US 12,350,633 B2
Method and device for sonicating a biological sample
Patrick Birkner, Emmenbruecke (CH); Manfred Holzer, Rikon (CH); Pirmin Hans Loetscher, Hochdorf (CH); and Ulf Nilsson, Dozwil (CH)
Assigned to Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/137,677.
Application 18/137,677 is a continuation of application No. 16/376,286, filed on Apr. 5, 2019, granted, now 11,666,873.
Claims priority of application No. 18165846 (EP), filed on Apr. 5, 2018; and application No. 19167291 (EP), filed on Apr. 4, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0249144 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
Int. Cl. B01F 31/80 (2022.01); B01F 35/42 (2022.01); B01J 19/10 (2006.01); C12N 13/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); B01F 101/23 (2022.01); B06B 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC B01F 31/80 (2022.01) [B01F 35/42 (2022.01); B01J 19/10 (2013.01); C12N 13/00 (2013.01); G01N 1/286 (2013.01); B01F 2101/23 (2022.01); B06B 1/0611 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sonication device for sonicating one or more biological samples in at least two sample tubes, the at least two sample tubes each having an essentially round-shaped side wall, the sonication device comprising:
a. a sample tube holder pivotally suspended in a mount configured to hold the at least two sample tubes, wherein the mount permits rotational movement of the sample tube holder about an x-axis, wherein the sample tube holder is configured, in the absence of a rotational movement about the x-axis, to hold the sample tube in a substantially vertical orientation along a z-axis, the z-axis being perpendicular to the x-axis, and wherein the sample tube holder comprises an opening on at least one side, wherein the sample tube holder comprises a support element having at least two concave surfaces, where each concave surface is configured to individually contact a side wall of each of the at least two sample tubes, and wherein the support element protrudes from a back wall of the sample tube holder;
b. a sonotrode comprising a transmittal unit having at least two sonicating areas for applying ultrasound to a side wall of each of the at least two sample tubes, the at least two sonicating areas each comprising a concave surface, wherein the sonotrode is mounted on a guiding rail, wherein the mount is fixed to one end of the guiding rail such that the opening on the at least one side of the sample tube holder faces the sonicating areas; and,
c. an actuator for moving the sonotrode on the guiding rail along a y-axis towards or away from the sample tube holder.