Abstract:
Disclosed is a fluidic chip or the like comprising a structure that does not leak a fluid to the exterior. This fluidic chip has at least two elastic members layered in an intermediate layer provided between a top substrate and a bottom substrate. An attached region, in which the elastic members are mutually attached, and a first non-attached region, in which the elastic members are not attached, are provided between the elastic member layers, and a recess in which a fluid can be stored is formed in the top substrate. In addition, the fluidic chip is provided with a through-hole that communicates between the bottom of the recess and one elastic member, of the at least two elastic members, that is attached to the top substrate side. A channel for the fluid is formed by mutual separation of the layers that form the first non-attached region in accordance with the pressurization by the fluid. The fluid that passes through the region is stored in the recess via the through-hole.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a fluidic chip that controls a channel of a microfluid. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In recent years, for example, FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has stored human DNA information regarding crimes by using “CODIS (Combined Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid Index System)”. The FBI needs to identify a criminal as quickly as possible by collecting DNA of a living body assumed to be criminal&#39;s at a crime scene and collating the collected DNA through the CODIS. A DNA analysis device has therefore been developed to enable DNA analysis at the scene. This DNA analysis device has a microstructure such as a microchannel or a port that forms a channel of a predetermined shape in a substrate. According to the DNA analysis device, various types of operations such as chemical reaction, synthesis, purification, extraction, generation, and analysis of a substance in the microstructure can be performed. A structure that has such a microstructure as a microchannel or a port in the substrate is generically referred to as a “microchannel chip”, a “microchannel device”, or a “fluidic chip”. 
         [0003]    The fluidic chip can be put to a wide range of application including gene analysis, a clinical diagnosis, drug screening, and environment monitoring. The fluidic chip is more advantageous than a regular-size device of the same type in that (1) the used amount of sample or reagent is considerably small, (2) an analysis period of time is short, (3) sensitivity is high, (4) the chip can be carried to a scene to enable analysis at the scene, and (5) the chip is disposable. 
         [0004]    Such a fluidic chip may have various types of microfluidic control mechanisms typified by microvalves arranged in the midway of a microchannel for the purpose of controlling a continuous flow of a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) or transfer of fine droplets. An example of such a microfluidic control mechanism is described in PTL 1 or the like. 
         [0005]    The PTL 1 discloses a fluidic chip structure having a microfluidic control mechanism that does not require any valve seat or pressure chamber. This fluidic chip has a structure including at least a top substrate, a bottom substrate, and an intermediate layer interpolated between the top substrate and the bottom substrate. On one adhesive surface selected from a group consisting of an adhesive surface side of the top substrate and the intermediate layer and an adhesive surface side of the bottom substrate and the intermediate layer, one or more linear non-adhesive thin layers for the microchannel are formed. On the adhesive surface side in which the microchannel non-adhesive thin layer is present and its opposite adhesive surface side, linear channels are formed to vertically intersect each other via one or more non-adhesive thin layers for a shutter channel and the intermediate layer. A region in which the microchannel non-adhesive thin layer and the shutter channel non-adhesive thin layer vertically intersect each other is referred to as a shutter channel non-adhesive region. A pressure supply port is formed at at least one location on the shutter channel non-adhesive thin layer to bulge the shutter channel non-adhesive region. 
         [0006]    PTL 2 discloses an inspection microchip which is compact and requires small amounts of a specimen and a reagent and no marker, an inspection device, and an inspection method. The microchip disclosed in the Literature includes a reaction tank and a waste liquid tank on a substrate, and communicates these two units with each other through a channel. When a pump outside the substrate operates, the channel and an air supply unit suck a fluid or air via the waste liquid tank. As a result, since negative pressure is applied in the reaction tank, various fluids or air supplied through a fluid supply port or an air supply path to the inspection microchip can be introduced into the reaction tank in the channel. A valve part of the air supply path connected to the channel is opened, and accordingly unnecessary waste liquid is pushed out to the waste liquid tank by the air. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0007]    [PTL 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-309868 
         [0008]    [PTL 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-140666 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0009]    However, when the fluidic chip disclosed in the PTL 1 is used for gene analysis, a clinical diagnosis, drug screening, and environment monitoring, waste liquid is stored in a waste liquid tank outside the fluidic chip. This waste liquid tank is fixed outside the fluidic chip, and thus waste liquid calculated by analysis carried out several times at the fluidic chip is stored. When the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid tank is processed, the channel connected to the waste liquid tank must be removed, and thus the waste liquid may leak to the outside of the waste liquid tank. This may cause contamination at a location in which sensitive analysis such as gene analysis is carried out, and a hygienically safe environment cannot be created. 
         [0010]    According to the technology described in the PTL 2, a waste liquid unit is installed in the microchip, while the channel is formed on the resin substrate. This channel is directly connected to the side of the waste liquid unit, thus causing a problem of reverse flowing of the waste liquid to flow to other than the waste liquid unit. 
         [0011]    Therefore, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a fluidic chip or the like having a structure that prevents leakage of a fluid to the outside. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0012]    A a fluidic chip according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes: at least two elastic members layered in an intermediate layer provided between a top substrate and a bottom substrate, provided between the elastic member layers, an adhesive region in which the elastic members are bonded with each other and a first non-adhesive region in which the elastic members are not bonded, formed in the top substrate, a recess in which a fluid to permit store, and a through-hole that communicates one of at least the two elastic members, which is bonded to the top substrate side, and a bottom of the recess with each other, wherein a channel for the fluid is formed by mutual separation of the layers that form the first non-adhesive region in accordance with pressurization by the fluid, to permit store the fluid that passes through the channel in the recess via the through-hole. 
         [0013]    A waste liquid processing method for a fluidic chip according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes: layering at least two elastic members in an intermediate layer provided between a top substrate and a bottom substrate, providing, between the elastic member layers, an adhesive region in which the elastic members are bonded with each other and a first non-adhesive region in which the elastic members are not bonded, forming, in the top substrate, a recess in which a fluid to permit store, and providing a through-hole that communicates one of at least the two elastic members, which is bonded to the top substrate side, and a bottom of the recess with each other, wherein a channel for the fluid is formed by mutual separation of the layers that form the first non-adhesive region in accordance with pressurization by the fluid, to permit store the fluid that passes through the channel in the recess via the through-hole. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0014]    The present invention can provide a fluidic chip or the like having a structure that prevents leakage of a fluid to the outside. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a top view illustrating a fluidic chip according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view cut along the line A-A′ of the fluidic chip  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  (opened state of channel by pressurization). 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view cut along the line A-A′ of the fluidic chip  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1  (unopened state of channel due to no pressurization). 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating a fluidic chip according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view cut along the line B-B′ of the fluidic chip  10  illustrated in  FIG. 4  (opened state of channel by pressurization). 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view cut along the line B-B′ of the fluidic chip  10  illustrated in  FIG. 4  (unopened state of channel due to no pressurization). 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view illustrating a fluidic chip according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, cut along positions similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       Fist Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a top view illustrating a fluidic chip  100  according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a sectional view cut along the line A-A′ of the fluidic chip  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the fluidic chip  100  in an opened state of a channel set by pressurization (positive pressure) from the outside.  FIG. 3  is, as in the case of  FIG. 2 , a sectional view cut along the line A-A′ of the fluidic chip  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the fluidic chip  100  in an unopened state of the channel (no pressurization from the outside). 
         [0024]    The fluidic chip  100  according to the exemplary embodiment includes, as an example, at least two elastic members stacked on intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b  formed between a top substrate  101  and a bottom substrate  102 . Between the layers of the elastic members, an adhesive region in which the elastic members are bonded and a first non-adhesive region (hereinafter, also referred to as “microchannel non-adhesive thin layer region” or simply “non-adhesive thin layer region”)  104  in which the elastic members are not bonded are arranged. On the top substrate  101 , a recess (hereinafter, also referred to as “waste liquid tank”)  105  capable of storing fluids is formed. 
         [0025]    Between one of at least the two elastic members formed along the top substrate  101  side and a bottom part of the waste liquid tank  105 , a through-hole (hereinafter, also referred to as “waste liquid port”)  130  is formed to communicate these parts with each other. 
         [0026]    In the fluidic chip  100  having such a structure, the layers of the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  are separated from each other by pressurization of the fluid to form a fluidic channel. As a result, the fluidic chip  100  can store the fluid passed through the channel in the waste liquid tank  105  via the waste liquid port  130 . 
         [0027]    Hereinafter, the fluidic chip according to the exemplary embodiment will be described more in detail. The fluidic chip  100  according to the exemplary embodiment roughly includes the top substrate  101 , the bottom substrate  102 , and the two intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b  interpolated between the substrates. The more specific structure of the fluidic chip  100  according to the exemplary embodiment is as described below. 
         [0028]    The top substrate  101 , the intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b,  and the bottom substrate  102  are, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , bonded and stacked together so as to form a microchannel. In other words, the fluidic chip  100  has a structure in which the intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b  are prevented from being partially bonded by applying an anti-adhesion agent to form the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  for the fluidic channel between the intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b.  As described above, the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is connected to the waste liquid tank  105  via the waste liquid port  130 . It is to be noted that a shape of an opening of the waste liquid tank  105  is not limited to a rectangular shape illustrated in  FIG. 2 . For example, for the opening shape, various structures can be imagined, such as a groove appropriately formed in a surface of the top substrate  101  or a triangular shape seen from a top surface of the waste liquid tank  105  so as to facilitate user&#39;s disposal of waste liquid stored in the fluidic chip. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a bottom surface of the waste liquid tank  105  includes the intermediate layer  103   a.  The intermediate layer  103   a  is exposed to the outside at a part forming the bottom surface of the waste liquid tank  105 . In other words, in the exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the part forming the waste liquid tank  105  of the top substrate  101  is bored into a rectangular shape in the top substrate  101 . The waste liquid port  130  is provided at the exposed part of the intermediate layer  103   a.  However, it is to be noted that the structure of the waste liquid tank according to the present invention described by way of the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the structure of the waste liquid tank  105  according to the exemplary embodiment. 
         [0030]    In other words, the waste liquid tank according to the present invention may be structured such that instead of boring a top substrate as in the case of the exemplary embodiment, a recess shape is formed in the top substrate and the intermediate layer is exposed outside in at least a partial region of the bottom surface of the recess. In this case, the waste liquid port (through-hole) may be provided at the exposed part of the intermediate layer. A specific example of forming the waste liquid tank into the recess shape will be described below in a second exemplary embodiment (refer to  FIGS. 4 to 6 ). 
         [0031]    In the exemplary embodiment, when the top or the bottom substrate  101  or  102  is bonded to the intermediate layer  103   a  or  103   b,  or the intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b  are bonded together, for example, permanent adhesion is utilized without using any adhesive. The permanent adhesion is also referred to as permanent bonding. For example, the surfaces of the substrates to which O 2  plasma or excimer UV (ultraviolet) light has been applied can be modified to be permanently bonded together. Silicon rubbers such as PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), or PDMS and a glass or the like naturally adhere to each other permanently. When the top or the bottom substrate  101  or  102  is PDMS or a glass, PDMS may be used for the intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b.    
         [0032]    Materials of any elasticity, flexibility or hardness can be used for top and bottom substrates  1  and  2 . Examples are a cellulose ester substrate, a polyester substrate, a polycarbonate substrate, a polystyrene substrate, a polyolefin substrate, and the like. Specifically, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, cellulose diacetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose nitrate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polycarbonate, a norbornene resin, polymethylpentene, polyether ketone, polyimide, polyether sulfone, polyether ketone imide, polyamide, a fluorine resin, nylon, polymethylmethacrylate, acrylic, polyarylate, a polylactic resin, polybutylene succinate, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, fluororubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, butyl rubber, urethane rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, polysulfide rubber, norbornene rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or the like can be used as materials for the top and bottom substrates  1  and  2 . 
         [0033]    Materials for the intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b  are, for example, in addition to silicon rubber such as PDMS, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, fluororubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, butyl rubber, urethane rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, polysulfide rubber, norbornene rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, and the like. 
         [0034]    The fluidic chip  100  includes a port  120  that serves as an input/output port of gas. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the port  120  is installed by scraping the top substrate  101  to be connected to the non-adhesive thin layer region  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, the fluid flowing through the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is liquid (waste liquid), but not limited to this. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , since by applying the positive pressure to the port  120 , the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is bulged to form the channel for the microchannel, the waste liquid can be transferred. For a positive pressure application method, for example, a feed-in tube is connected to each port, and pressurization means (e.g., micropump or syringe) is used. 
         [0035]    The top substrate  101 , the intermediate layers  103   a  and  103   b,  and the bottom substrate  102  are permanently bonded together except the aforementioned adhesive region  104 . The non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is configured by applying an anti-adhesion agent on an elastic film. The non-adhesive thin layer region  104  uses flexibility of rubber to return when the channel closes after pressurization. Then, since the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is adsorbed by self-adsorption, the channel closes. 
         [0036]    A width of the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  can be approximately equal to that of a microchannel in a general fluidic chip, or lager/smaller than the general width. For example, the width of the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is about 10 μm (micrometer) to 3000 μm. Less than 10 μm, pressure for bulging the non-adhesive part to form the microchannel is excessively high, thus creating a possibility of destruction of the fluidic chip  100  itself. On the other hand, when the width of the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  exceeds 3000 μm, while the original purpose is to convey and control a very small amount of liquid or gas to carry out analysis such as chemical reaction, synthesis, purification, extraction, or generation of a substance, an extremely oversaturated amount is set in the channel bulged with the width exceeding 3000 μm. 
         [0037]    The waste liquid tank  105  is formed by, for example, cutting an upper part of the top substrate  101 . In a lower part of the bottom surface of the waste liquid tank  105 , the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is provided, and formed so as to be connected to the bottom surface of the waste liquid tank  105 . The non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is connected to the waste liquid tank  105  via the waste liquid port  130  through which the waste liquid passed by the pressurization flows in. 
         [0038]    Since the fluidic chip  100  according to the exemplary embodiment is structured such that the waste liquid tank  105  is provided on the fluidic chip  100 , the non-adhesive thin layer region  104  is communicated with the waste liquid tank  105  via the waste liquid port  130 . With this structure, the waste liquid transferred through the microchannel in the pressurized state is stored in the waste liquid tank  105 . When not pressurized, the fluidic chip  100  can provide an effect of preventing leakage of the waste liquid out of the waste liquid tank  105  by a force to return (restoring force) generated by the flexibility of the elastic film forming the non-adhesive thin layer region  104 . 
       Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0039]    Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second exemplary embodiment is based on the fluidic chip  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , a fluidic chip  10  according to the exemplary embodiment will be described in detail.  FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating the fluidic chip  10  according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a sectional view cut along the line B-B′ of the fluidic chip  10  illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an opened state of a channel set by pressurization.  FIG. 6  is, as in the case of  FIG. 5 , a sectional view cut along the line B-B′ of the fluidic chip  10  illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a closed state of the channel set due to no pressurization. 
         [0040]    The fluidic chip  10  according to the exemplary embodiment includes a top substrate  1 , a bottom substrate  2 , and four intermediate layers  3   a  to  3   d  inserted between the top and bottom substrates  1  and  2 . When a waste liquid tank  5  is formed in the top substrate  1 , for example, a part of the top substrate  1  is cut into a recess shape. Between the intermediate layers  3   b  and  3   c,  a microchannel non-adhesive thin layer region (first non-adhesive region: hereinafter, simply referred to as “non-adhesive thin layer region”)  4  is formed. Between the intermediate layers  3   a  and  3   b  and between the intermediate layers  3   c  and  3   d,  second non-adhesive regions (hereinafter, referred to as “shutter channel non-adhesive thin layer regions” or simply “non-adhesive thin layer regions”)  6  and  7  are respectively formed. 
         [0041]    In the exemplary embodiment, a fluid flowing through a microchannel formed in the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  is liquid (waste liquid). The non-adhesive thin layer region  4  and the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7  intersect each other so as to partially overlap. The non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7  may be located between the top and bottom substrates  1  and  2 , and above and below the non-adhesive thin layer region  4 . To prevent reverse flowing of the waste liquid, it is advisable to arrange the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7  as close as possible to a waste liquid port  30 . 
         [0042]    The non-adhesive thin layer region  7  is formed between the intermediate layers  3   a  and  3   b.  The non-adhesive thin layer region  6  is formed between the intermediate layers  3   c  and  3   d.  When positive pressure is applied to at least one of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7 , the non-adhesive thin layer region  6  or  7  expands. Accordingly, since the expansion of the non-adhesive thin layer region  7  generates a pressure contact force (pressing force), the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  is closed. 
         [0043]    The top and bottom substrates  1  and  2  are strong enough to function as valve region fixing members, for example, even when the non-adhesive thin layer region  6  or  7  expands due to a pressure contact force of 200 to 500 kPa (kilo pascal). The valve region fixing member is a part for fixing the expansion of the non-adhesive thin layer region  6  or  7 . In the exemplary embodiment, an upper part of the valve region fixing member is the top substrate  1  and a lower part is the bottom substrate  2 . 
         [0044]    Though not illustrated, a pressure supply port is connected to one end of each of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7 . The non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7  are arranged to partially overlap the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  vertically. When positive pressure is applied from the pressure supply port, the non-adhesive thin layer region  6  and  7  press regions overlapped with the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  in accordance with the expansion, and thus function as valves. A pressurization method of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7  is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment. By applying the positive pressure to control the expansion of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7 , a function of the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  as a valve can be achieved. 
         [0045]    The waste liquid tank  5  is formed into a recess shape, for example, by scraping a partial region of the top substrate  1 . In other words, the waste liquid tank  5  is structured such that a recess is provided in the top substrate  1  and a waste liquid port (through-hole)  30  is provided in a bottom surface of the recess. The non-adhesive thin layer region  6  located below the waste liquid tank  5  provided in the top substrate  1  is stored in the waste liquid tank  5  via the waste liquid port  30 . The valve region fixing members according to the exemplary embodiment are the top and bottom substrates  1  and  2 . 
         [0046]    The fluidic chip  10  according to the exemplary embodiment is configured such that the waste liquid tank  5  is provided in the fluidic chip  10 . Further, the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  is communicated with the waste liquid tank  5  via the waste liquid port  30 . According to the exemplary embodiment, by, in addition to a force to return (restoring force) generated by flexibility of an elastic film forming the non-adhesive thin layer region  4 , the valve functions of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7  with respect to the non-adhesive thin layer region  4 , an effect of preventing leakage of the waste liquid out of the waste liquid tank  5  can be provided. 
         [0047]    In other words, according to the fluidic chip  10  of the exemplary embodiment, in a state where no pressure is applied to a port  20  but the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  provided between the intermediate layers  3   b  and  3   c  adsorbs itself, by pressurizing at least one of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7  from the outside, the self-adsorbed non-adhesive thin layer region  4  can be closed more surely. 
         [0048]    Further, according to the fluidic chip  10  of the exemplary embodiment, during pressurization to the port  20 , even in a state where the channel (microchannel) has been formed in the non-adhesive thin layer region  4  provided between the intermediate layers  3   b  and  3   c,  by applying pressure large enough to block the channel to at least one of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7 , the channel can be blocked. 
         [0049]    In other words, according to the fluidic chip  10  of the exemplary embodiment, even in the stored state of the liquid (waste liquid) in the waste liquid tank  5 , by applying appropriate external pressure to at least one of the non-adhesive thin layer regions  6  and  7 , the liquid can be surely prevented from reversely flowing to the port  20  side via the waste liquid port  30 . 
       Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0050]    Next, a third exemplary embodiment based on the second exemplary embodiment will be described.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view illustrating a fluidic chip  200  according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, cut along positions similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 .  FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the fluidic chip  200  configured such that an absorbent  50  capable of absorbing a fluid is inserted into the waste liquid tank  5  of the fluidic chip  10  according to the second exemplary embodiment and a lid  60  is further provided. When a waste liquid tank  35  is formed in a top substrate  31 , for example, a part of the top substrate  31  is cut into a recess shape. Shapes of the top substrate  31 , a bottom substrate  32  and intermediate layers  33   a  to  33   d  between the top and bottom substrates  31  and  32  are similar to those of the second embodiment, and thus repeated description is omitted in the exemplary embodiment. The fluid flowing through a microchannel is liquid (waste liquid) as in the case of the first and second exemplary embodiments. 
         [0051]    For the absorbent  50  inserted into the waste liquid tank  35 , for example, a highly absorbable material such as a polyvinyl formal resin is used. The waste liquid exits from a waste liquid port  40  to be captured into the absorbent  50 . The insertion of the absorbent  50  into the waste liquid tank  35  enables prevention of scattering of the waste liquid in the waste liquid tank  35 . 
         [0052]    The lid  60  provided in the upper part of the waste liquid tank  35  is formed into a shape not to seal the waste liquid tank  35  when the lid  60  is closed. As a material of the lid  60 , a hydrophobic material is used. The lid  60  provides an effect of preventing dropping of the absorbent  50  or flowing of the waste liquid out of the fluidic chip  200 . When the waste liquid tank  35  is sealed, pressure in the waste liquid tank  35  rises, thus creating a possibility that self-adsorption of a microchannel non-adhesive thin layer region  34  will be released to cause reverse flowing of the waste liquid. 
         [0053]    According to the fluidic chip  200  of the exemplary embodiment, the insertion of the absorbent  50  into the waste liquid tank  5  of the second exemplary embodiment causes, in addition to the effects of the second exemplary embodiment, to prevent scattering of the waste liquid in the waste liquid tank  35  when the waste liquid is injected through the waste liquid port  40  into the waste liquid tank  35 , and prevent leakage out of the fluidic chip  200 . Moreover, the inclusion of the lid  60  in the fluidic chip  200  can prevent dropping of the absorbent  50 . 
         [0054]    The exemplary embodiments (and Examples) of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Various changes understandable to those skilled in the art can be made of the configuration and the specifics of the present invention within the scope of the invention. 
         [0055]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-258536, filed on Nov. 27, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Top substrate 
           2  Bottom substrate 
           3   a  to  d  Intermediate layer 
           4  Microchannel non-adhesive thin layer region (first non-adhesive region) 
           5  Waste liquid tank 
           6 ,  7  Shutter channel non-adhesive thin layer region (second non-adhesive region) 
           10  Fluidic chip 
           20  Port 
           30  Waste liquid port (through-hole) 
           31  Top substrate 
           32  Bottom substrate 
           33   a  to  d  Intermediate layer 
           34  Microchannel non-adhesive thin layer region (first non-adhesive region) 
           35  Waste liquid tank (recess) 
           36 ,  37  Shutter channel non-adhesive thin layer region (second non-adhesive region) 
           50  Absorbent 
           60  Lid 
           100  Fluidic chip 
           101  Top substrate 
           102  Bottom substrate 
           103   a  and b Intermediate layer 
           104  Microchannel non-adhesive thin layer region (first non-adhesive region) 
           105  Waste liquid tank (recess) 
           120  Port 
           130  Waste liquid port (through-hole) 
           200  Fluidic chip