Patent US6719449B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6719449B1
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Apparatus and method for controlling sonic treatment
Assignee: Covaris LLC
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Filing: 1999-10-28
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Granted: 2004-04-13
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Expires: 2019-10-28
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Laugharn, Jr.
- 👤 Brevard S. Garrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:40
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01F; B01F33/00; B01F33/40; B01F33/408; C; C12; C12M; C12M35/00; C12M35/04; B01F31/00; B01F31/80; B01F31/87; B01F33/30; B01F33/403; B01F35/00; B01F35/20; B01F35/21; B01F35/211; B01F35/2115; B01F35/22; B01F35/2201; B01F35/2202; B01F2215/00; B01F2215/04; B01F2215/0413; B01F2215/0418; B01F2215/0427; B01F2215/0431; B01F2215/0436; B01F2215/045; B01F2215/0454; B01F2215/0468; B01F2215/0477; B01J; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00274; B01J2219/00277; B01J2219/00279; B01J2219/00306; B01J2219/00313; B01J2219/00315; B01J2219/00317; B01J2219/00479; B01J2219/00484; B01J2219/00486; B01J2219/00583; B01J2219/00603; B01J2219/00659; C40; C40B; C40B60/00; C40B60/14; G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N2035/00465; G01N2035/00534; G01N2035/00554; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02836; G01N2291/02872; G01N2291/02881
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for processing a sample using sonic energy, the apparatus comprising: a sonic energy source for emitting sonic energy wherein the energy source generates a wavetrain substantially converging in a focal zone having a diameter less than about 2 cm; a medium for coupling the wavetrain to the sample; a reaction vessel for holding the sample and preventing the sample from contacting the medium, the reaction vessel disposed in a predetermined location relative to the sonic energy source; a processor for controlling at least one of the sonic energy source and the location of the vessel relative to the focal zone according to a predetermined methodology, such that the sample is selectively exposed to sonic energy to produce a desired result.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for processing a sample using sonic energy, the apparatus comprising: a sonic energy source for emitting sonic energy wherein the energy source generates a wavetrain substantially converging in a focal zone having a diameter less than about 2 cm; a medium for coupling the wavetrain to the sample; a reaction vessel for holding the sample and preventing the sample from contacting the medium, the reaction vessel disposed in a predetermined location relative to the sonic energy source; a processor for controlling at least one of the sonic energy source and the location of the vessel relative to the focal zone according to a predetermined methodology, such that the sample is selectively exposed to sonic energy to produce a desired result.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a feedback system connected to the processor for monitoring at least one condition to which the sample is subjected during processing, such that the processor controls at least one of the sonic energy source and the location of the sample in response to the at least one condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the feedback system comprises a sensor for monitoring the at least one condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sensor monitors a mechanical occurrence.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a temperature control unit for controlling temperature of the sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the processor controls the temperature control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressure control unit for controlling pressure to which the sample is exposed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the processor controls the pressure control unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sonic energy source generates sonic energy at least two different frequencies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wavetrain comprises a first wave and a different second wave.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wavetrain comprises about 1000 cycles per burst at about a 10% duty cycle at about 15 MPa.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor comprises a device for moving the sample from a first location to a second location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the device for moving the sample comprises a stepper motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the focal zone has an axial length of less than about 6 cm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wavetrain converges in a focal zone having a diameter of less than about 1 cm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the focal zone has a diameter of about 3 mm and an axial length of about 15 mm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the focal zone has a diameter of about 2 mm and an axial length of about 6 mm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the wavetrain converges in a focal zone having a diameter of less than about 1 mm.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for processing a sample using sonic energy, the method comprising the steps of: generating a sonic energy wavetrain substantially converging in a focal zone having a diameter of less than about 2 cm; exposing the sample to the sonic energy wavetrain through a medium while preventing the sample from contacting the medium; and controlling at least one of the sonic energy and a location of the sample relative to the focal zone according to a predetermined methodology, such that the sample is selectively exposed to sonic energy to produce a desired result.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for processing a sample using sonic energy, the method comprising the steps of: generating a sonic energy wavetrain substantially converging in a focal zone having a diameter of less than about 2 cm; exposing the sample to the sonic energy wavetrain through a medium while preventing the sample from contacting the medium; and controlling at least one of the sonic energy and a location of the sample relative to the focal zone according to a predetermined methodology, such that the sample is selectively exposed to sonic energy to produce a desired result.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 19 comprising the steps of sensing at least one condition to which the sample is subjected during processing and altering at least one of the sonic energy and the location of the sample in response to the at least one condition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 wherein during the sensing step, the at least one condition is a mechanical occurrence.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20 wherein during the altering step, the intensity of the sonic energy is altered.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of clam 19 comprising the step of controlling temperature of the sample.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of clam 19 comprising the step of controlling temperature of the sample.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 comprising the step of controlling pressure to which the sample is exposed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the sonic energy is focused on the sample.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 wherein during the controlling step, the intensity of the sonic energy is controlled.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the sonic energy comprises at least two different frequencies.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the wavetrain comprises a first wave and a different second wave.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the wavetrain comprises about 1000 cycles per burst at about a 10% duty cycle at about 15 MPa.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the focal zone has an axial length of less than about 6 cm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the wavetrain converges in a focal zone having a diameter of less than about 1 cm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the focal zone has a diameter of about 3 mm and an axial length of about 15 mm.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the focal zone has a diameter of about 2 mm and an axial length of about 6 mm.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the wavetrain converges in a focal zone having a diameter of less than about 1 mm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-13 | 2007-10-13 | 2008-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-13 | 2011-10-13 | 2012-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-13 | 2015-10-13 | 2016-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |