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US 8,999,704 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for headspace control in acoustic processing of samples
AssigneeCovaris, Inc.
InventorJames A. Laugharn, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for controlling acoustic treatment of a sample including a liquid. A processing volume in which the sample is acoustically treated may be controlled, e.g., by positioning a suitable element so as to reduce and/or eliminate a headspace size at a sample/gas interface. An interaction between the acoustic energy and the sample may be controlled, e.g., by using a headspace control element positioned at least partially in the sample that helps to reduce splashing or other sample ejection that would otherwise occur.
Claims32
An acoustic treatment device, comprising:
- a vessel having a total volume and arranged to hold a sample including a liquid having a sample volume that is less than the total volume and defining an interface between the sample and a gas;
- an acoustic energy source for providing acoustic energy to the sample while the sample is in the vessel at a focal zone of the acoustic energy and is separated from the acoustic energy source;
- a vessel holder arranged to support the vessel, the vessel holder adapted to position the vessel at a location at least partially in the focal zone of the acoustic energy;
- a headspace control member that is positionable in the vessel to define a volume of a headspace near the interface, the headspace control member including a metal or ceramic element positionable adjacent the interface for reflecting acoustic energy, the headspace control member configured to allow gas to pass by when engaged with the vessel;
- wherein the vessel and headspace control member are arranged for use with the acoustic energy source for providing acoustic energy to the sample while the sample is in the vessel at the focal zone of the acoustic energy and is separated from the acoustic energy source, wherein the metal or ceramic element is arranged on a side of the sample that is opposite the acoustic energy source such that the metal or ceramic element reflects acoustic energy in a direction toward the acoustic energy source.
2 more elements
An acoustic treatment device, comprising:
- a vessel having a total volume and arranged to hold a sample including a liquid having a sample volume that is less than the total volume and defining an interface between the sample and a gas;
- a headspace control member that is positionable in the vessel to define a volume of a headspace near the interface, the headspace control member including a metal or ceramic element positionable adjacent the interface for reflecting acoustic energy, the headspace control member configured to allow gas to pass by when engaged with the vessel;
- wherein the vessel and headspace control member are arranged for use with an acoustic energy source for providing acoustic energy to the sample while the sample is in the vessel at a focal zone of the acoustic energy and is separated from the acoustic energy source, wherein the metal or ceramic element is arranged on a side of the sample that is opposite the acoustic energy source such that the metal or ceramic element reflects acoustic energy in a direction toward the acoustic energy source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.