How It Works

The Covaris Adaptive Focused Acoustics™ (AFA) process works by sending acoustic energy wave packets from a dish-shaped transducer that converges and focuses to a small-localized area. At this focal point the mechanical energy may be controllably focused into the sample of interest without directly contacting the sample.

Transducer Transducer + beam

AFA is a form of mechanical energy. As acoustic/mechanical energy transfers through the sample this causes bubbles to form from the naturally occurring dissolved gases and vapors of biological specimens and chemical fluids. When the energy is then removed the bubbles collapse creating an intense, localized high velocity jet of solute (typically water). As the number of bubbles is extremely high and the time interval is short (micro seconds), the mixing and/or disruption power capability of the process is significant. Precise, reproducible control is key, and this is obtainable with the Covaris instrument systems utilizing AFA.

The result is that a sample may be introduced into the focal point of the instrument and treated with a non-contact, controlled, isothermal mechanical energy. Varying energy intensity can alter the treatment of the sample. When the transducer is driven at a low energy intensity this creates a controlled, gentle mixing environment. When driven at high energy intensity, this creates an intense shock wave environment which has been shown to be ideal for tissue disruption. Regardless the energy level, consistent delivery of energy results in consistent and reproducible results. Additionally, control of conditions enables one to choose from and control for a wide range of outcomes from small to large fragmentation and from mixing to tissue homogenization.