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EpiShear™ Multi-Sample Sonicator
the most complete package for reproducible chromatin shearing
The EpiShear™ Multi-Sample Sonicator is a high-intensity cup horn sonicator that can shear up to eight vials (20 µl - 1.2 ml sample per vial) of chromatin or DNA simultaneously for use in chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), DNA methylation studies and Next-Gen sequencing. It can also be used for standard cell disruption, RNA shearing and other homogenization applications. The unit includes a fully programmable, digitally controlled generator, a compact sound enclosure housing an 8-sample cup horn sonicator / water bath, and can be supplied with or without the EpiShear™ Thermoelectric Chiller for continuous cooling of the samples. Due to the advanced engineering and high-quality components used in its design and manufacture, the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator is backed by a two-year warranty that is twice as long as those offered by our competitors.
Figure 1: The EpiShear™ Multi-Sample Sonicator / Chiller.
The EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator / Chiller includes a powerful 750-watt generator with a keypad and digital display that make it easy to program and monitor sonication (left). The unit’s cup horn sonicator is housed in a compact sound enclosure to reduce sonication noise (center). The cup horn can process up to 8 samples simultaneously, which rotate continuously in an acrylic water bath to ensure all samples are processed equally. The water bath can be plumbed via quick-connect hoses to a thermoelectric chiller (right), which keeps the samples at 3-4°C during sonication.
If you are interested in purchasing an EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator, please complete a Sonicator Price Quotation Request.
| Name | Format | Cat No. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EpiShear™ Multi-Sample Sonicator / Chiller | 110V | 53062 | Request Quote | |
| 230V | 53063 | Request Quote | ||
| EpiShear™ Multi-Sample Sonicator | 110V | 53065 | Request Quote | |
| 230V | 53066 | Request Quote | ||
The EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator is controlled by a microprocessor unit that offers both programmable and manual operation. The 750-watt generator has a keypad and digital display that make it easy to program the amplitude and to set the total sonication time, as well as the duration of the On and Off pulse cycles (Figure 1). It also makes it easy to monitor and change sonication parameters, if desired. The display also shows the total elapsed time, and provides real-time energy monitoring of both wattage and joules.
The unit utilizes a cup horn sonicator that can process up to eight vials (20 µl - 1.2 ml sample per vial) simultaneously. The cup horn is inside a water bath (Figure 2), which is housed inside a compact sound enclosure. To ensure reproducibility, the samples rotate continuously in the water bath, so all samples are subjected to the same amount of sonic energy. The sound enclosure has two LED lights inside and a small window that enables the samples to be monitored during sonication. The water bath and sound enclosure contain quick-connect hoses that enable you to quickly attach the water bath to a thermoelectric chiller, which keeps the samples at 3-4°C during sonication.
Figure 1: The digital display and keypad of the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator.
Figure 2: The cup horn, water bath and sample rotator of the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator.
EpiShear features
- More reproducible results – Eliminate sample-to-sample variability
- Less hands-on time – Save both time and effort
- Sealed sample tubes – No aerosols, cross-contamination, sample loss or foaming
- Digital amplitude / intensity control – Output intensity can be set from 20% - 100%
- Display of wattage and joules – Real-time energy monitoring
- Overload protection – Prevents damage to circuitry in the event of a fault occurring
- Compact design – Integrated cup horn and sound enclosure take up less space than other units
Shear chromatin for ChIP and DNA for next-gen sequencing
Both the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator and the EpiShear Probe Sonicator can be used to shear samples of chromatin or DNA for use in ChIP (Figure 1), DNA methylation studies and next-gen sequencing.
Figure 1: ChIP of HeLa chromatin sheared with the EpiShear Probe and Multi-Sample Sonicators.
Sheared chromatin was prepared from HeLa cells for ChIP using the reagents found in the ChIP-IT® Express Kit and either the EpiShear Probe Sonicator or the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator. ChIP-IT Express was used to perform ChIP with either RNA pol II mouse mAb or a control IgG, then qPCR was performed using a GAPDH primer set.
Effects of increasing time and amplitude
The EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator features a digital display and keypad, making it is easy to optimize the exact parameters that yield the desired results. It is simple to program the duration of the On and Off pulse cycles, the total sonication time and the pulse amplitude, which can be set anywhere from 20% - 100%. Altering these variables makes it possible to optimize the extent to which your sample is sheared (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Chromatin ladder prepared by increasing the time and amplitude of sonication.
Ten µg samples of 3T3 cells were sonicated in a volume of 100 µl using the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator at a 35% amplitude (left gel) or a 65% amplitude (right gel). From left to right on each gel, the samples were subjected to 3, 5, 7, 10 or 15 minutes of sonication. The sonication performed at 35% amplitude demonstrates that by increasing the time of sonication you can shear the chromatin to your choice of size. Increasing the time of sonication has less of an impact on the samples sheared at 65% amplitude; the average size is somewhat consistent due to the increased power. However, a close examination shows that increased time reduces the amount of high-molecular weight material.
Shear problematic sample types
The powerful 750-watt generator that drives the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator makes it possible for you to shear even the most difficult-to-shear sample types, like lymphocytes (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Sheared chromatin prepared from lymphocytes.
Ten million cells per sample were sonicated in a volume 250 µl using the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator at a 50% amplitude for 30 minutes, then run on a gel. No DNA purification was performed.
Principles of SonicationIn sonication, electrical energy is converted into physical vibrations (sound energy in the form of ultrasonic waves), which are used to process the sample. First, an electronic generator is used to transform conventional AC line power (50/60 Hz) into high-frequency electricity (20,000 Hz). The 20 kHz electricity then drives a piezoelectric converter/transducer. The electrical energy is converted by the transducer to mechanical vibration due to the characteristics of the converter’s internal piezoelectric crystals. The vibration is amplified and transmitted down the length of a probe or cup horn, which longitudinally expands and contracts at the tip. The distance the tip travels is dependent on the amplitude selected by the user through the unit’s keypad. As you increase the amplitude setting, the sonication intensity will increase within your sample. In liquid, the rapid vibration of the tip causes cavitation, which is the formation and violent collapse of microscopic bubbles. The collapse of thousands of cavitation bubbles releases tremendous energy in the cavitation field. The erosion and shock effect of the collapse of the cavitation bubbles is the primary mechanism of fluid processing. |
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Direct vs. Indirect SonicationActive Motif offers two types of sonicators that use different sonication methods, which are often called Direct and Indirect Sonication. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Active Motif's EpiShear Probe Sonicator utilizes the direct sonication method, as the tip of the probe is inserted directly into the sample. This direct contact results in a high-intensity energy transfer, so the sample is processed relatively quickly. Because the diameter of the probe tip dictates the amount of sample that can be effectively processed, both small and larger samples can be sheared simply by changing the size of the probe used. Smaller tip diameters deliver high-intensity sonication, but the energy is focused within a small, concentrated area. Larger tip diameters can process larger volumes, but offer lower intensity so may require a longer processing time depending on the application. The 120-watt generator supplied with the EpiShear Probe Sonicator can be used with 3 different sizes of probes, giving it the ability to shear samples ranging from 200 µl to 50 ml. The primary advantages of direct sonication are that the processing times are usually faster than indirect sonication, the flexibility of being able to process a large range of sample sizes, as well as a lower cost. |
 In Direct Sonication, the probe tip is
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In contrast, the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator uses an indirect sonication method. Instead of placing the probe inside the sample, the samples are placed in a water bath that contains a high-intensity cup horn sonicator. The ultrasonic wave energy is transmitted from the horn, up through the water and into the sample tube(s). Because the probe does not come into physical contact with the sample(s), the method is called indirect sonication. Advantages of indirect sonication are that multiple samples can be processed simultaneously, which both increases your throughput and reduces your hands-on time. Because the samples remain in sealed tubes, there is no chance of cross-contamination. Reproducibility is higher because samples processed together are subjected to identical forces, and the distance from the cup horn to the samples is the same every time sonication is performed. Other advantages of indirect sonication are that it is more effective for very small samples because foaming and sample loss are eliminated. Moreover, the absence of aerosol formation makes indirect sonication a better method for working with potentially pathogenic samples (viruses, mycobacteria, etc.) or with samples that must remain sterile. Performing the sonication in a water bath also makes it easier to keep the samples cold during sonication, which is necessary because sonication produces large amounts of heat. Some disadvantages of indirect sonication relative to direct sonication are that it takes a greater amount of processing time to shear a comparable sample, and that the range of sample sizes that can be processed is reduced. Moreover, because the amount of energy required is much greater, a more powerful generator must be used, which increases the cost. The cup horn, water bath and a thermoelectric chiller further increase the relative cost of indirect sonication. |
 In Indirect Sonication, sealed samples are
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Relationship of Amplitude and WattageSonication power is measured in watts. Amplitude is a measurement of the excursion of the tip of the probe (the distance the probe moves away from and back to its point of equilibrium). The ultrasonic processor was designed to deliver constant amplitude to your liquid sample, regardless of the changes in load. As a liquid is processed, the load on the probe/cup horn will vary due to changes in the liquid sample (i.e. viscosity, concentration, temperature, etc.). For example, the unit experiences a higher load when processing viscous samples as compared to aqueous samples. During operation, the EpiShear generator displays the wattage, which is the energy required to drive the radiating face of the probe/cup horn at the specific amplitude setting against the load being experienced at that instant. As the resistance to the movement of the probe/cup horn increases or decreases (changing the load), more or less power will be delivered by the power supply to ensure that the excursion at the probe/cup horn tip remains constant. Therefore, while the displayed wattage readings will vary as the load changes, the amplitude will remain the same. Because of this, use of a higher-wattage generator does not automatically mean that more power will be transmitted to the liquid. And, programming the amplitude at 100% does not mean that the generator will deliver its maximum wattage. The amount of power delivered at any given moment will be only what is required to maintain the set amplitude. To a certain extent, the speed/cruise control on an automobile can be compared to an ultrasonic processor. The speed/cruise control is designed to ensure that your vehicle maintains a constant rate of travel, or speed. As the terrain changes, so do the vehicle’s power requirements to maintain the constant speed. If you have set your cruise control and begin to go up a hill, the engine must produce more power (RPMs, or Rotations Per Minute) to maintain the constant speed. The cruise control senses these requirements and automatically adjusts the amount of power delivered by the engine in order to compensate for the ever-changing conditions. Thus, in this example, wattage can be thought of as the engine RPMs and the amplitude as the constant speed that is maintained. The resistance to the movement of the probe determines how much power will be delivered to maintain amplitude. For example, a 1/2" probe at 100% amplitude will require approximately 5 watts to operate in air. The amplitude of this probe is approximately 120 µm. After inserting the probe in water, the wattage reading will increase to approximately 90 watts. The wattage required to operate the probe will increase as the load increases, but the amplitude remains the same. The AMPLITUDE control enables the ultrasonic vibrations at the probe tip to be set to any desired level. Although the degree of cavitation/ultrasonic energy required to process the sample can readily be determined by visual observation, the amount of power required cannot be pre-determined. A sensing network continuously monitors the output requirements and automatically adjusts the power to maintain the amplitude at the pre-selected level. The greater the resistance to the movement of the probe due to higher viscosity, deeper immersion of the probe into the sample, larger probe diameter or higher pressure, the greater the amount of power that will be delivered to the probe. Setting the AMPLITUDE control to its maximum will not cause the maximum power rating of the unit to be delivered to the sample. The maximum power (750 watts) that the EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator is capable of delivering will only be delivered when the resistance to the movement of the probe is high enough to draw maximum wattage. It is the intensity of cavitation that measures the effectiveness of the sonication, not the total power applied to the system. Intensity is directly related to the amplitude of the radiating face of the probe tip. It is amplitude that must be provided, maintained and monitored. The unit delivers controlled amplitude under varying load conditions in order to provide reproducible results. |
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| Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Sample Size: | 1-8 samples (20 µl - 1.2 ml per sample) in 1.5 ml vials |
| Adjustable Amplitude: | 20% - 100% |
| Programmable Timer: | 1 second to 10 hours |
| Adjustable Pulse: | 1 second to 59 seconds |
| Power Rating: | 750 watts |
| Output Frequency: | 20 kHz |
| Input Voltage: | 100V - 120V @ 50/60 Hz or 220V - 240V @ 50/60 Hz |
| Generator Dimensions: | 14.5" D x 9" H x 8" W (368 mm x 229 mm x 203 mm) 14.0 lbs. (6.4 Kg) |
| Cup Horn / Sound Enclosure Dimensions: | 13" D x 19" H x 11.5" W (330 mm x 483 mm x 292 mm) 29.5 lbs. (13.4 Kg) |
| Thermoelectric Chiller Dimensions: | 7.5" D x 7" H x 5" W (191 mm x 178 mm x 127 mm) 8.1 lbs. (3.7 Kg) |
| Table 1: Specifications of the EpiShear™ Multi-Sample Sonicator / Chiller. | |
Contents
The EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator is supplied with an ultrasonic electric generator, a sound enclosure that houses a high-intensity cup horn piezoelectric converter, which itself is inside an acrylic water bath, an 8-sample microtube holder, an electronic sample rotator/illuminator, power cables, quick-connect water tubing, 200 Polystyrene Sonication Tubes, a wrench set and a comprehensive manual. The EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator is backed by a two-year warranty.
The EpiShear Thermoelectric Chiller can be supplied with the Multi-Sample Sonicator or purchased separately. For more details on the chiller, click here.
Because polystyrene transfers sonic wave energy much more efficiently than polypropylene, Active Motif highly recommends that its Polystyrene Sonication Tubes be used with its EpiShear Multi-Sample Sonicator. Use of other types of tubes have been show to produce sub-optimal results.
