Patent ID: 7678254

Claim:
A processing method in which microchips, each provided with at least a main flow path performing migration of a sample for analysis inside a sheet-like member is employed, comprising: pretreatment steps being performed using a dispenser common to the multiple main flow paths, and being performed such that when a pretreatment for one main flow path ends, a pretreatment for a next main flow path starts; and analysis steps, each of which, subsequent to the pretreatment, being performed for a corresponding main flow path independently of the other main flow paths and simultaneously with a pretreatment step for the next main flow path, thereby the analysis steps being performed simultaneously with different start time to one another among the main flow paths, wherein each of the microchips is provided with an electrophoretic flow path including a separation flow path as the main flow path, each of the pretreatment steps includes at least filling of a separation buffer solution and injection of a sample into the electrophoretic flow path, each of the analysis steps is an electrophoresis step and includes a separation step of electrophoresing the sample introduced at one end of the separation flow path in the separation flow path in a direction toward the other end thereof due to a voltage applied between both ends of the separation flow path to thereby separate the sample into components thereof; and a detection step detecting the separated components of the sample, and wherein the voltage applied to each separation flow path is applied independently of the others.