Micro-sonicator for spore lysis

US6100084A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Robin R. Miles · Danville, US
• Phillip Belgrader · Severna Park, US
• Shanavaz Nasarabadi · Fremont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 5, 1998
• Grant date: Aug 8, 2000
• Expiry date: Nov 5, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S435/82
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

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.