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.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to enhancing heat transfer between a vessel wall and a sample or coupling medium during focused acoustic processing. The vessel containing the sample may include a heat exchanger on an inner surface and/or an outer surface of the vessel that can have any suitable shape or dimension that increases the surface area of the vessel wall. In some embodiments, heat exchanger features may disrupt a boundary layer of a liquid sample at the vessel wall during focused acoustic processing. Accordingly, the temperature of the liquid sample can be appropriately controlled. In some cases, heating and/or cooling of the liquid sample may be performed efficiently. In an embodiment, a liquid sample may be heated at a rate of at least about 25 degrees C. per ml per minute.

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.

Abstract: Acoustic energy is used to control motion in a fluid. According to one embodiment, the invention directs acoustic energy at selected naturally occurring nucleation features to control motion in the fluid. In another embodiment, the invention provides focussed or unfocussed acoustic energy to selectively placed nucleation features to control fluid motion. According to one embodiment, the invention includes an acoustic source, a controller for controlling operation of the acoustic source, and one or more nucleation features located proximate to or in the fluid to be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for using acoustic energy. In some embodiments, a fluid bath may be provided in the system where the fluid bath quality may be monitored using acoustic energy. An assessment of fluid bath quality can be determined through a comparison that is made of an initial power signal of the acoustic energy with a reflected power signal of the acoustic energy.

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 automated compound management and sample preparation using acoustic energy. In some embodiments, acoustic energy may be transmitted through a medium and a solid or semi-solid layer that is disposed adjacent to the vessel. Both the medium and the solid or semi-solid layer may couple acoustic energy from an acoustic energy source to a focal zone in close proximity to the sample in the vessel.

Abstract: Acoustic energy is used to control motion in a fluid. According to one embodiment, the invention directs acoustic energy at selected naturally occurring nucleation features to control motion in the fluid. In another embodiment, the invention provides focussed or unfocussed acoustic energy to selectively placed nucleation features to control fluid motion. According to one embodiment, the invention includes an acoustic source, a controller for controlling operation of the acoustic source, and one or more nucleation features located proximate to or in the fluid to be controlled.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for treating a sample by selectively controlling sonic energy and/or selectively controlling the location of the sample relative to the sonic energy.

Abstract: Acoustic energy is used to control motion in a fluid. According to one embodiment, the invention directs acoustic energy at selected naturally occurring nucleation features to control motion in the fluid. In another embodiment, the invention provides focussed or unfocussed acoustic energy to selectively placed nucleation features to control fluid motion. According to one embodiment, the invention includes an acoustic source, a controller for controlling operation of the acoustic source, and one or more nucleation features located proximate to or in the fluid to be controlled.

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

Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, provides systems, methods and devices relating to processing a sample. Aspects presented herein relate to collecting, stabilizing, pulverizing, fragmenting, and/or analyzing biological and non-biological sample specimens. Before constituents of sample specimens are analyzed, the sample specimens may be fragmented into a plurality of smaller specimens. Such smaller specimens may then be stored, analyzed, or further processed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for using acoustic energy. In some embodiments, a fluid bath may be provided in the system where the fluid bath quality may be monitored using acoustic energy. An assessment of fluid bath quality can be determined through a comparison that is made of an initial power signal of the acoustic energy with a reflected power signal of the acoustic energy.

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 at a sample/gas interface. An interaction between the acoustic energy and the sample may be controlled, e.g., by using an energy director positioned at least partially in the sample that helps to reduce splashing or other sample ejection that would otherwise occur.

Abstract: Methods for cell lysis and purification of biological materials, involving subjecting a sample to high pressure. Also featured is an apparatus for practicing the methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for treating a sample by selectively controlling sonic energy and/or selectively controlling the location of the sample relative to the sonic energy.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for treating a sample by selectively controlling sonic energy and/or selectively controlling the location of the sample relative to the sonic energy.

Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, provides systems, methods and devices relating to processing a sample. A vessel is described for containing a sample. The vessel includes a reversibly sealable chamber for containing the sample which has a flexible portion to allow the vessel to deform nondestructively in response to a mechanical impact to fragment the sample. In certain embodiments the vessel may include a port for reversibly engaging with a second vessel to enable transfer of material between the two vessels while maintaining a barrier between the sample and an external environment. The vessel may be exposed to mechanical impacts of various energies and at various temperatures, and the internal surface of the structural barrier of the vessel may be treated with various chemical agents to maintain integrity of the sample.

Abstract: Acoustic energy is used to control motion in a fluid. According to one embodiment, the invention directs acoustic energy at selected naturally occurring nucleation features to control motion in the fluid. In another embodiment, the invention provides focussed or unfocussed acoustic energy to selectively placed nucleation features to control fluid motion. According to one embodiment, the invention includes an acoustic source, a controller for controlling operation of the acoustic source, and one or more nucleation features located proximate to or in the fluid to be controlled.