Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using an acoustic energy system having a movable outer surface that contacts a sample holder. The outer surface may be cylindrical and rotate about a central axis, e.g., so that a sample holder may be driven to move by the outer surface. Acoustic energy may be emitted from within the outer surface to a treatment area outside of, and near, the outer surface. Thus, a sample holder in contact with the outer surface may have a sample exposed to acoustic energy while rotation of the outer surface may move the sample holder relative to treatment area. One or more additional rollers or other components may bias the sample holder into contact with the outer surface, to e.g., so the sample holder is squeezed between the outer surface and a roller or other biasing component.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing paraffin embedded samples, e.g., to disassociate paraffin from tissue components and/or other biomolecules from the paraffin. The sample may be exposed to focused acoustic energy while held in a vessel containing a non-solvent, aqueous solution. Disassociated paraffin may be emulsified into the liquid or otherwise separated from the sample.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for holding and/or treating a sample material. A sample material may be positioned in a vessel between top and bottom flexible films where the flexible films are connected together by a substantially rigid support structure that surrounds the sample material. A crushing force may be applied to the sample material via the top and bottom flexible films, e.g., to pulverize the sample at cryogenic temperatures. A sample holder may have two vessels, one arranged for applying a crushing force to a first sample and another for holding a sample for other processing, such as a histology analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming solid particles from a sample, which includes the step of exposing the sample to a focused acoustic field having an acoustic wave variable, until the solid particles achieve a desired state of particularization. The acoustic wave variable may be selected based, at least in part, on the desired state of particularization. The sample may be exposed to the focused acoustic field through a medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for applying acoustic energy to a sample. According to one aspect of the invention, a system comprises a housing, a chamber for receiving the sample, an acoustic energy source for providing a focused acoustic field to the sample according to a treatment protocol, a processor for determining the treatment protocol, a sensor for detecting information about the sample, and a user interface for communicating with a user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for holding and/or treating a sample material. A sample may be positioned in a vessel and a crushing force may be applied to the sample material while in the vessel, e.g., by a plunger that is part of a cap to pulverize the sample at cryogenic temperatures. The sample holder may include an acoustic window arranged to admit acoustic energy into the vessel for acoustic treatment of the sample. A flexible film may be used at a portion of the vessel, e.g., at the acoustic window, to cooperate with a plunger for crushing a sample.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for holding and/or transferring a sample material into a second holder. The sample holder may comprise a shoulder arranged on the outer surface to engage a second holder and to position a top opening of the sample holder for communication with the second holder. A sample may be expelled from a sample holder using a piston that moves from a lower portion to an upper portion of the sample holder.

Abstract: Focused ultrasonic acoustic processing is used to prepare formulations particles ranging between approximately 10 nm and approximately 50 microns (e.g., between 1 micron and 20 microns), or between approximately 10 nm approximately 400 nm (e.g., between 10 nm and 100 nm). Formulations (e.g., nanoformulations) may include a suspension (e.g., nanosuspension), an emulsion (e.g., nanoemulsion) or another small particle system. Formulations may be used as delivery systems for therapeutic agents, e.g., a formulation may include a bioactive agent and a carrier compound such as a surfactant that encapsulates the bioactive agent.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exposing a sample, including a liquid and another material, to sonic energy to produce a desired result such as, suspending a material support in the liquid. The material support may be a bead or other particle with at least one surface feature to which the material may bind. Material in the liquid may attach to the material support, such as by specific or non-specific binding, entrapment or other, so as to facilitate separation of the material from the liquid. Separation of the material supports from the liquid and other unbound material may be done by allowing the material supports to settle out, e.g., under the force of gravity and/or as assisted by centrifugation, by applying a magnetic field in case the supports or material bound to the supports are movable by way of a magnetic field, or other techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing nanocrystalline compositions using focused acoustic processing to cause and/or enhance crystal growth. A flow through system may be employed to expose sample material having a volume of greater or less than 30 mL to focused acoustic energy while flowing through a process chamber at a rate of at least 0.1 mL/min. Sample material may be processed by a suitable focused acoustic field in a cyclic fashion and/or with adjustment of processing parameters based on monitored characteristics of the sample, such as level of crystallinity. Nanocrystalline particles within the sample may have a tight particle size distribution with an average particle size between 10 nm and 1 micron. Stable nanocrystalline compositions may be reproducibly prepared using focused acoustics to have controllable morphologies and dimensions.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for applying acoustic energy to a sample. According to one aspect of the invention, a system comprises a housing, a chamber for receiving the sample, an acoustic energy source for providing a focused acoustic field to the sample according to a treatment protocol, a processor for determining the treatment protocol, a sensor for detecting information about the sample, and a user interface for communicating with a user.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a transducer circuit, e.g., including an acoustic transducer arranged to cause mixing, cavitation or other movement in a liquid contained in a vessel located remote from the transducer. A load current of a transformer used to generate a drive signal for the transducer may be controlled to vary sinusoidally, to vary between negative and positive values and such that the load current flows in a closed loop when a zero voltage bias is applied across the primary transformer winding, to have a reduced or eliminated 3rd harmonic mode and/or to vary between three discrete modes including a forward current mode, a zero voltage loop current mode, and a freewheel current mode. An inverter circuit may be used to control the load current, e.g., so that the load current flows in a closed loop during portions of the control cycle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window and/or a chamber wall which may comprise an acoustically reflective material or a gas/wall interface that serves to reflect acoustic energy to form one or more secondary focal zones. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for using acoustic energy.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for holding and/or treating a sample material. A sample material may be positioned in a vessel between top and bottom flexible films where the flexible films are connected together by a substantially rigid support structure that surrounds the sample material. A crushing force may be applied to the sample material via the top and bottom flexible films, e.g., to pulverize the sample at cryogenic temperatures. A sample holder may have two vessels, one arranged for applying a crushing force to a first sample and another for holding a sample for other processing, such as a histology analysis.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustically treating material using a continuous process in which material may be caused to flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of an acoustic treatment chamber where the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy. The methods and systems may be arranged to permit continuous processing for extended periods while an acoustic energy source operates at a relatively high power output. Treatment chambers may include features such as an acoustic window, a heat exchanger, inlet/outlet flow arrangements, an inspection window, insert elements that define a treatment volume size or shape, etc. Treatment system configurations relating to arrangements of a treatment chamber relative to an acoustic source and coupling medium, material flow paths, and others are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods include processing devices used to fragment nucleic acids to average nucleic acid sizes ranging from between about 5 kbp and about 20 kbp. A processing device may include an inlet portion and a channel upstream from a shearing region arranged so that a relatively constant pressure is established and maintained (e.g., a pressure that changes by less than about 40%) at an entrance of the shearing region during a majority of sample flow through the shearing region. In some embodiments, after forcing the sample through the shearing region once, the processing device may be taken out of the centrifuge, inverted and placed back into the centrifuge so that the sample is forced through the shearing region again.