A spatial magnetic field generating device for biological sample testing

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of biological effect test equipment, and particularly relates to a spatial magnetic field generating device for biological sample test, which comprises a rack, a driving unit arranged on the rack, a magnet assembly rotating driven by the driving unit, and a control system electrically connected with the driving unit, wherein the magnet assembly comprises at least one pair of N-S pole oppositely arranged permanent magnets; the device further comprises a magnetic shielding cover arranged between the driving unit and the magnet assembly. The present application effectively suppresses the eddy current induced by the high-speed rotating permanent magnet in the metal part by introducing the magnetic shielding cover, thereby significantly reducing the operation heat of the device, solving the problem that the stability of the equipment and the environment of the biological sample are affected due to the excessively high temperature rise during long-term continuous work, and simultaneously improving the mechanical stability and the heat dissipation efficiency of the device at high speed through the high-precision dynamic balance calibration and the optimized heat dissipation hole design, so as to provide a more reliable and pure magnetic field environment for biological test.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biological effect testing equipment technology, and in particular to a spatial magnetic field generating device for testing biological samples. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of biomedical research, magnetic fields, as a non-invasive physical factor, are increasingly attracting attention due to their influence on the physiological functions of organisms, including cells, tissues, and even the whole organism. To explore the interaction between magnetic fields and biological systems, researchers need experimental equipment capable of generating stable and controllable magnetic fields to conduct repeatable observations of biological effects under controlled environmental variables. Such research places special demands on the performance of magnetic field generating devices. These devices must not only be able to simulate specific magnetic field conditions (such as static, alternating, or rotating magnetic fields), but more importantly, they must ensure the stability and spatial consistency of magnetic field parameters over long experimental periods. This is crucial to avoid interference with sensitive biological indicators caused by fluctuations in the equipment itself, thereby guaranteeing the reliability and scientific rigor of the experimental data.

[0003] Currently, equipment used in research on biomagnetic field effects is mainly based on two technical approaches. One is the use of electromagnetic coils to generate magnetic fields. The advantage of this type of device is that the magnetic field strength can be relatively easily changed by adjusting the current, and even alternating magnetic fields of specific frequencies can be generated. However, its limitations are also quite obvious: First, to generate a high magnetic field strength, a large current is often required, which causes the coil to heat up significantly. This not only results in high energy consumption, but the heat generated may also alter the local microenvironment temperature of the sample, introducing uncontrollable interference variables into biological experiments. Second, the spatial uniformity of the electromagnetic field is usually poor, especially in open spaces, where the field strength varies significantly at different locations from the center of the coil. This makes it difficult to accurately determine the actual magnetic field dose experienced by the sample. Furthermore, the noise and vibration of the equipment during continuous operation are also factors that need to be considered.

[0004] Another technological approach involves using permanent magnets to create a magnetic field environment, such as simulating alternating magnetic field effects by driving the permanent magnets to rotate via mechanical structures. Compared to electromagnetic devices, permanent magnet solutions offer advantages in terms of not requiring continuous power to maintain field strength and in terms of heat generation control. Existing technologies include rotating magnetic field devices used in materials processing or healthcare applications. However, when these existing devices are applied directly or with slight modifications to precise biological testing, a series of new challenges emerge.

[0005] For example, devices used in physiotherapy focus on generating sufficient field strength in localized areas of the human body, but their magnetic field spatial distribution is often not precisely calibrated, and there is a lack of consideration for the uniformity of the magnetic field at the sample site, making it difficult to meet the needs of quantitative research. More importantly, the design of such devices usually does not adequately consider the stability under long-term continuous operation. In practical applications, it has been observed that when a permanent magnet rotates at high speed, its alternating magnetic field may induce eddy currents in adjacent metal components, causing the components to heat up. This temperature rise may not only affect the lifespan and reliability of the device's core drive unit (such as a motor), but the heat generated also poses a risk of interfering with biological samples.

[0006] Meanwhile, if rotating components are not precisely dynamically balanced, they are prone to vibration and noise at high speeds. These mechanical factors are themselves stressors that need to be eliminated in biological experiments. Therefore, existing magnetic field generating devices often fall short in terms of long-term operational stability, effective thermal management, and minimization of environmental interference factors when applied to the demanding research of biomagnetic field effects, thus limiting the ability to obtain high-quality, reproducible experimental data.

[0007] In summary, there is an urgent need in this field for a dedicated magnetic field generating device that can balance controllable magnetic field strength, spatial distribution stability, long-term operational reliability, and low heat and vibration interference, in order to meet the precise testing needs of cutting-edge biomagnetism research. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, where magnetic field generating devices cannot meet the stringent requirements of magnetic field spatial distribution stability, long-term operational reliability, and low interference for biological sample testing. Therefore, it provides a spatial magnetic field generating device for biological sample testing to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a spatial magnetic field generating device for testing biological samples, including a frame, a drive unit disposed on the frame, a magnet assembly driven to rotate by the drive unit, and a control system electrically connected to the drive unit, wherein the magnet assembly includes at least one pair of permanent magnets with their N and S poles arranged opposite each other. The device also includes a magnetic shield disposed between the drive unit and the magnet assembly.

[0010] The core of this application does not lie in a fundamental revolution in the principle of magnetic field generation, but rather in the targeted introduction of a critical structural component—a magnetic shield positioned between the drive unit and the magnet assembly. The non-obviousness of this design choice lies in the fact that it is not based on a direct optimization of magnetic field strength or distribution, but rather precisely addresses the contradiction between "maintaining magnetic field performance" and "ensuring the stability of the device itself." By effectively guiding and confining magnetic lines of force, the magnetic shield significantly reduces the alternating magnetic flux leaking to critical metal components (such as the motor housing), thereby suppressing the generation of eddy currents at their source. This precisely targeted intervention solves a core engineering challenge encountered when applying general-purpose technologies to specialized scenarios with high reliability requirements.

[0011] The resulting benefits are significant and multifaceted. The most direct effect is the effective control of temperature rise during long-term continuous operation, providing a significantly reduced thermal interference environment for the stable operation of the drive unit and for biological samples, fundamentally improving experimental reliability. More importantly, this improvement allows for a coordinated enhancement of the overall performance of the device. With the heat generation issue alleviated, the drive unit can more stably drive the magnet assembly to operate precisely over a wider speed range, ensuring the stability of the alternating magnetic field frequency. Simultaneously, the introduction of the magnetic shield does not weaken the core magnetic field performance; the N / S permanent magnets can generate a spatially stable magnetic field with the required intensity under optimal operating conditions. Ultimately, these improvements work synergistically, enabling the device to achieve comprehensive performance advantages not found in traditional equipment: meeting the magnetic field parameters required for biological testing while possessing excellent long-term operational stability and low-interference characteristics. This provides a reliable hardware foundation for reproducible, high-throughput research on biomagnetic effects, demonstrating outstanding substantive features and significant technological advancements.

[0012] Preferably, the drive unit is a brushless DC motor; The control system is configured to perform stepless speed regulation of the brushless DC motor, with a speed adjustment range of 200 to 2000 rpm.

[0013] Preferably, the permanent magnet is a columnar magnet, and the at least one pair of permanent magnets is fixedly connected to the drive unit through a magnetic pole fixing mounting plate.

[0014] Preferably, the top of the magnet assembly is also provided with a Heilbeck magnetic ring array.

[0015] When the device is used for testing biological samples, it is not only necessary to have a stable and controllable magnetic field, but also to obtain the strongest and most uniform magnetic field distribution in the working area (i.e., the sample placement area) in order to improve the intensity and signal-to-noise ratio of the detection signal, while ensuring that the sample is in an environment with a gentle change in field strength gradient, so as to reduce experimental errors caused by small differences in position.

[0016] The Hellbeck array is a mature magnetic circuit design that enhances the magnetic field on one side and weakens it on the other by arranging permanent magnet units in a specific spatial configuration. However, its application in this device requires overcoming specific technical challenges. Integrating this array into a high-speed rotating dynamic system necessitates comprehensive consideration of its magnetic field coupling with the lower main magnet, the dynamic balance effects during rotation, and the complexity of the overall mechanical structure. Existing rotating magnetic field devices for applications such as physiotherapy focus on the intensity of the perceived force rather than the uniformity and directionality of the spatial field, thus lacking the intrinsic motivation and technical inspiration to adopt such a precise magnetic circuit design. When faced with the need to improve magnetic field performance, those skilled in the art are more likely to think of conventional methods such as directly increasing the strength of the main magnet or changing its size, rather than using a magnetic array that requires precise calculation and assembly to optimize the spatial field shape.

[0017] Therefore, the magnetic shielding in this application solves the inherent stability problem (eddy current heating) of the device by "constraining" the magnetic field lines, while the Helbeck array actively optimizes the quality of the external magnetic field acting on the sample by "guiding" the magnetic field lines. This combination ensures that the device can not only operate stably for a long time, but also output a high-quality magnetic field environment, thereby meeting the high-order requirements of accuracy and repeatability of magnetic field parameters for biological sample testing, further highlighting the innovativeness of the overall technical solution compared to existing technologies.

[0018] Preferably, the device also includes a protective cover that covers the entire device, and the protective cover has multiple heat dissipation holes.

[0019] While the introduction of the magnetic shield effectively suppresses parasitic heating caused by eddy currents, the drive unit itself still continuously generates heat as it drives the high-inertia magnet assembly to rotate at high speed. Under the long-term continuous operation conditions required for biological testing, this heat cannot be ignored. Therefore, the measure of creating heat dissipation holes in the shield allows it to work in conjunction with the magnetic shield, improving the thermal stability and long-term operational reliability of the device in real-world usage scenarios by suppressing unnecessary parasitic heating and enhancing necessary operational heat dissipation.

[0020] Preferably, the protective cover is made of transparent acrylic material.

[0021] Preferably, the magnetic shield is made of a magnetically conductive material to suppress eddy currents induced in the metal component by the rotating magnetic field.

[0022] Preferably, the magnetic field strength on the surface of the permanent magnet is not less than 10,000 Gauss; and, A magnetic field strength of not less than 1 Gauss is generated at a distance of 600 mm from the surface of the magnet assembly.

[0023] Preferably, the system also includes an adjustment component for adjusting the distance between the sample under test and the magnet assembly to achieve the spatial magnetic field strength.

[0024] Preferably, the adjustment assembly includes at least two screws mounted on the frame, and a crossbeam slidably connected to the screws to adjust its position up and down. The crossbeam is provided with a test net for accommodating the sample to be tested.

[0025] Therefore, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) By introducing the magnetic shield as a core structure, the present invention effectively suppresses the eddy current induced in the metal parts by the high-speed rotating permanent magnet, thereby significantly reducing the heat generated during operation of the device and solving the problem of the device stability and biological sample environment affected by excessive temperature rise during long-term continuous operation. (2) This invention improves the mechanical stability and heat dissipation efficiency of the device at high speed through high-precision dynamic balance calibration and optimized heat dissipation hole design, greatly reduces vibration and thermal interference, and provides a more reliable and pure magnetic field environment for biological testing; (3) The Heilbeck magnetic ring array further enhances the magnetic field strength and uniformity of the working area and improves the quality of the detection signal. These targeted improvements enable the device to meet the high-level requirements of biological sample testing for magnetic field stability, low interference and parameter accuracy, and realize the functional leap from general physiotherapy equipment to special precision testing instrument. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the spatial magnetic field generating device used for biological sample testing in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a side view of the magnet assembly of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a top view of the magnet assembly of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the spatial magnetic field generating device used for biological sample testing in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0030] The components include: frame 1, drive unit 2, magnet assembly 3, control system 4, permanent magnet 5, magnetic shield 6, mounting plate 7, Heilbeck array 8, protective cover 9, adjustment assembly 10, screw 11, crossbeam 12, experimental net bag 13, locking nut 14, power module 15, speed control module 16, display module 17, motor control line interface 18, base plate 20, motor fixing plate 21, and casters 22. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art will be able to implement the present invention based on these descriptions. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention described below are generally only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Example 1 like Figure 1 As shown, the specific embodiments of the present invention are as follows: The present invention provides a space magnetic field generating device for testing biological samples. Its core is to provide a device with accurate magnetic field parameters, stable operation and low interference, so as to meet the high requirements of studying the magnetic field effects of biological samples.

[0033] See Figure 1 The device comprises a frame 1, a drive unit 2, a magnet assembly 3, a control system 4, and a crucial magnetic shield 6. The frame 1, serving as a support structure, is typically constructed from robust metal profiles through welding or assembly, providing a stable foundation for the entire device. The frame 1 includes a base plate 20, to which a motor mounting plate 21 is bolted. To facilitate the movement of this spatial magnetic field generator, the base plate 20 is also equipped with casters 22. Support rods 23 are located on the top of both sides of the base plate 20 to ensure the stability of the entire device.

[0034] The drive unit 2 is fixedly mounted on the upper platform of the frame 1. In a preferred embodiment, the drive unit 2 is a specially designed brushless DC motor with a rated input voltage of DC24V and sufficient torque to drive a load with a large moment of inertia.

[0035] The magnet assembly 3 is rigidly connected to the output shaft of the drive unit 2 via its connection structure, and is directly driven to rotate by the drive unit 2. Figure 2 As shown, the core of the magnet assembly 3 is at least one pair of permanent magnets 5 with their N and S poles facing each other. In this embodiment, the permanent magnet 5 is a high-performance neodymium iron boron columnar magnet, preferably with a diameter of 80 mm and a height of 80 mm, which can provide a strong magnetic field of over 10,000 Gauss on its surface. This pair of permanent magnets 5 is firmly mounted by a magnetic pole fixing plate 7 made of a non-magnetic material (such as aluminum alloy), ensuring that their N and S poles are centrally symmetrical, thereby generating an alternating magnetic field in the surrounding space when rotated.

[0036] One of the most critical features of this invention is the inclusion of a magnetic shielding cover 6. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the magnetic shield 6 is made of a magnetically conductive material (such as low-carbon steel or electrical pure iron) and is shaped like a cylindrical structure with a flange. It is positioned between the outer shell of the drive unit 2 and the rotating magnet assembly 3, and is fixedly mounted on the frame 1 or the housing of the drive unit 2 via its flange, thereby physically isolating the strong alternating magnetic field generated by the high-speed rotating permanent magnet 5 from the metal housing of the drive unit 2. Its working principle is that the magnetic shield 6 provides a low-resistivity path for the alternating magnetic flux, allowing most of the leaked magnetic lines of force to form a closed loop within itself, thus significantly reducing the magnetic flux passing through the housing of the drive unit 2, fundamentally suppressing the generation of eddy currents, and solving the heat generation problem under long-term high-speed operation of the device.

[0037] As a further optimization, such as Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, a Heilbeck magnetic ring array 8 can also be added to the top of the magnet assembly 3. This array consists of multiple permanent magnet blocks arranged in a specific magnetization direction. Its purpose is to further enhance the magnetic field strength and improve its uniformity above the axial direction of the magnet assembly (i.e., the sample placement area), while weakening the stray magnetic field below it.

[0038] To ensure operational safety and control the internal environment, a transparent protective cover 9 is installed between the outside of the device and the support rod 23. This protective cover 9 is preferably made of acrylic sheet to facilitate observation of the internal operating status. To address the heat dissipation issue generated by the drive unit 2 itself even with the magnetic shielding cover, multiple heat dissipation holes are provided on the sides and top of the protective cover 9. These heat dissipation holes are calculated and strategically placed to effectively dissipate heat through air convection while preventing the entry of large external objects, thus balancing safety and heat dissipation efficiency.

[0039] The control system 4 is electrically connected to the drive unit 2. It typically includes a power supply module 15, a speed control module 16, a display module 17, and a motor control line interface 18. Through the knobs or touchscreen in the speed control module 16 and the display module 17, the user can precisely set the speed of the brushless DC motor, achieving stepless speed regulation within the range of 200 rpm to 2000 rpm. The display screen of the display module 17 will show the current speed value in real time.

[0040] To ensure the stability of the device under high-speed rotation and reduce vibration and noise, the entire magnet assembly 3 (including permanent magnet 5, mounting plate 7, and Heilbeck array 8) requires high-precision dynamic balancing calibration after assembly. Calibration is achieved by testing on a balancing machine and adding or removing small amounts of counterweight material at specific positions on the magnetic pole fixing mounting plate 7, ultimately ensuring that the dynamic balance accuracy of the entire rotating system is better than 1 gram.

[0041] At the top of the support rod 23, an experimental net bag 13 made of inert material (such as polytetrafluoroethylene or nylon mesh) is also installed to safely contain the biological sample to be tested (such as a petri dish, test tube or small animal container), so that the magnetic lines of force 19 can pass through the inside of the experimental net bag 13 and act on the biological sample inside the experimental net bag 13.

[0042] Example 2 To achieve precise and convenient adjustment of the magnetic field strength in the space where the sample is located, such as Figure 4 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the device further includes an adjustment assembly 10. See also Figure 1 The adjustment assembly 10 mainly includes at least two screws 11 vertically fixed to the frame 1 (that is, replacing the support rod 23 in embodiment 1 with screws 11), a crossbeam 12 that has a sliding fit with the screws 11, and an experimental net bag 13 fixed to the crossbeam 12.

[0043] Specifically, two screws 11 are securely mounted on the frame 1 via bearing seats or nuts at their upper and lower ends, respectively located on both sides of the rotating magnet assembly 3 to ensure structural stability. The crossbeam 12 is machined with threaded holes that mate with the screws 11 or is fitted with sliding bearings, allowing it to move smoothly up and down along the axial direction (i.e., vertical direction) of the screws 11. The horizontal arrangement of the crossbeam 12 ensures that the sample-bearing position on it remains aligned with the center of the magnetic field of the magnet assembly 3. At the center of the crossbeam 12, an experimental net bag 13 made of inert material (such as PTFE or nylon mesh) is installed to safely hold the biological sample being tested (such as a petri dish, test tube, or small animal container). For further ease of operation, a handwheel (not shown in the figure) can be installed at the top of one of the screws 11, allowing for precise raising and lowering of the crossbeam 12 by rotating the handwheel. After the crossbeam 12 has moved to the desired height, its position can be fixed by tightening the locking nuts 14 located above or below the crossbeam 12 to prevent accidental displacement during the experiment.

[0044] The device is used as follows: Place the biological sample to be tested in the experimental net 13, and adjust the height of the crossbeam 12 by rotating the handwheel (or by directly pushing and locking) to precisely set the distance between the sample in the experimental net 13 and the outer surface of the magnet assembly 3. Start the device through the control system 4 and set the required rotation speed. The magnet assembly 3 begins to rotate, generating an alternating magnetic field of the required frequency. By adjusting the distance between the sample and the magnet assembly 3 through the aforementioned adjustment component 10, the magnetic field strength at the sample's location can be continuously and linearly changed, thus facilitating the testing of biological effects with different magnetic field strength parameters. Due to the presence of the magnetic shielding cover 6 and the heat dissipation holes 10, the device can operate continuously and stably for a long time with controllable temperature rise, providing a reliable low-interference environment for biological testing.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A spatial magnetic field generating device for testing biological samples, comprising a frame (1), a drive unit (2) disposed on the frame (1), a magnet assembly (3) driven to rotate by the drive unit (2), and a control system (4) electrically connected to the drive unit (2), characterized in that: The magnet assembly (3) includes at least one pair of permanent magnets (5) with their N and S poles facing each other. The device also includes a magnetic shield (6) disposed between the drive unit (2) and the magnet assembly (3).

2. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit (2) is a DC brushless motor; The control system (4) is configured to steplessly regulate the speed of the brushless DC motor, with a speed adjustment range of 200 to 2000 rpm.

3. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The permanent magnet (5) is a columnar magnet, and the at least one pair of permanent magnets (5) are fixedly connected to the drive unit (2) through a magnetic pole fixing mounting plate (7).

4. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The magnet assembly (3) is also provided with a Heilbeck magnetic ring array (8) on top.

5. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a protective cover (9) covering the entire device, and the protective cover (9) has multiple heat dissipation holes.

6. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The protective cover (9) is made of transparent acrylic material.

7. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic shield (6) is made of magnetically conductive material and is used to suppress eddy currents induced in the metal parts by the rotating magnetic field.

8. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The magnetic field strength on the surface of the permanent magnet (5) is not less than 10,000 Gauss; and, A magnetic field strength of not less than 1 Gauss is generated at a distance of 600 mm from the surface of the magnet assembly (3).

9. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an adjustment component (10) for adjusting the distance between the sample under test and the magnet assembly (3) to achieve the spatial magnetic field strength.

10. The space magnetic field generating device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment assembly (10) includes at least two screws (11) mounted on the frame, and a crossbeam (12) slidably connected to the screws (11) to adjust its position up and down. The crossbeam (12) is provided with an experimental net bag (13) for holding the sample to be tested.

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