Abstract: A vessel holder assembly is provided. A vessel holder, for receiving one or more vessels, includes a first set of attachment features. A cap assembly, for covering the vessel(s) includes a second set of attachment features. Respective attachment features of the vessel holder and the cap assembly may be complementary, such that engagement between complementary attachment members results in an attachment between the cap assembly and the vessel holder. Such an attachment may be manually removable, or may be locked so as to require a tool, or other suitable method, for detaching the cap assembly from the vessel holder.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vessel configured to apply pressure greater than ambient pressure and/or provide a reduced headspace to a sample, while subject to focused acoustic treatment. Such treatment may generally result in enhanced effects of sterilization and/or other processing than if the sample is otherwise treated under ambient conditions. The sample may be a medicament that is sterilized under pressure using focused acoustic energy, where the sterilized sample is subsequently delivered to a patient. A fluid delivery cartridge may include a vessel having a transfer end opposite a plunger end. The transfer end may include a sealed cover. A plunger may be movably disposed in the vessel to accommodate entry of a liquid via piercing of the sealed cover. Upon processing (e.g., sterilizing) of the sample with focused acoustic energy, the sample may be appropriately dispensed through the pierced sealed cover.

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: 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 treating material with focused acoustic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation are described. Sample material may be provided to a single batch vessel or may flow in a continuous or intermittent fashion into/out of a processing chamber within which the material is exposed to focused acoustic energy and/or ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to focused acoustics in a flow through environment may enhance the effects of the radiation on the sample material. Further, in flow-through or single batch arrangements, sample material may be retained exterior to or within a processing chamber by one or more retaining members (e.g., filter, valve, etc.) until a characteristic of the sample material reaches one or more particular criteria (e.g., physical, chemical, biological). Once the criteria of the sample material is attained (e.g., via further treatment), the material is then permitted to flow past the retaining member(s) and through the inlet or outlet of the chamber.

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: Systems and methods for processing tissue samples using acoustic energy. The tissue sample may be collected and placed on a substrate (e.g., microscope slide), or other sample holder. A transfer substrate may be positioned on the other side of the sample opposite the substrate. A microscope incorporated with the acoustic treatment system may be used to view, identify and select a portion of the sample to be transferred from the initial substrate to the transfer substrate. The selected portion of the sample is exposed to focused acoustic energy while disposed between the two substrates. The focused acoustic energy has characteristics (e.g., high frequency, small focal zone) that may be effective to transfer the selected portion of the sample from the initial substrate to the transfer substrate. Such transfer may occur with little to no damage to the sample, for example, at low temperature isothermal conditions and/or little to no cavitation of or around 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: 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: 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: 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.