Acoustic interrogation system and method of operation
OwnerRobert Crowleyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for insonification and data collection of biological specimens and samples. The system comprises one or more transducers held in proximity to a cell or group of cells for a period of time and in a specific relationship. Methods of generating acoustic signals that are sent and received to and from the transducers and the cells over specific time periods and recorded data is compared over time periods from several hours to a several day period are described. The device features an operable system comprising a multiplicity of transducer elements in close proximity to and acoustically coupled with standardized polymer array plates that are rapidly interchangeable.
Claims83
A biological sample acoustic interrogation system having at least one acoustic transducer for interrogating said biological sample, said system comprising:
- an acoustic transducer arrangement positioned relative to an acoustically transmissive support, said support arranged in acoustically transmissive contact with said biological sample, said acoustic transducer arrangement arranged in timed acoustic interrogating contact with said support, said timed acoustic interrogating contact comprising a period of about 2 hours to greater than about 48 hours.
A method of acoustically interrogating biological samples over an extended time period comprising:
- arranging a biological sample for interrogation;
- placing said sample in acoustical communication with an acoustic transducer arrangement;
- energizing said transducer so as to provide a return signal during an initial time-interrogation event;
- energizing said transducer again so as to provide a further return signal during a later time-interrogation event;
- and
- characterizing differences in spectral patterns generated during said initial time-interrogation event and said later time-interrogation event so as to determine sample type and morphology.
A through-transmission acoustic system for the repeatable, consistent interrogation of a biological sample of tissue over a period of time, comprising:
- at least two transducers arranged in a circuit controlled by a central processing unit;
- an oscillator arranged in said circuit, to generate a pulse of specific electrical waveforms;
- an amplifier arranged in said circuit to increase the strength of said pulse of one of said transducers into acoustic energy;
- an arrangement of electrodes attached to said transducer arrangement, to conduct said pulse into an acoustic wave directed to said sample;
- a second of said transducers arranged to receive said acoustic wave from said one of said transducers and convert said wave into an electrical waveform;
- a second amplifier in said circuit arranged to condition said wave into time and frequency domains;
- and
- a processor for display of spectral components of a signal received by said second transducer over a period of time to present quantitative information relative to said sample changes over said time period of interrogation.
A pulse-echo acoustic system for the repeatable, consistent interrogation of a biological sample of tissue over a period of time, comprising:
- a transducer arrangement disposed in a circuit controlled by a central processing unit;
- an oscillator arranged in said circuit, to generate a pulse of specific electrical waveforms;
- an amplifier arranged in said circuit to increase the strength of said pulse of one of said transducers into acoustic energy;
- an electrode attached to said transducer arrangement, to conduct said pulse into an acoustic wave directed to said sample;
- a switch arranged to control and re-direct an echo of said acoustic wave from said transducer arrangement and convert said echo into an electrical waveform;
- a receive amplifier in said circuit arranged to condition said wave into time and frequency domains;
- and
- a processor for display of spectral components of a signal redirected by said switch over a period of time to present quantitative information relative to said sample changes over said time period of interrogation.
A through-transmission acoustic system for the repeatable, consistent interrogation of a biological sample arrangement of tissue over a period of time, comprising:
- at least two transducers arranged in a circuit controlled by a central processing unit;
- an oscillator arranged in said circuit, to generate a pulse of specific electrical waveforms;
- an amplifier arranged in said circuit to increase the strength of said pulse of one of said transducers into acoustic energy;
- an arrangement of electrodes attached to said transducer arrangement, to conduct said pulse into an acoustic wave directed to said sample arrangement;
- a second of said transducers arranged to receive said acoustic wave from said one of said transducers and convert said wave into an electrical waveform;
- a second amplifier in said circuit arranged to condition said wave into time and frequency domains;
- and
- a processor for display of spectral components of a signal received by said second transducer over a period of time to present quantitative information relative to changes in said sample arrangement over said time period of interrogation, said sample arrangement comprising a plurality of individual tissue samples disposed among a plurality of multiwell plates.
A tissue implantable pulse-echo acoustic system for the repeatable, consistent interrogation and rf interrogation-reporting relative to an in vivo biological sample of tissue, over a period of time, comprising:
- a tissue-implantable transducer arrangement arranged in rf communication with a circuit controlled by a central processing unit;
- an oscillator arranged in said circuit, to generate a pulse of specific electrical waveforms;
- an amplifier arranged in said circuit to increase the strength of said pulse of one of said transducers into acoustic energy;
- an electrode attached to said transducer arrangement, to conduct said pulse into an acoustic wave directed to said sample;
- a switch arranged to control and re-direct an echo of said acoustic wave from said transducer arrangement and convert said echo into an electrical waveform;
- a receive amplifier in said circuit arranged to condition said wave into time and frequency domains;
- and
- a processor for display of spectral components of a received rf signal redirected by said switch over a predetermined period of time to present quantitative information relative to said sample changes over said time period of interrogation.
An acoustic system for the repeatable, consistent interrogation of a biological sample arrangement of tissue over a period of time, comprising:
- a contact transducer arranged in acoustical communication with an acoustically transmissive chamber, said chamber containing a self-leveling sample for interrogation;
- an acoustic matching layer on said transducer, said layer comprised of material of known acoustic impedance as an electrical contact therefor, for facilitating consistent acoustic communication with said sample.
A method of acoustically interrogating a plurality of biological samples over an extended predetermined period of time, comprising:
- providing a multi-welled plate with a corresponding number of acoustic transducers and proper circuit in respective acoustic communication therewith;
- introducing a specific culture medium respectively into a plurality of wells of said multi-welled plate;
- placing said multi-welled plate with said transducers thereon into an environmentally controlled incubator;
- applying acoustic energy to said acoustic transducers;
- growing said culture medium in said wells over said pre-determined period of time;
- and
- recording data returned from said transducers over said period of time.
An acoustically transmissive enclosed chamber for sampling a biological sample through a transducer arrangement in communication therewith, wherein said chamber has precise dimensions and a sample therein has a precise and time-wisely consistent thickness, said sample having a liquid and air interface thereon, wherein said interface comprises an acoustic reflector for quantifying reflected acoustic waves from said transducer arrangement over a predetermined period of time.
A method of acoustically interrogating a biological sample over a period of time, in an acoustically transmissive environmentally enclosed chamber, comprising:
- measuring the dimensions of acoustically transmissive portions of said chamber for factoring with return echo pulses of said sample in said chamber;
- providing an acoustic transducer in acoustic communication with said chamber;
- providing precise quantities of said sample into said chamber;
- energizing said transducer;
- sending acoustic waves onto an interface between an upper surface of said sample and any atmosphere within said chamber;
- and
- analyzing said acoustic waves received from said interface and received by said transducer arrangement over said period of time.
A method of acoustically interrogating biological samples over a prolonged period, comprising:
- arranging a series of well plates with biological samples therein,
- arranging said series of well plates on a corresponding array of acoustic transducers, and
- acoustically interrogating said biological samples through said well plates over a period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.