NMR Sample Tube Adapter Minimizing Run-Out

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current NMR sample tubes and adapters for smaller diameters are expensive, fragile, difficult to clean, and prone to misalignment, leading to reduced spectral resolution due to 'run-out' issues when used in standard holders, and are often manufacturer-specific, causing compatibility and sealing problems.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece elongate cylinder adapter with a hollow bore, made from dimensionally stable materials like polyacetal, designed to fit within standard NMR sample holders, allowing smaller diameter tubes to be used without compromising spectral resolution, and compatible with standard tube caps to prevent solvent loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a larger diameter tube upper portion is axially joined to a smaller diameter lower portion, then the smaller diameter portion can be positioned in the required position between the poles of the magnet, but the tube becomes expensive, difficult to clean and fragile

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is divided into two functional segments: an outer cylinder portion that fits in the tube holder and an inner tube portion that holds the sample. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the outer portion provides structural support and positioning while the inner portion maintains co-axiality with the magnet poles, solving both the resolution and cleaning difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary device between the standard tube holder and the small diameter sample tube. It translates the holder's larger diameter interface into a compatible interface for smaller diameter tubes, eliminating the need for complex joined tubes while maintaining spectral resolution through precise co-axial positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a smaller diameter inner tube is positioned within a larger diameter outer tube with adapters, then smaller diameter tubes can be used in standard holders, but the adapters are tricky to fit, easy to snap or misalign, and may be lost or contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with standard holdersVSAvoidease of assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter merges the outer cylinder and inner tube into a single integrated component rather than separate parts. This eliminates the complexity of assembling multiple adapter pieces, reduces the risk of loss and contamination, while maintaining the ability to fit standard holders and accommodate smaller diameter tubes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is designed as a universal component that can be used with any standard tube holder size while accommodating various small diameter sample tubes. The single-piece construction provides universal applicability across different instrument configurations without requiring multiple specialized parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If proprietary sample holders and clamping devices are used, then specific manufacturer's instruments can be optimized, but the device is usable only with that manufacturer's spectrometers and is not compatible with standard tubes or tube caps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with standard equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with universal dimensions that match standard tube holder specifications while accommodating standard tube caps. This allows the same adapter to work across different manufacturer's instruments and with standard tubing, eliminating the need for proprietary sealed connections while maintaining reliable sealing through the standardized interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If standard 5 mm/8 inch tubes are used, then standard holders can be used, but the tube does not provide satisfactory vessel for evaluation of small amounts of compound

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with standard holdersVSAvoidsample volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter applies local quality changes by creating a reduced diameter inner tube portion that accommodates small sample volumes while maintaining the outer diameter necessary for standard holder compatibility. This allows the sample tube to have different diameters at different locations - large outer portion for holder compatibility and small inner portion for limited sample capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7728593B2NMR sample tube size adapter

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 NORELL INC

AI summary

An adapter of the invention for fitting an NMR sample tube having an outside diameter into an NMR spectrometer sample tube holder designed for a larger outside diameter sample tube includes a one-piece elongate cylinder having an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion has an outside diameter sized to fit within a preselected size NMR spectrometer sample tube holder. The cylinder has a hollow bore axially extending through the upper portion and the lower portion, the hollow bore having a preselected inside diameter sized to accept an NMR sample tube smaller than the preselected size NMR spectrometer sample tube holder.