Multifocal Acoustic Lens for Parallel Microplate Sonication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for sonicating microplates can only process one sample at a time, leading to prolonged processing times and high labor and instrument costs, as well as the need for robotic systems to raster scan microplates across single-focus transducers.
Innovation Solution
A sonicator system that includes a transducer layer configured to emit acoustic energy and a multifocus acoustic lens layer that focuses this energy onto multiple sample wells in a microplate, allowing for simultaneous sonication of multiple samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-focus transducer is used to sonicate microplate samples, then the transducer structure remains simple, but the processing time increases significantly and only one sample can be processed at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the acoustic energy into multiple focal points by using a multifocal lens, allowing simultaneous sonication of multiple sample wells. The single transducer is segmented into multiple focal zones through the lens design, enabling parallel processing of multiple samples without increasing transducer complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The multifocal acoustic lens acts as an intermediary between the single transducer and multiple sample wells. The lens receives acoustic energy from the transducer and redistributes it to multiple focal points, enabling one transducer to effectively serve multiple samples simultaneously
2Extent of automation
If a robotic system with raster scanning is used to process microplates, then sample processing can be automated, but the instrument cost increases significantly to over $150,000
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic field into multiple focal points that correspond to different sample wells, eliminating the need for robotic scanning. The multifocal lens creates discrete acoustic zones that match the microplate well positions, allowing static processing of all samples simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The multifocal lens creates multiple copies of the acoustic focus at different positions corresponding to different sample wells. This allows a single transducer to effectively process multiple samples simultaneously without requiring multiple transducers or robotic scanning
3Productivity
If multiple transducers are used to sonicate multiple samples simultaneously, then processing throughput increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple transducers into a single transducer by using a multifocal lens. Instead of using multiple independent transducers to sonicate multiple samples simultaneously, the invention combines all transducer functions into one device that uses optical-like focusing to distribute acoustic energy to multiple focal points
Solution Approach 2:
The single transducer with multifocal lens becomes a universal device that can process multiple samples simultaneously. The lens enables the transducer to perform the function of multiple transducers by creating multiple focal zones from a single acoustic source
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces processing time and costs by enabling parallel processing of multiple samples in a microplate, thereby enhancing sample processing throughput and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer layer comprises a plurality of piezoelectric transducers that are mechanically connected to thereby form a substantially homogenous acoustic source
Implementation Method 2
a transducer layer configured to emit acoustic energy
Implementation Method 3
a multifocus acoustic lens layer configured to focus the acoustic energy from the transducer layer to sample wells of the microplate
Implementation Method 4
the multifocus lens is configured to focus the acoustic energy from the transducer layer to a plurality of focal points
Implementation Method 5
Each transducer element produces energy that is focused towards a well of a microplate with sufficient acoustic pressure to cause inertial cavitation
Implementation Method 6
Focused ultrasound may be used for sample processing
Data Source
AI summary
A sonicator system for sonicating materials in a sample array includes a transducer layer configured to emit acoustic energy; and a multifocus acoustic lens layer configured to focus the acoustic energy from the transducer layer to the sample array to thereby simultaneously sonicate materials in the sample array.