Abstract:
A micropore forming system comprising: a microneedle chip having microneedles for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; a chip container for detachably housing the microneedle chip; and a micropore forming device for detachably holding the microneedle chip and for contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip to the skin.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2006-67098 filed Mar. 13, 2006, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a micropore forming system, micropore forming device, chip container, and chip container kit, and specifically relates to a micropore forming system and micropore forming device using a microneedle chip for forming micropores in the skin of a living body, a chip container for housing a microneedle chip used by the micropore forming device, and a chip container kit provided with this microneedle chip.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Known conventional microscopic pore forming devices that include a piston that imparts an impact on microprotrusion member (microneedle chip), an anchoring mechanism for anchoring the piston in a state in which a spring is exerting a force, and a holding ring for holding the microprotrusion member (for example, WO/2002/030301).  
         [0004]     When the microscopic pore forming device disclosed in WO/2002/030301 is used, the piston is anchored by the anchoring mechanism in a state in which a force is exerted by the spring, a holding ring is installed at the bottom part of the piston, the holding ring is positioned adjacent to the skin, the piston applies and impact on the microprotrusion member by removing the anchoring mechanism, and microscopic pores are formed via the impact of the microprotrusion member on the skin.  
         [0005]     In the microscopic pore forming device disclosed in WO/2002/030301, however, since the microprotrusion member must be removed from the holding ring in order to again form microscopic pores, a new microprotrusion member must be held on the holding ring manually by the operator and that may lead to contamination of the microprotrusion member.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.  
         [0007]     A first aspect of the present invention is a micropore forming system is a micropore forming system comprising: a microneedle chip having microneedles for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; a chip container for detachably housing the microneedle chip; and a micropore forming device for detachably holding the microneedle chip and for contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip to the skin.  
         [0008]     A second aspect of the present invention is a micropore forming method is a method for forming micropores in a skin of a living body comprising: providing a micropore forming device and a chip container housing a microneedle chip; installing the microneedle chip in the micropore forming device from the chip container; and forming micropcres in the skin by contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip to the skin using the micropore forming device.  
         [0009]     A third aspect of the present invention is a micropore forming device is a micropore forming device comprising: a holder for detachably holding a microneedle chip having microneedles for forming micropores in a skin of a living body by contacting the skin; wherein the holder holds the microneedle chip by contacting the microneedles of the microneedle chip housed in the chip container.  
         [0010]     A fourth aspect of the present invention is a chip container is a chip container comprising: a first holder for detachably holding a microneedle chip which is installed in a micropore forming device for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; and a second holder for holding a microneedle chip that has been removed from the micropore forming device.  
         [0011]     A fifth aspect of the present invention is a chip container is a chip container comprising: a chip holder for detachably holding a microneedle chip which is installed in a micropore forming device for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; wherein the chip holder is capable of holding a microneedle chip that has been removed from the micropore forming device.  
         [0012]     A sixth aspect of the present invention is a chip container kit is a chip container kit comprising: a microneedle chip which has microneedles and is installed in a micropore forming device for forming micropores in a skin of a living body; a chip container comprising a first holder which detachably holds a microneedle chip, and a second holder for holding a microneedle chip that has been removed from the micropore forming device; and a seal member for covering an opening of the first holder and for maintaining the microneedle chip held by the first holder under a sterilized condition. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the overall structure of a piercing tool of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the internal structure of the rear cover of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the internal structure of the front cover of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the chip container insertion member of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view array chuck of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the release button of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the chip container kit provided with a microneedle chip installed in the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the chip container kit shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the microneedle chip of the chip container kit shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a cross section view of the microneedle chip along ling  400 - 400  in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the chip container of the chip container kit shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the chip container of the chip container kit shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a bottom view of the chip container of the chip container kit shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is a cross section view of the chip container along the line  500 - 500  in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is a top view showing a blood sugar analyzer, which uses the piercing device of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , mounted on the arm of a user;  
         [0030]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view showing the rotated main body of the blood sugar analyzer of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 19  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 20  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 21  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 22  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 23  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 24  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0037]      FIG. 25  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 26  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 27  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 28  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 29  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 30  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   
         [0043]      FIG. 31  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 32  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 33  illustrates the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1   
         [0046]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view showing a modification of the chip container shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 35  illustrates the sequence for mounting the unused microneedle chip, which is housed in the ship housing device shown in  FIG. 10 , on the array chuck; and  
         [0048]      FIG. 36  illustrates the sequence for removing the used microneedle chip, which is in the chip container shown in  FIG. 10 , from the array chuck. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0049]     A embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter based on the drawings.  
         [0050]     A piercing device  1  of an embodiment of the present invention (refer to  FIG. 1 ) has an installed microneedle chip  110  that has been treated with a sterilization process (refer to  FIG. 11 ), and forms fluid extraction holes (micropores) in the skin of a living body by having the microneedle  113   a  of the microneedle chip  110  to abut the skin of a living body (for example, the skin of a human body). Then, a diabetic patient can self-monitor and manage his blood sugar level by calculating his blood sugar value through analyzing fluid (interstitial fluid) extracted from the extraction holes in the skin of the living body that have been formed by the piercing device  1  and microneedle chip  110  using a blood sugar analyzer  200  (refer to  FIGS. 17 and 18 ), which calculates the blood sugar level. First, the structure of the piercing device  1  of the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 8 ,  11 ,  12 ,  17  and  18 .  
         [0051]     The piercing device  1  forms a plurality of small extraction holes through the skin which attain the corium but do not reach the subcutaneous tissue, and extracts interstitial fluid from these extraction holes. As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the piercing device  1  is provided with rear cover  10 , front cover  20 , chip container insertion member  30 , array chuck  40 , spring stopper  50 , release button  60 , ejector  70 , main spring  80  (refer to  FIG. 3 ), and a plurality of springs  90   a  through  90   d  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). Excluding the springs (main spring  80  and plurality of springs  90   a  through  90   d ), the seven members (rear cover  10 , front cover  20 , chip container insertion member  30 , array chuck  40 , spring stopper  50 , release button  60 , ejector  70 ) are respectively formed of resin.  
         [0052]     A case configured by the rear cover  10  and front cover  20  contains the chip container insertion member  30 , array chuck  40 , spring stopper  50 , release button  60 , ejector  70 , main spring  80 , and a plurality of springs  90   a  through  90   d , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The bottom of the rear cover  10  is provided with a mounting part  11  for mounting the chip container insertion member  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . At the top of the rear cover  10  is provided an opening  12  which exposes a button part  72  of the ejector  70  that the user can push. At the side of the rear cover  10  is provided an opening  13  for exposing a button part  64  of the release button  60 . Inside the rear cover  10  are provided a concavity  14  for accepting one end  52   a  of a spring contact part  52  of the spring stopper  50 , a concavity  15  for engaging a support shaft  63  of the release button  60 , a guide channel  16  for guiding a guide part  43  of the array chuck  40  that moves in the Y direction within the casing, spring installation parts  17  and  18  for respectively installing the springs  90   a  and  90   b , and four boss insertion holes  19  for inserting four bosses of the front cover  20  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The spring  90   c  is installed in the guide channel  16 .  
         [0053]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the front cover  20  has, similar to the rear cover  10 , a mounting part  21  for mounting the chip container insertion member  30 , an opening  22  which exposes a button part  72  of the ejector  70  that the user can push, an opening  23  for exposing a button part  64  of the release button  60 , a concavity  24  for accepting the other end  52   b  of a spring contact part  52  of the spring stopper  50 , a concavity  25  for engaging a support shaft  63  of the release button  60 , and a guide channel  26  for guiding a guide part  43  of the array chuck  40  that moves in the Y direction within the casing. The spring  90   d  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) is installed in the guide channel  16  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). Four bosses  27  are formed on the front cover  20  at positions opposite the four boss insertion holes  19  of the rear cover  10  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). Thus, the front cover  20  is mounted at a fixed position relative to the rear cover  10  by inserting the four bosses  27  of the front cover  20  into the four boss insertion holes  19  of the rear cover  10 .  
         [0054]     The chip container insertion member  30  is provided to insert the chip container  120  that accommodates the microneedle chip  110  when installing the microneedle chip  110  (refer to  FIG. 11 ), and to insert the empty chip container  120  when disposing of the used microneedle chip  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the chip container insertion member  30  includes a mounting part  31  attached to the mounting part  21  of the front cover  20  and to the mounting part  11  of the rear cover  10 , a contact surface  32  that abuts the skin side (a contact surface  232  of a receiving part  230  of the blood sugar analyzer  200  (refer to  FIG. 18 ) of the arm  300  of a user (patient), a through hole  33  having an opening  33   a  formed on the contact surface  32  and an opening  33   b  formed on the opposite side (refer to  FIG. 3 ), and two flanges  34  formed so as to overhang from the exterior surface toward the exterior side in the foreground direction.  
         [0055]     In the present embodiment, the opening  33   a  formed on the contact surface  32  allows the insertion of the chip container  120  that accommodates the removable microneedle chip  110  (refer to  FIG. 10 ). The chip container  120  that has passed through the opening  33   a  can move in the Y direction through the through hole  33  (opening  33   b ).  
         [0056]     Notches  34   a  are provided on the two flanges  34  at locations corresponding to two pins  233  provided on the receiving part  230  (refer to  FIG. 18 ) of the blood sugar analyzer  200 .  
         [0057]     The array chuck  40  is configured so as to be movable in the Y direction along the guide channel  16  of the rear cover  10  and the guide channel  26  of the front cover  20 , and permits the microneedle chip  110  held in the array chuck  40  (refer to  FIG. 11 ) to move in the Y direction through the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the array chuck  40  includes a body  41  provided with a plurality of holes  41   a  to reduce weight, a pair of chucks  42  that are elastically deformable to hold the microneedle chip  110  by engaging a flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110  (refer to  FIG. 12 ), two guides  43  that are inserted into the guide channel  16  of the rear cover  10  and the guide channel  26  of the front cover  20 , two connecting parts  44  that engage two anchor parts  62  of the release button  60  and which are described later, convexity  45  that has a through hole  45   a  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) through which the shaft  51  of the spring stopper  50  (which is described later) can be inserted, and a bushing  46  formed on the bottom side of the body  41  (the side in the arrow Y 1  direction). A lead end  42   a , which abuts the flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110  of the chuck  42 , is formed with a tapered shape, and has a hook shape to engage the flange  112 . The guide  43  is configured so as to contact one end of the spring  90   c  and spring  90   d  disposed in the guide channel  16  of the rear cover  10  and the guide channel  26  of the front cover  20 .  
         [0058]     In the present embodiment, when the two connectors  44  are not engaged with the two anchor parts  62  of the release button  60  described later, the array chuck  40  automatically holds the microneedle chip  110  housing inside the chip container  120  by inserting the chip container  120  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) into the opening  33   a  of the chip container insertion member  30 . Then, after the array chuck  40 , which is movable in the Y direction, holds the microneedle chip  110 , the connector  44  is moved in the arrow Y 2  direction until it is attached to the anchor part  62 .  
         [0059]     In the present embodiment, when the two connectors  44  are not engaged with the two anchor parts  62  of the release button  60  described layer, the microneedle chip  110  held in the array chuck  40  is automatically released from the chuck  42  of the array chuck  40  by inserting the chip container  120  into the opening  33   a  of the chip container insertion member  30 .  
         [0060]     In the present embodiment, the chuck  42  is integratedly formed of resin together with other parts (body  41 , guide  43 , connector  44 , convexity  45 , and bushing  46 ).  
         [0061]     The spring stopper  50  is provided to support the main spring  80  that exerts a force on the array chuck  40  in the arrow Y 1  direction. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the spring stopper  50  includes a shaft  51  that is inserting inside the main spring  80 , and a spring contact  52  for preventing the main spring  80  from coming out in an upward direction (arrow Y 2  direction) once the shaft  51  is inserted. One end  52   a  and the other end  52   b  of the spring contact  52  are formed so as to fit into the concavity  15  of the rear cover  10  and the concavity  24  of the front cover  20  (refer to  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0062]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the release button  60  is provided with a body  61 , two anchor parts  62  for engaging two connectors  44  of the array chuck  40 , two support shafts  63  for engaging the concavity  15  of the rear cover  10  and the concavity  25  of the front cover  20  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), and a button part  64  exposed from the opening  13  provided on the side surface of the rear cover  10  and the opening  23  provided on the side surface of the front cover  20  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). On the side surface of the body  61  provided with the button part  64  is a concavity  61   a  for abutting one end of the spring  90   b  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) installed on the spring installation part  18  of the rear cover  10  (refer to  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), as shown in  FIG. 8 . In the present embodiment, the two anchor parts  62  function to anchor the array chuck  40  that moves in the arrow Y 2  direction against the force exerted in the arrow Y 1  direction by the main spring  80  described later.  
         [0063]     In the present embodiment, the ejector  70  functions to eject the chip container  120 , which accommodates the microneedle chip  110 , from the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the ejector  70  includes a pressing part  71  that presses the edge  121   b  and the edge  122   d  of the chip container  120  described later (refer to  FIG. 10 ), a boss part  72  that is exposed through the opening  12  of the rear cover  10  and the opening  22  of the front cover  20  so as to be pressable by a user, and a contact  73  that contacts one end of the spring  90   a  installed on the spring installation part  17  of the rear cover  10 . A boss part  73   a  is formed on the contact  73  and is inserted inside the spring  90   a  to regulate the removal of the spring  90   a  from the spring installation part  17  of the rear cover  10 .  
         [0064]     The main spring  80  is provided to exert a force on the array chuck  40  in the arrow Y 1  direction. The shaft  51  of the spring stopper  50  is inserted inside the main spring  80 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this case, one end  80   a  of the main spring  80  abuts the spring contact  52  of the spring stopper  50 , and the other end  80   b  abuts the top surface of the connector  44  of the array chuck  40 .  
         [0065]     The spring  90   a , which is inserted on the boss part  73   a  of the contact  73  of the ejector  70  and installed on the spring installation part  17  of the rear cover  10 , functions to exert a force in the arrow Y 1  direction on the ejector  70 , which has been pushed upward in the arrow Y 2  direction, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The spring  90   b , which is disposed on the spring installation part  18  of the rear cover  10  and in the concavity  61   a  of the release button  60  (refer to  FIG. 8 ), is provided to rotate in the arrow G 1  direction the release button  60 , which has been rotated in the arrow G 2  direction, by pivoting on the support shaft  63 . Furthermore, the springs  90   c  and  90   d , which are installed in the guide channel  16  of the rear cover  10  and the guide channel  26  of the front cover  20  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), function to push back in the arrow Y 2  direction the array chuck  40 , which has been moved in the arrow Y 1  direction by the force exerted by the main spring  80 . Thus, it is possible to regulate the movement of the array chuck  40 , which has been moved in the arrow Y 1  direction, downward (arrow Y 1  direction) from a predetermined position, and it is further possible to restrain the microneedle  113   a  of the microneedle chip  110  from deep penetration in the arm  300 .  
         [0066]     The chip container kit  100 , which is configured by the microneedle chip  110  installed in the array chuck  40  of the piercing device  1 , chip container  120  accommodating the microneedle chip  110 , and sterilization maintaining seal  130 , of an embodiment of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 1, 3 ,  7  through  9 , and  16 .  
         [0067]     The microneedle chip  110  is installed in the array chuck  40  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) of the piercing device  1  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) described above, and has a plurality of microneedles  113   a  that form a plurality of small extraction holes to extract interstitial fluid from the skin of a living body (for example, the skin of a human body). As shown in  FIGS. 10 through 12 , the microneedle chip  110  has a substantially rectangular shape from a planar view, and includes a pair of projections  111  disposed so as to protrude outwardly from the exterior side surface in the foreground and background directions, a pair of flanges  112  disposed so as to protrude outwardly from the exterior side surface in a longitudinal directions, microneedle array  113  having  305  microneedles  113   a , and concavity  114  into which is inserted the bushing  46  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) of the array chuck  40  of the piercing device  1  described above. The pair of projections  111  are configured so as to engage the locking holes  122   b  of the chip container  120  described later, and the pair of flanges  112  are configured so as to engage the leading end  42   a  of the chuck  42  of the array chuck  40  (refer to  FIG. 7 ). The microneedle chip  110  is formed of resin and includes the  305  microneedles  113   a . In addition to the microneedle chip  110  that includes the microneedle array  113  having the  305  microneedles  113   a , a microneedle chip that includes a microneedle array having  189  microneedles may also be used.  
         [0068]     In the present embodiment, the resin chip container  120  includes an opening  121  for accommodating the unused and sterile microneedle chip  110  (refer to  FIG. 10 ), and an opening  122  for accommodating the used microneedle chip  110  after it has been used to pierce the skin of a living body (skin of a human body), as shown in  FIGS. 10 , and  13  through  16 . The opening  121  and opening  122  are provided on mutually opposite sides, and a sterilization seal  130  which is described later is adhered to seal the opening  121  that accommodates an unused microneedle chip  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the opening  121  includes four supports  121   a  for supporting the side surfaces of the sterile and unused microneedle chip  110 , edge  121   b  that abuts the pressing part  71  of the ejector  70  (refer to  FIG. 3 ), and recessed part  121   c  configured so that the projection  111  of the microneedle chip  110  held by the supports  121   a  (refer to  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) do not touch the edge  121   b.    
         [0069]     In the present embodiment, the opening  122  includes a holder  122   a  having a locking hole  122   b  into which are inserted the projections  111  of the used microneedle chip  110  (refer to  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) after it has been used to pierce the skin of a living body (skin of a human body), as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The opening  122  is provided with a release piece  122   c  for releasing the engagement of the flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110  and the chuck  42  of the array chuck  40  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) of the piercing device  1 , and an edge  122   d  that abuts the pressing part  71  of the ejector  70  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The leading end part  122   e  of the release piece  122   c  has a tapered configuration as shown in  FIG. 16 . A mark [2] is imprinted on the side surface  122   f  of the chip container  120  to allow confirmation when the opening  122  is disposed on the top side, as shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0070]     The sterilization maintaining seal  130  is formed of aluminum, and functions to prevent viruses and bacteria from adhering to the sterile microneedle chip  110  via gamma ray exposure. The sterilization maintaining seal  130  is adhered so as to cover the opening  121  that accommodates the unused microneedle chip  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The sterilization maintaining seal  130  is adhered so as to cover and conceal the mark [2] imprinted on the on the side surface  122   f  of the microneedle housing device  120 . A mark [1] is printed on the part adhered to the side surface  122   f  of the chip container  120  so as to allow confirmation that the opening  121  is disposed on the top side, as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0071]     The blood sugar analyzer  200  for analyzing interstitial fluid extracted by the piercing device  1  of the embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1, 6 ,  17 , and  18 . The blood sugar analyzer  200  is mounted on the arm  300  by the user (diabetic patient) of the piercing device  1 . The blood sugar analyzer  200  is configured to allow placement of an extraction cartridge (not shown in the drawing) that includes a mesh sheet for filtration of interstitial fluid extracted from the arm  300  of the user.  
         [0072]     As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the blood sugar analyzer  200  includes a belt  210  that wraps around the arm  300  of the user, main body  220  provided with various operation buttons  221  and display screen  222 , receiver  230  for placing the piercing device  1  (refer to  FIG. 1 ), and hinge  240  for supporting the main body  220  so as to be rotatable relative to the receiver  230 . The extraction cartridge (not shown in the drawing) can be placed on the surface  223  on the opposite side form the surface provided with the operation buttons  221  and display screen  222  of the main body  220 . The receiver  230  includes an opening  231  for exposing a piercing location  300   a  of the arm  300  of the user, contact surface  232  that abuts the contact surface  32  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) of the chip container insertion member  30  of the piercing device  1 , and two pins  233  provided at locations corresponding to two notches  34   a  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) respectively provided on two flanges  34  of the chip container insertion member  30 .  
         [0073]      FIGS. 19 through 33  illustrate the use sequence of the piercing device of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . The use sequence of the piercing device  1  of the embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to  FIGS. 1, 3  through  5 ,  9  through  11 ,  14 , and  16  through  33 . Before using the piercing device  1  (refer to  FIG. 1 ), the blood sugar analyzer  200  is mounted by wrapping the belt  210  around the arm  300  of the user, as shown in  FIG. 17 . The piercing location  300   a  of the arm  300  of the user is exposed beforehand through the opening  231  of the receiver  230  of the blood sugar analyzer  200  by rotating the main body  220  of the blood sugar analyzer  200 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . In this case, the user places the extraction cartridge (not shown in the drawing) on the surface  223  on the side opposite of the surface provided with the various operation buttons  221  and display screen  222  of the main body  220 .  
         [0074]     First, the chip container kit  100  (refer to  FIGS. 9 and 10 ) accommodating the microneedle chip  110  is prepared when installing the microneedle chip  110  in the piercing device  1  of the present embodiment. Then, the top and bottom of the [1] printed on the sterilization maintaining seal  130  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) of the chip container kit  100  are confirmed and positioned, and the sterilization maintaining seal  130  is peeled from the chip container  120 .  
         [0075]     From this situation, the user (patient) grips the piercing device  1  and moves the piercing device  1  in the arrow Y 1  direction so as to insert the chip container  120  through the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . In this case, the user is able to perform the operation one-handed since the piercing device  1  is moved relative to the chip container  120  positioned on a table or the like. Furthermore, since the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30  is the same size and shape as the insertion side of the chip container  120 , the microneedle chip  110  that accommodates the chip container  120  can be positioned so as to abut the array chuck  40  disposed within the piercing device  1  by inserting the chip container  120  into the through hole  30 , and the array chuck  40  can easily hold the microneedle chip  110 .  
         [0076]     When the piercing device  1  is moved in the arrow Y 1  direction, the array chuck  40  disposed inside the piercing device  1  also moves in the in the arrow Y 1  direction, as shown in  FIG. 20 . The array chuck  40  moving in the arrow Y 1  direction is moved to a position at which the tapered leading end  42   a  abuts the flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110  accommodated in the chip container  120 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . Thereafter, the elastically deformable pair of chucks  42  are moved in the arrow Y 1  direction bent to the outside via the pressure of the pair of flanges  112  by moving the piercing device  1  (array chuck  40 ) in the arrow Y 1  direction, as shown in  FIG. 22 . Subsequently, the array chuck  40  grips the microneedle chip  110  when the hook-shaped leading end  42   a  pf the chuck  42  engages the flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110 , as shown in  FIG. 23 . At this time, the bushing  46  of the array chuck  40  is inserted in the concavity  114  of the microneedle chip  110  anchored to the chip container  120 . Since the spring stopper  50  of the piercing device  1  moves in the arrow Y 1  direction relative to the stopping of the array chuck  40  holding the microneedle chip  110  if the piercing device  1  is pushed further in the arrow Y 1  direction from this position, the main spring  80  that abuts the spring contact  52  is compressed in conjunction with the movement of the piercing device  1  in the arrow Y 1  direction.  
         [0077]     Then, the array chuck  40 , which moves relatively in the arrow Y 2  direction regarding the piercing device  1  that moves in the arrow Y 1  direction, reaches a position at which the two connectors  44  engage the two anchor parts  62  of the release button  60 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . At this time, the array chuck  40  is fixed to the anchor parts  62  of the release button  60  and the main spring  80  is in a compressed state. In this condition, the release button  60  rotates in the arrow G 2  direction about the support shaft  63  as the spring  90   b  is compressed while installed in the concavity  61   a  of the release button  60  and the spring installation part  18  of the rear cover  10  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) when the tapered anchor  62  of the bottom end pushes the connector  44  of the array chuck  40 . Thereafter, the release button  60  engages the two anchors  62  and two connectors  44  via the rotation in the arrow G 1  direction by the force exerted by the compressed spring  90   b , and the array chuck  40  is fixed in place with the main spring  80  in a compressed state.  
         [0078]     At the same time, the ejector  70 , which has moved in the arrow Y 1  direction together with the movement of the piercing device  1 , is stopped when the pressing part  71  abuts the edge  121   b  of the opening  121  side of the chip container  120 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . Therefore, the spring  90   a  of the spring installation part  17  of the rear cover  10  is compressed in conjunction with the movement of the piercing device  1  in the arrow Y 1  direction. In this case, the boss part  72  of the ejector  70  protrudes to the outside through the opening  12  of the rear cover  10  and the opening  22  of the front cover  20  in conjunction with the movement of the piercing device  1  in the arrow Y 1  direction. Thereafter, the edge  121   b  of the chip container  120 , which has been inserted through the through hole  33  of the chip housing insertion member  30 , is pressed by the pressing part  71  of the ejector  70  via the user moving the ejector  70  in the arrow Y 2  direction, and the chip container  120  is automatically extracted from the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30 . This occurs because the elastic spring energy of the spring  90   a  that has been compressed by the spring installation part  17  of the rear cover  10  reaches the contact  73  of the ejector  70 , and the ejector  70  exerts a force on the chip container  120  in the arrow Y 2  direction. When the elastic spring energy of the spring  90   a  is inadequate, the chip container  120  inserted in the through hole  73  can be easily ejected by the user pushing the boss part  72  (refer to  FIG. 24 ) that protrudes to the outside.  
         [0079]     When the arm  300  of the patient (user) is pierced using the piercing device  1  with the installed microneedle chip  110 , the two notches  34   a  of the chip container insertion member  30  of the piercing device  1  are positionally aligned with the two pins  233  of the blood sugar analyzer  200  (refer to  FIG. 18 ), and the piercing device  1  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) is placed in the receiver  230  of the blood sugar analyzer  200  (refer to  FIG. 18 ). As shown in  FIG. 26 , the release button  60  rotates on the support shaft  63  in the arrow G 2  direction while resisting the force exerted by the spring  90   b  by pressing the button part  64  of the release button  60 . Thus, the connector  44  of the array chuck  40  is released from the anchor  62  of the release button  60 , and the elastic spring energy of the main spring  80  reaches the array chuck  40 . Therefore, the array chuck  40  which holds the microneedle chip  110  is moved in the arrow Y 1  direction.  
         [0080]     Since the microneedle chip  110  held by the chuck  42  of the array chuck  40  passes through the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30  moving in the arrow Y 1  direction, the microneedles  113   a  of the microneedle chip  110  pierce the piercing location  300   a  (refer to  FIG. 18 ) on the arm  300  of the patient (user) exposed from the opening  231  of the receiver  230  of the blood sugar analyzer  200 . Thus, interstitial fluid can be extracted from the piercing location  300   a  of the patient arm  300 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , blood sugar level measurement is performed by rotating the main body  220  on which the extraction cartridge (not shown in the drawings) is placed.  
         [0081]     Thus, the array chuck  40  and microneedle chip  110 , which are moving in the arrow Y 1  direction, pierce the arm  300  of the patient and immediately move in the arrow Y 2  direction so as to be housed within the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30 . This occurs because the springs  90   c  (refer to FIG.  3 ) and  90   d  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) in the guide channel  16  of the rear cover  10  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) and the guide channel  26  of the front cover  20  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), which have been compressed by the guide part  43  when the array chuck  40  moves in the arrow Y 1  direction, push back the guide part  43  of the array chuck  40  in the arrow Y 2  direction.  
         [0082]     When removing the used microneedle chip  110 , the chip container  120  that accommodates the used microneedle chip  110  is prepared, as shown in  FIG. 27 . Then, the disposition of the top and bottom of the mark [2] imprinted on the side surface  122   f  of the chip container  120  is confirmed (refer to  FIG. 9 ). From this situation, the user (patient) grips the piercing device  1  and moves the piercing device  1  in the arrow Y 1  direction so as to insert the chip container  120  through the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30 . In this case, the user is able to perform the operation one-handed without touching the used microneedle chip  110  since the piercing device  1  is moved relative to the chip container  120  positioned on a table or the like.  
         [0083]     When the piercing device  1  is moved in the arrow Y 1  direction, the array chuck  40  disposed inside the piercing device  1  also moves in the arrow Y 1  direction, as shown in  FIG. 28 . The array chuck  40  moving in the arrow Y 1  direction is moved to a position at which the tapered leading end  42   a  abuts the release piece  122   c  of the opening  122  of the microneedle chip  110 , as shown in  FIG. 29 . Thereafter, the elastically deformable chuck  42  is moved in the arrow Y 1  direction in a bent condition via the pressure of the leading end  122   e  of the release piece  122   c  by moving the array chuck  40  that holds the microneedle chip  110  in the arrow Y 1  direction, as shown in  FIG. 30 . Thereafter, the microneedle chip  110  is detached from the piercing device  1  (array chuck  40 ) via the release of the engagement of the chick  42  and the flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110 . If the piercing device  1  is moved in the arrow Y 1  direction from this disposition, the projections  111  of the microneedle chip  110  are inserted into and held by the locking holes  122   b  of the chip container  120  (refer to  FIG. 16 ) because the microneedle chip  110 , which is pushed by the bushing  46  of the array chuck  40 , is moved in the arrow Y 1  direction while bending the holder  122   a  (refer to  FIG. 14 ), as shown in  FIG. 31 .  
         [0084]     At the same time, the ejector  70 , which has moved in the arrow Y 1  direction, is stopped when the pressing part  71  abuts the edge  122   d  of the opening  122  side of the chip container  120 , as shown in  FIG. 32 . Therefore, the spring  90   a  of the spring installation part  17 , which is disposed on the rear cover  10  of the piercing device  1  that is moving in the arrow Y 1  direction, is compressed in conjunction with the movement of the piercing device  1 . In this case, the boss part  72  of the ejector  70  protrudes to the outside through the opening  12  of the rear cover  10  and the opening  22  of the front cover  20  in conjunction with the movement of the piercing device  1  in the arrow Y 1  direction. Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 33 , the edge  122   d  on the opening  122  side of the chip container  120 , which has been inserted into the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30 , is pressed by the pressing part  71  of the ejector  70  via user moving the ejector  70  in the arrow Y 2  direction, and the chip container  120  is automatically ejected from the through hole  33  of the chip container insertion member  30 . This occurs because the elastic spring energy of the spring  90   a  that has been compressed by the spring installation part  17  of the rear cover  10  reaches the contact  73  of the ejector  70 , and the ejector  70  exerts a force on the chip container  120  in the arrow Y 1  direction. When the elastic spring energy of the spring  90   a  is inadequate, the chip container  120  inserted in the through hole  73  can be easily ejected by the user pushing the boss part  72  (refer to  FIG. 24 ) that protrudes to the outside. Thus, the used microneedle chip  110  housed in the chip container  120  can be disposed of. This completes the use of the piercing device  1 .  
         [0085]     In the present embodiment, when the engagement of the anchor  62  of the release button  60  and the connector  44  of the array chuck  40  is released as described above, the user (diabetic patient) can hold the flange  112  of the of the microneedle chip  110  on the chuck  42  of the array chuck  40  simply by moving the piercing device  1  so as to insert the chip container  120  in the opening  33   a  of the chip container insertion member  30  by the provision of the array chuck  40  that holds the microneedle chip  110  and inserting the chip container  120  in the opening  33   a  of the chip container insertion member  30 . In this case, anchoring is achieved by the anchor  62  while the array chuck  40  is moved in the arrow Y 1  direction against the force exerted by the main spring  80  at the same time that the microneedle chip  110  is held by the array chuck  40  by providing the anchor  62  (release button  60 ) to engage the connector  44  of the array chuck  40  so as to anchor the array chuck  40  and making the array chuck  40  movable in the Y directions. Thus, the user can place the piercing device  1  when the array chuck  40 , which holds the microneedle chip  110 , is anchored and exerting a force toward (arrow Y 2  direction) the skin of a living body (arm  300 ). Therefore, the user can place the piercing device  1  in a condition that allows micropores to be formed in the skin of a living body (skin of the user) without a complex operation simply by moving the piercing device  1 . Then, from this condition, the microneedle chip  110  can be moved in the arrow Y 2  direction through the opening  33   a  of the chip container insertion member  30  and micropores can be formed in the piercing location  300   a  of the arm  300  of the user by releasing the engagement of the anchor  62  and connector  44  of the array chuck  40  via pressing the button part  634  of the release button  60 .  
         [0086]     In the present invention, when the microneedle chip  110  is held by the array chuck  40  and the engagement is released between the anchor  62  and the connector  44  of the array chuck  40 , the user can easily remove the used microneedle chip  110  held by the array chuck  40  that has been released from engagement with the anchor  62  by simply inserting the piercing device  1  as though to insert the chip container  120  in the opening  33   a  of the chip container insertion member  30  by inserting an empty chip container  120  that does not contain a microneedle chip  110  into the opening  33   a  of the chip container insertion member  30 . As a result, the user can safely dispose of the used microneedle chip  110  without touching the used microneedle chip  110 .  
         [0087]     In the present embodiment, not only can the unused microneedle chip  110  used in the piercing device  1  be held by the chip container  120 , the used microneedle chip  110  that has been removed from the piercing device  1  can also be detachably held by the chip container  120  by providing the opening  121  for holding the detached microneedle chip  110  and providing the opening  122  that holds the microneedle chip  110  that has been removed from the piercing device  1 .  
         [0088]     In the present invention, the used microneedle chip  110  with interstitial fluid (liquid) adhered after piercing the arm  300  can be prevented from detaching from the opening  122  by providing the locking holes  122   b  that prevent the detachment of the held microneedle chip  110  from the opening  122  of the chip container  120 . As a result, the user can safely dispose of the chip container  120  that holds the used microneedle chip  110 .  
         [0089]     In the present embodiment, the microneedle chip  110  installed in the array chuck  40  of the piercing device  1  can be easily removed by providing a tapered release piece  122   c  on the part of the opening  112  abutting the leading end  42   a  of the chuck  42  of the array chuck  40  that holds the microneedle chip  110   
         [0090]     The embodiment of this disclosure should be considered in all aspects an example and not in any way limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims and not by the description of the present invention, and includes all modifications within the scope of the claims and the meaning and equivalences therein.  
         [0091]     For example, although the example of a microneedle chip having  305  or  189  microneedles is described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these numbers inasmuch as a microneedle chip having a plurality of microneedles other than  305  or  189  may also be used, and even a microneedle chip having a single microneedle may be used.  
         [0092]     Although an example using a chip container in which a concavity for housing an unused microneedle chip and a concavity for housing a used microneedle chip are provided on mutually opposite sides, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as a concavity a concavity for housing an unused microneedle chip and a concavity for housing a used microneedle chip may be provided on the same side.  
         [0093]     Although an example of configuring the chuck part that holds the microneedle chip of elastically deformable resin is described in the embodiment above, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as a chuck part formed of a material other than resin (for example, metal) may be used as the chuck part that holds the microneedle chip.  
         [0094]     Although the example of the above embodiment describes moving the array chuck to compress a main spring by moving a piercing device relative to a chip container, and anchoring the array chuck to an anchor part of a release button when the main spring is in a compressed state, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as a lever may be provided to move the array chuck, such that a user may move the array chuck to compress a main spring by operating the lever, and the array chuck may be anchored to an anchor part of a release button when the main spring is in a compressed state.  
         [0095]     The above embodiment has been described in terms of a chip container having two openings and providing four supports to hold the unused microneedle chip at one or another of the openings, and providing a holder that has locking holes for holding a used microneedle chip in the other opening. However, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as a support may be provided to hold the unused microneedle chip and a holder may be provided to hold a used microneedle chip at a single opening. For example, supports to hold an unused microneedle chip may be provided on two side surfaces opposite the opening, and a holder for holding a used microneedle chip may be provided on two side surfaces facing a direction at 90 degrees variance to the aforesaid side surfaces.  
         [0096]     The above embodiment has been described in terms of a chip container having two openings and providing four supports to hold the unused microneedle chip at one or another of the openings, and providing a holder that has locking holes for holding a used microneedle chip in the other opening. However, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement inasmuch as a common holder that is capable of holding an unused microneedle chip and a used microneedle chip may be provided at one opening, as in the modification of the chip container shown in  FIG. 34 . The chip container  320  of the modification shown in  FIG. 34  differs from the chip container  120  shown in  FIG. 10  in that it is provided with a projection  321   d  on the edge  321   b  of the opening  321 . An unused microneedle chip  110  and a used microneedle chip  110  can be housed in the single opening  321 . The operations of the chip container  320  shown in  FIG. 34  when an unused microneedle chip  110  is mounted in the array chuck  340  and when a used microneedle chip  120  is removed from the array chuck  340  are described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 35 and 36 . The array chuck  340  is provided with a contact member  342   a , which expands a chuck part  342  by abutting the projection  321   d  of the chip container  320 , on one surface of the chuck part  342 , as shown in  FIGS. 35 and 36 .  
         [0097]     When mounting an unused microneedle chip  110  in the array chuck  340 , the array chuck  340  is inserted into the opening  321  (refer to  FIG. 34 ) of the chip container  320  from a direction in which the projection  321   d  does not abut the contact  342   a , as shown in parts (a) and (b) of  FIG. 35 . Thus, the microneedle chip  110  can be mounted in the piercing device (array chuck  340 ) since the chuck part  342  engages the flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110 , as shown in parts (c) and (d) of  FIG. 35 .  
         [0098]     When removing an unused microneedle chip  110  from the array chuck  340 , the array chuck  340  is inserted into the opening  321  of the chip container  320  from a direction in which the projection  321   d  abuts the contact member  342   a  and projection  321   d , as shown in parts (a) and (b) of  FIG. 36 . Thus, the projection  321   d  abuts the contact member  342   a , the chuck part  342  is expanded, and the engagement of the chuck part  342  and the flange  112  of the microneedle chip  110  is released, as shown in part (c) of  FIG. 36 . Then, the microneedle chip  110  can be removed from the piercing device (array chuck  340 ), as shown in part (d) of  FIG. 36 .