Microchip processing method and apparatus

A processing method in which microchips, each provided with at least a main flow path performing migration of a sample for analysis inside a sheet-like member is employed, comprising:

• pretreatment steps being performed using a dispenser common to the multiple main flow paths, and being performed such that when a pretreatment for one main flow path ends, a pretreatment for a next main flow path starts;
• and
• analysis steps, each of which, subsequent to the pretreatment, being performed for a corresponding main flow path independently of the other main flow paths and simultaneously with a pretreatment step for the next main flow path, thereby the analysis steps being performed simultaneously with different start time to one another among the main flow paths,
• wherein
• each of the microchips is provided with a liquid feed flow path including a separation column as the main flow path,
• each of the pretreatment steps includes at least injection of the sample into the separation column and
• each of the analysis steps is a liquid chromatography step and includes a separation step of moving the sample introduced at one end of the separation column in a direction toward the other end thereof to thereby separate the sample into components thereof;
• and a detection step of detecting the separated components of the sample.

A processing method in which microchips, each provided with at least a main flow path performing migration of a sample for analysis inside a sheet-like member is employed, using a processing apparatus providing a holding part for holding microchips, a pretreatment part for performing a pretreatment step, the pretreatment part being common to the multiple main flow paths, and a plurality of processing parts for performing analysis, comprising:

• holding steps for holding the microchips on the holding part so that the microchips are fixed on the holding part and each of the multiple main flow paths is connected to the respective processing part;
• pretreatment steps being performed using a dispenser in the pretreatment part, and being performed such that when a pretreatment for one main flow path ends, a pretreatment for a next main flow path starts;
• and
• analysis steps, each of which, subsequent to the pretreatment, being performed for a corresponding main flow path independently of the other main flow paths and simultaneously with a pretreatment step for the next main flow path, thereby the analysis steps being performed simultaneously with different start time to one another among the main flow paths,
• wherein the pretreatment steps and the analysis steps are performed in the state of keeping the microchips being fixed on the holding part.