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US 9,790,485 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.
Claims25
An acoustic treatment device, comprising:
- a vessel having an exterior and an interior defining an internal space arranged to hold a sample, the internal space of the vessel having a total volume;
- a sample including a liquid in the internal space of the vessel, the sample 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, the acoustic energy source being positioned outside of the internal space of the vessel and arranged to create a focal zone of the acoustic energy;
- a coupling medium in contact with the exterior of the vessel and arranged to transmit the acoustic energy from the acoustic energy source to the exterior of the vessel;
- 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;
- and
- a headspace control member positioned in the internal space of the vessel to define a headspace in the vessel near the interface to be 20% or less of the sample volume.
4 more elements
An acoustic treatment device, comprising:
- a vessel having an exterior and an interior defining an internal space arranged to hold a sample, the internal space of the vessel having a total volume;
- a sample including a liquid in the internal space of the vessel, the sample 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, the acoustic energy source being positioned outside of the internal space of the vessel and arranged to create a focal zone of the acoustic energy;
- a coupling medium in contact with the exterior of the vessel and arranged to transmit the acoustic energy from the acoustic energy source to the exterior of the vessel;
- and
- a headspace control member that is adjustably positionable in vessel to define a volume of a headspace near the interface.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.