Patent ID: 8512638

Claim:
A microchip, having therein: an inlet ( 14 ) that collects a liquid sample therethrough, the inlet ( 14 ) protruding from one side surface of the microchip; a capillary cavity ( 4 ) configured such that an upper face and a lower face in a thickness direction are opposed to a gap generating a capillary force, the capillary cavity ( 4 ) sucking the liquid sample from the inlet ( 14 ) located at a first end of the capillary cavity ( 4 ) to a second end of the capillary cavity ( 4 ) by the capillary force and retaining therein and having an opening from the first end to the second end in one side face of the capillary cavity ( 4 ); and a holding chamber ( 5 ) provided at the second end of the capillary cavity ( 4 ), wherein the microchip transfers the liquid sample retained in the capillary cavity ( 4 ) to the holding chamber ( 5 ) by a centrifugal force generated by a rotation about an axis of rotation and analyzes therein, a side cavity ( 15 , 16 ) is provided at a side along a flow direction of the liquid sample in the capillary cavity ( 4 ), the side cavity ( 15 , 16 ) being configured such that an upper face and a lower face in a thickness direction are opposed to a gap not generating a capillary force but being always in communication with an atmosphere, the opening provided in the one side face of the capillary cavity ( 4 ) is always opened to an inside of the side cavity ( 15 , 16 ) from the first end to the second end of the capillary cavity ( 4 ), when the liquid sample is sucked into the capillary cavity ( 4 ), air in the capillary cavity ( 4 ) is expelled to the side cavity ( 15 , 16 ) by the liquid sample sucked into the capillary cavity ( 4 ) and moves from the first end of the capillary cavity ( 4 ) to the second end of the capillary cavity ( 4 ).