described above, by shifting timing of supply and suction of air so as to control a manner of pressure application and pressure reduction, it is possible to cause the solution to flow smoothly. In a preferred embodiment, the solution can be caused to flow further smoothly by effecting such a control that a degree of suction of air is linearly increased from the initiation of air discharge from the
pump 18. This is true in the case of subsequent liquid movement. - The air supply control can be readily realized by using the electric syringe pumps18 and 19. More specifically, after only the
nozzle ports 3 a and 3 o are opened, discharge and suction of air are repeated alternately by thepumps chamber 7 in thepassage 10, thus stirring the solution. Alternatively, the solution can be stirred while continuously discharging air from thepump 19 to generate bubbles. - FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 along a cross section intersecting thechambers nozzle port 3 a is pressurized by injecting therein thepump nozzle 20 and thenozzle port 3 k is reduced in pressure by injecting therein thepump nozzle 21, whereby the first hemolytic agent in thechamber 5 a flows into thechamber 7 through thepassage 6 a. In FIG. 5, in order to clarify a height (level) relationship, a cross section of thepassage 10 is also shown. - A volume of the first hemolytic agent in the
chamber 5 a is determined so that it ensures a requirement. Further, dimensions and positions of thechambers chamber 7 is lower than a height (vertical position) of abottom surface 25 of a connecting portion between thepassage 6 a and thechamber 7 when the first hemolytic agent flows into thechamber 7. - Referring again to FIG. 4, in a step S2, only the
nozzle ports chamber 5 b is caused to flow into thechamber 7 in the same manner as in the case of the first hemolytic agent. Similarly, in a step 53, the magnetic particles in thechamber 5 c are caused to flow into thechamber 7. In the steps S2 and S3, stirring is performed in the same manner as in the step S1. In the step S3, DNA resulting from dissolution of cells in the steps S1 and S2 attaches to the magnetic particles. - Cross sectional shapes of the
chambers passages chamber 5 a and thepassage 6 a. Volumes of the second hemolytic agent and the magnetic particle solution are determined so that they ensure their requirements. Further, dimensions and positions of thechambers chamber 7 is lower than height of bottom surfaces of connecting portions between thepassages chamber 7. - Incidentally, in this embodiment, the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 is prepared through ultrasonic fusion bonding of three injection moldedparts passages chambers chamber 5 k shown in FIG. 1 and thechambers 5 g and 5 o shown in FIG. 2. - By doing so, the reagent is caused to flow from a higher position than the chamber to be moved, so that it is possible to smoothly move reliably the entire amount of the reagent stored in the storage chamber with less resistance. Further, there is such a case that avoidance of generation of bubbles is desired with respect to some reagents. In such case, when the movement of the reagent is performed as described above, the entire amount of the solution can be moved with a simple structure while avoiding the generation of bubbles without monitoring completion of movement of the solution.
- Thereafter, in a step S4, an
electromagnet 14 is turned on and only thenozzle ports electric syringe pump 19 and sucked in form thepump 18 to move the solution from thechamber 7 to thechamber 5 e. At the time of movement, the magnetic particles and DNA are trapped in thepassage 10 on theelectromagnet 14. The suction and discharge by thepumps chambers - As described above, DNA is trapped in a flowing state on such a small passage having a width of about 1-2 mm and a height of about 0.2-1 mm by utilizing the magnetic particles, so that DNA can be trapped with high efficiency. This is also true for RNA and protein.
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the
cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 along a cross section intersecting thechambers chambers passage 6 e. Thepassage 6 e connects the bottom portions of thechambers pump 18 and the discharge by thepump 19 are inverted. As a result, when the suction and the discharge is alternately repeated, it is possible to reciprocate the solution any number of times between thechambers - Then, in a step S5, the
electromagnet 14 is turned off, and only thenozzle ports 3 f and 3 l are opened. Thereafter, air is discharged from theelectric syringe pump 19 and sucked in from thepump 18 to move the first extraction cleaning liquid from the chamber 5 l to thechamber 5 f. At this time, the magnetic particles and DNA trapped in the step S4 are moved together with the extraction cleaning liquid, whereby cleaning is performed. After the reciprocation of two times is performed in the same manner as in the step S4, theelectromagnet 14 is turned on, and the reciprocation of two times is similarly performed to recover the magnetic particles and DNA in thepassage 10 on theelectromagnet 14 and return the solution to the chamber 5 l. - In a step S6, cleaning is further performed in the same manner as in the step S5 by using the second extraction cleaning liquid in the
chamber 5 m in combination with thenozzle ports - In a
step 7, only thenozzle ports 3 d and 3 o are opened while theelectromagnet 14 is kept on, and air is discharged from thepump 18 and sucked in from thepump 19, whereby the eluent in the chamber 5 d is moved to thechamber 8. - At this time, the magnetic particles and DNA are separated by the action of the eluent, so that only the DNA is moved together with the eluent to the
chamber 8, and the magnetic particles remain in thepassage 10. Thus, extraction and purification of the DNA are performed. As described above, the chamber containing the extraction cleaning liquid and the chamber containing waste liquid after the cleaning are separately provided, so that it becomes possible to effect extraction and purification of the DNA in thebiochemical reaction cartridge 1. - Next, in a step S8, only the
nozzle ports 3 g and 3 o are opened, and air is discharged from theelectric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from thepump 19 to cause the PCR agent in thechamber 5 g to flow into thechamber 8. Further, only thenozzle ports pumps chamber 8 to flow. Thereafter, the returning operation is repeated to effect stirring. Then, thePeltier element 15 is controlled to retain the solution in thechamber 8 at 96° C. for 10 min. Thereafter, a cycle of heating at 96° C./10 sec, 55° C./10 sec, and 72° C./1 min. is repeated 30 times, thus subjecting the eluted DNA to PCR to amplify the DNA. - In a step S9, only the
nozzle ports electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from thepump 19 to move the solution in thechamber 8 to thechamber 9. Further, by controlling thePeltier element 16, the solution in thechamber 9 is kept at 45° C. for 2 hours to effect hybridization. At this time, discharge and suction of air by thepumps chamber 9 to hepassage 6 t. Thereafter, the hybridization proceeds while effecting stirring by repeating the returning operation. - In a step S10, while keeping the temperature at 45° C., only the
nozzle ports electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from thepump 19 to cause the first cleaning liquid in thechamber 5 h to flow into thechamber 5 r through thechamber 9 while moving the solution in thechamber 9 to thechamber 5 r. The suction and discharge by thepumps chambers chamber 5 h. Thus, the fluorescence-labeled specimen DNA and the fluorescence label which are not hybridized are cleaned. - FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 shown in FIG. 2 along a cross section intersecting thechambers cartridge 1 is pressurized by injecting thepump nozzle 20 into thenozzle port 3 h and is reduced in pressure by injecting thepump nozzle 21 into thenozzle port 3 r. FIG. 7 illustrates such a state that the first cleaning liquid is caused to flow into thechamber 5 r through thechamber 9. - Referring again to FIG. 4, in a step S11, while keeping the temperature at 45° C., the cleaning is further effected in the same manner as in the step S10 by using the second cleaning liquid in the
chamber 5 j in combination with thenozzle ports chamber 5 j. As described above, thechambers chamber 5 r containing waste liquid after the cleaning are separately provided, so that it becomes possible to effect extraction and purification of theDNA microarray 12 in thebiochemical reaction cartridge 1. - In a
step 12, only thenozzle ports electric syringe pump 18 and sucked in from thepump 19 to move alcohol in thechamber 5 i to thechamber 5 r through thechamber 9. Thereafter, only thenozzle port pump 18 and sucked in from thepump 19 to dry thechamber 9. - When the tester operates a lever (not shown), the pump blocks22 and 23 are moved away from the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1. As a result, thepump nozzles nozzle ports 3 of thecartridge 1. Then, the tester mounts thecartridge 1 in a reader for DNA array, such a known scanner to effect measurement and analysis. - (Embodiment 2)
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 of this embodiment, and illustrates a cross section intersecting thechambers Embodiment 1. Further, FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 inEmbodiment 1 are also applicable to this embodiment. - The
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 is pressurized by injecting thepump nozzle 20 into thenozzle port 3 a and reduced in pressure by injecting thepump nozzle 21 into thenozzle port 3 k. FIG. 8 illustrates such a state that a first hemolytic agent in thechamber 5 a is caused to flow into thechamber 7 containing blood through thepassage 6 a. In order to clarify a height relationship, a cross section of the passage is also indicated. - In this embodiment, the passage connecting the
chambers bottom surface 25 of the connection portion between thepassage 6 a and thechamber 7 is increased, i.e., a permissible liquid level is increased. As a result, a mount of a solution to be contained in thechamber 7 is made larger. If it is not necessary to increase the solution amount, the height of thebiochemical reaction cartridge 1 can be decreased. - Further, in the case of preparing the
biochemical reaction cartridge 1 through the injection molding, the vertical portion of thepassage 6 a is required in this embodiment. However, it can be provided by using two injection molded parts A and B defined a chain double-dashed line shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, it is also possible to bond two sheet parts to each other. In this case, thepassage 6 a may be tilted to have an oblique surface. - In the above embodiments (Embodiments 1 and 2), the movement from the storage chamber is performed with respect to the reagent but may also be performed with respect to liquid specimen or cleaning liquid. Further, in the above embodiments, the movement of liquid is performed by utilizing pressure application and reduction of air but may also be performed in other manners such that the
cartridge 1 is opened at one side surface and only pressurized or reduced in pressure at the other side surface, that a pump which directly moves a solution to be moved is used, and that electrical movement or movement by utilizing a magnetic force is adopted. Further, in the above embodiments, a predetermined amount of the solution is stored in the storage chamber and all the amount of the solution is moved but, the amount of the moving solution may also be controlled by a liquid amount sensor or a flow rate sensor. - As described hereinabove, the biochemical reaction cartridge according to the present invention moves the solution only therein by an external pump without incorporating a pump to cause an necessary reaction to proceed, so that it becomes possible to provide a disposable cartridge which does not cause outflow of the solution therefrom with an inexpensive structure. As a result, possibilities of secondary infection and contamination are eliminated. Further, the cartridge incorporates therein the necessary solution, so that it is not necessary to prepare a reagent and cleaning liquids. As a result, it becomes possible to realize elimination of labor and prevent an error in selection of the reagent.
- Further, according to the present invention, air pressure within the cartridge is controlled by the (external) pump on the treatment apparatus side to move the solution only within the cartridge, thus causing a necessary biochemical reaction. Accordingly, it becomes possible to effect the biochemical reaction within the cartridge by using the inexpensive biochemical reaction cartridge.
- Further, the biochemical reaction cartridge according to the present invention can effect movement with reliability and simple structure by properly using an optimum passage with respect to both of movement, for a reagent or specimen, which can be performed only by causing the reagent or specimen to flow into a subsequent chamber, and movement of a reaction liquid requiring reciprocating motion. Further, such an effect that it is possible to move most efficiently a liquid, such as a reagent or an liquid specimen, to a subsequent chamber without causing generation of bubbles, can be attained.
- While the invention has been described with reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not confined to the details set forth and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the purposes of the improvements or the scope of the following claims.
Claims (19)
1. A biochemical reaction cartridge, comprising:
an injection port for injecting a specimen therefrom,
a first chamber for containing the specimen therein,
a second chamber for containing therein a reagent which contributes to a biochemical reaction,
a passage for passing therethrough the specimen and/or the reagent and/or a reaction liquid, and
a plurality of nozzle ports for receiving a plurality of nozzles for applying or reducing pressure,
wherein said plurality of nozzle ports communicate with said first or second chamber, and fluid is present between said plurality of nozzle ports and said first or second chamber and is pressurized or depressurized by said plurality of nozzles to move the specimen and/or the reagent and/or the reaction liquid, thereby to effect a sequence of a biochemical reaction within the cartridge.
2. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of nozzle ports are divided into two portions, which are disposed on two surfaces of the cartridge.
3. A cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said plurality of nozzle ports are disposed linearly.
4. A cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the cartridge is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the two surfaces are lateral surfaces, opposite from each other, of the parallelepiped.
5. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein said particles of a magnetic material to which a target material comprising DNA, RNA or protein is adsorbed, are used as a species of the reagent, and are trapped during movement thereof by exerting a magnetic force of a magnet disposed close to said passage, after an an adsorption reaction is completed, thereby to purify the target material.
6. A cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises a chamber containing a washing liquid and a chamber containing waste liquid after washing.
7. A biochemical treatment apparatus, comprising:
a cartridge mounting portion for mounting a cartridge having a plurality of chambers containing a solution for biochemically treating a specimen,
a plurality of nozzle portions each connected to an associated passage communicating with an associated chamber of the chambers of the cartridge, and
control means for controlling a fluid pressure in the cartridge through said nozzle portions,
wherein said control means controls the fluid pressure so that the solution in the cartridge is moved only in the cartridge.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a plurality of cartridges are mountable to the apparatus.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said plurality of nozzle portions are separately disposed at two surfaces of the cartridge.
10. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said plurality of nozzle portions are arranged linearly.
11. A biochemical treatment process for effecting biochemical treatment in a cartridge having a plurality of chambers containing a solution for biochemically treating a specimen, said process comprising:
a step of connecting each of nozzles to an associated port of passage communicating with an associated chamber of the cartridge, and
a step of injecting fluid into the cartridge to move the liquid in the cartridge.
12. A process according to claim 11 , wherein said injection step comprises a step of injecting a hymolytic agent.
13. A process according to claim 11 , wherein said injection step comprises a step of injecting particles of a magnetic material to which a target material comprising DNA, RNA or protein is adsorbed.
14. A process according to claim 13 , wherein said process further comprises, after the step of injecting particles of magnetic material, a step of trapping the particles of magnetic material during movement thereof by exerting a magnetic force of a magnet disposed close to the passage to purify the target material.
15. A process according to claim 14 , wherein said process further comprises, after the trapping step, a step of cleaning the target material.
16. A biochemical reaction cartridge, comprising:
a storage chamber for accumulating a liquid,
a first chamber,
a first passage for connecting said storage chamber to said first chamber to move the liquid in said storage chamber to said first chamber,
a second chamber, and
a second passage for connecting said first chamber to said second chamber to move the liquid in said first chamber to said second chamber,
wherein a bottom position of a first connecting portion for connecting said first chamber to said first passage is higher than a bottom position of a second connecting portion for connecting said first chamber to said second passage.
17. A cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein the liquid is caused to flow to said first chamber so that said first chamber has a maximum liquid level lower than the bottom position of the first connecting position.
18. A cartridge according to claim 16 or 17, wherein movement of the liquid is controlled by externally applying or reducing pressure.
19. A cartridge according to claim 18 , wherein said cartridge comprises a pressure reducing portion for externally reducing pressure, said pressure reducing portion being provided with a chamber for preventing outflow of the liquid.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/549,204 US7988913B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2006-10-13 | Biochemical reaction cartridge |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2003094241 | 2003-03-31 | ||
JP097136/2003(PAT.) | 2003-03-31 | ||
JP094241/2003(PAT.) | 2003-03-31 | ||
JP2003097136A JP4111505B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-03-31 | Biochemical treatment apparatus and biochemical treatment method |
Related Child Applications (1)
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US11/549,204 Division US7988913B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2006-10-13 | Biochemical reaction cartridge |
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US20040223874A1 true US20040223874A1 (en) | 2004-11-11 |
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ID=32993078
Family Applications (2)
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US10/811,917 Abandoned US20040223874A1 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2004-03-30 | Biochemical reaction cartridge |
US11/549,204 Expired - Fee Related US7988913B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2006-10-13 | Biochemical reaction cartridge |
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US11/549,204 Expired - Fee Related US7988913B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2006-10-13 | Biochemical reaction cartridge |
Country Status (4)
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US (2) | US20040223874A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1473084B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100755286B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN1279361C (en) |
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US20140220173A1 (en) * | 2011-09-02 | 2014-08-07 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Universal hardware platform and toolset for operating and fabricating microfluidic devices |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1473084A2 (en) | 2004-11-03 |
CN1912628A (en) | 2007-02-14 |
EP1473084A3 (en) | 2005-02-16 |
EP1473084B1 (en) | 2015-07-29 |
CN1912628B (en) | 2011-08-31 |
CN1279361C (en) | 2006-10-11 |
KR100755286B1 (en) | 2007-09-04 |
KR20040088383A (en) | 2004-10-16 |
US20070071637A1 (en) | 2007-03-29 |
US7988913B2 (en) | 2011-08-02 |
CN1534297A (en) | 2004-10-06 |
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