JP7255801B2 - A device that generates shear flow - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an instrument for generating shear flow in a sample in a sample tube placed in a magnetic resonance apparatus.

Rheo-NMR (hereafter referred to as Rheo-NMR) is a measurement technique that performs nuclear magnetic resonance while generating a shear flow in a sample containing a measurement target.

Rheo-NMR measurements allow the investigation of samples under shear flow and provide insight into dynamic phenomena such as sample shear rate, shear viscosity and shear-thinning. Allows for identification and analysis. In many conventional rheo-NMR measurements, for example, polymers and foods have been used as samples to be measured. In recent years, for example, in the field of biorheology, which is an academic field that studies the functions and shapes of living organisms from the mechanical aspects of deformation and fluidity, Rheo-NMR measurement has been used to analyze the fluidity of blood in blood vessels, for example. there is

Patent Literature 1 listed below describes a rheology unit used in rheo-NMR measurements. The following Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 describe a rheometer or Couette cell used in Rheo NMR measurement.

Also, as shown in Non-Patent Document 3, Rheo-NMR measurements can be performed using existing NMR equipment. A sample to be measured is placed in a sample tube called an NMR tube. The sample tube is attached to a rotating member called a spinner and placed at a predetermined measurement position of the NMR apparatus. A stirring rod thinner than the sample tube is inserted into the sample introduction hole from the upper open end of the sample introduction hole provided in the NMR apparatus in the vertical direction, and the tip of the stirring rod is inserted into the sample in the sample tube. Many existing NMR apparatuses are provided with a spinner and a driving mechanism, which is a mechanism for rotating the spinner. A shear flow is generated in the sample by rotating the spinner and sample tube with respect to the stirring rod using this drive mechanism provided on the NMR apparatus side. By performing NMR measurement under such an environment, Rheo-NMR measurement of the sample is performed.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-529517

Paul T. Callaghan and Elmar Fischer, “Rheo-NMR: a New Application for NMR Microscopy and NMR Spectroscopy”, [online], 2001, Bruker Corporation, [searched March 29, 2019], Internet <URL: https: //www.bruker.com/fileadmin/user_upload/8-PDF-Docs/MagneticResonance/NMR/Rheo-NMR_Report2001.pdf＞ Patrick J. B. Edwards, Motoko Kakubayashi, Robin Dykstra, Steven M. Pascal, and Martin A. K. Williams, “Rheo-NMR Studies of an Enzymatic Reaction: Evidence of a Shear-Stable Macromolecular System”, Biophysical Journal, Volume 98, Issue 9, 5 May 2010, Pages 1986-1994. Daichi Morimoto, Erik Walinda, Naoto Iwakawa, Mayu Nishizawa, Yasushi Kawata, Akihiko Yamamoto, Masahiro Shirakawa, Ulrich Scheler, and Kenji Sugase, “High-Sensitivity Rheo-NMR Spectroscopy for Protein Studies”, Analytical Chemistry, Volume 89, Issue 14, June 30, 2017, Pages 7286-7290.

Superconducting magnets are used in high-resolution NMR equipment for sample analysis to improve measurement sensitivity. In order to generate a high magnetic field of several tens of tesla or more, a coolant such as liquid helium or liquid nitrogen is arranged around the superconducting magnet. As a result, an NMR apparatus using a superconducting magnet is a large apparatus with a total height exceeding 2 meters. The position of the sample tube is also not visible from outside the NMR instrument.

On the other hand, the sample tube into which the sample is placed and rotated together with the spinner is cylindrical with an outer diameter of about 5 mm and an inner diameter of about 4 mm into which the tip of the stirring rod is inserted. The stirring rod is even thinner than the sample tube and has an outer diameter of about 3 mm.

As described above, the gap between the inner diameter of the sample tube and the outer diameter of the stirring rod is as narrow as about 0.5 mm. The vertical position in the NMR apparatus where the sample tube is arranged and the open end of the sample introduction hole extending in the vertical direction are also separated by several meters. Insert the tip of a stirring rod from outside the NMR apparatus through the open end of the sample introduction hole into the sample tube placed at the measurement position within the NMR apparatus with an error of within about 0.5 mm from a position several meters away. was difficult. At this time, it is necessary not only to insert the tip of the stirring rod into the sample tube, but also to precisely align the center of the diameter of the sample tube with the center of the diameter of the stirring rod, which further increases the difficulty.

Also, depending on the model of the NMR apparatus, the sample introduction hole has a reverse tapered shape in which the diameter slightly increases from the upper open end toward the lower end. When the sample introduction hole has such a reverse tapered shape, it becomes more difficult to accurately align the center of the diameter of the sample tube with the center of the diameter of the stirring rod at the position where the sample tube is arranged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an instrument for generating a shear flow in a sample, the instrument being capable of easily inserting the tip of a stirring rod from outside the magnetic resonance apparatus into a sample tube arranged in the magnetic resonance apparatus. to provide.

The present invention for achieving the above object includes, for example, the following aspects.
(Section 1)
A device for generating a shear flow in a sample in a sample tube rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the sample introduction hole of a magnetic resonance apparatus,
The rear end of the stirring rod, whose tip is inserted into the sample tube, is held at one end, and protrudes from the circumferential groove provided on the side surface and elastically deformed to fit the open end of the sample introduction hole. a cylindrical stirring rod holding part in which an annular elastic member having an outer diameter is arranged;
a rod-shaped member connected to the other end of the stirring rod holding portion;
a gripping portion connected to the stirring rod holding portion via the rod-shaped member;
instrument with
(Section 2)
Item 2. The instrument according to Item 1, wherein the rod-like member is flexible.
(Section 3)
Item 3. The instrument according to Item 1 or 2, further comprising an annular member having an outer diameter that fits the sample introduction hole and surrounding the rod-shaped member.
(Section 4)
Item 1, wherein the gripping portion includes a tip position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the tip of the stirring rod in the sample introduction hole along the longitudinal direction of the sample introduction hole. 4. The device according to any one of 3.
(Section 5)
The stirring rod holding portion is provided with a cylindrical protective tube inserted along the long axis of the stirring rod holding portion, and the protective tube has the rearward portion of the stirring rod along the long axis of the protective tube. 5. The device of any one of paragraphs 1-4, wherein the end is inserted.
(Section 6)
Item 6. The device according to Item 5, wherein the stirring rod holding portion includes a protective tube adjusting mechanism that aligns the long axis of the protective tube with the long axis of the stirring rod holding portion.

According to the present invention, there is provided an instrument for generating a shear flow in a sample, the instrument being capable of easily inserting the tip of a stirring rod from outside the magnetic resonance apparatus into a sample tube arranged in the magnetic resonance apparatus. can do.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a shear flow generating device according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how the shear flow generator according to one embodiment is used. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a region surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which a stirring rod holding part according to one embodiment is inserted into a sample introduction hole of a magnetic resonance apparatus; 1 is a perspective view of a stirring bar and a stirring bar holder according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stirring rod and a stirring rod holder according to one embodiment; FIG. It is a figure showing the stirring-bar holding|maintenance part which concerns on one Embodiment. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a protective tube of a stirring rod holding part according to one embodiment; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gripper according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a grip portion according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a half cross-sectional view for explaining a state in which the gripping portion according to one embodiment is locked to the upper end of the sample introduction hole of the magnetic resonance apparatus; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an adjustment screw portion of a grip portion according to one embodiment; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view. FIG. 10 illustrates an adjustment base portion of a grip in accordance with one embodiment; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view. It is a figure showing the adjustment dial part of the holding part which concerns on embodiment. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view. FIG. 10 illustrates a dial locking ring of a grip in accordance with one embodiment; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an adjustment screw head of a grip according to one embodiment; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view. FIG. 5 is a half cross-sectional view of a stirring rod holding portion according to another embodiment;

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components, and redundant description of the same or similar components will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a shear flow generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how the shear flow generator according to one embodiment is used. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of a region surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the stirring rod holder according to one embodiment is inserted into the sample introduction hole of the magnetic resonance apparatus.

A device 10 for generating a shear flow in a sample (hereinafter referred to as a shear flow generating device 10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided in a sample introduction hole 91 of a magnetic resonance apparatus 90. It is an instrument for generating a shear flow in the sample S in the sample tube 93 rotatable with its axis as the rotation axis. The shear flow generating instrument 10 includes a stirring rod holding part 2 that holds at one end the rear end of the stirring rod 1 whose tip is inserted into the sample tube 93 , and a rod-like member 3 that is connected to the other end of the stirring rod holding part 2 . and a grip portion 4 connected to the stirring rod holding portion 2 via the rod-shaped member 3 .

The shear flow generating instrument 10 is an instrument that is inserted into the sample introduction hole 91 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 90 . It is preferable to use a material that is not paramagnetic for each part constituting the shear flow generating device 10 described below, to the extent that the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field _B0 generated by the superconducting magnet is not adversely affected. It is more preferable to use a non-magnetic material (for example, a material whose relative magnetic permeability is approximately 1).

The stirring rod 1 is a rod-shaped member whose tip is inserted into the sample S in the sample tube 93 to generate a shear flow in the sample S to be measured. The stirring rod 1 is made of glass or resin, for example. The stirring rod 1 may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic, but preferably hydrophobic. The stirring rod 1 is preferably made of glass such as PYREX GLASS (registered trademark) in view of magnetic permeability and hydrophobicity.

The stirring rod holding part 2 is a cylindrical member, and has a circumferential groove 21 provided on the side surface, which has an outer diameter that fits the opening end 91a of the sample introduction hole 91 by protruding from the groove 21 and being elastically deformed. An annular elastic member 22 is arranged. The stirring rod holding portion 2 is made of resin such as polyoxymethylene or Duracon (registered trademark).

The rod-shaped member 3 is a member connected between the stirring rod holding portion 2 and the grip portion 4 . The rod-shaped member 3 and the stirring rod holding portion 2 are connected using a joint nut 7, for example. The rod-shaped member 3 can be integrated by connecting a plurality of rod-shaped members 3 via the connection member 6 . By changing the number of rod-shaped members 3 to be connected, the length of the plurality of integrated rod-shaped members 3 can be changed. As a result, the length of the shear flow generator 10 can be changed, and various superconducting magnets with different sizes (heights) can be accommodated.

Preferably, the rod-shaped member 3 has flexibility (or bendability). By using a flexible (or bendable) material for the rod-shaped member 3, even for a magnetic resonance apparatus installed in a room with insufficient height, the magnetic resonance apparatus can be accommodated inside the sample tube. It becomes possible to easily insert the tip of the stirring rod from the outside of the. The rod-shaped member 3 is made of, for example, a flexible polymer.

The grip portion 4 is connected to the stirring rod holding portion 2 via the rod-shaped member 3 . The grip part 4 is arranged on the side of the opening end 91 a of the sample introduction hole 91 . By locking the grip part 4 at the upper end 91 a of the sample introduction hole 91 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 90 , the tip of the stirring rod 1 is placed in the sample tube 93 arranged at the predetermined measurement position of the magnetic resonance apparatus 90 . be done. The grip portion 4 is made of, for example, a resin such as polyoxymethylene or Duracon, or a metal such as aluminum.

The shear flow generating device 10 can further comprise an annular member 5 having an outer diameter matching the sample introduction hole 91 and surrounding the rod-like member 3 . The annular member 5 can reduce radial displacement of the rod-shaped member 3 within the sample introduction hole 91 when the shear flow generating instrument 10 is inserted into the sample introduction hole 91 .

An opening end flange 94 is provided at the upper end 91 a of the sample introduction hole 91 . The shear flow generator 10 is inserted into the sample introduction hole 91 through the opening end flange 94 from the tip of the stirring rod 1 , and the grip portion 4 is locked at the upper end 91 a of the opening end flange 94 to hold the tip of the stirring rod 1 . is inserted into a sample tube 93 arranged at a predetermined measurement position of the magnetic resonance apparatus 90 .

A magnetic resonance apparatus 90 is provided with a sample tube 93 called an NMR tube, a rotating member called a spinner 92 , and a driving mechanism (not shown) for rotating the spinner 92 . The sample tube 93 is attached to a spinner 92, and the spinner 92 is rotated by a drive mechanism. A shear flow is generated in the sample S by rotating the spinner 92 and the sample tube 93 with respect to the stirring rod 1 .

Illustratively, the dimension of the shear flow generator 10 from the tip of the stirring rod 1 to the rear end of the gripper 4 is approximately 1 m to 2 m, and the outer diameter of the stirring rod 1 is approximately 3 mm. Illustratively, the inner diameter of the sample tube 93 constituting the magnetic resonance apparatus 90 side is about 4 mm, and the outer diameter is about 5 mm.

A superconducting magnet (not shown) for generating a magnetic field _B0 and a probe (not shown) are provided around a predetermined measurement position of the magnetic resonance apparatus 90 . In this embodiment, the direction of the major axis of the sample introduction hole 91 is the vertical direction, which is the direction along the magnetic field _B0 . The magnetic field _B0 is a magnetic field for defining the quantization axis of the magnetic moment of the substance contained in the sample S, and is a high magnetic field of several tens of tesla or more, for example.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stirring bar and a stirring bar holder according to one embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a stirring bar and a stirring bar holder according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a stirring rod holder according to one embodiment. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view.

The stirring rod holding part 2 (2A) according to one embodiment is a cylindrical member. The stirring rod holding portion 2A has a circumferential groove 21 on its side surface, and an annular elastic member 22 is arranged in the circumferential groove 21 . As will be described with reference to FIG. 4, the annular elastic member 22 has an outer diameter that fits the open end 91a of the sample introduction hole 91 by protruding from the groove 21 and being elastically deformed. That is, the annular elastic member 22 has an outer diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of the opening end 91a of the sample introduction hole 91, and adapts to the opening end 91a of the sample introduction hole 91 by elastic deformation. As a result, the deviation between the diameter of the sample introduction hole 91 and the diameter of the stirring rod holding portion 2 can be reduced. The annular elastic member 22 is, for example, an O-ring made of Viton (registered trademark). The material of the annular elastic member 22 is not limited to Viton, and may be any material having elasticity such as elastomer or rubber. It is preferable to use a material having good lubricity and elasticity for the annular elastic member 22 .

An insertion hole 23 (23A) is provided along the long axis of the stirring rod holding portion 2A on the tip 28 side of the stirring rod holding portion 2A, and a cylindrical protective tube 24 is inserted into the insertion hole 23A. . One end of the protective tube 24 (the distal end side of the shear flow generator 10) is open, and the rear end of the stirring rod 1 is inserted along the long axis of the protective tube 24. As shown in FIG. A screw thread 29 for connection with the joint nut 7 is provided on the rear end side of the stirring rod holding portion 2A.

A tap hole 26 is provided on the front end 231 side of the insertion hole 23A, and an air vent hole 25 (25A) is provided on the rear end 232 side of the insertion hole 23A. The insertion hole 23A, the tap hole 26, and the air vent hole 25A communicate with each other. A gap is preferably provided between the rear end 232 of the insertion hole 23A and the front end 244 of the protection tube 24 when the protection tube 24 is inserted into the insertion hole 23A. In this embodiment, a plurality of tap holes 26 are radially provided at approximately equal intervals.

The protection tube 24 is fixed in the insertion hole 23 by screwing a screw member (not shown) such as an enamel set (set screw or set screw) into the tap hole 26 . Further, the tap hole 26 functions as a protective tube adjusting mechanism for matching the long axis of the protective tube 24 with the long axis of the stirring rod holding portion 2A by being used together with the hollow set. According to the protection tube adjustment mechanism, by adjusting the extent to which a plurality of screw members screwed into the tap hole 26 abut against the protection tube 24, the major axis of the stirring rod holding portion 2A and the major axis of the protection tube 24 are aligned. The deviation of the angle formed can be adjusted, and the radial positional deviation between the sample tube 93 and the stirring rod 1 can be adjusted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a protective tube of a stirring rod holding part according to one embodiment. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view.

A stirring rod insertion hole 241 is provided along the long axis of the protective tube 24 at one end of the protective tube 24 (on the distal end side of the shear flow generator 10 ). A circumferential groove 242 is provided on the side surface of the protection tube 24 on one end side. The rear end of the stirring rod 1 is inserted from the one end 241 b side of the stirring rod insertion hole 241 . An adhesive, for example, is sealed between the stirring rod 1 and the stirring rod insertion hole 241 , and the stirring rod 1 is fixed to the protective tube 24 . An air vent hole 243 is provided on the other end side of the stirring rod insertion hole 241 . When the stirring rod 1 is damaged, the protection tube 24 can be taken out from the stirring rod holding portion 2A by holding the circumferential groove 242 and pulling out the protecting tube 24 from the stirring rod holding portion 2A. The protective tube 24 is made of metal such as aluminum. The surface of the protective tube 24 may be anodized.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a grip according to one embodiment, and FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the grip according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a half cross-sectional view for explaining a state in which the holding part according to one embodiment is locked to the upper end of the sample introduction hole of the magnetic resonance apparatus.

The grip portion 4 includes an adjusting screw portion 41 , an adjusting base portion 42 , an adjusting dial portion 43 , a dial fixing ring 44 and an adjusting screw head portion 45 .

The rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 is a male screw, and the connection hole 432 of the adjustment dial portion 43, the connection hole 443 of the dial fixing ring 44, and the connection hole 452 of the adjustment screw head 45 are connected to the adjustment screw portion 41. It is a female thread corresponding to the rod-like protrusion 412 of .

The adjustment base portion 42 engages the upper end 91 a of the open end flange 94 at the lower surface 422 b of the cylindrical flange portion 422 . The rod-shaped projection 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 is inserted into the through hole 423 of the adjustment base portion 42, and the adjustment base portion 42 moves freely along the axial direction of the rod-shaped projection 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41. Is possible.

As will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14, the adjusting screw portion 41, the adjusting base portion 42, and the adjusting dial portion 43 are positioned along the longitudinal direction of the sample introduction hole 91. It functions as a tip position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the position of the tip of the stirring rod 1 within 91 .

A tip position adjustment mechanism will be described. Since the adjusting screw portion 41 and the adjusting dial portion 43 are screwed together, when the adjusting dial portion 43 is rotated, the adjusting dial portion 43 moves up and down along the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjusting screw portion 41, and the adjusting dial portion 43 and the cylindrical base portion 411 of the adjusting screw portion 41 changes. On the other hand, the adjustment dial portion 43 and the adjustment base portion 42 are not screwed together, and the adjustment dial portion 43 is simply placed on the upper surface of the adjustment base portion 42 . A through-hole 423 is provided in the adjustment base portion 42 , and the adjustment base portion 42 can freely move along the axial direction of the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 . As a result, the vertical position of the cylindrical base portion 411 of the adjusting screw portion 41 changes with respect to the adjusting base portion 42 .

The adjusting screw portion 41 and the adjusting screw head 45 are made of metal such as aluminum. The adjustment base portion 42, the adjustment dial portion 43, and the dial fixing ring 44 are made of resin such as polyoxymethylene or Duracon, or metal such as aluminum.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an adjustment screw portion of a grip portion according to one embodiment. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view.

The adjustment screw portion 41 includes a cylindrical base portion 411 , a rod-like projection portion 412 and a connection hole 413 . The cylindrical base portion 411 and the rod-like protruding portion 412 are integrated. The rod-like member 3 is connected to the cylindrical base portion 411 through a connection hole 413 . The rod-shaped protrusion 412 is provided with threads for connecting the adjustment base 42 , the adjustment dial 43 , the dial fixing ring 44 , and the adjustment screw head 45 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an adjustment base of a grip in accordance with one embodiment; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view.

The adjustment base portion 42 includes a cylindrical base portion 421 , a cylindrical flange portion 422 , a through hole 423 , a cylindrical hollow portion 424 and a plurality of mounting holes 425 . The cylindrical base portion 421 and the cylindrical flange portion 422 are integrated. The cylindrical base 421 can be inserted into the sample introduction hole 91 of the open end flange 94 . The cylindrical flange portion 422 engages the upper end 91a of the open end flange 94 at the lower surface 422b. The engaging protrusion 941 of the opening end flange 94 is inserted into the mounting hole 425 . A pair of mounting holes 425 are provided at opposing positions across the through hole 423 to prevent the adjustment base portion 42 from rotating.

The rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 is inserted into the through hole 423 . No thread is provided on the inner wall of the through hole 423 , and the adjustment base portion 42 can freely move along the axial direction of the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 . Similarly, the inner wall of the cylindrical hollow portion 424 is not threaded, and the cylindrical projection 434 of the adjustment dial portion 43 is simply fitted into the cylindrical hollow portion 424 .

Thus, the adjustment base portion 42 has the cylindrical flange portion 422 locked to the upper end 91a of the open end flange 94 at the lower surface 422b. No thread is provided on the inner wall of the through hole 423 , and the adjustment base portion 42 can freely move along the axial direction of the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 . The inner wall of the cylindrical hollow portion 424 is not threaded, and the cylindrical protrusion 434 of the adjustment dial portion 43 is simply fitted into the cylindrical hollow portion 424 . As a result, the adjustment base portion 42 is positioned at a reference position for position adjustment in the height direction of the cylindrical base portion 411 of the adjustment screw portion 41 with the upper end 91a of the opening end flange 94 as a reference, that is, in the height direction of the tip of the stirring rod 1. provides a reference position for the alignment of

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an adjustment dial portion of a grip portion according to one embodiment. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view.

The adjustment dial portion 43 includes a cylindrical base portion 431 , a connection hole 432 , a cylindrical hollow portion 433 and a cylindrical projecting portion 434 . The cylindrical base portion 431 and the cylindrical projection portion 434 are integrated. The connection hole 432 is internally threaded, and the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 is connected thereto. The inner wall of the cylindrical hollow portion 433 is not threaded, and a portion of the cylindrical flange portion 422 of the adjusting base portion 42 is simply fitted into the cylindrical hollow portion 433 . Similarly, the sidewalls of cylindrical projection 434 are not threaded, and cylindrical projection 434 simply fits into cylindrical cavity 424 of adjustment base 42 .

The length between the adjusting dial portion 43 and the cylindrical base portion 411 of the adjusting screw portion 41 can be adjusted by rotating the cylindrical base portion 431 . As a result, the position in the height direction of the cylindrical base portion 411 in the sample introduction hole 91 can be adjusted with reference to the upper end 91a of the opening end flange 94, that is, the adjustment base portion 42, and the height direction of the tip of the stirring rod 1 can be adjusted. position can be adjusted. A dial gauge can be provided on the side surface of the cylindrical base 431 as a scale for length adjustment. A gauge (scale) is formed, for example, by engraving.

For example, an enamel set or a fixing screw can be inserted into the tap hole 435 to fix the adjustment dial portion 43 and the adjustment base portion 42 .

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of a dial locking ring of a grip in accordance with one embodiment. (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view.

The dial fixing ring 44 has cylindrical bases 441 and 442 and a connection hole 443 . The dial fixing ring 44 functions as a so-called double nut to prevent the adjustment dial portion 43 from loosening. The connection hole 443 is internally threaded, and the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 is connected thereto. The side surface of the cylindrical base 442 is knurled to prevent slippage. By rotating the cylindrical bases 441 and 442 , the lower surface 441 b of the cylindrical base 441 is pressed against the adjustment dial portion 43 .

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an adjustment screw head of a grip according to one embodiment; (A) is a perspective view, and (B) is a half sectional view.

The adjusting screw head 45 has a cylindrical base 451 and a connection hole 452 . The side surface of the cylindrical base 451 is knurled to prevent slippage. The connection hole 452 is internally threaded, and the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 is connected thereto. In this embodiment, the connection hole 452 does not pass through the cylindrical base portion 451, and the adjusting screw head portion 45 is a so-called cap nut. For example, an enamel set or a fixing screw is inserted into the tap hole 453 to fix the adjustment screw head 45 and the rod-like protrusion 412 of the adjustment screw portion 41 .

As described above, according to the shear flow generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the device generates a shear flow in a sample, and a stirring rod is inserted into the sample tube arranged in the magnetic resonance apparatus from the outside of the magnetic resonance apparatus. An instrument can be provided that allows easy insertion of the tip.

An annular elastic member 22 is arranged on the side surface of the stirring rod holding portion 2 . The annular elastic member 22 has an outer diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the opening end 91a of the sample introduction hole 91, and adapts the outer diameter to the opening end 91a of the sample introduction hole 91 by elastic deformation. As a result, the difference between the diameter of the sample introduction hole 91 and the diameter of the stirring rod holding part 2 can be reduced, and the center of the diameter of the sample tube 93 and the center of the diameter of the stirring rod 1 can be accurately aligned. can be matched.

The sample introduction hole 91 is not limited to a cylindrical hole whose diameter does not change from the upper opening end 91a toward the lower end 91b. The sample introduction hole 91 may be a reverse tapered hole whose diameter slightly increases from the upper open end 91a toward the lower end 91b. Even if the sample introduction hole 91 is such a reverse tapered hole, the sample introduction hole 91 can be opened by adjusting the degree of elastic deformation of the annular elastic member 22 so as to correspond to the diameter of the reverse tapered hole. and the diameter of the stirring rod holding portion 2 can be reduced, and the deviation between the center of the diameter of the sample tube and the center of the diameter of the stirring rod can be reduced. That is, in anticipation of the reverse tapered shape of the sample introduction hole 91, the degree of elastic deformation of the annular elastic member 22 should be adjusted in advance.
[Other forms]

Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

FIG. 17 is a half cross-sectional view of a stirring rod holding portion according to another embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the stirring rod holding portion 2A holds the stirring rod 1 via the protective tube 24, but as shown in FIG. 1 may be held directly.

In the stirring rod holding portion 2B, the rear end of the stirring rod 1 is directly inserted into the insertion hole 23 (23B). The diameter of the insertion hole 23 (23B) is slightly reduced in the vicinity of the stopper portion 27. As shown in FIG. As a result, the rear end of the stirring rod 1 is inserted up to the front of the stopper portion 27, but is not inserted into the air vent hole 25B. For example, an adhesive is sealed between the stirring rod 1 and the insertion hole 23B, and the stirring rod 1 is fixed to the stirring rod holding portion 2. As shown in FIG. The insertion hole 23B and the air vent hole 25B communicate with each other.

The position where the circumferential groove 21 is provided is not limited to the position illustrated in the above embodiment, and may be, for example, the tip 28 side of the stirring rod holding portions 2A and 2B. The number of grooves 21 provided is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

The number of tap holes 26 provided in the stirring rod holding portion 2A and functioning as a protective tube adjusting mechanism is not limited to three as shown in the figure, and may be one, two, or four or more. good.

1 Stirring rod 2 (2A, 2B) Stirring rod holding part 3 Rod-shaped member 4 Grasping part 5 Annular member 6 Connecting member 7 Joint nut 10 Shear flow generator 21 Groove 22 Elastic member 23 (23A, 23B) Insertion hole 24 Protective tube 241 Stirring rod insertion hole 243 Air vent hole 244 Tip 25 (25A, 25B) Air vent hole 26 Tap hole 27 Stopper portion 28 Tip 29 Thread 41 Screw portion for adjustment 411 Cylindrical base 412 Rod-like projection 413 Connection hole 42 Adjustment base 421 Cylindrical base 422 Cylindrical flange portion 423 Through hole 424 Cylindrical cavity portion 425 Mounting hole 43 Adjustment dial portion 431 Cylindrical base portion 432 Connection hole 433 Cylindrical cavity portion 434 Cylindrical projection portion 435 Tap hole 44 Dial fixing rings 441, 442 Cylindrical base portion 443 Connection hole 45 Head 451 cylindrical base 452 connection hole 453 tap hole 90 magnetic resonance apparatus 91 sample introduction hole 91a upper end (open end)
91b lower end 92 spinner 93 sample tube 94 open end flange 941 engagement protrusion S sample

Claims (6)

A device for generating a shear flow in a sample in a sample tube rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the sample introduction hole of a magnetic resonance apparatus,
The rear end of the stirring rod, whose tip is inserted into the sample tube, is held at one end, and protrudes from the circumferential groove provided on the side surface and elastically deformed to fit the open end of the sample introduction hole. a cylindrical stirring rod holding part in which an annular elastic member having an outer diameter is arranged;
a rod-shaped member connected to the other end of the stirring rod holding portion;
a gripping portion connected to the stirring rod holding portion via the rod-shaped member;
instrument with The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said rod-like member is flexible. 3. The instrument according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an annular member having an outer diameter matching said sample introduction hole and surrounding said rod-shaped member. 2. The gripping portion includes a tip position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the tip of the stirring rod in the sample introduction hole along the longitudinal direction of the sample introduction hole. 4. The instrument according to any one of 3 to 3. The stirring rod holding part is provided with a cylindrical protective tube inserted along the long axis of the stirring rod holding part, and the protective tube has the rear side of the stirring rod along the long axis of the protective tube. 5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the end is inserted. 6. The instrument according to claim 5, wherein said stirring rod holding portion comprises a protective tube adjusting mechanism for aligning said long axis of said protective tube with said long axis of said stirring rod holding portion.

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