CUP HORN INSTRUCTIONS

Cup horns offer indirect sonication and function as high intensity ultrasonic water baths. Multiple samples can be processed in sealed tubes or vials eliminating aerosols and cross contamination. Cup Horns are ideal for sterile or pathogenic sample processing and enable multiple tubes to be processed at one time.

The horn is mounted within an acrylic cup and the cup is filled with water. Sample tubes are placed in a rack just above the horn. Cavitation is produced in the water, processing the samples within the tubes or vials. Coolant ports are on each side of the cup for circulation of cold water to keep samples from overheating. A microtube rack is included with each Cup Horn. The Sound Enclosure (#432B) is highly recommended for all Cup Horn users. In addition to reducing sonication noise to safe levels, it securely supports the Cup Horn in the proper position. The Sound Enclosure features ports on either side to allow coolant tubing to pass from the Cup Horn to a water source or pump system outside the box. Please contact Qsonica for information on the Recirculating Chiller option.

QSonica, LLC. 53 Church Hill Rd. Newtown, CT 06470 Phone: 203-426-0101 Fax: 203-426-7026 Email: info@sonicator.com web: sonicator.com

Parts List

Converter

Acrylic cup O-ring O-ring

Bushing

Horn

Quantity 1 2 1 1 1

Description Bushing O-rings Horn (titanium) Acrylic cup Floating microtube holder (not shown) Converter and cable are not included

Installation
1. Ensure that the ultrasonic processor is OFF and unplugged. 2. If a probe is attached, using the spanner wrenches provided with the power supply, remove the probe from the converter.

3. Place one O-ring and bushing on the side of probe with threaded stud.

4. Using the wrench set, secure the probe tightly to the converter. The cup horn will malfunction if not tightened well.

5. Place the other O-ring on the other side of the probes flange.

6. Place the plastic cup over the titanium horn and secure in place by screwing the bushing into the threaded portion of the plastic cup. Do not over-tighten.

7. Mount the converter/cup horn assembly in the sound enclosure. 8. The cup horn is supplied with both plugs and hose barb fittings (which are compatible with ID tubing). The hose barb fittings must be used if cold water will be recirculated through the cup horn (recommended method). It is highly recommended to use Teflon tape on all fittings to ensure a water tight seal. 9. Connect the upper port (inlet) to a cold water source and the bottom port (outlet) to the drain hose. 10. Fill cup horn with water, and check for leakage. See Operation section for more details.

11. Switch ON the power supply, set the Amplitude and Pulse controls as required for the particular application. Note: The ultrasonic energy transmitted into the water will cause temperature to rise. If this is of concern, circulate cold water through the cup. Qsonica offers a re-circulating chiller which has been optimized to specifically work with a cup horn. Please contact us for more information. If process time is brief; close ports with provided plugs and fill the cup with cold water. To further lower the temperature, add crushed ice to the water. Ice should only be placed around the sides of the sample tubes and never under the tubes which would block the transmission of ultrasonic energy.

Operation Once the cup horn has been assembled properly it is ready for use. There are a few key points to note when processing samples: Place the tube rack inside the cup horn before it is filled with water. Slowly add water along the side of the cup until the rack floats just above the titanium horn. Approximately 2mm of space between the top surface of the horn and bottom of the tubes is recommended. Once the appropriate water level is determined, a mark can be made on the cup (tape works well) to note the optimum water level for your particular rack of sample tubes. Keep cold water in a refrigerator so its always available when needed. Keeping the water level constant is important to ensure consistent results. Polypropylene tubes work well for many applications but polystyrene or polycarbonate tubes transmit the ultrasonic energy more effectively. Difficult to process samples may benefit from using polystyrene tubes. Evergreen Scientific is one supplier of polystyrene tubes. If ice will be used, it cannot be allowed under the sample tubes. Ice must only be added on the sides of the tubes to prevent it from obstructing the ultrasonic energy. Appropriate amplitude and time settings must be determined by empirical testing.

Maintenance The cup should be cleaned periodically with a mild detergent. Water should be drained when the cup horn is not in use. The cup is made of acrylic; solvents cannot be used within the cup. The titanium horn may show signs of erosion after extended use and cause the intensity of the ultrasonics to decrease. If the horn is excessively eroded the probe will no longer resonate properly and should be replaced. Contact Customer Service to arrange for replacement.

Part Numbers and Accessories

Description 3" Cup horn 5.5" Cup horn Replacement tube rack (20 tubes for #431C1) Replacement tube rack (8 tubes for #431B1) Cup Horn Stand Sound Enclosure

Part No. 431B1 431C1 443 442 448 432B

Tube rack (8 tubes)

Sound Enclosure

Cup horn stand