Sample preparation and delivery system employing external sonicator

An apparatus for processing at least one of a plurality samples of material comprising:

• a conveyor which is configured to transport a plurality of containers containing respective samples of said plurality of samples of material to a sample mixing location;
• an acoustic energy emitter disposed at said mixing location and being configured to engage an external portion of a respective container that has been transported to said mixing location by said conveyor, and to emit acoustic energy through said respective container and into sample material therein, sonically mixing contents of sample material;
• and
• a device for orienting said respective container for dispensing mixed contents thereof into a reservoir, and then for disposing of said container.

An apparatus for processing a plurality samples of material comprising:

• a conveyor which is configured to transport a plurality of containers made of container material that is compliant to acoustic energy and containing respective samples of said plurality of samples of material to a sample filling and mixing location;
• a device disposed at said sample mixing and filling location, which is operative to introduce carrier fluid and surfactant into a respective container;
• an acoustic energy emitter disposed at said mixing location and being positioned adjacent an external portion of said respective container that has been transported to said mixing location by said conveyor, and to emit acoustic energy through said respective container and into contents thereof, so as to sonically mix said sample of material, carrier fluid and surfactant;
• and
• a device for orienting said respective container, so as to dispense mixed contents thereof into a reservoir, and then to dispose of said container.

A method of processing a sample of material comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing said sample of material, a carrier fluid and a surfactant into a container that is compliant to acoustic energy emitted by an acoustic energy emitter;
• (b) placing an acoustic energy emitter at an external portion of said container;
• (c) sonicating said sample of material with the carrier fluid and the surfactant prior to dispensing said sample material into a sample receptacle of a sample analysis apparatus, which is operative to analyze contents of sonically mixed contents of the sample of material;
• (d) causing relative displacement between said acoustic energy emitter and said external portion of said container;
• and
• (e) dispensing said sample of material as sonicated with said carrier fluid and surfactant in step (c) into said sample receptacle of the sample analysis apparatus.