Microchip

Abstract

A microchip including a fluid circuit formed by a groove of a first substrate and a surface of a second substrate is provided. The fluid circuit includes a fluid retaining reservoir for containing a fluid. The fluid retaining reservoir includes a fluid outlet or outflow channel for allowing the fluid to flow out, and a partition dividing the fluid retaining reservoir into a first region including a fluid inlet for injecting a fluid into the fluid retaining reservoir and a second region including the fluid outlet or outflow channel. The partition includes at least one communication gate for allowing communication between the first region and the second region.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A microchip comprising:
 a first substrate and a second substrate, said first substrate being superposed on said second substrate and having a surface with a groove; and   a fluid circuit composed of a cavity defined by said groove and a surface on said first substrate side of said second substrate, wherein   said fluid circuit includes a fluid retaining reservoir for retaining a fluid,   said fluid retaining reservoir includes:   a fluid outlet for allowing said fluid to flow out from said fluid retaining reservoir; and   a partition dividing said fluid retaining reservoir into a first region where said fluid is introduced and a second region where said fluid outlet is included,   said partition includes a communication gate for allowing communication between said first region and said second region, and   at least a part of said partition includes a curved portion formed of a wall in a shape of a curve as seen from a surface of said microchip.   
     
     
         9 . The microchip according to  claim 8 , wherein said curved portion is formed of a wall in a shape of an arc protruding toward said second region. 
     
     
         10 . The microchip according to  claim 9 , wherein said arc has a radius of curvature of 2 to 5 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The microchip according to  claim 8 , wherein a side surface of said partition abutting on said first region has an inclined surface inclined with respect to thickness direction of the microchip. 
     
     
         12 . The microchip according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said partition is composed of a protrusion provided on a surface of said first substrate or said second substrate, and   said communication gate is composed of a space defined between said protrusion and an opposite surface of said second substrate or said first substrate.   
     
     
         13 . The microchip according to  claim 12 , wherein a surface of said protrusion forming said communication gate extends parallel or substantially parallel to said opposite surface of the second substrate or the first substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The microchip according to  claim 12 , wherein an angle between the surface of said first substrate or said second substrate having said protrusion provided thereon and forming said first region, and a side surface of said protrusion abutting on said first region, is an obtuse angle. 
     
     
         15 . The microchip according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said partition is composed of respective protrusions provided on respective surfaces of said first substrate and said second substrate, and   said communication gate is composed of a space defined between the protrusion provided on the surface of said first substrate and the protrusion provided on the surface of said second substrate.   
     
     
         16 . The microchip according to  claim 15 , wherein the protrusion provided on the surface of said first substrate and the protrusion provided on the surface of said second substrate have respective surfaces forming said communication gate that are parallel to or substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The microchip according to  claim 15 , wherein
 an angle between the surface of said first substrate forming said first region, and a side surface, abutting on said first region, of said protrusion provided on the surface of said first substrate, is an obtuse angle, and   an angle between the surface of said second substrate forming said first region, and a side surface, abutting on said first region, of said protrusion provided on the surface of said second substrate, is an obtuse angle.   
     
     
         18 - 25 . (canceled)