Abstract: The present application relates to a liquid transfer system capable of using ultrasonic sound signals to transfer liquid samples from a first container to a second container as well as using ultrasonic sound signals to measure the characteristics of both the liquid and the first container. The system uses a transducer to transmit a plurality of sound signals and receives a plurality signals reflected off the sample and the bottom wall of the container to measure the liquid and/or container characteristics. The plurality of transmitted sound signals occur during a plurality of transducer positions from the first container in which the system identifies the signal converging on various surfaces of the liquid and/or container, and uses the reflected signals corresponding to those positions to calculate the sample and container characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing samples in a multi-well reaction vessel can include inserting a multi-well reaction vessel into a heating chamber of a thermal cycler, enclosing the multi-well reaction vessel in the heating chamber, and compressing a bottom surface of the multi-well reaction vessel into a compliant thermally conductive insert to increase a thermal contact area between the bottom surface and the compliant thermally conductive insert. The compliant thermally conductive insert can be placed between the multi-well reaction vessel and a heating element of the thermal cycler, where heat flux from the heating element passes through the compliant thermally conductive insert to the reaction vessel. The compliant thermally conductive insert can include an elastically deformable creped graphite sheet that can reversibly deform according to different compression profiles depending on the topography or flexure of the reaction vessel and/or heating element.

Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.

Abstract: Sample container for holding and transferring a liquid sample and method thereof. The sample container includes an inlet configured to allow a liquid sample to enter a sample container, and an outlet configured to allow one or more droplets of the liquid sample to exit the sample container by one or more acoustic ejections respectively. The inlet and the outlet are in different locations.

Abstract: A method that allows a user to dispense a desired volume of solution from an acoustic dispensing apparatus by allowing the user to select the drop volume to be dispensed. A typical drop volume is in the range of one to twenty-five nanoliters. The method comprises the steps of creating two or more burst curves that give the relationship between liquid level and burst value, using data from the burst curves to create two or more calibration functions, and using data from the calibration functions to create a dispensing data set that is used to set the burst parameter required to dispense the selected drop volume.

Abstract: Methods of ejecting droplets containing a non-Newtonian fluid by an acoustic droplet ejector can include applying a tone burst of focused acoustic energy to a fluid reservoir containing a non-Newtonian fluid at sufficient amplitude to effect droplet ejection according to a tone burst pattern. The tone burst pattern may include three discrete tone burst segments, the first tone burst segment having greater duration than the second and third segments, and third segment having greater duration than the second segment. The exact durations and amplitudes of the tone burst segments can be tuned to influence the ejection properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein employ focused acoustic energy applied to a reservoir containing a fluid to eject a fluid sample from the fluid sample reservoir, e.g. to an inlet of an analytical device. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample traverses an air gap separating the inlet of the analytical device from an upper surface of the fluid in the fluid sample reservoir. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample comprises one or more droplets ejected from the fluid sample reservoir, which can contain particles suspended in the fluid sample.

Abstract: System and methods are described herein for detecting positions or trajectories and/or controlling directions of charged droplets during travel. The systems and methods are useful for determining the locations of the charged droplets in real-time based on signals induced in the electrodes of a sensor surrounding an aperture through which the charged droplet passes in flight from the source well to the target. The signals from the sensor electrodes can be measured and used to determine a position or trajectory of the droplet. The systems and methods are useful for modifying trajectories of the charged droplets in real-time, such as based on determined positions identified as having a trajectory deviating from the target. The trajectories can be modified by applying voltages to electrodes surrounding an aperture through which the charged droplet passes in flight from the source well to the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that prevent over-production of acoustically ejected droplets into a mass spectrometer, without increase to the time required to conduct pre-ejection sample analysis. This is accomplished by decoupling the repetition rate of energy pulses delivered to the sample during an analysis mode from the repetition rate of energy pulses delivered to the sample during ejection mode. The repetition rate during analysis is higher than the repetition rate used during droplet ejection, which is reduced to a level that can be ingested by the acoustically emitted mass spectrometry system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for tagging and acoustically characterizing containers.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for loading a sample into an analytical instrument using acoustic droplet ejection (“ADE”) in combination with a continuous flow sampling probe. An acoustic droplet ejector is used to eject small droplets of a fluid sample containing an analyte into the sampling tip of a continuous flow sampling probe, where the acoustically ejected droplet combines with a continuous, circulating flow stream of solvent within the flow probe. Fluid circulation within the probe transports the sample through a sample transport capillary to an outlet that directs the analyte away from the probe to an analytical instrument, e.g., a device that detects the presence, concentration quantity, and/or identity of the analyte. When the analytical instrument is a mass spectrometer or other type of device requiring the analyte to be in ionized form, the exiting droplets pass through an ionization region, e.g.

Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. The droplets generated are substantially smaller in scale than the focal spot size of the acoustic beam (e.g., the frequency at which the acoustic transducer operates). Further, the droplets have trajectories that are substantially in the direction of the acoustic beam propagation direction. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the protuberance has reached a certain state, a second toneburst is applied to the protuberance to break it into very small droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the protuberance at which the second toneburst is supplied is the time period shortly after the protuberance reaches its maximum height but before the protuberance recedes back into the volume of fluid.

Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.

Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing samples in a multi-well reaction vessel can include inserting a multi-well reaction vessel into a heating chamber of a thermal cycler, enclosing the multi-well reaction vessel in the heating chamber, and compressing a bottom surface of the multi-well reaction vessel into a compliant thermally conductive insert to increase a thermal contact area between the bottom surface and the compliant thermally conductive insert. The compliant thermally conductive insert can be placed between the multi-well reaction vessel and a heating element of the thermal cycler, where heat flux from the heating element passes through the compliant thermally conductive insert to the reaction vessel. The compliant thermally conductive insert can include an elastically deformable creped graphite sheet that can reversibly deform according to different compression profiles depending on the topography or flexure of the reaction vessel and/or heating element.

Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. The droplets generated are substantially smaller in scale than the focal spot size of the acoustic beam (e.g., the frequency at which the acoustic transducer operates). Further, the droplets have trajectories that are substantially in the direction of the acoustic beam propagation direction. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the protuberance has reached a certain state, a second toneburst is applied to the protuberance to break it into very small droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the protuberance at which the second toneburst is supplied is the time period shortly after the protuberance reaches its maximum height but before the protuberance recedes back into the volume of fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for tagging and acoustically characterizing containers.

Abstract: Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.

Abstract: Provided herein is generally tubular container, preferably including a plurality of reservoirs defined therein. The container can be adapted for acoustic ejection of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs. Alternatively, the container can be adapted for extraction of a fluid disposed within at least one of the reservoirs of the plurality of reservoirs using a non-acoustic liquid handling method.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein employ focused acoustic energy applied to a reservoir containing a fluid to eject a fluid sample from the fluid sample reservoir, e.g. to an inlet of an analytical device. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample traverses an air gap separating the inlet of the analytical device from an upper surface of the fluid in the fluid sample reservoir. In many embodiments, the ejected fluid sample comprises one or more droplets ejected from the fluid sample reservoir, which can contain particles suspended in the fluid sample.