Abstract:
A continuous testing method for testing the concentration of a target object in a fluid is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A focused light is provided in the fluid to separate the target object from a non-target object in the fluid by changing the movement direction of the target object and the non-target object. The fluid having separated out the non-target object is enabled to react with a reagent. A signal is provided to pass through the fluid having reacted with the reagent. The signal passing through the fluid is received and an electronic signal is outputted corresponding to the input signal. The concentration of the target object is acquired according to the electronic signal.

Description:
[0001]    This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 12/272,872, filed on Nov. 18, 2008, which claimed the benefit of Taiwan Application Serial No. 97115988, filed Apr. 30, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates in general to a testing method, and more particularly to a continuous testing method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Many blood tests such as blood sugar concentration, blood cell count and troponin concentration are done by taking blood from the testee. For example, when blood sugar concentration is tested by an individual, the blood sample is tested by a personal blood sugar meter using photo-electro or electro-chemical technology. When the blood sample is tested in a medical center, the blood cells and the blood serum are separated by a centrifuge or a large-scale bio-chemical analysis instrument first before testing. 
         [0006]    Currently, the relevant testing devices and method for blood sugar and blood serum require independent blood sampling before the blood sample is transferred to the testing center for analysis. Next, the testing personnel will take corresponding actions such as insulin injection according to the results of the testing. Such manual testing is time consuming and cannot provide instant treatment to the patient. Furthermore, the sample may easily be polluted by external objects during the transferring process. Besides, if the sample may cause bio-chemical pollution, the testing personnel are susceptible to infection. The testing devices which are currently available in the market and using blood cells separation technology such as centrifuge separation technology or capillary separation technology have some disadvantages that severely affect the testing results. For example, the blood cells may easily break and result in hemolysis or may be separated incompletely. Besides, for the patients of many diseases who need to be tested regularly over a long period of the time, conventional manual testing method which requires the patients to be acupunctured repeatedly not only cause inconvenience and decrease infection risk to the patients but also waste medical resources. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention is directed to a continuous testing method. By integrating a separating unit and a reacting unit into the same chip, the fluid sequentially passes through the separating unit and the reacting unit in a continuous testing process. The target object and the non-target object can be separated directly on the chip and the fluid can directly react with the reagent on the chip, so that the concentration of the target object can be instantly tested and acquired. Thus, the concentration of the target object can be continuously monitored over a long period of time and corresponding procedures can be performed according to the change in the concentration of the target object. 
         [0008]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, a continuous testing method for testing the concentration of a target object in a fluid is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A focused light is provided in the fluid to separate the target object from a non-target object in the fluid by changing the movement direction of the target object and the non-target object. The fluid having separated out the non-target object is enabled to react with a reagent. A signal is provided to pass through the fluid having reacted with the reagent. The signal passing through the fluid is received and an electronic signal is outputted corresponding to the input signal. The concentration of the target object is acquired according to the electronic signal. 
         [0009]    The invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective of a continuous testing system according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective of a continuous testing system according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The continuous testing system and method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention integrate a separating unit and a reacting unit on a first chip and integrates a signal transducing element and a processing unit on a second chip, wherein the separating unit is used for separating the target object from a non-target object in the fluid and the reacting unit is used for enabling the fluid to react with the reagent. After the fluid has separated out the non-target object by the separating unit, the fluid can react with the reagent directly on the first chip and further receive the signal passing through the fluid by the signal transducing element to acquire the concentration of the target object. Thus, the information of the concentration of the target object can be acquired continuously, and corresponding procedures can be processed at the same time according to the concentration of the target object. A first embodiment and a second embodiment of the invention are disclosed below for elaborating the purpose of the invention not for limiting the scope of protection of the invention. Furthermore, secondary elements are omitted in the drawings of the embodiments to highlight the technical features of the invention. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective of a continuous testing system according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The continuous testing system  200  mainly includes a continuous testing device  100  used for testing the concentration of a target object T 1  in a fluid. The continuous testing device  100  includes a first chip  110 , a signal source  130  and a second chip  120 . The first chip  110  includes a separating unit  113  and a reacting unit  115 . The second chip  120  disposed at one side of the first chip  110  includes a signal transducing element  123  and a processing unit  125 . A continuous testing method according to a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated via continuous testing system  200  of  FIG. 1 . Firstly, the separating unit  113  separates the target object T 1  from a non-target object in the fluid T 2 . Then, the reacting unit  115  enables the fluid having separated out non-target object T 2  to react with a reagent. Next, the signal source  130  provides a signal S passing through the fluid having reacted with the reagent. Then, the signal transducing element  123  receives the signal S passing through the fluid and outputs an electronic signal according to the received signal. Next, the processing unit  125  receives the electronic signal and acquires the concentration of the target object T 1  according to the electronic signal T 1  in the fluid. Besides, the continuous testing system  200  further includes a medicating unit  180  coupled to the processing unit  125  and adjusts a medicating concentration or a medicating frequency according to the concentration of the target object T 1 . The continuous testing system  200  uses the separating unit  113  to separate a non-target object T 2  from the fluid and increases the precision of testing the concentration of the target object T 1 . Next, the fluid and the reagent directly react with each other in the reacting unit  115  and the concentration of the target object T 1  is tested at the same time. Thus, the testing time is reduced and the medicating unit  180  is capable of making corresponding adjustment according to the concentration of the target object T 1 . 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the first chip  110  has a main fluidic channel  110   a  used for connecting the separating unit  113  and the reacting unit  115  to transfer the fluid. The main fluidic channel  110   a  forms a fluid entrance  110   c  at one side of the first chip  110 , wherein the fluid having the target object T 1  and the non-target object T 2  enter the continuous testing device  100  via the fluid entrance  110   c . Examples of the separating unit  113  includes an electrode group  113   a  disposed at two sides of the main fluidic channel  110   a  to generate a dielectrophoretic force (DEP force) in the fluid for separating the target object T 1  from the non-target object T 2  in the fluid. Furthermore, the separating unit  113  of the present embodiment of the invention includes an optical tweezers  113   b  in addition to the electrode group  113   a  disclosed above, wherein the optical tweezers  113   b  provides a focused light L (such as a laser beam) to the fluid. When the focused light L is projected to the fluid, a force is acted on the target object T 1  and non-target object T 2  in the fluid due to the transfer of the photon momentum of the focused light L. The optical tweezers  113   b  separates the target object T 1  and non-target object T 2  by changing the movement direction of the target object T 1  and the non-target object T 2  according to the wavelength, intensity distribution and focusing angle of the focused light L and the shapes, refractive index and absorptivity of the target object T 1  and the non-target object T 2 . Anyone who is skilled in the technology of the invention will understand the operations of the optical tweezers  113   b , and the operations of the optical tweezers  113   b  are not repeated here. As indicated in  FIG. 1 , on the part of the continuous testing system  200  of an embodiment of the invention, the separating unit  113  includes the electrode group  113   a  and the optical tweezers  113   b  so as to effectively separate the target object T 1  from the non-target object T 2  in the fluid. However, in different implementations, the separating unit  113  can dispose the electrode group  113   a  at two sides of the main fluidic channel  110   a  or use the optical tweezers  113   a  as a separating mechanism for separating the target object T 1  and the non-target object T 2 . On the other hand, the separated non-target object T 2  can be transferred to leave the first chip  110  and stored or wasted according to actual needs. 
         [0016]    On the other hand, the reacting unit  115  of the present embodiment of the invention includes at least one reaction chambers  115   a  and many micro-fluidic channels  115   b , but is exemplified by including many reaction chambers  115   a . The micro-fluidic channels  115   b  connect the main fluidic channel  110   a  and the reaction chambers  115   a , and the fluid passing through the separating unit  113  enters the reaction chambers  115   a  via the micro-fluidic channels  115   b . The reaction chambers  115   a  accommodate the fluid and the reagent so that the fluid and the reagent react with each other. After the fluid has reacted with the reagent, the concentration of the target object T 1  in the fluid is tested. In the present embodiment of the invention, the reagent is transferred to the reaction chambers  115   a  via a reagent transmission unit (not illustrated in the diagram) for example. The first chip  110  can be a semiconductor chip, and the reaction chambers  115   a  and the micro-fluidic channels  115   b  can be formed on the first chip  110  in a photolithography process. Furthermore, the first chip  110  includes a waste liquid slot  110   b  connected to the micro-fluidic channels  115   b  and disposed at the rear of the reacting unit  115  to accommodate the fluid and the reagent which have been reacted and tested. The waste liquid slot  110   b  can be formed concurrently with the reaction chambers  115   a  and the micro-fluidic channels  115   b  in the photolithography process. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view along the cross-sectional line A-A′ of  FIG. 1  is shown. The reaction chambers  115   a  preferably have sufficient space for a period of time so that the fluid and the reagent can stay in the reaction chambers  115   a  and fully react with each other. Moreover, the size of the reaction chambers  115   a  and how the reaction chambers  115   a  and connected to the micro-fluidic channels  115   b  are determined according to actual needs and are not further restricted in the present embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, as the fluid entering the reaction chambers  115   a  has separated out the non-target object T 2 , the non-target object T 2  will not interfere with the concentration test of the target object T 1  and the precision of test will be increased. 
         [0017]    In the present embodiment of the invention, the signal source  130  is a light-emitting element such as a LED, the signal S passing through the fluid having reacted with the reagent is a light signal, and the signal transducing element  123  is a photo-electro transducer. In practical application, the part of the first chip  110  corresponding to the reaction chambers  115   a  is made from a transparent material. When the light-emitting element emits a light signal towards the reaction chambers  115   a , the light signal passes through the fluid and the first chip  110  passing through the reaction chambers  115   a  and then is projected onto a photo-electro transducer. The photo-electro transducer is used for detecting the intensity or color of the light having been absorbed by the fluid and then outputting the electronic signal to the processing unit  125 . The processing unit  125 , according to the electronic signal, operates the concentration of the target object T 1  in the fluid. In the present embodiment of the invention, the second chip  120  is a semiconductor chip, the signal transducing element  123  and the processing unit  125  are together formed on the second chip  120  in an integrated semiconductor manufacturing process. As the manufacturing process and procedures of the continuous testing device  100  are simplified, the efficiency of the manufacturing process is increased and the cost is reduced. 
         [0018]    The continuous testing device  100  further includes a casing  140 , wherein the first chip  110 , the signal source  130  and the second chip  120  are all disposed inside the casing  140  as indicated in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of the invention, the first chip  110  is replaceable disposed inside the casing  140 , such that the continuous testing device  100  can perform different fluid tests by replacing the first chip  110  and avoid the mixture and pollution of different fluids. Furthermore, the continuous testing device  100  further includes a battery  129  coupled to the signal source  130  and the second chip  120  to provides a potential to the signal source  130  and the second chip  120 . The battery  129  is disposed inside the casing  140 , such that the continuous testing device  100  can function without being connected to an external power. 
         [0019]    Besides, the continuous testing system  200  further includes a display unit  190  coupled to the processing unit  125  to display a frame of testing results according to the concentration of the target object T 1  so that the user can conveniently acquire instant information of the testing. 
         [0020]    The continuous testing system  200  of the first embodiment of the invention is exemplified by the application in the test of blood sugar concentration. The testee&#39;s blood is transferred to the first chip  110  of the continuous testing device  100  by a sample transmission unit (such as a syringe). The sample transmission unit is connected to the testee and the fluid entrance  110   c . Then, the blood is transferred to the separating unit  113  via the main fluidic channel  110   a , and then the blood cells (the non-target object T 2 ) are separated from the blood by the separating unit  113 . The blood serum containing blood sugar (the target object T 1 ) is then transferred to the reacting unit  115 . In the reacting unit  115 , the blood serum is transferred to the reaction chambers  115   a  via the micro-fluidic channels  115   b , and the blood sugar molecules of the blood serum react with the reagent in the reaction chambers  115   a . The reaction chambers  115   a  preferably have sufficient space so that the blood sugar and the reagent can stay in the reaction chambers  115   a  for a period of time and fully react with each other. Next, the signal source  130  such as an LED provides a light signal passing through the reacted blood serum to examine the blood sugar concentration according to the photo absorption reaction of the blood serum. The signal transducing element  123  receives the light passing through the blood serum and outputs the electronic signal to the processing unit  125  according to the intensity of the light. The processing unit  125  performs comparison and operation according to the electronic signal to acquire blood sugar concentration. The display unit  190  displays a frame of testing results according to the blood sugar concentration acquired by the processing unit  125 , so that the testing personnel will understand whether the blood sugar concentration is normal or not. Furthermore, the medicating unit  180  adjusts the concentration of the medicine injected to the testee and the time interval of injection according to the blood sugar concentration acquired by the processing unit  125  so as to adjust the testee&#39;s blood sugar concentration. On the other hand, the tested blood serum is then transferred to the waste liquid slot  110   b  and stored in the continuous testing device  100 , hence avoiding the blood serum leaving the continuous testing device  100  and reducing the risk of infection and pollution. Furthermore, when a testee&#39;s blood is tested, the testing personnel only need to withdraw the first chip  110  from the casing  140  and place another first chip into the casing  140 . Thus, the risks of mutual infection and errors in sample are largely avoided. 
         [0021]    The continuous testing system  200  of the first embodiment of the invention tests blood sugar concentration by continuously testing the sample acquired from the testee at a fixed time interval and quantity. Blood sugar concentration can be tested directly without having to be off-line, and the medicating unit  180  can timely adjust the medicating concentration and the medicating frequency. The continuous testing system  200  has the advantages of making the test of blood sugar concentration faster with higher precision and avoiding the used needles polluting the environment or causing blood infection. The continuous testing system  200  of the first embodiment of the invention is exemplified in the testing of blood sugar concentration. However, the technology of the invention embodiment is not limited thereto. The continuous testing system  200  of the present embodiment of the invention can also be used in other chemical, medical, biological testing or any other fluid test requiring continuous testing over a long period of time. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0022]    The continuous testing system of the present embodiment of the invention mainly differs with the continuous testing system of the first embodiment of the invention in the design of the first chip, and other similarities are omitted and are not repeated here. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective of a continuous testing system according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The continuous testing system  400  includes a continuous testing device  300  and a medicating unit  380 . The continuous testing device  300  includes a first chip  310 , a signal source  330  and a second chip  320 . The first chip  310  includes a separating unit  313  and a reacting unit  315 . The separating unit  313  used for separating the target object T 1  from the non-target object T 2  in the fluid includes an electrode group  313   a  or an optical tweezers  313   b , or may also include an electrode group  313   a  and an optical tweezers  313   b . In a preferred embodiment, the reacting unit  315  includes at least one reaction channel  310   d , the two ends of the reaction channel  310   d  respectively receive the fluid and the reagent, and the fluid and the reagent enter the reaction channel  310   d  due to electrowetting effect and react with each other. The signal source  330  provides a signal S′ passing through the fluid having reacted with the reagent. The signal S′ may be a light signal passing through the fluid and the reagent which are positioned in the reaction channel  310   d . The second chip  320  includes a signal transducing element  323 , a processing unit  325  and a function generator  327 . The function generator  327  provides a wave signal to the reaction channel  310   d  for enabling the reaction channel  310   d  to generate an electrowetting effect. Furthermore, the function generator  327  may further provide a wave signal to the electrode group  313   a  to change the volume and pattern of the DEP force according to the variety and characteristics of the non-target object T 2 . 
         [0024]    Furthermore, the reaction channel  310   d  is formed on the first chip  310  together with a main fluidic channel  310   a  and a waste liquid slot  310   b  in the same photolithography process. The first chip  310  further has a reagent transfer channel  310   e , wherein one end of the reagent transfer channel  310   e  is connected to a reagent slot (not illustrated in the diagram) for transferring the reagent to the first chip  310  and the other end of the reagent transfer channel  310   e  is connected to the reaction channel  310   d . As the hydrophobic or hydrophilic performance on the side wall of the reaction channel  310   d  is changed by the electrowetting effect, the reaction channel  310   d  controls the fluid and the reagent in the main fluidic channel  310   a  to enter the reaction channel  310   d  and react with each other. On the other hand, the electrowetting effect further enables the fluid and the reagent in the reaction channel  310   d  to form a focusing liquid drop for focusing the light signal such that the signal transducing element  323  can receive the signal S′ with higher accuracy and the quantity of the fluid and the reagent can be reduced. 
         [0025]    Moreover, the continuous testing system  400  of the present embodiment of the invention is connected to an external power E for providing a stable potential to the electrode group  313   a , the optical tweezers  313   b , the signal source  330  and the second chip  320 . The continuous testing device  300  may further include a casing  340 , wherein the first chip  310 , the signal source  330  and the second chip  320  are disposed inside the casing  340 . Furthermore, the continuous testing system  400  may further include a display unit  390  for displaying a frame of testing results. 
         [0026]    According to the continuous testing system and method disclosed in the first and the second embodiment of the invention, the separating unit and the reacting unit are integrated into one single chip for reducing the volume of the testing device. Moreover, as the information of the concentration of the target object can be continuously acquired by way of continuous testing, the testing system can perform corresponding procedures simultaneously and achieve real-time monitoring. Furthermore, the testing process is not off-line, hence preventing the fluid from being exposed and polluted or external objects from entering and polluting the fluid. Also, the signal transducing element, the processing unit and the function generator can be together formed in an integrated semiconductor manufacturing process, further reducing the costs and procedures of the manufacturing process. Besides, the first chip can be directly replaced, hence avoiding the pollution between different fluids and the infection between different testees. Furthermore, the problem arising when the particles of the fluid stuck on the pipe wall obstruct the flow in the channel and affect the testing can be quickly resolved by replacing the first chip. Next, an electrowetting effect can be formed in the reaction channel to generate a focusing liquid drop for increasing the accuracy of testing and reducing the quantity of the fluid and the reagent. 
         [0027]    While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.