US6100084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micro-sonicator for spore lysis
Assignee: University of California
•
Filing: 1998-11-05
•
Granted: 2000-08-08
•
Expires: 2018-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A micro-sonicator for spore lysis. Using micromachining technology, the micro-sonicator uses ultrasonic excitation of spores to perform spore and cell lysis. The micro-sonicator comprises a container with a cavity therein for retaining the sample in an ultrasonic transmission medium, the cavity being closed by a silicon membrane to which an electrode and piezoelectric material are attached, with the electrode and piezoelectric material being electrically connected to an AC signal generator which causes the membrane to flex and vibrate at the frequency of the applied voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin R. Miles
- 👤 Phillip Belgrader
- 👤 Shanavaz L. Nasarabadi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:57
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12M; C12M47/00; C12M47/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A micro-sonicator for spore or cell lysis, comprising: a container having a cavity therein adapted to contain spore or cell samples, a quantity of ultrasonic transmission media in said cavity, at least a membrane positioned to cover said cavity, piezoelectric material positioned on said membrane, and means for causing flexing of said piezoelectric material and vibration of said membrane thereby causing ultrasonic excitation of the transmission media adapted to cause lysis of spore or cell samples in said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A micro-sonicator for spore or cell lysis, comprising: a container having a cavity therein adapted to contain spore or cell samples, a quantity of ultrasonic transmission media in said cavity, at least a membrane positioned to cover said cavity, piezoelectric material positioned on said membrane, and means for causing flexing of said piezoelectric material and vibration of said membrane thereby causing ultrasonic excitation of the transmission media adapted to cause lysis of spore or cell samples in said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, wherein said container is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, ceramics, plastics, bakelite, polycarbonate, and other metals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, wherein said membrane is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of silicon, glass, ceramics, and stainless steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, wherein said membrane has a thickness in the range of 0.0005 to 0.10 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, additionally including a member positioned to cover said cavity, said member including a thin section defining said membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 5, wherein said member is composed of silicon, glass, ceramics, and stainless steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric material is positioned only on a section of said membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric material is selected from the group consisting of PZT, barium titanate and quartz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, wherein said means includes an electrode located on said membrane, and an AC power source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 9, wherein said electrode is formed on a surface of said membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The micro-sonicator of claim 1, in combination with a spore or cell sample, positioned in said cavity for lysis by ultrasonic excitation of said sample, whereby said means causes said piezoelectric material to flex and vibrate said membrane at a frequency produced by said means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said means include an AC voltage source, and wherein said frequency is the frequency of the applied voltage from the AC voltage source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said spore or cell is enclosed in a plastic container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1, additionally including beads located in said cavity to aid sonication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a micro-fluidic system, the improvement comprising: a micro-sonicator for spore and cell lysis using ultrasonic excitation of the spore or cell, said micro-sonicator including a container having a cavity therein and containing ultrasonic transmission media, a membrane positioned over said cavity, and means for causing vibration of said membrane producing ultrasonic excitation of spore or cell located in said cavity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a micro-fluidic system, the improvement comprising: a micro-sonicator for spore and cell lysis using ultrasonic excitation of the spore or cell, said micro-sonicator including a container having a cavity therein and containing ultrasonic transmission media, a membrane positioned over said cavity, and means for causing vibration of said membrane producing ultrasonic excitation of spore or cell located in said cavity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement of claim 15, wherein said membrane constitutes a thin portion of a member positioned to cover said cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 15, wherein said means includes a piezoelectric material and an electrode located on a surface of said membrane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement of claim 17, wherein said means additionally includes an AC power supply connected to said piezoelectric material and said electrode, whereby an AC voltage applied to said piezoelectric material causes the material to flex and vibrate the membrane at a frequency of the applied voltage, causing the ultrasonic excitation of the spores or cells in said cavity via said ultrasonic transmission media.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3851861A
Cited
US4026765A
Cited
US5374522A
Cited
US4983523A
Cited
US5646039A
Cited
US5837303A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-08 | 2004-02-07 | 2004-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-08 | 2008-02-07 | 2008-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-08 | 2012-02-07 | 2012-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |