Method and system for acoustically treating material
First Claim
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1. A system for providing acoustic treatment, comprising:
- an acoustic energy source configured to emit acoustic energy toward a vessel location; and
a waveguide including a wall defining an internal volume and having a parabolic shape constructed and arranged to manipulate the acoustic energy to form a focal zone of acoustic energy at least partially within the internal volume to expose a sample in a vessel at the vessel location to focused acoustic energy at the focal zone, the wall extending from an entrance opening of the waveguide to an exit opening of the waveguide, the acoustic energy source being arranged to emit acoustic energy through the entrance opening and into the internal volume;
a coupling medium within the internal volume and in contact with the acoustic energy source and arranged to transmit acoustic energy from the acoustic energy source and to the vessel location, the coupling medium being in contact with the wall of the waveguide; and
a vessel for holding the sample to be treated at the vessel location such that a portion of the sample is exposed to acoustic energy at the focal zone, the vessel at the vessel location being received through the exit opening of the waveguide to be located at least partially within the internal volume of the waveguide and in contact with the coupling medium.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for acoustically treating material are described. Acoustic energy is emitted into a waveguide having a wall with a shape that tapers away from the acoustic source. The wall may have a substantially conical or parabolic shape. When emitted therein, the waveguide causes convergence of the acoustic energy so as to form an acoustic focal zone at a vessel. In some embodiments, a substantial portion of the acoustic focal zone is located outside of the internal volume defined by the waveguide.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for providing acoustic treatment, comprising:
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an acoustic energy source configured to emit acoustic energy toward a vessel location; and a waveguide including a wall defining an internal volume and having a parabolic shape constructed and arranged to manipulate the acoustic energy to form a focal zone of acoustic energy at least partially within the internal volume to expose a sample in a vessel at the vessel location to focused acoustic energy at the focal zone, the wall extending from an entrance opening of the waveguide to an exit opening of the waveguide, the acoustic energy source being arranged to emit acoustic energy through the entrance opening and into the internal volume; a coupling medium within the internal volume and in contact with the acoustic energy source and arranged to transmit acoustic energy from the acoustic energy source and to the vessel location, the coupling medium being in contact with the wall of the waveguide; and a vessel for holding the sample to be treated at the vessel location such that a portion of the sample is exposed to acoustic energy at the focal zone, the vessel at the vessel location being received through the exit opening of the waveguide to be located at least partially within the internal volume of the waveguide and in contact with the coupling medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of acoustic energy treatment, comprising:
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providing a vessel holding a sample to be treated at a vessel location, the vessel being received through an exit opening of a waveguide such that a portion of the vessel is located at least partially within an internal volume of the waveguide and in contact with a coupling medium within the internal volume; emitting acoustic energy from an acoustic energy source, which is in contact with the coupling medium, to the vessel at the vessel location via the coupling medium; and manipulating the emitted acoustic energy by the waveguide including a wall having a parabolic shape to form a focal zone of acoustic energy located at least partially within the vessel and at least partially within the internal volume, the wall of the waveguide being in contact with the coupling medium and extending from an entrance opening to the exit opening. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification