Microfluidic system, sample analysis device, and target substance detection/measurement method

Abstract

A microfluidic system includes a plate-shaped microfluidic chip having a flow path, a liquid introduction tube for supplying liquid to the flow path, the liquid introduction tube having an end communicating with an end of the flow path and its other end that can be soaked in the liquid that is to be supplied to the flow path, and a liquid discharge head communicating with the other end of the flow path for discharging liquid that has passed through the flow path.

1 . A sample analysis device equipped, when used, with a plate-shaped microfluidic chip having a flow path, comprising a liquid introduction tube capable of, when the sample analysis device is equipped with the microfluidic chip, communicating with one end of the flow path, a liquid discharge head capable of, when the sample analysis device is equipped with the microfluidic chip, communicating with the other end of the flow path, and fixing means being capable of integrally fixing the microfluidic chip, the liquid introduction tube, and the liquid discharge head. 
     
     
         2 . The sample analysis device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an optical detection system capable of detecting a reaction occurring in the flow path. 
     
     
         3 . The sample analysis device according to  claim 1 , further comprising sucking means capable of sucking gas or liquid in the liquid discharge head via a nozzle of the liquid discharge head. 
     
     
         4 . A plate-shaped microfluidic chip having a flow path attached, when used, to the sample analysis device according to  claim 1 , wherein, when being attached to the sample analysis device, one end of the flow path can communicate with the liquid introduction tube and the other end can communicate with the liquid discharge head. 
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic chip according to  claim 4  made of transparent material. 
     
     
         6 . The microfluidic chip according to  claim 4 , formed by layering and bonding two plates, at least one of which has a groove used as the flow path on a surface, and either of which has through holes respectively at positions corresponding to both ends of the flow path. 
     
     
         7 . The microfluidic chip according to  claim 4  wherein the flow path has a dam section having a narrower flow path diameter than other parts of the flow path.