Abstract: A microchannel device includes an opening that receives a test solution, a main channel that communicates with the opening, and a collection portion provided at an outlet-side end of the main channel. The collection portion includes a pool that stores the test solution, a connection channel that connects the pool with the outlet-side end, and a protrusion that is arranged in the connection channel to generate air bubbles between the protrusion and an inner wall of the connection channel to close the connection channel, upon receiving the test solution discharged from the main channel.

Abstract: A novel blood collection instrument with which it is possible to prevent blood from coming into contact with air during collection of blood, and a blood collection plate that is suitably used therefor. A blood collection instrument including: a blood holding member having a structure in which a plurality of plate-shaped members, are overlapped with each other and including a collected blood holding passage formed between overlapped surfaces of the plate-shaped members; a connection part provided at an inflow port of the collected blood holding passage in the blood holding member; and a puncture member including a puncturing hollow needle while being connected to the connection part. An inner hole of the hollow needle of the puncture member is allowed to communicate with the collected blood holding passage in the blood holding member.

Abstract: A microchannel device that can suppress a flow of a test solution produced between microchannels is provided. The microchannel device includes an opening for receiving a test solution that is to be injected therethrough, a main channel, a plurality of microchannels, a reservoir, an opening, and a gas permeable membrane. The plurality of microchannels include a first group and a second group. The microchannels included in each of the first group and the second group are arranged as being aligned in a direction of an X axis when the microchannel device is viewed in a plan view, and the first group and the second group are arranged as being aligned in a direction of a Y axis orthogonal to the direction of the X axis.

Abstract: The sample extraction support tool is placed on an extraction container having at least one well for accommodating a sample extracted from a test piece holding the sample in a microchannel provided therein with both ends open. The sample extraction support tool includes at least one test piece holding portion having an opening for guiding a sample extracted from the test piece to a bottom of the well and configured to hold the test piece at a position where the test piece is not in contact with the sample which is extracted from the test piece and is stored on the bottom of the well, and in a state where one end of the microchannel is directed to the bottom of the well.

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.

Abstract: A test apparatus for a test using a test solution containing a sample with the use of a microchannel device is provided. The test apparatus includes a pressure application unit that is connected to a first opening and applies an air pressure to inject the test solution into a microchannel, an opening and closing unit that switches between opening and closing of a second opening, and a controller that controls the pressure application unit and the opening and closing unit. The controller controls the opening and closing unit to close the second opening, controls the pressure application unit to inject the test solution into the microchannel, controls the opening and closing unit to open the second opening after the test solution is injected into the microchannel, and controls the pressure application unit to apply an air pressure to collect in a collection portion, the test solution in a branch channel.

Abstract: The sample extraction support tool is placed on an extraction container having at least one well for accommodating a sample extracted from a test piece holding the sample in a microchannel provided therein with both ends open. The sample extraction support tool includes at least one test piece holding portion having an opening for guiding a sample extracted from the test piece to a bottom of the well and configured to hold the test piece at a position where the test piece is not in contact with the sample which is extracted from the test piece and is stored on the bottom of the well, and in a state where one end of the microchannel is directed to the bottom of the well.

Abstract: An object is to obtain not only information indicating whether or not a drug is effective against bacteria but also additional information about an effective drug. An examination method includes a sample preparation step of obtaining a plurality of samples by bringing drugs of a plurality of types into contact with bacteria, and an image capturing step of capturing an image of each sample. The examination method includes a step of determining efficacy of the drug based on each sample image obtained in the image capturing step, and a step of obtaining drug susceptibility information by comparing a plurality of sample images including the drug determined as being effective, in accordance with a prescribed criterion.

Abstract: One object is to reduce the time required for focusing. When an image capturing condition is not stored (when image capturing of an observation area is performed for the first time), an examination device performs an autofocus process, obtains a focus position where a microscope camera is in focus on the observation area, and stores the obtained focus position in a storage device. In contrast, when the image capturing condition is stored (when image capturing of the observation area is performed for the second and subsequent times), the examination device captures an image of the observation area by reading out the focus position from the storage device and setting a focal point of the microscope camera at the read-out focus position.

Abstract: This specimen collection device has a channel through which a specimen can be drawn by capillarity. The channel has two channel sections that extend from the tip side to the base side and are connected at the tip side. One of the channel sections is connected to a base side specimen intake port, and the other terminates at a location prior to reaching the base end. An air hole is provided at this terminating location. The specimen collection device is equipped with an extraction unit for collecting a prescribed amount of the specimen. The extraction unit includes the two channel sections on the tip side of the air hole, and can be severed from the other sections of the device body of the specimen collection device via a severable section.

Abstract: A sample collection device is a sample collection device including a sample inlet and an internal flow passage for holding a sample sucked from the sample inlet. An anticoagulant for preventing coagulation of the sample is fixed to an inner surface of the inner flow passage of the sample collection device, and density of the anticoagulant fixed on the inner surface of an end portion near the sample inlet of the inner flow passage is higher than density of the anticoagulant fixed on the inner surface of an end portion on an opposite side to the sample inlet of the internal flow passage.

Abstract: A sample holding disc includes a disk-shaped substrate, a plurality of holders for centrifugation including a recess configured to fit a sampling tip in a state where a flow channel of the sampling tip is substantially horizontal and a proximal end side faces the center, and a holder for keeping which includes a groove provided corresponding to each of the holders for centrifugation on an upper surface of the disk-shaped substrate and in which a distal end side of the sampling tip is fitted and held in a state where the proximal end of the sampling tip faces upward.

Abstract: This specimen collection device has a channel through which a specimen can be drawn by capillarity. The channel has two channel sections that extend from the tip side to the base side and are connected at the tip side. One of the channel sections is connected to a base side specimen intake port, and the other terminates at a location prior to reaching the base end. An air hole is provided at this terminating location. The specimen collection device is equipped with an extraction unit for collecting a prescribed amount of the specimen. The extraction unit includes the two channel sections on the tip side of the air hole, and can be severed from the other sections of the device body of the specimen collection device via a severable section.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation device including a supporter attached to a centrifuge and a divisional part removable from the supporter is provided. The divisional part has two flow channels and an extracting part. The flow channels extend substantially in parallel to the direction in which centrifugal force acts, and are connected to each other on the leading end side in the direction in which centrifugal force acts. One of the flow channels is a sample flow channel having a sample inlet on the base end side in the direction in which centrifugal force acts, and the other flow channel is an air-discharging flow channel having an outlet on the base end side. The extracting part includes part of the sample flow channel, and has a connecting part for the part to be cut off from the remainder of the sample flow channel.