JP2008023504A - Magnetic crushing method, magnetic crushing device, and crushing medium used for it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic crushing method crushing a sample by setting a cylindrical vessel containing the sample at rest with magnetic drive, a magnetic crushing device, and a crushing medium used for it. <P>SOLUTION: The crushing medium A formed of mainly a ferromagnetic body is charged into the cylindrical vessel P containing the sample U, the vessel P is inserted into the magnetic crushing device 1, and the sample U is crushed by moving the crushing medium A formed of mainly the ferromagnetic body in the three-dimensional directions including rotary movement by variable magnetic field applied from the magnetic crushing device 1. The crushing medium A is formed to have a size. a shape, structure and mass corresponding to the kind or a state of the sample U, to efficiently crush the sample U with high quality. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a magnetic material for crushing a sample by magnetically moving a crushing medium accommodated together with the sample in a cylindrical container, such as when crushing a biological sample as a pretreatment for DNA analysis or crushing the sample. The present invention relates to a crushing method, a magnetic crushing apparatus, and a crushing medium used therefor.

  For example, in order to perform DNA analysis on a biological sample, a cell crushing process for crushing cells in the sample is necessary as a pretreatment. Although cell disruption is possible with an old mortar-pestle, it requires labor for a long time, and since it is an open space work, there is a possibility that foreign matter may be mixed. A vibration crushing device is known as a device that mechanically performs this mortar-pestle crushing operation. FIG. 13 shows an example of the structure of a vibration crushing device. By rotating the rotating shaft 102 by a motor, the annular holder 103 holding the crushing container 100 is reciprocally vibrated at a high speed in the circumferential direction and vertically. To reciprocate at high speed. Due to the vibration of the crushing container 100, the crushing medium 101 accommodated in the crushing container 100 collides with the inner wall of the container while rotating, and comes into sliding contact, so that the crushing container 100 acts like a mortar and the crushing medium 101 acts like a pestle. The sample stored in the crushing container 100 is ground or crushed.

  As a crushing medium applied to such vibration crushing, beads having a diameter of 0.1 to 5.0 mm made of glass, zirconia, stainless steel or the like are generally used, but in the crushing container 100 in order to further improve the crushing effect. In addition, a sample crushing tool that accommodates a single crushing medium 101 is known (see Patent Document 1). In addition, an apparatus and a method for crushing cells using a single crushing medium 101 having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the crushing container 100 have been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  As shown in FIG. 14, these crushing media 101 are accommodated in a bottomed cylindrical crushing vessel 100 together with a sample 120, and the crushing media 101 are three-dimensionally applied by reciprocating vibration to the crushing vessel 100 by a vibration crushing device. Exercise to crush sample 120. The shape size and mass of the crushing medium 101 are defined. In the case of the illustrated crushing medium 101, a cylindrical shape that can be relatively moved substantially in the axial direction while maintaining a posture substantially along the axis of the cylindrical crushing container 100. Thus, one end has a shape corresponding to the bottom shape of the crushing container 100.

  However, in the vibration crushing apparatus, in order to vigorously move the crushing medium 101 in the crushing container 100, it is necessary to vigorously shake the crushing container 100, and the apparatus is strong so that the crushing container 100 does not fall off due to a severe reciprocating motion. Must be fixed to. For this reason, the number of work steps for fixing the crushing container 100 to the apparatus and releasing the fixed state after the crushing process is increased, and the work for crushing the sample requires a large amount of work.

In addition, the temperature of the sample rises due to frictional heat and the temperature of the apparatus, and depending on the type of the sample, there is a problem that alteration due to heat occurs, which hinders work such as DNA analysis. It is required to cool. However, it is not easy to cool the crushing container 100 that reciprocates vigorously.

  Desirably, it is preferable that the crushing container 100 is stationary at a fixed position and only the crushing medium 101 is moved in the crushing container 100, and the crushing container 100 can act as a mortar and the crushing medium 101 can act as a pestle. . In order to move only the crushing medium 101, the crushing medium 101 is formed of a ferromagnetic material or a magnetized material, and the crushing medium 101 is rotated or moved in an arbitrary direction by a magnetic field applied from the outside of the crushing container 100. be able to.

  The structure in which a ferromagnetic material or a magnetized body contained in such a container is moved in the container by magnetic force is used for stirring or molten metal for promoting the reaction from a small stirring device that stirs a liquid placed in a beaker or a test tube. Many proposals have been made up to an industrial large-sized stirring apparatus such as agitation. However, such a stirring device is suitable for stirring liquids, powders, melts, etc., but does not provide a grinding action to grind the sample or a crushing action to compress and crush the sample. It cannot be used for crushing.

As a technique for crushing the sample by magnetically driving the crushing medium contained in the container, the sample is mixed with a fine magnetic sphere or metal sphere and accommodated in the container, and the sample is applied by a magnetic field applied from the outside of the container. The crushing method which crushes is proposed (refer patent document 3). In this crushing method, as shown in FIG. 15, electromagnets 112 and 113 are arranged in two or four directions facing a diameter direction of a cylindrical container 111 containing a sample 110 mixed with fine magnetic spheres and metal spheres. Then, by energizing the plurality of electromagnets 112 and 113 at random timing and switching the energization direction as necessary to reverse the magnetic poles, the magnetic sphere and the metal sphere are irregularly moved and rotated, and the sample 110 It is supposed to crush.

Further, there is known an excitation mechanism that crushes a sample by reciprocatingly moving a magnetic body accommodated in the container by a magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container in the axial direction of the cylindrical container (Patent Document 4). reference). In this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 16, the magnetic body 143 put into the container 148 attached to the inside of the first and second solenoids 141 and 142 disposed above and below is used as the first and second solenoids. By subjecting 141 and 142 to ON / OFF control, the specimen 144 as a sample is crushed by reciprocating linear movement. A mass body 145 is accommodated in advance in the bottom of the container 148, a specimen 144 is placed thereon, a magnetic body 143 is inserted into the container 148, and the first and second solenoids 141 and 142 are alternately excited. Since the magnetic body 143 moves back and forth and collides with the mass body 145, the specimen 144 is crushed between the mass body 145 and the magnetic body 143.
JP 2006-051505 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-237381 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-000226 JP 2005-111358 A

  The behavior of the crushing medium in vibration crushing, which is the prior art, is related to the behavior of the crushing container reciprocally vibrating, and depends on the vibration period and vibration amplitude of reciprocating vibration of the crushing container by the vibration crushing apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the shape and size of the crushing medium corresponding to the structure and operation of the vibration crushing apparatus for the crushing medium according to the prior art shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2. On the other hand, in a magnetic crushing device that magnetically moves only the crushing medium in a stationary container, the movement of the crushing medium can be freely controlled by the application position of the magnetic field, the magnetic field strength, the type of the magnetic field, etc. The shape and size of the crushing medium, and the number of the crushing medium charged in the container can be arbitrarily set according to the type and state of the sample to be crushed.

  However, the crushing medium in the conventional magnetic crushing method shown as Patent Document 3 is a fine magnetic sphere or metal sphere, which is simply moved in the cylindrical container by switching the magnetic field direction, so that the crushing is small in mass. Depending on the medium, it is not possible to cope with crushing of fibrous samples such as plants and hard samples such as bones and teeth. Further, since the crushing process is performed by mixing the crushing medium in the sample, it is limited to liquid samples such as white blood cells, bacteria, viruses, soft samples, and fine powder samples as disclosed. In addition, since the crushing medium only reciprocates and moves around the electromagnet in the cylindrical container, it is considered that it takes time for the crushing medium to crush the sample.

  Moreover, in the prior art shown in Patent Document 4, a magnetic material is linearly moved by electromagnetic driving to collide with a mass body, and a sample accommodated in the meantime is compressed and crushed, and a frozen sample or a hard sample is crushed. Although a crushing action can be obtained, a crushing action for grinding the sample cannot be obtained. Therefore, the types of samples are limited, and it can only be considered that a freeze crushing apparatus that accommodates a conventionally known frozen sample in a metal container and blows and crushes it from the outside is replaced with an electric drive.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic crushing method and a magnetic crushing apparatus suitable for crushing a sample by subjecting the crushing medium accommodated in the container to magnetic movement so as to crush and crush the sample. It is to provide a crushing medium.

  The first invention of the present application for achieving the above object is a magnetic crushing method in which a crushing medium housed in a cylindrical container together with a sample to be crushed is moved by a variable magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container to crush the sample. The movement of the crushing medium includes a revolving motion that rotates along the inner periphery of the cylindrical container, a rotational motion that rotates about its own rotation axis, a wobbling motion that swings in the radial direction of the cylindrical container, and the axis of the cylindrical container. It is characterized by selectively combining arbitrary movements among a whirling movement that reciprocates in the direction, a tapping movement that accelerates and drops from an ascending position, and a fine dynamic movement that vibrates finely.

  According to the magnetic crushing method, when the sample is crushed by moving the crushing medium in the cylindrical container with a variable magnetic field, the crushing medium can be moved to an optimum state according to the type and state of the sample. Samples to be crushed vary from hard to soft, fibrous, and those that require crushing in liquids. Select and combine the movement of crushing media according to the type and condition of the sample. Therefore, a more efficient crushing process is possible. In addition, since the cylindrical container can be stopped at a fixed position and only the crushing medium can be moved to adapt to the sample, it is possible to construct a cooling structure that cools the cylindrical container and prevents the sample from being altered due to temperature rise. It is easy, and it can be easily performed by taking out the cylindrical container during the crushing process and confirming the crushing state.

The second invention of the present application is a magnetic crushing apparatus for crushing a sample by moving a crushing medium accommodated in a cylindrical container together with a sample to be crushed by a variable magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container. The magnetic field includes rotating magnetic field generating means for rotating the crushing medium, linear motion magnetic field generating means for moving the crushing medium in the axial direction of the cylindrical container, suction magnetic field generating means for sucking the crushing medium in any direction of the cylindrical container, and crushing medium. It is characterized by being configured by selectively combining arbitrary magnetic field generating means among the alternating magnetic field generating means for fine vibration.

According to the crushing apparatus, the magnetic field generating means for generating the variable magnetic field can be configured to be able to move the crushing medium most effectively according to the type and state of the sample. The movement of the crushing medium by the variable magnetic field can be configured in a crushing apparatus that does not have a mechanical drive structure, and it is possible to realize durability, miniaturization, low noise, and the like as the apparatus. In addition, since the cylindrical container can be crushed in a stationary state, the cylindrical container can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus.

In the above configuration, the magnetic field generating means is configured by arranging a plurality of magnetic poles so as to surround at least the outer periphery on the bottom side of the cylindrical container, thereby grinding the sample on the bottom side of the cylindrical container around the rotational motion. When the magnetic field generating means is moved in the axial direction of the cylindrical container, a crushing action of crushing the sample can be obtained.

Further, the magnetic field generating means can be configured to switch the application of magnetic fields from a plurality of magnetic poles arranged around the cylindrical container, thereby moving the crushing medium in a three-dimensional direction including rotational movement.

The third invention of the present application is a crushing medium for crushing a sample by moving a single or a plurality of members housed in the cylindrical container together with the sample to be crushed by a variable magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container. The member is formed mainly of a ferromagnetic material, and slidably contacts or collides with the inner wall of the cylindrical container by movement, and the sample can be slidably contacted or collided. It is formed in the mass which can be ground and crushed.

Since the crushing medium is formed mainly of a ferromagnetic material, it can be freely moved in the cylindrical container by a variable magnetic field, and the sample accommodated in the cylindrical container can be crushed by the movement. A crushing action is obtained in which the sample is ground by sliding against the inner wall of the cylindrical container by the rotational movement of the crushing medium, and a crushing action is obtained in which the sample is crushed by the movement of the crushing medium colliding with the inner wall of the cylindrical container. If the crushing medium is composed of a plurality of members, the action of grinding and crushing due to the sliding contact or collision of the plurality of members is taken into account. The action of this grinding or crushing can be adapted to the type and state of the sample depending on the shape and structure of the crushing medium, and the fact that the mass is sufficiently large increases the action of grinding and crushing.

When the crushing medium is magnetized in a cylindrical axial direction or radial direction, it becomes easy to give a rotational motion, and it is also possible to give a motion by magnetic repulsion.

In addition, by forming a plurality of protrusions in the cylindrical radial direction, it is not only easy to give a rotational movement, but also the action of shearing the sample by the protrusions can be obtained, so that the fibrous sample can be crushed. It becomes effective.

In addition, it is preferable that at least the end facing the bottom side of the cylindrical container is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container, and the contact area between the crushing medium and the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container is increased. When crushing in the vertical position, the sample on the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container can be effectively ground or crushed.

Further, by forming the groove on the arbitrary peripheral surface, the action of shearing the sample is increased, which is effective for crushing the fibrous sample.

Also, it is not preferable to contact the ferromagnetic material mainly made of iron by coating the outside of the ferromagnetic material with any of resin, ceramics, glassy material, non-magnetic metal, or any combination thereof. This is effective in the case of a sample or when it is desired to prevent a reaction between a liquid such as a buffer solution injected into a cylindrical container together with a sample and an iron material. It is also possible to select a surface material suitable for crushing the sample.

In addition, by constructing the hollow structure with a cool storage agent sealed, if the cooling medium is cooled in advance and the cool storage material is cooled or frozen in advance, the sample can be shredded while being cooled directly. It is effective for crushing samples that may be altered by temperature rise.

In addition, the cylindrical member formed in a ring shape on the outer periphery of the central member formed in a columnar shape can be freely fitted to take into account the effect that the sample is crushed between the central member and the cylindrical member. it can. At this time, the central member and the cylindrical member are made of a combination of a ferromagnetic material and a non-magnetic material, so that the difference in behavior between the two members increases, so that the crushing effect can be improved depending on the type and state of the sample. . In addition, by forming a plurality of slits in the cylindrical member, the effect that the sample is ejected outward from the slit by rotation of the central member is obtained, which is effective for crushing in a liquid sample or liquid.

Moreover, the grinding action and crushing action between members can be increased by comprising by the several member divided | segmented into plurality in the axial direction or radial direction of a cylindrical container. At this time, by making the material or shape of each of the divided members different, the difference in behavior of each member increases, so that the crushing effect can be increased.

In addition, it is formed in a hollow container mainly composed of a ferromagnetic material, and a medium that moves with the movement of the container is housed in the container together with the sample, thereby accommodating the sample and a medium for crushing it. If the container is put into a cylindrical container and moved in a three-dimensional direction including rotational movement by a variable magnetic field, the same crushing effect as that of mechanical vibration crushing can be obtained.

  According to the crushing method according to the present invention, it is possible to select the optimal movement of the crushing medium according to the type and state of the sample, and the effect of the sample by the movement of the crushing medium even when the cylindrical container is stationary at a fixed position. Can be crushed automatically.

  Further, according to the crushing apparatus according to the present invention, the magnetic field generating means for generating the optimal crushing medium motion can be selected according to the type and state of the sample, and the crushing process can be performed with the cylindrical container stationary at a fixed position. Therefore, the cylindrical container can be easily taken in and out of the apparatus, and the cooling of the cylindrical container that suppresses the temperature rise of the sample can be easily configured.

  Further, according to the crushing medium according to the present invention, the shape of the sample, the mass, and the structure can effectively generate the sliding contact or collision with the inner wall of the cylindrical container that crushes the sample or the sliding contact or collision between a plurality of members. The crushing process can be carried out efficiently.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a magnetic crushing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. By inserting a sample U and a crushing medium A into a cylindrical container P and inserting the cylindrical container P into the magnetic crushing apparatus 1, The crushing medium A moves in the three-dimensional direction in the cylindrical container P by the variable magnetic field applied from the magnetic crushing apparatus 1, and the sample U is crushed by the movement of the crushing medium A. In the crushing process of the sample U using the magnetic crushing apparatus 1, the cylindrical container P can be kept stationary and only the crushing medium A can be moved, so that a cooling structure for suppressing the temperature rise of the sample U can be constructed. It can be easily applied to a sample U that easily changes in quality due to a temperature rise caused by crushing. Moreover, the cylindrical container P can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus, and the state of crushing can be confirmed even during crushing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylindrical container P can be a resin-made (polypropylene or the like) general-purpose tube called a centrifuge tube or a sample tube, and the bottomed cylindrical opening can be sealed with a lid Q. The sample is preferable because the sample U is not scattered and no foreign matter enters. Further, the size, shape, mass, and structure of the crushing medium A are selected according to the size and shape of the cylindrical container P and the type and state of the sample U to be crushed. Thus, a desired motion can be generated by the variable magnetic field applied from the magnetic crushing apparatus 1.

  The movement of the crushing medium A by the variable magnetic field includes a revolving motion that rotates along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container P, a rotational motion that rotates about its own rotation axis, a wobbling motion that swings in the radial direction of the cylindrical container P, a cylinder The type and state of the sample U, or the selected crushing medium A, such as a whirling movement that reciprocates in the axial direction of the container P, a tapping movement that accelerates and drops from the rising position to the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container P, Any kind of exercise can be selected and combined depending on the type. Due to the movement of the crushing medium A, the crushing medium A slides or collides with the inner wall of the cylindrical container P, and the members of the crushing medium A composed of a plurality of members slide or collide with each other. It crushes by applying an action and further a shearing action.

  The grinding action is performed by grinding the sample U between the crushing medium A and the cylindrical container P by the rotation of the crushing medium A, or the crushing medium A having no fixed rotation axis is applied to the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical container P. The sample U is obtained by grinding the sample U between the crushing medium A and the cylindrical container P by revolving along, or the crushing medium A swinging in the radial direction of the cylindrical container P. In addition, the crushing action is performed by reciprocating the crushing medium A in the axial direction of the cylindrical container P to repeatedly apply a compressive force to the sample U at the bottom of the cylindrical container P or the crushing medium A in the ascending position. This is obtained by applying a large compression pressure to the sample U by, for example, sucking the gas toward the bottom side of the cylindrical container P.

  These grinding action and crushing action are not necessarily obtained from a single movement, but both actions can be obtained together by a three-dimensional movement including the rotational movement of the crushing medium A. It is also possible to apply a shearing action for chopping the sample U depending on the shape and structure of the crushing medium A. Moreover, in the aspect shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, although the crushing medium A is comprised with the single member, it can also be comprised with multiple members so that it may mention later, and multiple members collide and slidably contact each other. It is possible to take into account the accompanying grinding action, crushing action and shearing action.

  Next, the variable magnetic field generating structure of the magnetic crushing apparatus 1 for moving the crushing medium A as shown in the magnetic crushing method will be described. FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) show the main configuration of the magnetic crushing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, which includes lower and upper rotary magnetic field generators 11 and 12 formed in a ring shape, It is comprised so that a rotating magnetic field can be applied to the crushing medium A accommodated in the cylindrical container P inserted in.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the lower and upper rotating magnetic field generators 11, 12 have a plurality of (here, 6 poles) electromagnetic poles 22 arranged on the circumference, Excitation windings 23 are respectively provided. A crushing medium A formed of a ferromagnetic material (for example, soft iron) by a magnetic field applied from each electromagnetic pole 22 by supplying an excitation current from the excitation power source 24 controlled by the control unit 10 to the excitation winding 23. Can be moved in a three-dimensional direction including rotational movement.

When an AC excitation current is supplied from the excitation power source 24 to the lower rotating magnetic field generator 12 under the control of the control unit 10, a rotational driving force is generated due to an eddy current flowing through the crushing medium A by the rotating magnetic field. The crushing medium A rotates. The AC excitation current applied to the upper and lower rotating magnetic field generators 11 and 12 is preferably a three-phase AC by inverter control, and the crushing medium A can be freely rotated.

The rotational drive of the crushing medium A by the AC magnetic field is similar to the principle of rotating the massive core rotor in the torque motor by the rotating magnetic field from the stator, but the crushing medium A is not supported by the rotating shaft unlike the motor rotor. Therefore, it exhibits a behavior of rotating while swinging. That is, the rotation of the crushing medium A revolves along the inner peripheral wall while rotating in the radial direction inside the cylindrical container P and rotates. Therefore, a grinding action like a pestle for grinding the sample U is obtained in combination with the bottom shape of the crushing medium A corresponding to the bottom shape of the cylindrical container P.

When the supply of excitation current is switched from the lower rotating magnetic field generator 11 to the upper rotating magnetic field generator 12 by the control unit 10, the crushing medium A moves up and enters the ring of the upper rotating magnetic field generator 12. While revolving in the radial direction, it revolves along the inner wall and rotates. When the supply of the excitation current is switched to the lower rotating magnetic field generator 11 again, the crushing medium A falls and collides with the sample U, and a crushing action for compressing and crushing the sample U is obtained. By repeatedly moving the crushing medium A up and down, even if the sample U is bulky like a plant leaf, it can be ground evenly. In addition to the crushing action, the crushing action caused by the drop of the crushing medium A can be achieved. Can be used in combination to increase the crushing effect. In addition, even when crushing in a liquid in which a buffer solution or the like is added to the sample U, the crushing medium A can be moved up and down to the liquid level, thereby crushing the sample U evenly. be able to.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an attraction magnetic field generator 15 is disposed at a position corresponding to the bottom of the cylindrical container P, and the supply of the excitation current to the upper rotating magnetic field generator 12 is interrupted, and at the same time, the attraction magnetic field generator 15 is excited. When an electric current is supplied, the action of sucking the crushing medium A falling to the bottom of the cylindrical container P and crushing the sample U increases, so that the crushing action by the crushing medium A can be greatly increased.

In addition, when a small magnetic field is applied from the suction magnetic field generator 15 while a rotating magnetic field is applied by the lower rotating magnetic field generator 11, the crushing medium A is attracted to the bottom side of the cylindrical container P. Since it rotates, the grinding action can be increased. Further, when an alternating excitation current is applied to the attraction magnetic field generator 15, it is possible to obtain an effect of crushing the crushing medium A by slightly vibrating it at the frequency of the alternating magnetic field.

In the magnetic crushing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the excitation current applied to the upper and lower rotating magnetic field generators 11 and 12 is AC, but crushing can also be performed by controlling the excitation of each electromagnetic pole 22 using the excitation current as DC. The medium A can be moved in the three-dimensional direction including the rotational movement in the cylindrical container P.

When a DC exciting current is passed through the exciting winding 23 under the control of the control unit 10 and a specific electromagnetic pole 22 is excited, the crushed medium A formed of a ferromagnetic material is attracted to the excited electromagnetic pole 22. . When the plurality of electromagnetic poles 22 are excited in the order of the circumference, the crushing medium A undergoes a revolving motion that rotates along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical container P. Further, when the excitation for one excited electromagnetic pole 22 is stopped and the control for exciting the other electromagnetic pole 22 is repeated in any order, the crushing medium A moves in the radial direction of the cylindrical container P. The movement of the crushing medium A is similar to the operation of grinding the sample 3 by moving the pestle in the mortar. When this operation is switched between the lower rotating magnetic field generator 11 and the upper rotating magnetic field generator 12, the position of the crushing medium A can be moved up and down.

Since only the direct current excitation control hardly causes the rotation of the crushing medium A and the grinding action is inferior to that of the previous AC excitation control, it is desirable to cause the crushing medium A to generate the rotation. For that purpose, the crushing medium A is magnetized in a configuration in which a plurality of protrusions 21 are provided in the diametrical direction as shown in FIG. 4A or in a diametrical direction as shown in FIGS. If the configuration or the configuration in which the projecting portion 21 is provided and the magnetized configuration is used, the crushing medium A can generate rotation by controlling the excitation of the plurality of electromagnetic poles 22.

The application of a magnetic field for moving the crushing medium A can also move the crushing medium A by a magnetic field from a permanent magnet regardless of the above-described AC or DC electromagnetic field. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the permanent magnet 17 revolves along the outer periphery of the cylindrical container P while rotating so that the magnetic poles thereof are reversed, the crushed medium A magnetized in the radial direction is rotated while being cylindrical. Revolves along the inner peripheral wall of the container P. When the permanent magnet 17 is reciprocated in the axial direction of the cylindrical container P, the crushing medium A is also reciprocated up and down, and the crushing medium A can be sprinkled. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the permanent magnet 18 for attracting the crushing medium A is rotated at the bottom of the cylindrical container P so that the magnetic pole is reversed, or when the permanent magnet 18 is taken in and out, magnetic repulsion or It is possible to improve the effect of crushing the sample U by moving the crushing medium A up and down by magnetic suction or sucking the crushing medium A that has moved up and down to the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container P.

Samples U to be crushed by the magnetic crushing apparatus configured as described above vary from hard to soft, and some are fibrous like plants. In some cases, the sample U is crushed in a buffer solution or the like, or the sample U itself is liquid. Therefore, it is preferable that the crushing medium A is optimally selected in shape, size, structure, and number in accordance with the type and processing conditions of the sample U and the shape of the cylindrical container.

The lower end shape of the crushing medium A preferably corresponds to the shape of the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container P as shown in FIG. 2, and the inner bottom surface shape of the cylindrical container P is spherical as shown in the figure. In this case, it is effective to apply a grinding action or a crushing action to the sample U on the inner bottom surface by making the bottom shape of the crushing medium A spherical. As shown in FIG. 6, the general-purpose cylindrical container P has a conical shape or a flat bottom shape, and has a conical shape with a different angle. Therefore, the lower end shape of the crushing medium A is an inner bottom surface as illustrated. It is desirable to correspond to the shape.

Further, the diameter of the crushing medium A is preferably 1/2 to 4/5 of the inner diameter of the cylindrical container 2, but it is important to grind the sample U on the inner bottom surface of the cylindrical container P. When performing, the diameter of the crushing medium A is preferably slightly smaller than the cylindrical container P. However, when crushing the sample U in the liquid, if the difference between the diameter of the crushing medium A and the inner diameter of the cylindrical container P is small, the liquid is resistant to the vertical movement of the crushing medium A when the crushing medium A is moved up and down. Therefore, when crushing in a liquid, it is preferable to apply a crushing medium A having a diameter sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical container P or a plurality of crushing media A. .

The number of crushing media A to be put into the cylindrical container P is not necessarily optimal for a single member, and can be changed according to the type of sample U to be crushed. As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), when a plurality of crushing media A such as cylinders and spheres are put into a cylindrical container P and moved, the crushing media A slide or collide with each other. The crushing effect by can be added.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is also effective to combine the plurality of crushing media A in different shapes. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8A, an annular cylindrical member 32 is loosely fitted to a central member 31 whose tip shape corresponds to the inner bottom shape of the cylindrical container P. When both the central member 31 and the cylindrical member 32 are formed of a ferromagnetic material, the degree of receiving a magnetic driving force is different, so that a difference in motion occurs and the effect of grinding the sample U sandwiched between both members is obtained. . Further, when the cylindrical member 32 is formed of a non-magnetic material, the cylindrical member 32 follows the movement of the central member 31 or enters a stopped state. Moreover, as shown in FIG.8 (b), in the structure which laminated | stacked several cylindrical member 33-35, the effect which crushes the sample U which exists between each member when it moves up and down, and each cylindrical shape It is possible to improve the grinding effect by rotating the members 33 to 35 individually, and it is also possible to obtain a change in behavior by configuring any member with a nonmagnetic material.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, it may be configured to be divided into a plurality of parts in the radial direction. A three-dimensional direction including a rotational motion of the rotating member 43 by a variable magnetic field is configured by arranging a plurality of cylindrical members 44 formed of a nonmagnetic material in a circular recess of the rotating member 43 formed of a ferromagnetic material. The rotating member 43 and the columnar member 44 collide or slide in contact with each other, and each collide or slide against the inner peripheral wall of the cylindrical container P, so that the sample U can be efficiently crushed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the configuration in which the columnar member 37 is arranged on one or a plurality of spherical members 36 can provide a synergistic effect by both the members 36, 37, and the cylinder. The crushing medium A suitable for the shape of the container P can be obtained. This configuration is suitable for crushing the sample U in the liquid. By forming the cylindrical member 37 so that the diameter of the cylindrical member 37 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical container P, the light sample U can be lifted in the liquid. It can be pressed and crushed.

In addition, since the effect of shearing the sample U by adding grooves or protrusions on the surface of the crushing medium A is added, it is effective for crushing the fibrous sample. In addition, if a slit is formed in the outer ring formed of a double ring-shaped member, convection occurs because liquid or liquid sample U is ejected outward from the slit as the inner ring-shaped member rotates. The sample U can be sheared while being stirred.

Since crushing with the crushing medium A involves friction, an increase in temperature due to frictional heat is inevitable. In addition, when a current is generated in the crushing medium A with the application of magnetism, there is a temperature rise associated with the current. Furthermore, the temperature rise accompanying the operation of the device cannot be overlooked. In the case where the sample U may be deteriorated due to heat, it is necessary to provide a cooling structure that circulates a cooling medium around the cylindrical container P in order to suppress a temperature rise. Since the cooling structure increases the cost of the apparatus, the temperature rise of the sample U can be easily suppressed by using the crushing medium A having a hollow structure and a cooling storage material enclosed therein. If the crushing medium A is cooled in advance and the regenerator material is frozen, the sample U can be directly cooled. If the crushing medium A is relatively large, the cooling effect is maintained even if the crushing time is increased. It is possible.

The ferromagnetic material constituting the crushing medium A is mainly made of iron material. However, when it is desired to correspond to the sample U that is desired to avoid direct contact with the iron, or when the liquid is put into the cylindrical container P together with the sample U. When the material is dissolved or corroded, the crushed medium A in which the entire surface of the iron material is covered with glass, ceramics, resin, nonmagnetic metal, or the like can be used.

Further, along with the crushing, the inner surface of the cylindrical container P is scraped by the crushing medium A and the sample U, and the fine powder is mixed into the crushed sample U. In addition, when the sample U includes minerals such as earth and sand, the amount by which the cylindrical container P is shaved by the hard sample increases. When such a mixture of fine powder in the cylindrical container P is not preferable, a configuration as shown in FIG. 11 is effective.

In FIG. 11, the crushing medium A and the sample U are put into a crushing container 40 formed of a ferromagnetic material, the opening of the crushing container 40 is closed with a lid 41, and the crushing container 40 is accommodated in the cylindrical container P. When a variable magnetic field is applied from the outside of the cylindrical container P to move the crushing container 40 in a three-dimensional direction including rotational movement, the crushing medium A put in the crushing container 40 also moves in the three-dimensional direction. The sample U in the container 40 is crushed.

In the configuration described above, the cylindrical container P is basically crushed so that the cylindrical axis direction is vertical, but the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical container P is horizontal, that is, lateral. It is also possible to install a magnetic crushing device. Needless to say, when the crushing process is performed with the cylindrical container P in the horizontal position, it is necessary to use a cylindrical container P having a structure in which the opening can be sealed with the lid Q.

When the cylindrical container P is set in the horizontal position, the direction of gravity applied to the sample U and the crushing medium A is the inner peripheral surface of the container, and most of the sample U is crushed by the grinding action, and therefore is shown in FIG. As described above, it is preferable that the crushing medium A is longer in the cylindrical axis direction of the cylindrical container P than in the vertical position. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the crushing medium A does not necessarily have to be a circular shape, and there may be a case in which an action such as an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, a cross shape, and the like that causes the sample U accumulated in the lower portion to be swept up by rotation. When the crushing medium A previously shown as the cross-sectional shape in FIG. 9 is configured to have a length corresponding to the axial dimension of the cylindrical container P, the crushing medium A is suitable for crushing with the cylindrical container P in the lateral position. Become.

As described above, according to the present invention, the crushing medium accommodated in the cylindrical container can be freely moved by the variable magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container, and the shape, size, mass, and structure of the crushing medium are combined. By making it correspond to the kind and state of the sample, the sample can be efficiently crushed. In addition, only the crushing medium can be moved by the variable magnetic field, and the cylindrical container can be kept at a fixed position, and since there is no mechanical operation structure, cooling that suppresses the temperature rise of the sample due to frictional heat accompanying crushing etc. The operation of attaching and detaching the cylindrical container charged with the crushing medium and the sample to and from the crushing device can be carried out quickly and easily. Accordingly, it is suitable for applications such as high-quality and efficient crushing of biological samples for DNA analysis, and can be miniaturized, so that it is possible to provide a crushing method and apparatus that can be used for tissue examination during surgery. .

The perspective view which shows the structural example of the magnetic crushing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. The 1/2 sectional view showing composition of a cylindrical container and a crushing medium used for a magnetic crushing method. (A) which shows the structure of the crushing apparatus which concerns on embodiment, (b) is a top view of a rotating magnetic field generator. The top view which shows the structural example of the crushing medium suitable for direct current excitation. (A) which shows schematic structure of the crushing apparatus by a permanent magnet is a top view, (b) is a side view. Sectional drawing which shows a response | compatibility with a cylindrical container and a crushing medium. The side view which shows the structural example of the crushing medium by a several member. Same as above Same as above Same as above Sectional drawing of the crushing medium made into the hollow structure which accommodates a sample. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the magnetic crushing apparatus which crushes by making a cylindrical container into a horizontal position. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a mechanical vibration crushing apparatus. Sectional drawing of the conventional structure of the crushing medium applied to an apparatus same as the above. Schematic which shows the conventional structure of an electromagnetic crushing apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows the conventional structure of the compression crushing by a solenoid.

Explanation of symbols

A crushing medium P cylindrical container U sample 1 magnetic crushing device 11 lower rotating magnetic field generator (rotating magnetic field generating means / linear motion magnetic field generating means)
12 Upper rotating magnetic field generator (Rotating magnetic field generating means / linear motion magnetic field generating means)
15 Attraction magnetic field generator (Attraction magnetic field generating means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Protrusion part 22 Electromagnetic pole 23 Excitation winding 25 Control part 31 Central member 32 Cylindrical member 33,34,35 Cylindrical member

Claims (17)

  A magnetic crushing method for crushing a sample by moving a crushing medium accommodated in a cylindrical container together with a sample to be crushed by a variable magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container, the movement of the crushing medium Revolving motion that rotates along the inner circumference, rotational motion that rotates around its own rotation axis, deflection motion that swings in the radial direction of the cylindrical container, whirling motion that reciprocates in the axial direction of the cylindrical container, acceleration from the rising position A magnetic crushing method characterized by selectively combining arbitrary movements among falling tapping movements and fine vibration movements that vibrate finely.   A magnetic crushing device that crushes a sample by moving a crushing medium accommodated in a cylindrical container together with a sample to be crushed by a variable magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container, wherein the variable magnetic field rotates the crushing medium. Rotating magnetic field generating means, linear motion magnetic field generating means for moving the crushing medium in the axial direction of the cylindrical container, suction magnetic field generating means for attracting the crushing medium in any direction of the cylindrical container, and alternating magnetic field generating means for finely vibrating the crushing medium A magnetic crushing apparatus comprising a combination of arbitrary magnetic field generating means.   The magnetic crushing device according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic field generating means is provided with a plurality of magnetic poles so as to surround at least the outer periphery on the bottom side of the cylindrical container.   The magnetic crushing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the magnetic field generating means switches the magnetic field application from a plurality of magnetic poles arranged around the cylindrical container.   A crushing medium for crushing a sample by moving a single or a plurality of members housed in a cylindrical container together with a sample to be crushed by a variable magnetic field applied from the outside of the cylindrical container, the member comprising a ferromagnetic material It is formed as a main body and slidably contacts or collides with the inner wall of the cylindrical container by movement, and the size, shape and structure that allow multiple members to slidably contact or collide with each other, and the sample can be ground and crushed by sliding contact or collision. A crushing medium characterized by being formed into a mass capable of being formed.   The crushing medium according to claim 5, wherein the crushing medium is magnetized in a columnar axial direction or radial direction.   The crushing medium according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed in a cylindrical radial direction.   The crushing medium according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein at least an end portion facing the bottom side of the cylindrical container is formed in a shape corresponding to the inner bottom shape of the cylindrical container.   The crushing medium according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein a groove is formed on an arbitrary peripheral surface.   The crushing medium according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the outer side of the ferromagnetic material is coated with any one of resin, ceramics, glassy material, nonmagnetic metal, or any combination thereof. The crushing medium according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein a regenerator is enclosed in a hollow structure.   The crushing medium according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein a cylindrical member formed in a ring shape is loosely fitted on an outer periphery of a central member formed in a columnar shape.   The crushing medium according to claim 12, wherein the central member and the cylindrical member are a combination of a ferromagnetic material and a non-magnetic material. The crushing medium according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a plurality of slits are formed in the cylindrical member.   The crushing medium according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the crushing medium is divided into a plurality of parts in an axial direction or a radial direction of the cylindrical container.   The crushing medium according to claim 15, wherein a material or a shape of each of the divided members is different. The crushing medium according to claim 5, wherein the medium is formed in a hollow container mainly composed of a ferromagnetic material, and the medium that moves as the container moves is accommodated in the container together with the sample.