Micro flow path device, testing method using micro flow path device, and testing apparatus using micro flow path device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022308080-A1
Application number	US-202017615893-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 25, 2020
Priority date	Jun 3, 2019
Publication date	Sep 29, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A testing method using a micro flow path device configured for a test liquid containing a specimen to be brought into contact with a drug therein and for a test on an action of the drug on the specimen includes: preparing the micro flow path device including: a plurality of micro flow paths, first and second openings which are disposed at both ends of each of the plurality of micro flow paths and communicate with an outside, a storage unit which is provided in each of the plurality of micro flow paths and stores the drug, and a gas-permeable membrane covering the first opening; applying a fluid pressure higher than an external pressure to the test liquid through the second opening from a syringe pump connected to the second opening to pressure-feed the test liquid to the storage unit; and observing a target region set in the micro flow path.

First claim

1 . A testing method using a micro flow path device, the device configured for a test liquid containing a specimen to be brought into contact with a drug therein and for a test on an action of the drug on the specimen, the method comprising:
preparing a micro flow path device which includes:
a plurality of micro flow paths,
a first opening and a second opening which are disposed at both ends of each of the plurality of micro flow paths and communicate with an outside,
a storage unit which is provided in the micro flow path and stores the drug, and
a gas-permeable membrane which covers the first opening;
applying a fluid pressure higher than an external pressure to the test liquid through the second opening from a pressure source connected to the second opening to pressure-feed the test liquid to the storage unit; and observing a target region set in the micro flow path.

2 . The testing method using the micro flow path device according to claim 1 , the method further comprising: holding a state for a predetermined period in which the fluid pressure to the test liquid is applied.

3 . The testing method using the micro flow path device according to claim 2 , wherein the holding includes applying air pressure to the test liquid.

4 . The testing method using the micro flow path device according to claim 1 , wherein
the test liquid is a bacterial liquid, and the drug is an antibacterial drug.

5 . A micro flow path device configured for a test liquid containing a specimen to be brought into contact with a drug therein and for a test on an action of the drug on the specimen, the device comprising:
a first micro flow path which has a first end and a second end and allows the test liquid to flow therethrough; a storage unit in which the drug is stored and which is connected to the second end such that the test liquid is allowed to flow therethrough; a first opening which communicate with the storage unit; and a gas-permeable membrane which covers the first opening.

6 . The micro flow path device according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a second micro flow path which allows the storage unit and the first opening to communicate with each other and the test liquid to flow therethrough, wherein the second micro flow path is imaged by a microscope.

7 . The micro flow path device according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a first plate-shaped member; and a second plate-shaped member which is stacked on the first plate-shaped member, wherein the second micro flow path is formed at a boundary between the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, and a part of the first plate-shaped member and a part of the second plate-shaped member forming the second micro flow path are transparent.

8 . The micro flow path device according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a plurality of the first micro flow paths; a plurality of the storage units respectively connected to the plurality of first micro flow paths; and a plurality of the second micro flow paths respectively connected to the plurality of storage units, wherein the plurality of second micro flow paths are formed close to each other.

9 . The micro flow path device according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a second opening which is formed in the first micro flow path, wherein a pump which applies air pressure to the test liquid is connected to the second opening.

10 . The micro flow path device according to claim 5 , wherein the first opening is formed in the storage unit.

11 . The micro flow path device according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a second opening which is formed in the first micro flow path, wherein a pump which applies air pressure to the test liquid is connected to the second opening.

12 . The micro flow path device according to claim 10 , wherein
the first micro flow path includes a first flow path to be imaged by a microscope and a second flow path excluding the first flow path, and the first flow path is formed to have a narrower horizontal width than the second flow path.

13 . The micro flow path device of claim 12 , further comprising:
a plurality of the first micro flow paths, wherein each of the plurality of first micro flow paths includes the first flow path and the second flow path, and a plurality of the first flow paths are formed close to each other.

14 . The micro flow path device according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a first plate-shaped member; a second plate-shaped member which is stacked on the first plate-shaped member, wherein the first micro flow path is formed at a boundary between the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, and a part of the first plate-shaped member and a part of the second plate-shaped member forming the first flow path are transparent.

15 . A testing apparatus using a micro flow path device, the micro flow path device configured for a test liquid containing a specimen to be brought into contact with a drug therein and for a test on an action of the drug on the specimen, the apparatus comprising:
the micro flow path device which includes a first micro flow path which has a first end and a second end and allows the test liquid to flow therethrough, a storage unit in which the drug is stored and which is connected to the second end such that the test liquid is allowed to flow therethrough, a first opening which communicate with the storage unit, a gas-permeable membrane which covers the first opening, a second micro flow path which allows the storage unit and the first opening to communicate with each other and the test liquid to flow therethrough, and a second opening which is formed at the first end; a pump which is connected to the second opening and applies air pressure to the test liquid; a table on which the micro flow path device is placed; a drive mechanism which drives the table along a horizontal direction; and a control unit which controls the drive mechanism, wherein the control unit causes the drive mechanism to drive the table such that the second micro flow path is positioned in an imaging region of a microscope.

16 . The testing apparatus using the micro flow path device according to claim 15 , wherein
the micro flow path device includes a plurality of the second micro flow paths, and the control unit causes the drive mechanism to drive the table such that each of the plurality of second micro flow paths is positioned in the imaging region of the microscope.

17 . The testing method using the micro flow path device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit is provided closer to the second opening than the target region in a longitudinal direction of the micro flow path.

18 . The micro flow path device according to claim 5 , wherein the storage unit is provided between the first opening and the second end in a longitudinal direction of the first micro flow path.

19 . The testing apparatus using the micro flow path device according to claim 15 , wherein the storage unit is provided between the first opening and the second end in a longitudinal direction of the first micro flow path.

Assignees

• Shimadzu Corp

Inventors

• Iwata Hiroshi
• Goto Hiroomi
• ZODA Shigehiko
• Ozeki Eiichi
• Nishimoto Takahiro
• Rotzetter Aline
• Yoneda Yasuko
• Takeuchi Ippei

Classifications

• G01N15/1484 Primary

  microstructural devices · CPC title

• G01N15/1425

  using an analyser being characterised by its control arrangement · CPC title

• G01N35/08 Primary

  using a stream of discrete samples flowing along a tube system, e.g. flow injection analysis · CPC title

• B01L3/5027

  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 · CPC title

• G01N37/00

  Details not covered by any other group of this subclass · CPC title