U.S. patent application number 15/798475 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for biosensor, thin film electrode forming method, quantification apparatus, and quantification method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Masaki Fujiwara, Shoji Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Tokunaga, Eriko Yamanishi.
Application Number | 20180067070 15/798475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27554610 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180067070 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miyazaki; Shoji ; et
al. |
March 8, 2018 |
BIOSENSOR, THIN FILM ELECTRODE FORMING METHOD, QUANTIFICATION
APPARATUS, AND QUANTIFICATION METHOD
Abstract
A biosensor is disclosed comprising a support; a conductive
layer composed of an electrical conductive material such as a noble
metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon; slits parallel to
and perpendicular to the side of the support; working, counter, and
detecting electrodes; a spacer which covers the working, counter,
and detecting electrodes on the support; a rectangular cutout in
the spacer forming a specimen supply path; an inlet to the specimen
supply path; a reagent layer formed by applying a reagent
containing an enzyme to the working, counter, and detecting
electrodes, which are exposed through the cutout in the spacer; and
a cover over the spacer. The biosensor can be formed by a simple
method, and provides a uniform reagent layer on the electrodes
regardless of the reagent composition.
Inventors: |
Miyazaki; Shoji; (Ehime,
JP) ; Tokunaga; Hiroyuki; (Ehime, JP) ;
Fujiwara; Masaki; (Ehime, JP) ; Yamanishi; Eriko;
(Ehime, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co.,
Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
27554610 |
Appl. No.: |
15/798475 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15215663 |
Jul 21, 2016 |
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15798475 |
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|
13895415 |
May 16, 2013 |
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15215663 |
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12930627 |
Jan 11, 2011 |
8480878 |
|
|
13895415 |
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10809217 |
Mar 25, 2004 |
7998325 |
|
|
12930627 |
|
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09889243 |
Oct 1, 2001 |
6875327 |
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PCT/JP00/08012 |
Nov 14, 2000 |
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10809217 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49002 20150115;
G01N 33/48771 20130101; G01N 27/3272 20130101; C12Q 1/001
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 27/327 20060101
G01N027/327; G01N 33/487 20060101 G01N033/487; C12Q 1/00 20060101
C12Q001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 15, 1999 |
JP |
11-324551 |
Apr 12, 2000 |
JP |
2009-111255 |
Apr 14, 2000 |
JP |
2000-113754 |
Apr 25, 2000 |
JP |
2000-124394 |
Apr 27, 2000 |
JP |
2000-128249 |
Apr 28, 2000 |
JP |
2000-130158 |
Claims
1-44. (canceled)
45. A biosensor for quantifying a substrate in a sample liquid
comprising: an insulating support; a working electrode formed from
an electrically conductive layer that is made of a noble metal and
is provided on a surface of the insulating support; a reagent layer
on the working electrode; a spacer layer provided on and covering
part of the reagent layer, where the spacer layer defines a supply
path for bringing the sample liquid into contact with the reagent
layer and where the supply path formed by the spacer layer is
narrower than the reagent layer; and a cover provided on the spacer
layer, where the cover comprises a counter electrode formed from an
electrically conductive layer that is made of a noble metal and is
provided on an inner surface of the cover; wherein a portion of the
counter electrode and a portion of the working electrode are in the
supply path, wherein part of the reagent layer is in the supply
path, and wherein the noble metal provided on the insulating
support and the cover is formed in turn from an inlet to the inner
part of the supply path.
46. The biosensor of claim 45, wherein the noble metal is
palladium, platinum, gold, ruthenium, or a combination thereof.
47. The biosensor of claim 45, wherein the working electrode and
the counter electrode are separated by 0.005 mm to 0.3 mm.
48. The biosensor as defined in claim 45, wherein the thickness of
the conductive layer is less than 100 nm.
49. The biosensor as defined in claim 48, wherein the thickness of
the conductive layer is 3 to 50 nm.
50. The biosensor as defined in claim 45, wherein the reagent layer
includes an enzyme.
51. The biosensor as defined in claim 45, wherein the reagent layer
includes an electron transfer agent.
52. The biosensor as defined in any of claim 45, wherein the
reagent layer includes a hydrophilic polymer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/215,663, filed Jul. 21, 2016, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/895,415, filed
May 16, 2013, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/930,627, filed Jan. 11, 2011, now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,480,878, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/809,217, filed Mar. 25, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,998,325, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/889,243, filed Oct. 1, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,327,
which is a national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 371 of PCT
International Patent Application No. PCT/JP00/08012, filed Nov. 14,
2000, which claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No.
11/324551, filed Nov. 15, 1999, Japanese Patent Application No.
2000/111255, filed Apr. 12, 2000, Japanese Patent Application No.
2000/113754, filed Apr. 14, 2000, Japanese Patent Application No.
2000/124394, filed Apr. 25, 2000, Japanese Patent Application No.
2000/128249, filed Apr. 27, 2000, and Japanese Patent Application
No. 2000/130158, filed Apr. 28, 2000, the contents of all of which
are hereby incorporated by reference into the subject
application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a biosensor which
quantifies a substrate included in a sample liquid, a thin film
electrode forming method suitable at the manufacture of this
biosensor, as well as a quantification apparatus and a
quantification method using the biosensor and, more particularly,
to a biosensor which provides a low manufacture error and a stable
performance, a thin film electrode forming method used in
manufacturing electrodes of the biosensor, as well as a
quantification apparatus and a quantification method using the
biosensor.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A biosensor is a sensor which utilizes a molecule
recognizing capacity of a biological material such as
microorganisms, enzymes, antibodies, DNA, and RNA and applies a
biological material as a molecular discrimination element to
quantify a substrate included in a sample liquid. That is, the
substrate included in the sample liquid is quantified by utilizing
a reaction which is caused when a biological material recognizes an
objective substrate, such as an oxygen consumption due to
respiration of a microorganism, an enzyme reaction, and a luminous
reaction. Among various biosensors, an enzyme sensor has
progressively come into practical use, and an enzyme sensor as a
biosensor for, for example, glucose, lactic acid, cholesterol, and
amino acid is utilized in the medical diagnostics or food industry.
This enzyme sensor reduces an electron transfer agent by an
electron which is generated by a reaction of a substrate included
in a sample liquid as a specimen and enzyme or the like, and a
quantification apparatus electrochemically measures a reduction
quantity of the transfer agent, thereby performing quantitative
analysis of the specimen.
[0004] Various models of such biosensor are proposed.
[0005] Hereinafter, a biosensor Z as a conventional biosensor will
be described.
[0006] FIG. 21(a) is an exploded perspective view of a biosensor Z
and FIG. 21(b) is a diagram illustrating a structure of an
electrode part formed at the tip of the biosensor Z.
[0007] The biosensor Z has its respective members which are bonded
in positional relationships shown by dotted lines in FIG.
21(a).
[0008] The electrode part of the biosensor Z is formed through
three printing processes as described below.
[0009] In the first process, a silver paste with a high electrical
conductivity is printed on an insulating support 1101 by a screen
printing method and dried to form electrode lead parts 1102a and
1102b.
[0010] In the second process, a carbon paste is printed on the
electrode lead parts 1102a and 1102b and dried to form a counter
electrode 1103a and a working electrode 1103b. The working
electrode 1103b is located inside the ring-shaped counter electrode
1103a, and the counter electrode 1103a and the working electrode
1103b is in contact with the electrode lead parts 1102a and 1102b,
respectively.
[0011] In the third process, a insulating paste 1104 as an
insulating material is printed on the counter electrode 1103a and
the working electrode 1103b and dried to define areas of the
counter electrode 1103a and the working electrode 1103b.
[0012] A reagent including enzyme or the like is applied to the
counter electrode 1103a and the working electrode 1103b which are
formed on the support 1101 as described above, whereby a reagent
layer 1105 is formed, and a spacer 1106 having a cutout part 1106a
for forming a specimen supply path and a cover 1107 having an air
hole 1107a are further laminated thereon and bonded. One end of the
cutout part 1106a of the spacer 1106 leads to the air hole 1107a
provided in the cover 1107. As shown in FIG. 21(b), the
arrangements of the counter electrode 1103a and the working
electrode 1103b which are formed on the support 1101 are such that
the counter electrode 1103a is located at a position nearest to an
inlet 1106b of the specimen supply path and the working electrode
1103b and the counter electrode 1103a are located in the inner part
thereof.
[0013] A description will be given of a method for quantifying a
substrate in a sample liquid in the so-constructed biosensor Z with
reference to FIG. 21(b).
[0014] The sample liquid (hereinafter, also referred to as
"specimen") is supplied to the inlet 1106b of the specimen supply
path in a state where a fixed voltage is applied between the
counter electrode 1103a and the working electrode 1103b by a
quantification apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as
"measuring device") connected to the biosensor Z. The specimen is
drawn inside the specimen supply path by capillary phenomenon,
passes on the counter electrode 1103a nearer to the inlet 1106b,
and reaches to the working electrode 1103a, and a dissolution of
the reagent layer 1105 is started. At this point of time, the
quantification apparatus detects an electrical change occurring
between the counter electrode 1103a and the working electrode
1103b, and starts a quantification operation. In this way, the
substrate included in the sample liquid is quantified.
[0015] Since this biosensor Z has variations in output
characteristics for each production lot, it is required to correct
variations in the output characteristics in a measuring device for
practical use. A conventional method for coping this will be
described below.
[0016] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where the
biosensor Z is inserted in a measuring device. Numeral 4115 denotes
a measuring device in which the biosensor Z is inserted. Numeral
4116 denotes an opening of the measuring device 4115, into which
the biosensor Z is inserted. Numeral 4117 denotes a display part of
the measuring device 4115 for displaying a measuring result.
[0017] The measuring device 4115 has correction data according to
the output characteristics for each production lot, and subjects an
output of the biosensor Z to the correction which is required for
each production lot to obtain a correct blood sugar level.
Therefore, it is required to insert a correction chip (not shown
here) which is specified for each production lot into the insertion
opening 4116 of the measuring device 4115 before the measurement,
thereby designating the required correction data to the measuring
device 4115. The correction chip has information about the
correction data to be used, and is inserted in the insertion
opening 4116, whereby the measuring device 4115 prepares the
required correction data. The correction chip is taken out from the
insertion opening 4116, the biosensor Z is inserted in the opening
4116 of the measuring device 4115, and then the substrate included
in a specimen is quantified as described above. The measuring
device 4115 to which a correction value is inputted as described
above obtains a correct blood sugar level from a measured current
value and correction data, and displays the blood sugar level at
the display part 4117.
[0018] The above-described conventional biosensor Z has problems to
be solved.
[0019] First, in the biosensor Z, a silver paste, a carbon paste or
the like is printed on the support by the screen printing method
and laminated to define the area of the working electrode.
Accordingly, the area of the working electrode varies with blurs or
sags of various pastes at the printing process, and it is difficult
to make the uniform area of the working electrode. In addition,
since the electrode structure is composed of three layers, i.e.,
Ag, carbon, and insulating paste, it is very complicated and
requires an advanced printing technique. Further, since the
electrode part of the biosensor Z consists of two electrodes, i.e.,
the working electrode and the counter electrode, when a
quantification apparatus connected to the biosensor Z applies a
certain voltage between these two electrodes and an electrical
change occurs, it detects that the specimen has reached the working
electrode and starts measuring. However, it starts the measurement
also when an immeasurably slight amount of specimen covers the
working electrode. Thus, an incorrect display in the measured value
occurs due to the shortage of the specimen quantity. In the
biosensor Z, it is required to enhance wettability between a
reaction reagent layer and a carbon electrode and improve their
adhesion to increase sensor sensitivity. For that purpose, a
polishing processing or heat processing to the electrode surface is
conventionally performed after the carbon electrode is formed.
However, this increases man-day, resulting in an increase in costs,
or variations in polishing processing accuracy causes variations in
the sensor accuracy. Further, the carbon paste used for the screen
printing is generally a composite material which is composed of
binder resin, graphite, carbon black, organic solvent and the like,
and the paste characteristics are easily changed due to lots of
respective raw materials, manufacturing conditions in paste
kneading or the like. Therefore, it is required a strict control
for mass manufacture of stable sensors, resulting in considerable
troubles.
[0020] Further, only by applying the reagent on electrodes for the
reagent layer formation, the reagent cannot uniformly be applied on
the electrodes because of the surface state of the electrode or a
difference in the way in which the reagent spreads due to reagent
liquid composition, whereby variations in the reagent quantity on
the electrodes occur. That is, even when the same amount of reagent
is applied by dripping, variations in spread of the reagent occur,
resulting in variations in position or area of the reagent layer.
Therefore, the performance of the biosensor Z is deteriorated.
[0021] Further, it is considerably troublesome to insert the
correction chip for every measurement, and when it is forgotten to
insert the correction chip, a correction chip for example for
measuring lactic acid value is inserted by mistake, or a correction
chip which is for measuring blood sugar level but has different
output characteristics is inserted, there occurs an error in a
measured result.
[0022] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned
problems, and has for its object to provide a biosensor which can
be formed by a simple manufacturing method and has a high measuring
accuracy, a biosensor in which a reagent layer is disposed
uniformly on electrodes regardless of a reagent liquid composition,
resulting in an uniform performance, a biosensor which enables a
measuring device to discriminate correction data for each
production lot only by being inserted therein without a correction
chip being inserted, a thin film electrode forming method for these
biosensors, as well as a method and an apparatus for quantifying
using the biosensors.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0023] According to the present invention, there is provided a
biosensor for quantifying a substrate included in a sample liquid
comprising: a first insulating support and a second insulating
support; an electrode part comprising at least a working electrode
and a counter electrode; a specimen supply path for introducing the
sample liquid to the electrode part; and a reagent layer employed
for quantifying the substrate included in the sample liquid, and
the electrode part, the specimen supply path, and the reagent layer
exist between the first insulating support and the second
insulating support, the specimen supply path is provided on the
electrode part, and the reagent layer is provided on the electrode
part in the specimen supply path, respectively, and the electrode
part is dividedly formed by first slits provided on an electrical
conductive layer which is formed on the whole or part of an
internal surface of one or both of the first insulating support and
the second insulating support.
[0024] Since a biosensor is constructed as described above, an
electrode part can be defined easily and with a high accuracy, and
variations in response of each biosensor can be reduced, resulting
in a favorable response. Further, the electrode part is formed in a
monolayer of electrical conductive layer, whereby troubles can be
reduced and an electrode part with a smooth surface can be formed
by a simple method. Since the structure cf the electrode part is
quite simple, it is possible to easily form biosensors having the
same performance.
[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the electrode part further comprises a detecting
electrode.
[0026] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, it is
possible to make the biosensor have a better accuracy.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the counter electrode is provided on the whole or part
of the internal surface of the second insulating support, the
working electrode and the detecting electrode are provided on the
whole or part of the internal surface of the first insulating
support, and the working electrode and the detecting electrode
which are provided on the internal surface of the first insulating
support are dividedly formed by the first slits provided on the
electrical conductive layer.
[0028] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, it is
possible to downscale a specimen supply path, whereby a measurement
can be done with a slight amount of specimen.
[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the electrode part is provided on the whole or part of
the internal surface of only the first insulating support, and the
electrode part provided on the internal surface of the first
insulating support,is dividedly formed by the first slits provided
on the electrical conductive layer.
[0030] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, all
of the electrodes are provided on the same surface, and thus the
electrodes are formed only on one surface, resulting in an easier
nanufacture, whereby the manufacturing costs of the biosensor can
be reduced.
[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, an area of the counter electrode is equal to or larger
than that of the working electrode.
[0032] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, an
electron transfer reaction between the counter electrode and the
working electrode is prevented to be rate-determined, thereby
promoting the reaction smoothly.
[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, a total of an area of the counter electrode and an area
of the detecting electrode is equal to or larger that that of the
working electrode.
[0034] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above,
electron transfer reactions between the counter electrode as well
as the detecting electrode and the working electrode are prevented
to be rate-determined, thereby promoting the reactions
smoothly.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the area of the detecting electrode in the specimen
supply path of the biosensor is equal to the area of the counter
electrode.
[0036] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above,
electron transfer reactions between the counter electrode as well
as the detecting electrode and the working electrode are more
reliably prevented to be rate-determined, thereby promoting the
reactions smoothly.
[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, a spacer is provided which has a cutout part for forming
the specimen supply path and is placed on the electrode part, and
the second insulating support is placed on the spacer.
[0038] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, the
position where the specimen supply path is provided is fixed, and
the second insulating support is placed thereon, thereby preventing
the specimen introduced to the specimen supply path from leaking
from the specimen supply path.
[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the spacer and the second insulating support is
integral.
[0040] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, the
spacer and the second insulating support is integral, thereby to
enable a cost reduction and a simple manufacture.
[0041] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, an air hole leading to the specimen supply path is
formed.
[0042] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above,
excessive air is discharged from the air hole when the specimen is
introduced to the specimen supply path, thereby reliably
introducing the specimen to the specimen supply path due to the
capillary phenomenon.
[0043] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the reagent layer is formed by dripping a reagent, and
second slits are provided around a position where the reagent is
dripped.
[0044] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, when
the reagent is dripped on the electrodes for the reagent layer
formation, thereby forming the reagent layer, the reagent spreads
uniformly forming the reagent layer of a prescribed area at the
prescribed position, whereby the reagent layer free from variations
in the position and area can be formed, resulting in a correct
measurement free from the variations.
[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the second slits are arc shaped.
[0046] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, the
spread of the reagent is defined by the slits which have the same
shapes as that of the reagent spread, thereby defining the area and
the position of the reagent layer more correctly.
[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, third slits are provided for dividing the electrical
conductive layer to define an area of the electrode part.
[0048] Since the biosenscr is constructed as described above, when
the support is initially cut at the manufacturing process of the
biosenscr, the area of each electrode is previously defined by the
third slits, whereby the area of each electrode does not change due
to the cut position of the support, thereby preventing variations
in the accuracy.
[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, shapes of the first insulating support and the second
insulating support are approximately rectangular, and one third
slit or two or more third slits are provided in parallel with one
side of the approximate rectangle shape.
[0050] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, the
area of each electrode can be defined easily by the third slits,
and the area of each electrode does not change due to deviations of
the cut position when the support is cut, resulting in no variation
in the accuracy.
[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
biosensor has information of correction data generated for each
production lot of the biosensor, which correspond to
characteristics concerning output of an electrical change resulting
from a reaction between the reagent liquid and the reagent layer
and can be discriminated by a measuring device employing the
biosensor.
[0052] Since the bicsensor is constructed as described above, the
measuring device can discriminate which the correction data is
required, only by inserting the biosensor into the measuring
device, and there is no need for a user to input the information
about the correction data employing a correction chip or the like,
thereby removing troubles and preventing operational errors to
obtain a correct result.
[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, one or plural fourth slits dividing the electrode part
are provided, and the measuring device can discriminate the
information of the correction data according to positions of the
fourth slits.
[0054] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, the
measuring device can discriminate the information of the correction
data by the positions of the fourth slits, the correction data can
be indicated correspondingly to plural production lots, the
measuring device can easily discriminate which correction data is
required, by inserting the biosensor into the measuring device,
whereby there is no operational trouble, resulting in preventing
operational errors to obtain a correct result.
[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, at least one or all of the first slits, the second
slits, the third slits, and the fourth slits are formed by
processing the electrical conductive layer by a laser.
[0056] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, a
high-accuracy processing is possible, the area of each electrode
can be defined with a high accuracy, and further the clearance
between the respective electrodes can be narrowed, resulting in a
small-size biosensor.
[0057] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, a slit width of respective one of the first slits, the
second slits, the third slits, and the fourth slits is 0.005 mm to
0.3 mm.
[0058] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, the
clearance between the respective electrodes can be narrowed,
resultirg in a small-size biosensor.
[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, a slit depth of respective one of the first slits, the
second slits, the third slits, and the fourth slits is equal to or
larger than the thickness of the electrical conductive layer.
[0060] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, there
can be obtained a biosensor in which the respective electrodes are
surely separated.
[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the reagent layer includes an enzyme.
[0062] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, there
can be obtained an enzyme biosensor suitable for an inspection
which employs the enzyme.
[0063] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the reagent layer includes an electron transfer
agent.
[0064] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, there
can be obtained a biosensor suitable for an inspection utilizing a
reaction of the electron transfer agent.
[0065] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the reagent layer includes a hydrophilic polymer.
[0066] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, there
can be obtained a high-accuracy biosensor which can easily form the
reagent layer.
[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the insulating support is made of a resin material.
[0068] Since the biosensor is constructed as described above, it is
possible to manufacture a lower-cost biosensor.
[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a thin film electrode forming method for forming a thin
film electrode on a surface of an insulating support including: a
roughened surface forming step of roughening the surface of the
insulating support by colliding an excited gas against the surface
of the insulating support in a vacuum atmosphere; and an electrical
conductive layer forming step of forming the electrical conductive
layer as a thin film electrode which is composed of a conductive
substance on the roughened surface of the insulating support.
[0070] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
a preprocessing such as a surface polishing processing is not
required, whereby it is possible to form the thin film electrode by
a simpler method and to form the thin film electrode with high
adhesion between the support and the electrode layer.
[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the roughed surface forming
step comprises: a support placing step of placing the insulating
support in a vacuum chamber; an evacuation step of evacuating the
vacuum chamber; a gas filling step of filling up the vacuum chamber
with a gas; and a colliding step of exciting the gas to be ionized
and colliding the same against the insulating support.
[0072] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
it is possible to form the support surface suitable for forming the
thin film electrode more effectively and reliably, thereby forming
the thin film electrode more effectively.
[0073] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, a degree of the vacuum in the
evacuation step is within a range of 1.times.10.sup.-1 to
3.times.10.sup.-3 pascals.
[0074] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
it is possible to form the support surface suitable for forming the
thin film electrode more reliably, thereby forming :he thin film
electrode more effectively.
[0075] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the gas is an inert gas.
[0076] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
the support surface can be made in a state suitable for forming the
thin film electrode without denaturing the support surface.
[0077] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the inert gas is either a rare
gas of argon, neon, helium, krypton, and xenon, or nitrogen.
[0078] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
there can be formed the thin film electrode more reliably without
denaturing the support surface.
[0079] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the electrical conductive layer
forming step comprises: a second support placing step of placing an
insulating support having an already roughened surface, which has
been subjected to the roughened surface forming step, in a second
vacuum chamber; a second evacuation step of evacuating the second
vacuum chamber; a second gas filling step of filling up the second
vacuum chamber with a second gas; and a step of exciting the second
gas to be ionized and colliding the same against a conductive
substance to beat out atoms of the conductive substances, to form a
film on the insulating support having the already roughened
surface.
[0080] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
a preprocessing such as a surface polishing processing is not
required and the thin film electrode with higher adhesion to the
support can be obtained.
[0081] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the electrical conductive layer
forming step comprises: a second support placing step of placing an
insulating support having an already roughened surface, which has
been subjected to the roughened surface forming step, in a second
vacuum chamber; a second evacuation step of evacuating the second
vacuum chamber; and a step of heating and evaporating a conductive
substance to deposit steams as a film on the insulating support
having the already roughened surface.
[0082] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
a preprocessing such as a surface polishing processing is not
required and the thin film electrode with higher adhesion to the
support can be obtained.
[0083] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, a degree of the vacuum in the
second evacuation step is within a range of 1.times.10.sup.-1 to
3.times.10.sup.-3 pascals.
[0084] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
there can be more reliably formed the thin film electrode with
remarkably high adhesion to the support.
[0085] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the second gas is an inert
gas.
[0086] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
there can be formed the thin film electrode with high adhesion to
the support without denaturing the support surface and the thin
film electrode itself.
[0087] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the inert gas is either a rare
gas of argon, neon, helium, krypton and xenon, or nitrogen.
[0088] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
there can be more reliably formed the thin film electrode with high
adhesion to the support without denaturing the support surface and
the thin film electrode itself.
[0089] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the vacuum chamber and the
second vacuum chamber is the same chamber.
[0090] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
a facility for forming the thin film electrode can be simplified
and thus the manufacturing cost of the thin film electrode can be
reduced.
[0091] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, the conductive substance is a
noble metal or carbon.
[0092] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
the thin film electrode is composed of not a composite material but
a single substance material, thereby enabling a mass manufacture of
stable electrodes, which is not influenced by the manufacturing
conditions and which has a less difference in material lots.
[0093] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
thin film electrode forming method, a thickness of a formed thin
film electrode is within a range of 3 nm to 100 nm.
[0094] Since the thin film electrode is formed as described above,
the thickness of the electrode can be thinned as much as possible,
thereby to enhance a production tact as well as reduce a
manufacturing cost due to a reduction of the material cost.
[0095] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
biosensor, the electrical conductive layer is formed by the thin
film electrode forming method.
[0096] Since the biosensor is formed as described above, the thin
film electrode reflects unevenness on the support surface which is
processed into a roughened surface, so that the wettability and
adhesiveness between the electrode and the reagent is enhanced,
resulting in a high performance biosensor.
[0097] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a quantification method for quantifying, by employing
the biosensor, a substrate included in a sample liquid supplied to
the biosensor comprising: a first application step of applying a
voltage between the detecting electrode and the counter electrode
or the working electrode; a reagent supplying step of supplying the
sample liquid to the reagent layer; a first change detecting step
of detecting an electrical change occurring between the detecting
electrode and the counter electrode or the working electrode by the
supply of the sample liquid to the reagent layer; a second
application step of applying a voltage between the working
electrode and the counter electrode as well as the detecting
electrode after the electrical change is detected in the first
change step; and a current measuring step of measuring a current
generated between the working electrode and the counter electrode
as well as the detecting electrode, to which the voltage is applied
in the second application step.
[0098] Since the quantification is performed as described above,
the quantification operation is started when the electrical change
occurs between the detecting electrode and the working electrode or
the counter electrode of the biosensor, thereby preventing
measuring errors due to the shortage of the specimen amount
supplied to the reagent layer, resulting in a higher accuracy
measurement. Further, when the measurable amount of specimen is
supplied to the reagent layer, the measurement is performed by
using the detecting electrode also as the counter electrode,
thereby making the area of the electrode part smaller, and thus a
quantitative analysis based on a slight amount of specimen can be
performed correctly.
[0099] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a quantification method for quantifying, by employing
the biosensor, a substrate included in a sample liquid supplied to
the biosensor comprising: a third application step of applying a
voltage between the detecting electrode and the counter electrode
or the working electrode as well as between the working electrode
and the counter electrode; a reagent supplying step of supplying
the sample liquid to the reagent layer; a first change detecting
step of detecting an electrical change occurring between the
detecting electrode and the counter electrode or the working
electrode by the supply of the sample liquid to the reagent layer;
a second change detecting step of detecting an electrical change
occurring between the working electrode and the counter electrode
by the supply of the sample liquid to the reacent layer; a second
application step of applying a voltage between the working
electrode and the counter electrode as well as the detecting
electrode after the electrical changes are detected in the first
change detecting step and the second change detecting step; and a
current measuring step of measuring a current generated between the
working electrode and the counter electrode as well as the
detecting electrode, to which the voltage is applied in the second
application step.
[0100] Since the quantification is performed as described above,
the quantification operation is started when the electrical change
occurs between the detecting electrode and the working electrode or
the counter electrode of the biosensor, thereby preventing
measuring errors due to the shortage of the specimen amount
supplied to the reagent layer, resulting in a higher accuracy
measurement. Further, when the measurable amount of specimen is
supplied to the reagent layer, the measurement is performed by
using the detecting electrode also as the counter electrode,
thereby making the area of the electrode part smaller, and thus
quantitative analysis based on a slight amount of specimen can be
performed correctly.
[0101] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the
quantification method, the second change detecting step is followed
by a no-change informing step of informing a user that no change
occurs when it is detected that no electrical change occurs between
the detecting electrode and the counter electrode or the working
electrode for a prescribed period of time.
[0102] Since the quantification is performed as described above, it
is possible to inform a user that there is a shortage of the
specimen amount supplied to the reagent layer of the biosensor,
resulting in the quantification method with enhanced convenience
and safety.
[0103] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a quantification apparatus, to which the biosensor is
detachably connected and which quantifies a substrate included in a
sample liquid supplied to the biosensor comprising: a first
current/voltage conversion circuit for converting a current from
the working electrode included in the biosensor into a voltage; a
first A/D conversion circuit for digitally converting the voltage
from the current/voltage conversion circuit; a first switch
provided between the counter electrode included in the biosensor
and the ground; and a control part for controlling the first A/D
conversion circuit and the first switch, and the control part
applies a voltage between the detecting electrode and the working
electrode in a state where the first switch is insulated from the
counter electrode, detects an electrical change between the
detecting electrode and the working electrode occurring by the
sample liquid which is supplied to the reagent layer on the
specimen supply path, thereafter applies a voltage between the
working electrode and the counter electrode as well as the
detecting electrode in a state where the first switch is connected
to the counter electrode, and measures a response current generated
by applying the voltage.
[0104] Since the quantification apparatus is constructed as
described above, measuring errors due to the shortage of the
specimen amount supplied to the reagent layer of the specimen
supply path are prevented, resulting in a higher accuracy
measurement. Further, the detecting electrode of the biosensor is
used also as the counter electrode at the measuring, so that the
specimen supply path can be downscaled, thereby to perform a
quantitative analysis of a slight amount of specimen correctly.
[0105] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided a quantification apparatus, to which the biosensor is
detachably connected and which quantifies a substrate included in a
sample liquid supplied to the biosensor comprising; a first
current/voltage conversion circuit for converting a current from
the working electrode included in the biosensor into a voltage; a
second current/voltage conversion circuit for converting a current
from the detecting electrode included in the biosensor into a
voltage; a first A/D conversion circuit for digitally converting
the voltage from the first current/voltage conversion circuit; a
second A/D conversion circuit for digitally converting the voltage
from the second current/voltage conversion circuit; a first
selector switch for switching the connection of the detecting
electrode of the biosensor to the first current/voltage conversion
circuit or the ground; and a control part for controlling the first
A/D conversion circuit, the second A/D conversion circuit, and the
first selector switch, and the control part applies a voltage
between the detecting electrode and the counter electrode as well
as between the working electrode and the counter electrode in a
state where the first selector switch is connected to the first
current/voltage conversion circuit, detects an electrical change
between the detecting electrode and the working electrode as well
as an electrical change between the working electrode and the
counter electrode, respectively, occurring by the sample liquid
which is supplied to the reagent layer provided on the specimen
supply path, thereafter connects the first selector switch to the
around, applies a voltage between the working electrode and the
counter electrode as well as the detecting electrode, and measures
a response current generated by applying the voltage.
[0106] Since the quantification apparatus is constructed as
described above, measuring errors due to the shortage of the
specimen amount supplied to the reagent layer of the specimen
supply path are prevented, resulting in a higher accuracy
measurement. Further, the detecting electrode of the biosensor is
used also as the counter electrode at the measuring, so that the
specimen supply path can be downscaled, thereby to perform a
quantitative analysis of a slight amount of specimen correctly.
[0107] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
quantification apparatus comprises: a second selector switch for
switching the connecticn of the working electrode of the biosensor
to the second current/voltage conversion circuit or the ground, and
the control part applies a voltage between the detecting electrode
and the counter electrode as well as between the working electrode
and the counter electrode in a state where the first selector
switch is connected to the first current/voltage conversion circuit
and the second selector switch is connected to the second
current/voltage conversion circuit, respectively, connects the
second selector switch to the ground when detecting an electrical
change between the working electrode and the counter electrode,
occurring by the sample liquid which is supplied to the reagent
layer provided on the specimen supply path, and when thereafter
detecting an electrical change between the detecting electrode and
the working electrode, in a state where the second selector switch
is connected to the second current/voltage conversion circuit and
the first selector switch is connected to the ground, applies a
voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode as
well as the detecting electrode, and measures a response current
generated by applying the voltage.
[0108] Since the quantification apparatus is constructed as
described abcve, measuring errors due to the shortage of the
specimen amount supplied to the reagent layer of the specimen
supply path are prevented, resulting in a higher accuracy
measurenent. Further, the detecting electrode of the biosensor is
used also as the counter electrode at the measuring, so that the
specimen supply path can be downscaled, thereby to perform a
quantitative analysis of a slight amount of specimen correctly.
[0109] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
quantification apparatus comprising an informing means for
informing a user that no change occurs, when the sample liquid is
supplied to the reagent layer of the specimen supply path, and the
control part detects that an electrical change occurs between the
working electrode and the counter electrode but no electrical
change occurs between the detecting electrode and the working
electrode or the counter electrode.
[0110] Since the quantification apparatus is constructed as
described above, it is possible to inform a user of the shortage of
:he specimen amount supplied to the reagent layer of the specimen
supply path of the biosensor, resulting in the quantification
apparatus with enhanced convenience and safety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0111] FIGS. 1(a)-(C) are exploded perspective views of a biosensor
according to a first and a fifth embodiments.
[0112] FIGS. 2(a)-(C) are diagrams exemplifying how an electrode
part is provided.
[0113] FIGS. 3(a)-(C) are exploded perspective views of a biosensor
according to a second embodiment.
[0114] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specimen supply path of
the biosensor according to the second embodiment.
[0115] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a state where slits are
formed in an electrical conductive layer of a biosensor according
to a third embodiment.
[0116] FIGS. 6(a)-(b) are diagrams illustrating individual wafers
of the biosensor according to the third embodiment.
[0117] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the biosensor
according to the third embodiment.
[0118] FIGS. 8(a)-(b) are diagrams illustrating a state of
electrodes of the biosensor according to the third embodiment.
[0119] FIGS. 9(a)-(C) are exploded perspective views of a biosensor
according to a fourth embodiment.
[0120] FIGS. 10(a)-(h) are diagrams exemplifying a formation of
fourth slits in the biosensor according to the fourth
embodiment.
[0121] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of a
biosensor which is formed in a fifth embodiment.
[0122] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of an
apparatus for forming a thin film electrode in the fifth
embodiment.
[0123] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating structures of a biosensor
and a quantification apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.
[0124] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another structures of the
biosensor and the quantification apparatus according to the sixth
embodiment.
[0125] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a specimen supply path of the
biosensor according to the first embodiment.
[0126] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating structures of a biosensor
and a quantification apparatus according to a seventh
embodiment.
[0127] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating structures of a biosensor
and a quantification apparatus according to an eighth
embodiment.
[0128] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating changes in wettability
index (surface tension) of a support surface and an adhesion
between an electrode layer and the support.
[0129] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a
thickness of a palladium thin film and the wettability index
(surface tension) of the electrode surface.
[0130] FIG. 20 is a diagram in which sensor sensitivities in a
blood glucose concentration of 40-600 mg/dl are compared.
[0131] FIGS. 21(a)-(b) are exploded perspective views of a
conventional biosensor.
[0132] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where a biosensor
is inserted in a measuring device.
[0133] FIG. 23 is a top view illustrating a state where slits are
formed in the electrical conductive layer which is provided on a
sensor wafer according to the third embodiment.
[0134] FIGS. 24(a)-(c) are top views illustrating states of
electrodes of a biosensor in a manufacturing method according to
the third embodiment.
[0135] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the concept of a
cross-sectional structure of a conventional biosensor.
BEST MODE TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION
[0136] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the figures. The embodiments which are
described here are merely examples, and the present invention is
not necessarily restricted thereto.
Embodiment 1
[0137] A biosensor A as defined in the present invention will be
described as a first embodiment with reference to the figures.
[0138] FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c) are exploded perspective views of the
biosensor A according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0139] First, members constituting the biosensor A will be
described.
[0140] Numeral 1 denotes a first insulating support (hereinafter,
referred to as merely "support") composed of polyethylene
terephthalate or the like. Numeral 2 denotes a conductive layer
which is formed on the whole surface of the support 1 and composed
of an electrical conductive material such as a noble metal, for
example gold or palladium, and carbon. Numerals 3 and 3 denote
slits which are provided on the conductive layer 2 on the support 1
and are parallel to the side of the support 1. Numerals 4a and 4b
denote slits which are provided on the conductive layer 2 on the
support 1 and are vertical to the side of the support 1. Numerals
5, 6, and 7 denote a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a
detecting electrode, which are formed by dividing the conductive
layer 2 by the slits 3a and 3b, as well as 4a and 4b. Numeral 8
denotes a spacer which covers the working electrode 5, the counter
electrode 6, and the detecting electrode 7 on the support 1.
Numeral 9 denotes a rectangular cutout part provided in the middle
of an entering edge part of the spacer 8 to form a specimen supply
path. Numeral 9a denotes an inlet of the specimen supply path,
numeral 10 denotes a longitudinal width of the cutout part 9 of the
spacer 8, and numeral 11, denotes an clearance between the two
slits 4a and 4b which are provided on the conductive layer 2.
Numeral 12 denotes a reagent layer which is formed by applying a
reagent including enzyme or the like to the working electrode 5,
the counter electrode 6, and the detecting electrode 7 which are
exposed from the cutout part 9 of the spacer 8. Numeral 23 denotes
a cover (second insulating support) for covering the spacer 8, and
numeral 13a denotes an air hole provided in the middle of the cover
13.
[0141] A method for manufacturing the so-constructed biosensor A
will be described with reference to figures.
[0142] First, as shown in FIG. 1(a), an electrical conductive
material such as a noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and
carbon is subjected to the screen printing method, a sputtering
evaporating method or the like, thereby to form the conductive
layer 2 on the whole surface of the support 1.
[0143] Next, as shown in FIG. 1(b), two slits 3a and 3b parallel to
the side of the support 1 as well as two slits 4a and 4b vertical
to the slits 3a and 3b are formed on the conductive layer 2 which
is formed on the support 1 by employing a laser, to divide into the
counter electrode 6, the working electrode 5, and the detecting
electrode 7. At this time, the slits 4a and 4b are provided so that
an interval between a tip of the support 1 and the slit 4a is
equivalent to or larger than the interval 11 between the two slits
4a and 4b.
[0144] As another manufacturing method for providing the three
electrodes on the support 1, it is also possible to use a printing
plate, a masking plate or the like (not shown here) in which a
pattern required to form the conductive layer 2 having parallel two
slits 3a and 3b is previously arranged when an electrical
conductive material or the like is formed on the support 1 by the
screen printing method, sputtering evaporating method or the like,
and thereafter use the laser to the conductive layer 2 which is
formed on the support 1 to provide the slits 4a and 4b, to divide
into the working electrode 5, counter electrode 6, and the
detecting electrode 7, whereby it is possible to form electrode
parts. Further, it is also conceivable to apply a method in which a
printing plate, a masking plate or the like in which a pattern
required to form the conductive layer 2 having two slits 3a and 3b
parallel to the side of the support 1 and two slits 4a and 4b
vertical thereto is previously arranged is used, and an electrical
conductive material or the like is formed on the support 1 by the
screen printing method, sputtering evaporating method or the like,
to form the working electrode 5, the counter electrode 6, and the
detecting electrode 7. A preferred thin film electrode forming
method for forming an electrical conductive layer of the biosensor
A will be described in more detail in another embodiment.
[0145] Though the electrode part comprises the working electrode 5,
the counter electrode 6 and the detecting electrode 7, the
electrode part may comprise at least the working electrode 5 and
the counter electrode 6. However, in order to perform a reliable
measurement, it is preferable that the biosensor comprises the
detecting electrode 7, since in this case a preferable biosensor,
that is, a biosensor which is capable of performing a reliable
measurement can be obtained.
[0146] Then, as shown in FIG. 1(c), a reagent is applied to the
working electrode 5, the counter electrode 6, and the detecting
electrode 7 as the electrode part formed on the support 1 to form a
reagent layer 12, and the spacer 8 having the cutout part 9 for
forming the specimen supply path is provided on the reagent layer
12. Then, the cover 13 is provided thereon. Here, one end of the
cutout part 9 of the spacer 8 leads to the air hole 13a provided in
the cover 13. The arrangement of the working electrode 5, the
counter electrode 6, and the detecting electrode 7 which are formed
on the support 1 is such that the counter electrode 6 is positioned
at a position nearest to the inlet 9a of the specimen supply path,
and the working electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7 are
positioned in the inner part therefrom. Respective areas of the
working electrode 5, the counter electrode 6 and the detecting
electrode 7 in the specimen supply path are defined by an area of
the cutout part 9 of the spacer 8 and the interval 11 between the
slits 4a and 4b. In the first embodiment, the slits 4a and 4b are
provided so that the interval from a sensor tip to the slit 4a is
equivalent to or larger than the interval 11 between the two slits
4a and 4b, and thus the area of the counter electrode 6 is
equivalent to or larger than the area of the working electrode 5 in
the specimen supply path.
[0147] Though the conductive layer 2 is formed on the whole surface
of the support 1, it is also possible to form the conductive layer
2 not on the whole surface of the support 1 but on a part which is
required for forming the electrode part. This will be described
below.
[0148] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating how the
electrodes of the above-described biosensor A are provided. Here,
the conductive layer 2 required for forming the electrode part is
provided only on the internal surface of the support 1, and the
conductive layer 2 is not provided on the internal surface of the
cover 13. The electrode part provided on the internal surface of
the support 1 is divided into the counter electrode 6, the working
electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7 by the slits 3a, 3b, 4a
and 4b being provided.
[0149] On the other hand, a method is also conceivable which
provides the conductive layer 2 not only on the internal surface of
the support 1 but also on the internal surface of the cover 13. An
example of this case will be described briefly with reference to
FIGS. 2(b) and 2(c). FIG. 2(b) illustrates a case where the
conductive layer 2 provided on the internal surface of the cover 13
is taken as the counter electrode 6 as it is, and the conductive
layer 2 provided on the internal surface of the support 1 is taken
as the working electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7 by the
slits 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b. Though the conductive layer 2 is provided
on the whole internal surface of the support 1, there is no need to
use an unnecessary part as an electrode. That is, the conductive
layer 2 is provided on the whole internal surface of the support 1
because in a process for providing the conductive layer 2, it is
easier to provide the conductive layer 2 on the whole surface than
in the case where the conductive layer 2 is provided on a part of
the internal surface of the support 1. A hatching indicating the
conductive layer 2 on the whole of the internal surface of the
support 1 is shown in the figure, but there is no need to use all
of this as the electrode. FIG. 2(c) schematically illustrates a
case where the counter electrode 6 is provided on the internal
surface of the cover 13, and the working electrode 5 and the
detecting electrode 7 are provided on the internal surface of the
support 1 as in FIG. 2(b), while the way in which the slits are
provided on the support 1 is different from that shown in FIG.
2(b). That is, in FIG. 2(c), the slit 4a is omitted as compared
with FIG. 2(b), while in this case it is required that the area of
the counter electrode 6 is equivalent to or larger than the area of
the working electrode 5 in the specimen supply path. When the
number of slits provided on the support 1 is decreased as described
above, the manufacture can be made more easily. Further, since the
working electrode 5 is located at a position opposed to the counter
electrode 6 in FIG. 2(c), the length of the specimen supply path is
decreased to reduce the size, thereby enabling a measurement based
on a trace quantity of specimen.
[0150] While in the embodiment 1 the division of the working
electrode 5, the counter electrode 6, and the detecting electrode 7
is performed by employing the laser, it is also possible that a
part of the conductive layer 2 is cut away by a jig with a sharp
tip or the like, thereby to construct the electrode part. Further,
while the screen printing method and the sputtering evaporating
method are employed as the electrode part formation methods, the
electrode part formation methods are not restricted to these
methods.
[0151] As described above, according to the biosensor in the first
embodiment of the present invention, the slits 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b
are provided in the conductive layer 2 on the support 1, and the
spacer 8 having the cutout part 9 is placed thereon, to define the
respective electrode areas of the working electrode 5, the counter
electrode 6 and the detecting electrode 7 on the specimen supply
path easily and with a high accuracy. Therefore, variation in
response characteristics of respective biosensors can be reduced,
thereby realizing a high-accuracy biosensor. Moreover, since in the
present invention the electrode part is formed in a monolayer with
an electrical conductive material such as noble metal for example
gold or palladium and carbon as the material, it take no trouble of
successively printing and laminating a silver paste, a carbon paste
and the like on the support 1 as in the prior art, whereby it is
possible to form the electrode part with a smooth surface by a
simple method. Further, since the slits 4a and 4b are formed on the
conductive layer 2 which is provided on the support 1 by the laser,
it is possible to define the area of each electrode with a higher
accuracy. The clearance between the respective electrodes can be
considerably reduced to downsize the specimen supply path, thereby
enabling the measurement based on a trace quantity of specimen
while this could not be measured conventionally. Further, since the
structures of the electrodes are very simple, a biosensor having
the same performance can be easily formed.
Embodiment 2
[0152] A biosensor B according to the present invention will be
described as a second embodiment.
[0153] FIGS. 3(a)-(c) are perspective views illustrating the
biosensor B in the order of the manufacturing process, and FIG. 4
is a diagram illustrating a specimen supply path of the biosensor
B.
[0154] First, the structure of the biosensor B will be
described.
[0155] Numeral 21 denotes an insulating support which is composed
of polyethylene terephthalate or the like. Numeral 22 denotes an
electrical conductive layer which is formed on the whole surface of
the support 21 and is composed of an electrical conductive material
such as noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon.
Numerals 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d denote first slits which are
provided on the electrical conductive layer 22. Numerals 25, 26 and
27 denote electrodes which are formed by dividing the electrical
conductive layer 22 by the first slits 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d, i.e.,
a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a detecting electrode
as an electrode for confirming whether a specimen is certainly
drawn inside a specimen supply path. Numerals 24a and 24b denote
second slits which define positions and areas on the electrodes
where a reagent is applied. Numeral 28 denotes a spacer which
covers the working electrode 25, the counter electrode 26, and the
detecting electrode 27. Numeral 29 denotes a rectangular cutout
part which is provided in the middle of an entering edge part of
the spacer 28 to form a specimen supply path. Numeral 30 denotes an
inlet of the specimen supply path. Numeral 24 denotes a reagent
layer which is formed by applying a reagent including enzyme or the
like to the working electrode 25, the counter electrode 26 and the
detecting electrode 27 by dripping. Numeral 25 denotes a cover for
covering the spacer 28. Numeral 16 denotes an air hole provided in
the middle of the cover 15.
[0156] Next, a method for manufacturing the so-constructed
biosensor B will be described.
[0157] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the electrical conductive layer 22 of
a thin film of noble metal such as gold and palladium is formed
over the whole of the support 21 by the sputtering method which is
a method for forming a thin film. It is possible to form the
electrical conductive layer 22 not on the whole surface of the
support 21 but on only a part which is required for forming the
electrodes.
[0158] Then, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the first slits 23a, 23b, 23c
and 23d are formed on the electrical conductive layer 22 by
employing the laser, to divide the electrical conductive layer 22
into the working electrode 25, the counter electrode 26 and the
detecting electrode 27. Further, by employing the laser, the
arc-shaped second slits 24a and 24b are formed on the electrical
conductive layer 22 around a position where a reagent is dripped so
as to surround the position.
[0159] Like in the first embodiment, the electrodes, the first
slits 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, and the second slits 24a and 24b may
be formed on the support 21 by the screen printing method, the
sputtering method or the like, which employs a printing plate, a
masking plate or the like, in which a pattern required for forming
the electrical conductive layer 22 having the first slits 23a, 33b,
23c and 23d and the second slits 24a and 24b is previously
arranged. Or, a part of the electrical conduction part 22 can be
cut away by a jig with a sharp tip.
[0160] Then, as shown in FIG. 3(c), for example in case of a blood
sugar sensor, a reagent which is composed of glucose oxidase as
enzyme, potassium ferricyanide as an electron transfer agent and
the like is dripped and applied to the working electrode 25, the
counter electrode 26, and the detecting electrode 27. Since the
part where the reagent is applied is a position which is surrounded
by the second slits 24a and 24b, the second slits 24a and 24b can
be used as marks of a place where the reagent is applied. Further,
since the applied reagent is a liquid, it spreads out in a circular
form taking a point where the reagent is applied by dripping as a
center, but the second slits 24a and 24b serve as breakwaters and
define the position and area of the reagent layer 14 so that the
reagent is prevented from spreading across the second slits 24a and
24b. Therefore, the reagent layer 14 is formed at a prescribed
position in a prescribed area.
[0161] Next, the spacer 28 having the cutout part 29 for forming
the specimen supply path is placed on the electrodes, i.e., the
working electrode 25, the counter electrode 26, and the detecting
electrode 27. The specimen supply path lies in a state as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0162] The cover 15 is provided on the spacer 28. One end of the
cutout part 29 of the spacer 28 leads to the air hole 16 which is
provided in the cover 15.
[0163] It is also possible to form the spacer 28 on the electrodes
of the working electrode 25, the counter electrode 26, and the
detecting electrode 27, and thereafter drip a reagent on a part of
the working electrode 25, the counter electrode 26 and the
detecting electrode 27, which is exposed from the cutout part 29,
thereby to form the reagent layer 14.
[0164] According to this structure, when blood is supplied to the
inlet 30 of the specimen supply path as a sample liquid which is a
specimen, a certain amount of specimen is drawn into the specimen
supply path due to capillary phenomenon by the air hole 16 and
reaches the counter electrode 16, the working electrode 25 and the
detecting electrode 27. The reagent layer 14 formed on the
electrodes is dissolved by blood as the specimen, and an
oxidation-reduction reaction occurs between the reagent and
specific components in the specimen. Here, when the specimen fills
the specimen supply path properly, an electrical change occurs
between the counter electrode 26 and the detecting electrode 27.
Thereby, it is confirmed that the specimen is drawn as far as the
detecting electrode 27. The electrical change also occurs between
the working electrode 25 and the detecting electrode 27, whereby it
is also possible to confirm that the specimen is drawn as far as
the detecting electrode 27. The reaction between the specimen and
the reagent is promoted for a prescribed period of time after the
specimen is drawn as far as the detecting electrode 27, and
thereafter a prescribed voltage is applied to the working electrode
25 and the counter electrode 26 or between the counter electrode 26
and the detecting electrode 27. Since it is a blood sugar sensor, a
current proportional to a glucose concentration is generated, and a
blood sugar level can be measured by its value.
[0165] While in the second embodiment the blood sugar sensor is
described as an example, it can be used as a biosensor other than
the blood sugar sensor, by changing the components of the reagent
14 and the specimen. In addition, though the biosensor B which has
the three electrodes is described in the second embodiment, the
number of the electrodes may not be three. Further, while the
second slits 24a and 24b are arc shaped, the shapes are not
restricted to this shape as long as they can define the position
and the area of the reagent layer and do not reduce the accuracy of
the electrodes. For example, the slits may be straight lines or
hook shaped.
[0166] As described above, the biosensor B according to the second
embodiment is a biosensor for quantifying a substrate included in
the sample liquid, which comprises an insulating support, plural
electrodes which are formed by first slits provided on the
electrical conductive layer formed on the whole or part of the
surface of the insulating support, arc-shaped second slits provided
in the electrical conductive layer to define the position and the
area where the reagent is to be applied, a spacer having a cutout
part which is provided on the electrodes to form a specimen supply
path for supplying the sample liquid to the working electrode, a
reagent layer including enzyme provided on the electrodes in the
specimen supply path, and a cover which is provided on the spacer
and has an air hole leading to the specimen supply path, and
defines the spread of the applied reagent by the second slits.
Therefore, when the reagent is applied on the electrodes for
forming the reagent layer, the reagent spreads uniformly, and a
reagent layer which is free from variations in the position and
area is formed, resulting in an accurate measurement which is free
from variations when the specimen is measured.
Embodiment 3
[0167] A specific method for manufacturing the above-described
biosensors A and B will be further described. Here, the biosensors
A and B are assumed a biosensor X collectively.
[0168] FIG. 23 is a top view illustrating a state where the slits
are formed on an electrical conductive layer provided on a surface
of a sensor wafer P as a basis of the biosensor X.
[0169] Numeral 3102 denotes an electrical conductive layer composed
of carbon, a metal material or the like, which is provided on the
whole surface of a support 3101. Numerals 3103a, 3103b, 3103c and
3103d denote slits which are formed on the electrical conductive
layer 3102. Numerals 3105, 3106 and 3107 denote electrodes which
are formed by dividing the electrical conductive layer 3102 by the
slits 3103a, 3103b, 3103c and 3103d, i.e., a working electrode, a
counter electrode and a detecting electrode. Numeral 3110 denotes a
cutting plane line showing a cutting position of the support. The
sensor wafer P is a support in a state where the electrical
conductive layer 3102 is formed on the support, and the electrical
conductive layer 3102 is divided by the slits 3103a, 3103b, 3103c
and 3103d to form electrodes of plural biosensors X, X, . . . ,
that is, the working electrodes 3105, the counter electrodes 3106,
and the detecting electrodes 3107.
[0170] A manufacture of the biosensor X by employing the
so-constructed sensor wafer P will be described with reference to
figures.
[0171] First, the electrical conductive layer 3102 is formed on the
whole surface of the band support 3101 by the sputtering method as
a method for forming a thin film.
[0172] Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the slits 3103a, 3103b, 3103c and
3103d are formed by employing the laser in an area where each
individual wafer Q of the electrical conductive layer 3102 formed
on the support 3101 is formed, to divide the electrical conductive
layer 3102 into the working electrode 3105, the counter electrode
3106, and the detecting electrode 3107, and the electrodes of
plural biosensors X are formed in a row, thereby to form the sensor
wafer P. Then, the electrodes of plural biosensors X which are
formed in this process are cut on the cutting plane line 3110, and
a reagent layer, a spacer and a cover (not shown here) are
laminated on the electrodes of the biosensor X obtained by the
cutting, thereby to form an individual biosensor.
[0173] However, the so-formed biosensor X has a problem in that
when the plural biosensors are to be cut into individual
biosensors, there are some cases where the cutting cannot be
performed on the cutting plane lines, resulting in deviations from
the cutting plane lines 3110. This will be described in more
detail. FIG. 24(a) is a diagram illustrating states of the
electrodes in a case where the cutting is correctly performed. FIG.
24(b) is a diagram illustrating states of the electrodes when the
cutting position is deviated toward left from the cutting plane
line 3110. FIG. 24(c) is a diagram illustrating states of the
electrodes when the cutting position is deviated toward right from
the cutting plane line 3110. Since the areas of the working
electrode 3105 and the counter electrode 3106 are decided by the
cutting position of the individual wafer Q, changes in the areas of
the working electrode 3105 and the counter electrode 3106 occur
when the cutting position is deviated from the cutting plane line
3110 as shown in the figures, resulting in variations in resistance
values of the respective electrodes. Therefore, values of currents
flowing the electrodes change, whereby the accuracy of the
biosensor X get worse.
[0174] Here, a biosensor C according to the present invention,
which has for its object to solve this problem will be described as
a third embodiment.
[0175] FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a state where slits are
formed on an electrical conductive layer which is provided on a
surface of a sensor wafer R as a basis of the biosensor C. FIGS. 6
are diagrams illustrating an individual wafer S of the biosensor C.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a manufacturing process
of the biosensor C. FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating states of
electrodes of the biosensor C.
[0176] Initially, component of the biosensor C will be
described.
[0177] Numeral 41 denotes an insulating support which is composed
of polyethylene terephthalate and the like. Numeral 42 denotes an
electrical conductive layer which is formed on the whole surface of
the support 41 and composed of an electrical conductive material
such as noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon.
Numerals 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d denote first slits which are
provided on the electrical conductive layer 42. Numerals 45, 46,
and 47 denote electrodes which are formed by dividing the
electrical conductive layer 42 by the first slits 43a, 43b, 43c and
43d, i.e., a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a
detecting electrode as an electrode for confirming whether a
specimen is surely drawn into a specimen supply path. Numeral 50
denotes a cutting plane line as a position where the support is
cut. Numerals 44a and 44b denote third slits for defining the areas
of the electrodes. Numeral 48 denotes a spacer which covers the
working electrode 45, the counter electrode 46 and the detecting
electrode 47. Numeral 49 denotes a rectangular cutout part which is
provided in the middle of an entering edge part of the spacer 28 to
form a specimen supply path. Numeral 51 denotes a reagent layer
which is formed by applying a reagent including enzyme to the
working electrode 45, the counter electrode 46 and the detecting
electrode 47. Numeral 52 denotes a cover for covering the spacer
48. Numeral 53 denotes an air hole which is provided in the middle
of the cover 52. The sensor wafer R is a support in a state where
the electrical conductive layer 42 is formed in the support 41, and
the electrical conductive layer 42 is divided by the first slits
43a, 43b, 43c and 43d as well as the third slits 44a and 44b to
form electrodes of plural biosensors, that is, the working
electrode 45, the counter electrode 46 and the detecting electrode
47. Further, an individual wafer S represents a state of each
biosensor of the sensor wafer R.
[0178] A method for manufacturing the biosensor C will be described
in the order of process.
[0179] Fist, the electrical conductive layer 42 is formed with a
thin film of noble metal such as gold and palladium, over the whole
band support 41 by the sputtering method.
[0180] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the first slits 43a, 43b, 43c and
43d are formed by employing the laser in an area where each
individual wafer S of the electrical conductive layer 42 formed on
the support 41 is formed, to divide the electrical conductive layer
42 into the working electrode 45, the counter electrode 46, and the
detecting electrode 47. Further, the third slit 44a on the right of
the first slit 43a, and the third slit 44b on the left of the first
slit 43b are formed by employing the laser at positions which are
parallel to longitudinal sides of each biosensor after being cut
and make the working electrode 45 and the counter electrode 46 have
prescribed areas, thereby forming plural individual wafers S. FIG.
6(a) is a top view of the individual wafer S. FIG. 6(b) is a front
view of the individual wafer S.
[0181] The electrical conductive layer 43 may be provided on the
support 41 by the screen printing method, the sputtering method or
the like, which employs a printing plate, a masking plate or the
like in which a pattern required for forming the electrical
conductive layer 42 having the first slits 43a, 33b, 43c and 43d as
well as the third slits 44a and 44b is previously arranged, to form
the first slits 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d as well as the third slits
44a and 44b. Or, these slits can be formed by cutting away a part
of the electrical conduction part 42 by a jig with a sharp chip or
the like.
[0182] Then, as shown in FIG. 7, for each wafer S, for example in
the case of a blood sugar sensor, a reagent composed of glucose
oxidase as enzyme, potassium ferricyanide as an electron transfer
agent and the like is applied to the electrodes, i.e., the working
electrode 45, the counter electrode 46 and the detecting electrode
47, to form the reagent layer 51.
[0183] Next, the spacer 48 having the cutout part 49 for forming
the specimen supply path is provided on the electrodes, i.e., the
working electrode 45, the counter electrode 46 and the detecting
electrode 47.
[0184] The cover 52 is provided on the spacer 48. One end of the
cutout part 49 of the spacer 48 leads to the air hole 53 provided
in the cover 52.
[0185] It is also possible to form the spacer 48 on the electrodes,
i.e., the working electrode 45, the counter electrode 46 and the
detecting electrode 47, and thereafter apply a reagent on parts of
the working electrode 45, the counter electrode 46 and the
detecting electrode 47, which are exposed from the cutout part 49,
thereby to form the reagent layer 51.
[0186] Then, plural biosensors which are formed by the
above-described process are cut on the cutting plane lines 50 to
form individual biosensors.
[0187] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram illustrating states of the electrodes
when the cutting position is deviated toward left from the cutting
plane line 50. FIG. 8(b) is a diagram illustrating states of the
electrodes when the cutting position is deviated toward right from
the cutting plane line 50. In any of the cases where the cutting
position is deviated toward right and left, the areas of the
working electrode 45 and the counter electrode 46 are already
defined by the first slits and the third slits, whereby as shown in
figure 8, the areas of the working electrode 45 and the counter
electrode 46 are equal to those when the cutting is performed on
the cutting plane line 50 shown in FIG. 6(a), as long as the
cutting is performed between the third slits 44a and 44b of the
adjacent biosensors.
[0188] Since the specimen measurement largely depends on the area
or reaction of the working electrode 45, it is possible to provide
only the third slit 44a which defines the area of the working
electrode 45, without the third slit 44b.
[0189] In order to measure the specimen, when blood is supplied to
the specimen supply path formed at the cutout part 49 of the spacer
48 as a sample liquid which is the specimen, a prescribed amount of
specimen is drawn into the specimen supply path due to capillary
phenomenon by the air hole 53, and reaches the counter electrode
46, the working electrode 45 and the detecting electrode 47. The
reagent layer 51 formed on the electrodes is dissolved by the blood
as the specimen, and oxidation-reduction reaction occurs between
the reagent and specific components in the specimen. Here, when the
specimen fills the specimen supply path properly, electrical
changes occur between the counter electrode 46 and the detecting
electrode 47. Thereby, it is confirmed that the specimen is drawn
as far as the detecting electrode 47. The electrical changes also
occur between the working electrode 45 and the detecting electrode
47, and thereby it is also possible to confirm that the specimen is
drawn as far as the detecting electrode 47. The reaction between
the specimen and the reagent is promoted for a prescribed period of
time after the specimen is drawn as far as the detecting electrode
47, and thereafter a prescribed voltage is applied to the working
electrode 45 and the counter electrode 46 or both of the counter
electrode 46 and the detecting electrode 47. For example in the
case of blood sugar sensor, a current which is proportional to the
glucose concentration is generated and a blood sugar level can be
measured by its value.
[0190] While in the third embodiment the blood sugar sensor is
described as an example, this can be used as a biosensor other than
the blood sugar sensor, by changing the components of the reagent
51 and the specimen. In addition, though the biosensor which has
the three electrodes is described in the third embodiment, the
number of the electrodes may be other than three as long as the
areas of the electrodes are defined by the third slits. Further, it
is sufficient that at least the area of the working electrode which
greatly affects the measuring accuracy is defined by the third
slits. The positions of the third slits are not restricted to those
positions as long as they can define the areas of the electrodes.
The shape of the biosensor may be other than that of the biosensor
according to the third embodiment as long as it can define the
areas of the electrodes by the third slits.
[0191] As described above, in the biosensor according to the third
embodiment, the areas of respective electrodes are defined by the
two third slits parallel to the longitudinal sides of the
biosensor. Therefore, the areas of the respective electrodes are
previously defined by the third slits and the areas of the
respective electrodes are not changed according to the cutting
position, resulting in no variation in the accuracy. Further, there
is provided the reagent layer composed of the reagent which is to
be reacted with the sample liquid, the spacer having the cutout
part which forms the specimen supply path for supplying the sample
liquid to the electrodes, and the cover which is placed on the
spacer and has the air hole leading to the specimen supply path,
whereby the sample liquid can be easily drawn into the specimen
supply path. The electrical conductive layer is formed on the whole
surface of the insulating support and is divided into plural
electrodes by the first slits, thereby forming the high-accuracy
electrodes and enhancing the working accuracy. Further, since the
first slits and the third slits are formed by the laser, the
high-accuracy processing is possible, thereby to define the areas
of the respective electrodes with a high accuracy, as well as the
clearance between the respective electrodes can be narrowed,
thereby to downsize the biosensor.
Embodiment 4
[0192] A biosensor D according to the present invention will be
described as a fourth embodiment.
[0193] FIG. 9(a)-(c) are perspective views illustrating the
biosensor D in the order of a manufacturing process. FIGS.
10(a)-(h) are top views exemplifying the formation of fourth slits
of the biosensor D. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state where
the biosensor D is inserted into a measuring device.
[0194] First, components of the biosensor D will be described.
[0195] Numeral 61 denotes an insulating support composed of
polyethylene terephthalate cr the like. Numeral 62 denotes an
electrical conductive layer which is formed on the whole surface of
the support 61 and is composed of an electrical conductive material
such as a noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon.
Numerals 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d denote first slits provided in the
electrical conductive layer 62. Numerals 65, 66, and 67 denote
electrodes which are formed by dividing the electrical conductive
layer 62 by the first slits 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d, i.e., a working
electrode, a counter electrode, and a detecting electrode as an
electrode for confirming whether the specimen is surely drawn into
a specimen supply path, respectively. Numerals 64a, 64b, and 64c
denote fourth slits which divide the counter electrode 66, the
detecting electrode 67, and the working electrode 65, respectively.
Numeral 68 denotes a spacer which covers the working electrode 65,
the counter electrode 66, and the detecting electrode 67. Numeral
69 denotes a rectangular cutout part provided in the middle of an
entering edge part of the spacer 68 to form a specimen supply path.
Numeral 54 denotes a reagent layer which is formed by applying a
reagent including enzyme or the like to the working electrode 65,
the counter electrode 66, and the detecting electrode 67 by the
dripping. Numeral 55 denotes a cover for covering the spacer 68.
Numeral 56 denotes an air hole provided in the middle of the cover
55. Numerals 58, 59, and 57 denote correction parts provided at the
end parts of respective electrodes, i.e., the working electrode 65,
the counter electrode 66, and the ,detecting electrode 67. Numerals
71, 72, and 73 denote measuring parts which are on the periphery of
the cover 55, of parts of the working electrode 65, the counter
electrode 66, and the detecting electrode 67, respectively, which
are exposed from the cover 55. D denotes a biosensor. Numeral 4115
denotes a measuring device in which the biosensor D is to be
inserted. Numeral 4116 denotes an insertion opening of the
measuring device 4115 into which the biosensor D is inserted.
Numeral 4117 denotes a display part of the measuring device 4115
for displaying a measured result.
[0196] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the electrical conductive layer 62 of
a thin film of a noble metal such as gold and palladium is formed
by the sputtering method for manufacturing a thin film over the
whole support 61. The electrical conductive layer 62 may not be
formed on the whole surface of the support 61 but only on a part
required for forming the electrodes.
[0197] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the first slits 63a, 63b, 63c,
and 63d are formed on the electrical conductive layer 62 by
employing the laser, to divide the electrical conductive layer 62
into the working electrode 65, the counter electrode 66, and the
detecting electrode 67. Further, the fourth slits 64a, 64b, and 64c
are formed on the electrodes, i.e., the working electrode 65, the
counter electrode 65, and the detecting electrode 67 by employing
the laser. Here, the fourth slits 64a, 64b, and 64c divide all the
electrodes, i.e., the working electrode 65, the counter electrode
66, and the detecting electrode 67, while there are for example
eight kinds of combinations possible as shown in FIGS. 10 as the
manner in which the fourth slits 64a, 64b, and 64c are
provided.
[0198] FIG. 10(a) illustrates a case where no fourth slit is
provided. FIG. 10(b) illustrate a case where the fourth slit 64a is
provided only in the counter electrode 66. FIG. 10(c) illustrate a
case where the fourth slit 64b is provided only in the detecting
electrode 67. FIG. 10(d) illustrates a case where the fourth slit
64c is provided only in the working electrode 65. FIG. 10(e)
illustrates a case where the fourth slits 64a and 64b are provided
in the counter electrode 66 and the detecting electrode 67. FIG.
10(f) illustrates a case where the fourth slits 64c and 64a are
provided in the working electrode 65 and the counter electrode 66.
FIG. 10(g) illustrates a case where the fourth slits 64c and 64b
are provided in the working electrode 65 and the detecting
electrode 67. FIG. 10(h) illustrates a case where the fourth slits
64c, 64a, and 64b are provided in all the electrodes, i.e., the
working electrode 65, the counter electrode 66, and the detecting
electrode 67.
[0199] The combinations of the fourth slits 64a, 64b, and 64c
enable the measuring device 4115 to discriminate information of
correction data for correcting a difference in the output
characteristics for each production lot. For example, in the case
of FIG. 10(a) where no fourth slit is provided, it is assumed a
biosensor which has output characteristics of the production lot
number "1". In the case of FIG. 10(b) where the fourth slit 64a is
provided only in the counter electrode 66, it is assumed a
biosensor which has output characteristics of the production lot
number "2".
[0200] The electrodes, the first slits 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d, and
the fourth slits 64a, 64b and 64c may be formed on the support 61
by the screen printing method, the sputtering method or the like
that employs a printing plate, a masking plate or the like in which
a pattern required for forming the electrical conductive layer 62
having the first slits 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d as well as the fourth
slits 64a, 64b and 64c is previously arranged. Or, this may be
formed by cutting away a part of the electrical conduction part 62
by a jig with a sharp tip. Further, the fourth slits 64a, 64b, and
64c may be formed after the biosensor 164 is completed and its
output characteristics are checked, thereby reliably performing
selection for each production lot.
[0201] Next, as shown in FIG. 9(c), for example in the case of a
blood sugar sensor, a reagent composed of glucose oxidase as
enzyme, potassium ferricyanide as an electron transfer agent or the
like is applied to the working electrode 65, the counter electrode
66, and the detecting electrode 67 by the dripping.
[0202] Then, the spacer 68 having the cutout part 69 for forming
the specimen supply path is placed on the electrodes, i.e., the
working electrode 65, the counter electrode 66, and the detecting
electrode 67.
[0203] The cover 54 is placed on the spacer 68. One end of the
cutout part 56 of the spacer 68 leads to the air hole 56 provided
in the cover 55.
[0204] It is also possible to form the spacer 68 on the electrodes
of the working electrode 65, the counter electrode 66 and the
detecting electrode 67, and thereafter drip the reagent on parts of
the working electrode 65, the counter electrode 66 and the
detecting electrode 67, which are exposed from the cutout part 69,
thereby to form the reagent layer 54.
[0205] When the specimen is to be measured by the biosensor, the
biosensor D is initially inserted to the insertion opening 4116 of
the measuring device 4215 as shown in FIG. 22. When blood is
supplied to the inlet of the specimen supply path as a sample
liquid of the specimen, a prescribed amount of specimen is drawn
into the specimen supply path due to capillary phenomenon by the
air hole 56 and reaches the counter electrode 66, the working
electrode 65, and the detecting electrode 67. The reagent layer 54
formed on the electrodes is dissolved by the blood as the specimen,
and oxidation-reduction reaction occurs between the reagent and
specific components in the specimen. Here, when the specimen fills
the specimen supply path properly, electrical changes occur between
the counter electrode 66 and the detecting electrode 67. Thereby,
it is confirmed that the specimen is drawn as far as the detecting
electrode 67. Here, the electrical changes also occur between the
working electrode 65 and the detecting electrode 67, and thereby it
is also possible to confirm that the specimen is drawn as far as
the detecting electrode 67. The reaction between the specimen and
the reagent is promoted for a prescribed period of time after the
specimen is drawn as far as the detecting electrode 67, and
thereafter a prescribed voltage is applied to the working electrode
65 and the counter electrode 66 or both of the counter electrode 66
and the detecting electrode 67. In the case of a blood sugar
sensor, a current proportional to the glucose concentration is
generated and the measuring device 4115 measures its value. The
electrical changes in the respective of the above-described working
electrode 65, counter electrode 66, and detecting electrode 67 are
sensed by the measuring parts 71, 72, and 73.
[0206] Also, the measuring device 4115 checks whether the
respective electrodes of the biosensor D, that is, the working
electrode 65, the counter electrode 66, and the detecting electrode
67 are divided by the fourth slits 64a, 64a, and 64b. For example,
when the electrical conduction between the measuring part 71 and
the correction part 57 is checked, it can be seen whether the
fourth slit 64c has been formed. Similarly, when electrical
conduction between the measuring part 72 and the correction part 58
is checked, it can be seen whether the fourth slit 64a has been
formed, and when electrical conduction between the measuring part
73 and the correction part 59 is checked, it can be seen whether
the fourth slit 64b has been formed. For example, when the fourth
slit is not formed on any electrodes, it is in a state shown in
FIG. 10(a) where the biosensor is of the production lot number "1",
and thus the measuring device 4115 obtains a blood sugar level on
the basis of the correction data corresponding to the output
characteristics of the production lot number "1" which are
previously stored and the measured current value, and displays the
blood sugar level at the display part 4117. Similarly, when the
fourth slit 64a is formed only in the counter electrode 66, a blood
sugar level is obtained on the basis of the correction data
corresponding to the output characteristics of the production lot
number "2" and the measured current value, and the obtained blood
sugar level is displayed at the display part 4117.
[0207] While in the fourth embodiment a blood sugar sensor is
described as an example, it can be used as a biosensor other than
the blood sugar sensor, for example as a lactic acid sensor or a
cholesterol sensor, by changing the components of the reagent layer
54 and the specimen. Also in such cases, when it is made possible
for the measuring device to discriminate information of correction
data corresponding to the output characteristics of the lactic acid
sensor or the cholesterol sensor according to the position of the
fourth slits, the measuring device 4115 obtains a measured value
from the previously stored correction data corresponding to the
output characteristics of the lactic acid sensor or the cholesterol
sensor and a current value, to display the value at the display
part 4117.
[0208] While the biosensor having the three electrodes is described
in the fourth embodiment, the number of the electrodes may be other
than three. Further, plural fourth slits may be provided on a
single electrode.
[0209] As described above, in the biosensor D according to the
fourth embodiment, the production lot of the biosensor can be
discriminated according to the electrodes on which the fourth slits
which divides the respective electrodes are formed. Therefore, the
measuring device can discriminate necessary correction data by
inserting the biosensor therein, and thus there is no need for an
operator to input correction data by employing a correction chip or
the like, resulting in elimination of troubles and a prevention of
operational errors. Further, there is provided the reagent layer
composed of a reagent which is to be reacted with the sample
liquid, the spacer having the cutout part which forms the specimen
supply path for supplying the sample liquid to the electrodes, and
the cover which is placed on the spacer and has the air hole
leading to the specimen supply path, whereby the sample liquid can
be easily drawn into the specimen supply path. The electrical
conductive layer is formed on the whole surface of the insulating
support and is divided into plural electrodes by the first slits,
thereby forming high-accuracy electrodes and enhancing the
measuring accuracy. Further, since the first slits and the fourth
slits are formed by the laser, a high-accuracy processing is
possible, whereby the areas of the respective electrodes can be
defined with a high accuracy, as well as the clearance between the
respective electrodes can be narrowed, thereby to downsize the
biosensor.
[0210] In any of the above-described biosensors A, B, C, and D
according to the first to fourth embodiments, it is more preferable
that each slit provided on the electrical conductive layer is
processed by the laser, the width of each slit is 0.005 mm-0.3 mm,
and the depth of each slit is equal to or larger than the thickness
of the electrical conductive layer.
[0211] Further, it is preferred that the reagent layer provided in
any of the biosensors A, B, C, and D should include enzyme, an
electron transfer agent, or a hydrophilic polymer.
[0212] In addition, it is preferable that the insulating support
employed in any of the biosensors A, B, C, and D is made of a resin
material.
Embodiment 5
[0213] A thin film electrode forming method of the present
invention will be described as a fifth embodiment with reference to
the figures. When the thin film electrode method described in the
fifth embodiment is applied when the electrode parts of any of the
biosensors A, B, C, and D according to the above-described first to
fourth embodiments are formed, a biosensor of the present invention
can be obtained.
[0214] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a state of a
biosenscr, where a thin film electrode is formed by implementing
the thin film electrode forming method according to this embodiment
and a reaction reagent layer are laid out thereon. This biosensor
differs most from the conventional biosensor shown in FIG. 25 in
that a surface roughening processing is performed on the surface of
an insulating resin support 81 of polyethylene terephthalate,
polycarbonate or the like, to enhance adhesion between the support
81 and an electrode layer 82 as well as between the electrode layer
82 and a reaction reagent layer 83. It also differs in that a
material constituting the electrode layer 82 is a simple substrate
material composed of a noble metal or carbon, and the thickness of
the electrode layer 82 is controlled within 3-100 nm.
[0215] Hereinafter, a specific method of the surface roughening
processing for the surface of the support 81 will be described.
Materials suitable for the support 81 are polyethylene
terephthalate, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate,
polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyimide,
nylon, or the like.
[0216] Initially, the support 81 is placed in a vacuum chamber, and
thereafter is subjected to a vacuum evacuation as far as a
prescribed degree of vacuum (this can be within a range of
1.times.10.sup.-1 to 3.times.10.sup.-1 pascals). Thereafter, when
the vacuum chamber is filled up with an inert gas (the degree of
vacuum after the filling is within a range of approximately 0.1 to
10 pascals), and a high-frequency voltage of approximately 0.01 to
5 KV is applied thereto, the inert gas is excited and ionized, and
is slammed onto the surface of the support 81. These ions have high
kinetic energies, and enough surface roughening effects can be
obtained by the high-frequency voltage application in quite a short
period of time (approximately 0.1 to 10 seconds). Further, similar
surface roughening effects can be obtained not only by the
high-frequency voltage application but also by a DC voltage
application or the like.
[0217] Nitrogen as well as rare gases such as argon, neon, helium,
krypton and xenon can be employed as the inert gases. It also is
possible to roughen the surface of the support 81 in the case where
an activated gas (reactive gas) as typified by oxygen is used.
However, in this case an oxide coat is formed on the surface of the
support 81, accordingly there are possibilities that the electrode
characteristics and sensor response characteristics are adversely
affected, and thus it is not so desirable.
[0218] Next, a description will be given of a method for forming a
thin film electrode layer composed of a conductive substance on the
surface of the support 81 which has been subjected to the surface
roughening processing.
[0219] Like in the surface roughening processing for the surface of
the support 81, it is subjected to the vacuum evacuation to a
prescribed degree of vacuum (it can be within a range of
1.times.10.sup.-1 to 3.times.10.sup.-3 pascals). Thereafter, the
vacuum chamber is filled up with an inert gas (the degree of vacuum
after the filling is within a range of approximately 0.1 to 10
pascals), and a high-frequency voltage of approximately 0.01 to 5
KV is applied thereto, whereby the inert gas is excited and
ionized. The ionized gas is collided against a target plate
composed of a conductive material, whereby atoms of the conductive
substance are beaten out and then deposited as a film on the
support 81, thereby forming a thin film electrode layer. It is also
possible that the vacuum evacuation is performed and thereafter the
conductive substance is heated and evaporated so as to be deposited
as a film on the support 81, thereby forming a thin film electrode
layer. A typical one of the former manufacturing method is the
sputtering evaporation, and a typical one of the latter is the
vacuum evaporation.
[0220] A material of the conductive material for forming the target
plate may be a noble metal such as palladium, platinum, gold, and
ruthenium, or carbon, and these simple substrate materials are
employed as an electrode material, thereby to enable a stable
electrode mass manufacture which hardly depends on manufacturing
conditions and which has a smaller difference among material
lots.
[0221] It is possible to perform the support surface roughening
process and the thin film electrode formation process
discontinuously in independent spaces. However, by performing the
process for roughening the surface of the support 81 and the
process of forming the thin film electrode continuously in the same
space as shown in FIG. 12, a reduction in manufacturing man-hours,
as well as an enhancement in the productivity due to the
enhancement in production tact, and a reduction in costs of the
biosensors attendant thereupon can be realized. FIG. 12 is a
schematic structure diagram illustrating a manufacturing process of
the thin film electrode in the fifth embodiment. In the figure,
numeral 84 denotes a vacuum chamber, numeral 85 denotes a support
delivery roll, numeral 86 denotes a support take-up roll, numeral
87 denotes a surface roughening processing electrode, numeral 88
denotes a cooling roller, numeral 89 denotes a cathode/target, and
numeral 90 denotes a gas introduction inlet.
[0222] In the case where two processes are performed continuously
in the same space as described above, it is difficult to perform a
vacuum evaporation, and thus it is effective to perform a
high-frequency sputtering evaporation, a bias sputtering
evaporation, an asymmetric AC sputtering evaporation, an ion
plating and the like.
[0223] It goes without saying that a reduction in manufacturing
costs is enabled by making the thickness of the electrode layer as
thin as possible, while by reflecting the roughened surface of the
support as a roughened surface for the surface of the electrode
layer as it is, the adhesion between the electrode layer 82 and the
reaction reagent layer 83 composed of enzyme, an electron transfer
agent and the like is considerably enhanced. In order to reflect
the roughened surface of the support 81 surface as a roughened
surface of the electrode layer surface, the thickness of the
electrode layer is required to be 100 nm or less, and it is
desirable that the thickness of the electrode layer should be 3-50
nm to provide higher-performance thin film electrode and
biosensor.
[0224] A further description will be given of the above-described
thin film electrode forming method according to the fifth
embodiment with reference to a specific experimental example.
[0225] A high-frequency voltage having a frequency of 13.56 MHz at
100 W-output is applied onto the insulating support 81 composed of
polyethylene terephthalate for a prescribed period of time, to
perform the surface roughening processing, and thereafter a noble
metal thin film electrode is formed by forming palladium with the
thickness of approximately 10 nm on the roughened support under the
same condition.
[0226] FIG. 18 illustrates the changes in a wettability index
(surface tension) of the support surface and the adhesion between
the electrode layer and the support surface due to the surface
roughening processing depending on the time for applying the
high-frequency voltage from 0 to 60 seconds (0 second shows a state
where the surface roughening processing is not performed), and this
figure illustrates that surface roughening of the support surface
is realized by the application for more than 5 seconds and the
surface wettability as well as the adhesion between the electrode
layer and the support are enhanced. This embodiment is the result
which is obtained at a high-frequency voltage of 100 W, and a
further reduction in the processing time is enabled by increasing
the high-frequency voltage.
[0227] The adhesion valuation here is executed in conformance with
JIS5600-5-10 (paint ordinary test method: mechanical property of a
paint film: a wear resistance), and a numeric value of the adhesion
in the figure is indicated by the number of times of stroke
reciprocation up to a time when a palladium thin film is worn out
and the support surface goes in an exposed state, and a larger
numeric value indicates a higher adhesion.
[0228] FIG. 19 illustrates a relationship between the thickness of
the palladium thin film and the wettability index (surface tension)
of the electrode surface. The conditions of the surface roughening
processing of the support surface are adjusted arbitrarily within a
range where a high-frequency voltage is 100 W, the application time
is 5 seconds, and the thickness of the palladium layer is 5 to 1000
nm. As apparent from FIG. 19, in a range where the thickness of the
palladium layer is 3 to 50 nm, the wettability index of the support
surface subjected to the surface roughening processing is kept in
54 dyn/cm, and when it exceeds 100 nm the wettability index is
decreased to 48 dyn/cm, and thereafter it is kept stable at that
value. This indicates that the roughened surface of the support
surface reflects the roughened surface of the electrode surface up
to the thickness 100 nm, while it reflects the wettability of the
electrode material itself (palladium in the embodiment) in the case
of the thickness exceeding 100 nm.
[0229] Next, the reaction reagent layer including carboxymethyl
cellulose as a hydrophilic polymer, glucose oxidase (GOD) as
enzyme, and potassium ferricyanide as an electron transfer agent is
formed on the thin film electrode which is formed under the
above-described conditions, whose thickness of the palladium layer
is 10 nm, and thereafter a biosensor for measuring the blood sugar
level as in FIG. 1, in which a spacer and a cover are laid out is
manufactured.
[0230] FIG. 20 is a diagram in which the sensor sensitivities in
blood glucose concentrations of 40-600 mg/dl are compared. The
blood is drawn into a capillary tube, then a reaction between a
reaction reagent and glucose in the blood is promoted for about 25
seconds, and thereafter a prescribed voltage is applied between
terminals of a working electrode and a counter electrode. The
sensor sensitivity here is a current value which is obtained 5
seconds after the application of the prescribed voltage. Since the
conventional sensor and the sensor in the embodiment have different
electrode materials, an applied voltage is 0.5 V for the
conventional carbon paste electrode while it is 0.2 V for the
palladium thin film electrode in the embodiment.
[0231] Further, the measuring number is n=10 in each concentration
range. As apparent from FIG. 20, it is confirmed that the sensor in
the embodiment which is not subjected to a polishing processing or
heat processing for the electrode surface has an equivalent or
higher sensitivity as compared with a sensor which is subjected to
the polishing processing or heat processing, which was
conventionally regarded as required to enhance the sensor
sensitivity.
[0232] The repeatabilities (C.V. values) of the ten-times measuring
are compared in (table 1). From the result shown in the table, it
is confirmed that the sensor in the embodiment has an excellent
accuracy, with variations in individual sensors being reduced,
while a conventional sensor has its CV value remarkably
deteriorated due to the polishing processing variations or the
like.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Glucose Conventional Sensor in concentration
sensor embodiment 40 mg/dl 15.25% 3.89% 82 mg/dl 6.15% 2.87% 165
mq/dl 3.89% 2.43% 248 mq/dl 3.24% 1.80% 485 mq/dl 3.79% 2.16% 600
mq/dl 3.28% 1.65%
Embodiment 6
[0233] Hereinafter, a quantification method of quantifying a
substrate and a quantification apparatus for quantifying a
substrate, which employ any of the biosensors A, B, C, and D, for
which the electrical conductive layers are formed by employing the
above-described thin film electrode forming method according to the
fifth embodiment will be described. while the biosensor A as
described in the first embodiment is used as a biosensor employed
in a following description, the biosensor to be used is not
restricted thereto.
[0234] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating structures of the
biosensor and the quantification apparatus which is employed in the
quantification method employing the biosensor. In the figure, the
same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 denote the same or
corresponding parts.
[0235] It is a system in which the biosensor A is used in a state
where it is connected to a quantification apparatus M1, and the
quantification apparatus M1 measures the amount of an included
substrate from a specimen supplied to the biosensor A.
[0236] In the quantification apparatus Ml, numerals 115a, 115b, and
115c denote connectors connected to a working electrode 5, a
detecting electrode 7, a counter electrode 6 of the biosensor A,
respectively, numeral 116a denotes a switch provided between the
connector 115c and the ground (which means a constant potential
electrodeposition and can be not always "0". The same goes for in
the present specification.), numeral 118a denotes a current/voltage
conversion circuit which is connected to the connector 115a and
converts a current flowing between the working electrode 6 and
other electrode into a voltage to be output, numeral 119a denotes
an A/D conversion circuit which is connected to the current/voltage
conversion circuit 118a and converts a voltage value from the
current/voltage conversion circuit 118a into a pulse, numeral 120
denotes a CPU which controls ON/OFF of the switch 116a and
calculates the amount of a substrate included in a specimen based
on the pulse from the A/D conversion circuit 119a, and numeral 121
denotes a LCD (liquid crystal display) which displays a measured
value calculated by the CPU 20.
[0237] Hereinafter, a description will be given of the operations
of the biosensor A and the quantification apparatus M1 when the
amount of the substrate included in a specimen is measured by the
quantification method employing the biosensor according to the
sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0238] First, when the biosensor A is connected to the connectors
115a-115c of the quantification apparatus M1, the switch 116a is
turned off under the control of the CPU 120, leading to a
non-connection state between the counter electrode 6 and the
ground, and a prescribed voltage is applied between the working
electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7. A current generated
between the working electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7 is
converted to a voltage by the current/voltage conversion circuit
118a, and the voltage is converted to a pulse by the A/D conversion
circuit 119a to be outputted to the CPU 120.
[0239] Next, when a specimen is supplied to the inlet 9a of the
specimen supply path of the biosensor A, the specimen is drawn into
the specimen supply path, passes on through the counter electrode 6
and the working electrode 5, and reaches the detecting electrode 7.
At this point of time, the reagent layer 12 is dissolved, an
oxidation-reduction reaction occurs, and electrical changes occur
between the working electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7. The
CPU 120 starts the quantification operation, when detecting that
the electrical changes have occurred between the working electrode
5 and the detecting electrode 7, that is, a measurable amount of
specimen has been supplied to the specimen supply path of the
biosensor A, according to changes in the pulse inputted from the
A/D conversion circuit 119a.
[0240] The CPU 120 turns on the switch 116a to connect the counter
electrode 6 to the ground, and controls the current/voltage
conversion circuit 118a not to supply the voltage for a prescribed
period of time thereafter, so that the reaction between the reagent
layer 12 formed on the electrode parts and the specimen is
promoted. After the passage of the prescribed period of time, the
prescribed voltage is applied between the working electrode 5 and
the counter electrode 6 as well as the detecting electrode 7 for
about five seconds by the current/voltage conversion circuit
118a.
[0241] At this point of time, a current proportional to the
concentration of a substrate in the specimen is generated between
the working electrode 5 and the counter electrode 6 as well as the
detecting electrode 7. The current is converted to a voltage by the
current/voltage conversion circuit 118a, and the voltage value is
converted to a pulse by the AID conversion circuit 119a to be
outputted to the CPU 120. The CPU 120 counts the number of pulses
to calculate a response value, and the result is displayed on the
LCD 121.
[0242] While the detecting electrode 6 is always connected to the
ground here, a quantification apparatus M2 is also possible, which
is provided with a switch 116b between the detecting electrode 7
and the ground, and controls ON/OFF of the connection between the
detecting electrode 7 and the ground, as shown in FIG. 14. When the
biosensor A is connected to the connectors 115a to 115c of the
so-constructed quantification apparatus M2, the switch 116a is
turned off under the control of the CPU 120, leading to a
non-connection state between the counter electrode 6 and the
ground, while the switch 116b is turned on, and a prescribed
voltage is applied between the working electrode 5 and the
detecting electrode 7. Thereafter, the switch 116b remains in the
ON-state from the start of the specimen drawing by the biosensor A
until the quantification operation of the quantification apparatus
M2 is finished, and the quantification operation is the same as
that of the above-described quantification apparatus M1.
[0243] Then, respective electrode areas of the biosensor preferable
for measuring the amount of a substrate included in a sample liquid
will be described.
[0244] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the specimen supply path of
the biosensor A according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. It is generally preferable that the areas of the counter
electrode 6, the working electrode 5, and the detecting electrode 7
in the specimen supply path of the biosensor A are such that the
area of the counter electrode 6 is equivalent to or larger than
that of the working electrode 5 to prevent an electron transfer
reaction between the electrodes from being rate-determined.
[0245] In the sixth embodiment, the detecting electrode 7 of the
biosensor A is also used as a counter electrode at the measuring,
and therefore when the total of the areas of the counter electrode
6 and the detecting electrode 7 is equal. to or larger than the
area of the working electrode 5, an electron transfer reaction
between the respective electrodes can be prevented from being
rate-determined. For example, when the counter electrode 6 and the
working electrode 5 have equivalent areas, and the area of the
detecting electrode 7 is set at several-tens percents of the area
of the counter electrode 6, the area of the counter electrode 6 and
detecting electrode 7 which is equal to or larger than the area of
the working electrode 5 can be obtained. Further, in order to
perform the electron transfer reaction between the working
electrode 5 and the counter electrode 6 as well as the detecting
electrode 7 more uniformly, it is desirable that the respective
areas of the counter electrode 6 and the detecting electrode 7
adjacent to the working electrode 5 are equivalent as shown in FIG.
15.
[0246] As described above, according to the quantification method
employing the biosensor A in the sixth embodiment of the present
invention, when a specimen is drawn into the specimen supply path
of the biosensor A and the electrical changes occur between the
detecting electrode 7 and the working electrode 5, the electrical
changes are detected and the quantification operation is started in
any of the quantification apparatus M1 and the quantification
apparatus M2. Therefore, it can be prevented that the
quantification apparatus M1 or M2 is inappropriately operated to
start the quantification operation regardless of a shortage of the
specimen amount supplied-to the biosensor A as in the prior art,
which results in erroneous operations such as display of erroneous
measured values.
[0247] Further, in the present invention, when the amount of
specimen which can be quantified is supplied to the biosensor A,
the detecting electrode 7 is used also as the counter electrode
after the start of the quantification, and thus when the total of
the areas of the counter electrode 6 and the detecting electrode 7
is at least equivalent to the area of the working electrode 5, the
electron transfer reaction between the electrodes is prevented from
being rate-determined, thereby to promote the reaction smoothly. At
the same time, the capacity of the specimen supply path can be
downsized, whereby the quantitative analysis based on a slight
amount of specimen, which was conventionally impossible, can be
performed properly. Further, when the area of the detecting
electrode 7 and that of the counter electrode 6 are equivalent, the
electron transfer reaction between the electrodes is performed
uniformly, thereby obtaining a more satisfactory response.
Embodiment 7
[0248] Hereinafter, a quantification method for quantifying a
substrate and a quantification apparatus for quantifying a
substrate, which employ any of the biosensors A to D whose
electrical conductive layers are formed by employing the thin film
electrode forming method described in the fifth embodiment but
which are different from those of the above-described sixth
embodiment will be described. A biosensor which is employed in a
following description is supposed to be the biosensor A described
in the first embodiment.
[0249] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating structures of the
biosensor A and a quantification apparatus employed in the
quantification method employing the biosensor according to the
seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the
same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 13 denote the same
or corresponding parts.
[0250] In a quantification apparatus M3, numerals 115a, 115b, and
115c denote connectors connected to the working electrode 5, the
detecting electrode 7, and the counter electrode 6 of the biosensor
A, respectively, numeral 116c denotes a selector switch which is
connected to the connector 115b at one end and is capable of
switching the connection between a current/voltage conversion
circuit 118b in a latter stage and the ground at the other end,
numeral 118a denotes a current/voltage conversion circuit which is
connected to the connector 115a and converts a current flowing
between the working electrode 6 and other electrode into a voltage
to be output, numeral 118b denotes a current/voltage conversion
circuit which is connected to the connector 115b via the selector
switch 116c and converts a current flowing between the detecting
electrode 7 and other electrode into a voltage to be output,
numerals 119a and 119b denote A/D conversion circuits which are
connected to the current/voltage conversion circuits 118a and 118b,
respectively, and convert the voltage values from the
current/voltage conversion circuits 118a and 118b into pulses,
numeral 120 denotes a CPU which controls the selector switch 116c
and calculates the amounts of substrate included in the specimen
based on the pulses from the A/D conversion circuits 119a and 119b,
and numeral 121 denotes a LCD (liquid crystal display) which
displays a measured value calculated by the CPU 120.
[0251] Hereinafter, a description will be given of the operations
of the biosensor A and the quantification apparatus M3 according to
the seventh embodiment of the present invention when the amount of
substrate included in a specimen is measured by the quantification
method employing the biosensor A.
[0252] First, when the biosensor A is connected to the connectors
115a-115c of the quantification apparatus M3, the selector switch
116c is connected to the current/voltage conversion circuit 118b
under the control of the CPU 120, and a prescribed voltage is
applied between the counter electrode 6 and the working electrode 5
as well as between the counter electrode 6 and the detecting
electrode 7. The currents generated between the counter electrode 6
and the working electrode 5 as well as between the counter
electrode 6 and the detecting electrode 7 are converted to voltages
by the current/voltage conversion circuits 118a and 118b,
respectively, and are further converted to pulses by the A/D
conversion circuits 119a and 119b.
[0253] Next, when the specimen is supplied to the inlet 9a of the
specimen supply path of the biosensor A, the specimen is drawn into
the specimen supply path, passes through on the counter electrode 6
and the working electrode 5, and reaches the detecting electrode 7.
At this point of time, the reagent layer 12 is dissolved by the
specimen and an oxidation-reduction reaction occurs, and electrical
changes occur between the counter electrode 6 and the working
electrode 5 as well as between the counter electrode 6 and the
detecting electrode 7.
[0254] The CPU 120 detects that the electrical changes have
occurred between the counter electrode 6 and the working electrode
5 as well as between the counter electrode 6 and the detecting
electrode 7 from the pulses inputted from the A/D conversion
circuits 119a and 119b, and confirms that the amount of specimen
which can be quantified has been supplied to the specimen supply
path of the biosensor A.
[0255] Then, the CPU 120 makes the selector switch 116c to be
connected to the ground, and controls the current/voltage
conversion circuit 118a not to supply the voltage for a prescribed
period of time, so that a reaction between the reagent layer 12
formed on the respective electrodes and the specimen is
promoted.
[0256] After the passage of the prescribed period of time, the
prescribed voltage is applied between the working electrode 5 and
the counter electrode 6 as well as the detecting electrode 7 for
about five seconds by the current/voltage conversion circuit 118a,
the CPU 120 calculates a response value based on its current, and
the result is displayed on the LCD 121.
[0257] However, in a case where the current is generated between
the counter electrode 6 and the working electrode 5 by the supply
of the specimen to the specimen supply path but no current is
thereafter generated between the counter electrode 6 and the
detecting electrode 7 for the prescribed period of time, the CPU
120 judges that there is a shortage of the specimen amount, and
this is displayed on the LCD 121. Even when the specimen is
supplemented to the specimen supply path after the LCD 121 once
displays that there is a shortage of the specimen supply, the CPU
120 does not start the quantification operation,
[0258] As described above, according to the quantification method
employing the biosensor in the seventh embodiment of the present
invention, when the specimen is drawn into the specimen supply path
of the biosensor A, and electrical changes occur between the
counter electrode 6 and the working electrode 5 while no electrical
change occurs between the counter electrode 6 and the detecting
electrode 7, the quantification apparatus M3 displays on the LCD
121 that there is a shortage of the specimen supply and informs a
user of the fact, thereby enhancing the convenience and safety at
the measuring.
Embodiment 8
[0259] Hereinafter, a quantification method for quantifying a
substrate and a quantification apparatus for quantifying a
substrate, which employ any of the biosensors A to D whose
electrical conductive layers are formed by employing the thin film
electrode forming method described in the fifth embodiment but are
different from those of the above-described sixth and seventh
embodiments will be described. The biosensor employed in a
following description is supposed to be the biosensor A described
in the first embodiment.
[0260] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating structures of the
biosensor A and a quantification apparatus employed in the
quantification method employing the biosensor according to the
eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same
reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 16 denote the same or
corresponding parts.
[0261] The structure of the quantification apparatus M4 in the
eighth embodiment is basically the same as that in the seventh
embodiment, while the structure is such that a selector switch 116d
is added between the connector 115a and the current/voltage
conversion circuit 118a of the quantification apparatus M4 and the
connection of the working electrode-5 can be switched between the
current/voltage conversion circuit 118a and the ground.
[0262] Hereinafter, the operations of the biosensor and the
quantification apparatus when the amount of substrate included in a
specimen is quantified by the quantification method employing the
biosensor according to the eighth embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 17.
[0263] First, when the biosensor A is connected to the connectors
115a-115c of the quantification apparatus M4, the selector switches
116d and 116c are connected to the current/voltage conversion
circuits 118a and 118b under control of the CPU 120, respectively,
and a prescribed voltage is applied between the counter electrode 6
and the working electrode 5 as well as between the working
electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7. Currents generated
between the counter electrode 6 and the working electrode 5 as well
as between the working electrode 5 and the detecting electrode 7
are converted to voltages by the current/voltage conversion
circuits 118a and 118b, respectively, and are further converted to
pulses by the A/D conversion circuits 119a and 119b.
[0264] Next, the specimen is supplied to the inlet 9a of the
specimen supply path of the biosensor A and drawn into the specimen
supply path, and when it covers the working electrode 5, electrical
changes occur between the counter electrode 6 and the working
electrode 5. The CPU 120 detects the electrical changes from the
pulse inputted from the A/D conversion circuit 119a, and connects
the selector switch 116d to the ground.
[0265] When the specimen reaches the detecting electrode 7,
electrical changes occur between the working electrode 5 and the
detecting electrode 7. The CPU 120 detects the electrical changes
from the pulse inputted from the A/D conversion circuit 119b, and
confirms that the specimen is sufficiently supplied to the specimen
supply path.
[0266] Then, the CPU 120 makes the selector switch 116d to be
connected to the current/voltage conversion circuit 118a as well as
the selector switch 116c to be connected to the ground, to control
the current/voltage conversion circuit 118a not to supply the
voltage for the prescribed period of time, so that a reaction
between the reagent layer 12 formed on the respective electrodes
and the specimen is promoted.
[0267] After the passage of the prescribed period of time, the
prescribed voltage is applied between the working electrode 5 and
the counter electrode 6 as well as the detecting electrode 7 for
about five seconds by the current/voltage conversion circuit 118a,
and the CPU 120 calculates the amount of substrate included in the
specimen based on its current, and its measured value is displayed
on the LCD 121.
[0268] However, in a case where the current is generated between
the counter electrode 6 and the working electrode 5 by the supply
of the specimen to the specimen supply path but no current is
generated between the working electrode 5 and the detecting
electrode 7 for the prescribed period of time thereafter, the CPU
120 judges that there is a shortage of the specimen amount, and
this is displayed on the LCD 121. Even when the specimen is
supplemented to the specimen supply path after the LCD 121 once
displays that there is a shortage of the specimen supply, the CPU
120 does not start the quantification operation.
[0269] As described above, according to the quantification method
employing the biosensor of the eighth embodiment of the present
invention, when the specimen is drawn into the specimen supply path
of the biosensor A, and electrical changes occur between the
counter electrode 6 and the working electrode 5 while no electrical
change occurs between the working electrode 5 and the detecting
electrode 7, the quantification apparatus M4 displays on the LCD
121 that there is a shortage of the specimen supply and informs a
user of the fact, thereby enhancing the convenience and safety at
the measuring.
[0270] While the biosensor is described as an enzyme sensor in the
above-described sixth to eighth embodiments, a biosensor which
employs a reagent such as an antibody, a microorganism, a DNA, and
a RNA in addition to the enzyme can also be the similar one.
APPLICABILITY IN INDUSTRY
[0271] As described above, the biosensor according to the present
invention can be formed by a simple manufacturing method, as well
as a biosensor which is excellent in a measuring accuracy, a
biosensor in which a reagent layer is placed uniformly on
electrodes regardless of a reagent liquid composition, resulting in
an uniform performance, a biosensor which can keep the performance
constant without affecting an area of an electrode when the support
is cut, and a biosensor which enables a discrimination of
correction data for each production lot only by being inserted
without a correction chip inserted can be obtained, and further the
thin film electrode forming method according to the invention is
suitable for forming an electrical conductive layer of the
biosensor, and further the method and the apparatus for
quantification according to the invention are quite useful for
diagnostics a slight amount of specimen.
* * * * *