100-214-239 Rev. A 4-5
System Component Description
Digital Sonifier
Cup Horn
Cup Horns allow materials to be treated in small vials or test tubes without immersing the
ultrasonic horn or micro tip in the material, thereby providing completely sterile conditions. A
Cup Horn is attached directly to the converter, and the assembly is mounted upside-down on
the lab stand with the Cup Horn at the top. With chilled water in the Cup Horn, test tubes are
suspended in the Cup with the contents of the tubes just below the water level. Ultrasonic
energy is then conducted from the surface of the horn, through the water and test tube walls,
to the contents of the tube.
Some energy loss may occur when applying ultrasonics in this indirect way, and processing can
take longer than if the ultrasonic horn w ere immersed directly in the solution.
There are two types of Cup Horn, a high intensity unit that will accommodate a single test tube,
and a larger unit for multiple test tubes. The high intensity Cup Horn has a concave bottom
that focuses the ultrasonic energy on the bottom of the tube. The larger unit, with a diameter
of two or three inches, allows the immersion of multiple test tubes. The larger Cup Horns have
clear plastic walls, which permit easy viewing of the activity in the tubes during processing.
Both types of Cup Horn are designed to allow chilled water to circulate through the cup to
prevent heating of the solution as a result of the ultrasonic activity.
CAUTION
j The bottom of the test tubes should not be in contact with the surface of the
ultrasonic horn. Such contact could cause breakage and loss of sample.
Cup Horn
Inlet / Outlet
Cavity
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