Patent ID: 7757561

Claim:
An apparatus for processing a sample using acoustic energy, the apparatus comprising: a vessel for holding the sample; an acoustic energy source spaced from and exterior to the vessel for providing acoustic energy substantially converging in a focal zone proximate to the sample in the vessel, the acoustic energy having a frequency of between about 100 kilohertz and about 100 megahertz and having a focal zone having a width of less than about 2 centimeters; a first medium for coupling acoustic energy to the sample in the vessel; a second medium disposed adjacent to the vessel, the second medium for coupling the acoustic energy to the sample in the vessel, wherein the second medium comprises a semi-solid material that is in a semi-solid state when the semi-solid material is at room temperature; a sensor that senses a physical parameter of the sample in the vessel; and a controller that controls the acoustic energy source and the acoustic energy at the focal zone based on information from the sensor regarding the physical parameter.