Sample processing apparatus and method

A processing method of processing a sample having a separation layer comprising:

• the separation step of partially separating the sample at the separation layer while leaving a predetermined region of the separation layer as an unseparated region.

A separating apparatus for separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• first separation means for partially separating the sample at the separation layer while leaving a predetermined region of the separation layer as an unseparated region;
• and
• second separation means for applying a force to the unseparated region of the sample processed by said first separation means from a predetermined direction to completely separate the sample.

A separating apparatus for separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• a first separation mechanism for partially separating the sample at the separation layer while leaving a predetermined region of the separation layer as an unseparated region;
• and
• a second separation mechanism for applying a force to a gap formed in the sample by separation processing by said first separation mechanism from a predetermined direction to completely separate the sample.

A separating apparatus for separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• a holding mechanism for partially holding the sample partially separated at the separation layer while leaving a predetermined region of the separation layer as an unseparated region, thereby setting the sample substantially at rest;
• and
• a separation mechanism for applying a force to the unseparated region of the sample held by said holding mechanism from a predetermined direction to completely separate the sample.

A separating method of separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• the first separation step of partially separating the sample at the separation layer while leaving a predetermined region of the separation layer as an unseparated region;
• and
• the second separation step of applying a force to the unseparated region of the sample processed in the first separation step from a predetermined direction to completely separate the sample.

A separating method of separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• the stopping step of partially holding the sample partially separated at the separation layer while leaving a predetermined region of the separation layer as an unseparated region, thereby setting the sample substantially at rest;
• and
• the separation step of applying a force to the unseparated region of the sample at rest from a predetermined direction to completely separate the sample.

A separating method of separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• the separation step of ejecting a fluid to the separation layer of the sample and simultaneously supplying a vibration energy to the sample to separate the sample.

A separating method of separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• the separation step of ejecting a fluid to the separation layer of the sample and simultaneously supplying a vibration energy to a portion near a central portion of the sample to separate the sample.

A separating method of separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• the separation step of ejecting a fluid to the separation layer of the sample and simultaneously supplying a vibration energy to the sample and the fluid injected into the sample to separate the sample.

A separating method of separating a sample having a separation layer at the separation layer comprising:

• the separation step of ejecting a fluid to the separation layer of the sample while supporting a predetermined portion of the sample and simultaneously supplying a vibration energy to the predetermined portion of the sample to separate the sample.