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 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . 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 containing a fluid,   said fluid retaining reservoir includes:   a fluid outlet for allowing said fluid to flow out; and   at least one columnar body extending in thickness direction of said microchip, and   said columnar body is provided in a fluid retaining region for retaining said fluid, said fluid retaining region including a position farthest from said fluid outlet.   
     
     
         19 . The microchip according to  claim 18 , wherein
 said fluid retaining reservoir includes at least three said columnar bodies, and   said columnar bodies are disposed at respective positions corresponding to vertexes of a substantially regular triangle.   
     
     
         20 . The microchip according to  claim 19 , wherein
 said columnar bodies are disposed in such a manner that one side of said substantially regular triangle is 0.5 to 1 mm.   
     
     
         21 . The microchip according to  claim 18 , wherein
 said fluid retaining reservoir includes at least two said columnar bodies, and   said columnar bodies are arranged on a surface of said fluid formed when the whole amount of said fluid contained in said fluid retaining reservoir is retained in said fluid retaining region.   
     
     
         22 . The microchip according to  claim 18 , wherein
 the length of said columnar body in the thickness direction of the microchip is substantially identical to the depth of said groove forming said fluid retaining reservoir.   
     
     
         23 . The microchip according to  claim 18 , wherein
 said first substrate includes a fluid inlet for injecting said fluid into said fluid retaining reservoir, said fluid inlet is a through opening extending through said first substrate from a surface opposite to the surface with the groove of said first substrate to said fluid retaining reservoir, and   at least two columnar bodies are arranged substantially perpendicularly to a line connecting said fluid outlet and the center of said fluid inlet.   
     
     
         24 . A first substrate as recited in  claim 18 , wherein
 said columnar body is disposed in the groove forming said fluid retaining reservoir.   
     
     
         25 . A second substrate as recited in  claim 18 , wherein
 said columnar body is disposed in the groove forming said fluid retaining reservoir.