External sonication
Inventors
Galen, Peter • Bledsoe, James Daren • Wikander, Jered • Goss, Steven M.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11053473-B2
Publication Date
2021-07-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
External sonication, which is a technique by which ultrasonic energy is applied externally to a cartridge containing the sample, is contemplated herein. External sonication can be performed by a sonicator external to a sample contained within a cartridge. The cartridge can include sonication particles to enhance sonication or cavitation within the sample. A sonication algorithm can also be used to increase sonication efficiency.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an external sonication system for sonicating a patient sample stored in a patient sample cartridge. The patient sample cartridge has an external wall, and the system uses an ultrasonic transducer coupled to a probe head having an external surface. When the external surface of the probe head comes into direct physical contact with the external wall, the direct physical contact creates a probe head contact force between the probe head and the patient sample cartridge.
A microcontroller electrically coupled to the external sonicator generates a signal to control a characteristic or parameter of the ultrasonic transducer, transmits the signal to the ultrasonic transducer, and causes the ultrasonic transducer to generate ultrasonic energy based on the characteristic or parameter. The ultrasonic energy is transmitted through the external wall of the patient sample cartridge based on the probe head contact force.
The system is described as using control and operating logic that include resonant-point operation and parameter adjustment based on measured feedback. The microcontroller-driven control includes compensation using current and voltage feedback and algorithmic operation such as frequency sweeping, rest/pause duty cycling, and on/off frequency switching.
The system further evaluates sonication desirability by assessing sample opacity before, during, and/or after sonication, and advances or repeats a workflow based on the assessment. The disclosed sample processing context includes lysis/disruption of patient samples by applying ultrasonic energy externally through cartridge walls, including example use in releasing hemozoin from red blood cells for malaria or infection analysis and related blood disorders.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim (clm-00001). The inventive features center on external sonication through a cartridge external wall using direct probe head contact force and microcontroller-controlled transducer parameter control.
Direct probe head contact force for external-wall energy transmission
A system in which the external surface of the probe head comes into direct physical contact with the external wall of the patient sample cartridge, and the direct physical contact creates a probe head contact force between the probe head and the patient sample cartridge, such that ultrasonic energy is transmitted through the external wall based on the probe head contact force.
Microcontroller-controlled transducer characteristic or parameter
A microcontroller electrically coupled to the external sonicator that generates a signal to control a characteristic or parameter of the ultrasonic transducer, transmits the signal to the ultrasonic transducer, and causes the ultrasonic transducer to generate ultrasonic energy based on the characteristic or parameter for transmission through the external wall.
Across the disclosed independent claim, coverage is directed to external sonication of a cartridge-stored patient sample by using direct physical probe head contact to create a contact force for wall-transmitted ultrasonic energy, and using a microcontroller to control a transducer characteristic or parameter to generate that ultrasonic energy.
Stated Advantages
Avoids invasive/wet sonication described as heating and focusing issues and reduces contamination risk as stated in the provided summary context.
Supports feedback-driven control using sample opacity assessment to determine sonication success and adjust or advance a workflow accordingly.
Supports resonant-point behavior and resonant compensation using driver feedback based on current/voltage feedback.
Documented Applications
Releasing hemozoin from red blood cells for malaria parasite or infection analysis in patient samples stored in a cartridge.
Use in connection with hemoglobin disorders including sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemias, as mentioned in the provided context.
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