Abstract: In a method for measuring a specified component in a specimen by reacting the specimen with a first reagent formed by binding a substance active to the specified component, with carrier particles and a second reagent formed by labelling a substance active to the specified component with a first label, and measuring the substances in the complexes obtained in the reaction, there is disclosed a method featured by labelling the carrier particles with a second label different from the first label, and detecting the second label and then the first label utilizing the detection of the second label as a trigger.This method enables a highly precise measurement without the influence of noise components in the detection of specified trace components in the specimen, utilizing an antigen-antibody reaction or a nucleic acid hybridization.

Abstract: A minute flow path is filled with liquid so that the liquid may be supplied from an accumulating portion. Energy is imparted to the liquid exposed outwardly of an opening in the flow path by a heat generating element or by energy application to thereby heat and gasify the liquid. Thereupon, the liquid is supplied by an amount corresponding to the gasified liquid by capillary phenomenon through the flow path, and gasification is continuously effected, whereby a flow free of pulsating flow can be formed in the flow path.

Abstract: A flow of liquid containing floating fine particles is formed in a flow path, thereby causing successive movement of the particles. A light beam having intensity distribution from a laser is focused on the liquid flow, whereby the particle is optically trapped at the irradiating position, thus being stopped against the liquid flow or being slowed by a braking force. This phenomenon is utilized in controlling the spacing of the particles in the flow or in separating the particles.

Abstract: On a slab-like board formed of a transparent material is closely attached a wedge-shaped transparent cover member provided with a recess in a central inner portion, thereby to form a clearance. The height of the clearance between the recess and the board is configured to decrease continuously or in steps. When an immunological active substance such as a monoclonal antibody is caused to sensitize carrier particles F, and a reagent having the carrier particles F dispersed into a liquid medium mainly composed of the water is mixed with a specimen, the reaction will occur in which the flocculate is formed from plural carrier particles. When this reaction liquid is poured into the clearance through the opening, the reaction liquid penetrates in the direction having a narrower vertical spacing due to surface tension. A single carrier particle unflocculated can move deep within the recess because it is small in diameter, but the flocculate G is trapped on its way and can not move because of its size.

Abstract: An apparatus is so constructed as to measure a specific substance in a test specimen by the degree of the aggregation of carrier particles in a reaction solution in which the test specimen is mixed with the carrier particles which carry a substance specifically binding to the specific substance. The apparatus includes a substrate having comb-shaped electrodes mounting the reaction solution and amplifier and alternating oscillator for displaying a variable voltage to the comb-shaped electrodes. The test specimen measuring apparatus having the structure accelerates the aggregation of the reaction solution by applying an alternating voltate to the comb-shaped electrodes in a state that the reaction solution is being mounted on the substrate, and detects the spatial spectrum of the comb-shaped electrodes on which the reaction solution is mounted, thus performing the qualitative or quantitative detection of the presence of the substance in the test specimen.

Abstract: An injection port for injecting a sample, an accumulation portion for accumulating the injected sample having a reagent carrier enclosed, a flow passage portion, having a light receiving element at a measuring position located halfway thereof, for passing a reaction fluid having reacted with the reagent in the accumulation portion therethrough, a micro-pump having a feed action of the sample fluid within the flow passage portion and which is a heat generating element provided near a nozzle downstream of the measuring position of the flow passage portion are formed integrally and intensively as a cartridge by a producing method including a semiconductor fabrication process.