Biochemical reaction cartridge

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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.