Leica Microsystems Nussloch Gmbh

Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh

Andreas Laudat

Roland Walter

Rolf Metzner

Holger Metzner

Manfred Biehl

Uwe Kiene

Peter Scheck

Bernd Guenther

Bernd G&uuml;nther

Stefan Thiem

Christoph Schmitt

Annett Leonhardt

Siegbert Holtermueller

J&uuml;rgen Vierling

Siegbert Holterm&uuml;ller

Juergen Vierling

A method and a device for producing thin sections of a sample by means of a microtome is described, in which a camera acquires at least one image of a surface generated by sectioning of the sample. With the aid of an evaluation device, the image of the surface is evaluated in terms of predefined characteristic values of a section quality. As a function of the characteristic values that are identified, a decision is then made as to whether the section of the sample is accepted or not.

Method and device for producing thin sections of a sample by means of an image recognition system

The present invention relates to a device for braking or locking a shaft () of a microtome (). The microtome () comprises the shaft (), an actuating element (), a movement mechanism () and a housing (). With the movement mechanism () an object to be cut can be moved relative to a knife blade. The actuating element () can be manually actuated by an operator. As a result thereof, the shaft () can be rotated. Via the shaft (), the movement mechanism () for performing the relative motion between the object and the knife blade can be driven. Further, the present invention relates to a method for operating a device for braking a shaft () of a microtome (). So that the device can be used in a mechanically formed movement mechanism (), the inventive device is characterized by an actuator and a braking unit (). The braking unit () is connected in a rotatably fixed manner to the shaft (). With the actuator, the braking unit () can be automatically placed in a brake position in which the shaft () can be connected in a rotatably fixed manner to the housing ().

Device and method for braking a shaft of a microtome

A device for applying a histological section to a slide is described. The histological section is generated by a cutting action performed by a blade of a microtome. The device comprises a positioning device having a component that is rotatably mounted to a bearing and has a receptacle for receiving and holding the slide, wherein the positioning device is designed such that the slide received in the receptacle can be rotated about an axis of rotation of the rotatably mounted component.

Device with which a histological section generated on a blade of a microtome can be applied to a slide

A delivery device ( ) for cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological preparations in a printing system ( ) is described. The cassettes and/or specimen slides are in each case arranged one above another in stack magazines ( ), a control device ( ) being provided for removal of a cassette and/or specimen slide from the stack magazines ( ). The improvement comprises a drive shaft ( ) having a motor ( ) for at least two stack magazines ( ), and the motor ( ) is connected to the control device ( ).

Delivery device for cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological preparations in a printing system

An apparatus ( ) for drying solvent-based ink is described, in which the ink is applied onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or on glass specimen slides ( ) for microscopic thin sections. The apparatus ( ) comprises a hot-air blower ( ) and/or a flash device ( ) for drying the ink.

Device for drying solvent-based ink

A method and an apparatus for printing onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or onto glass specimen slides for microscopic thin sections are described, in which a computing device ( ) is provided to control the printing device ( ), and the printing device ( ) comprises an inkjet printer for printing onto the cassettes and/or specimen slides. The ink is pre-dried by way of a hot-air drier ( ) and completely dried by way of a flash device ( ).

Method and apparatus for printing onto cassettes or specimen slides for histological preparations

A method for cutting sections from a specimen using a microtome wherein a cutting knife or specimen is advanced by an advancing carriage into a sectioning plane of a disk microtome. The advancing carriage is moved by a motor drive in order to bring the specimen into contact with an area sensor. When the specimen comes into contact with the area sensor, the position of the motor drive is determined and is compared with a stored position of the sectioning plane. The stored position is previously determined by manually locating the position drive motor when the specimen contacts the area sensor. Control signals for the motor drive are calculated from the two position values, and the advancing carriage is advanced into the sectioning plane by the motor drive taking these control signals into account.

Method for feeding a sample or cutting knife into a cutting plane of a microtome

A microtome for producing thin sections, in which the cutting operation is performed by way of a relative movement between a cutting knife and an object. A drive system ( ) having a drive motor ( ), a control circuit ( ), and a handwheel ( ) is provided to generate the relative movement. The handwheel ( ) is connected to an encoder ( ) that delivers corresponding signals to the control circuit ( ) upon rotation of the handwheel ( ). The drive motor ( ) is then activated accordingly by way of said control circuit ( ). In the absence of encoder signals, the drive system ( ) is locked.

Microtome

A microtome ( ) having a motorized feed drive system ( ) for generating a relative movement between an object ( ) that is to be cut and a cutting knife ( ). A control circuit ( ) and a pressure-sensitive sensor ( ) are provided for detecting a position between the cutting knife ( ) and the object ( ). The motorized feed drive system ( ) is switched via the control circuit ( ) when the sensor ( ) responds. The sensor ( ) is equipped with a sensor surface ( ) that is at least exactly as large as the surface ( ) of the object ( ). The sensor surface ( ) is arranged parallel to the cutting plane ( ).

Microtome having a motorized feed drive system

The invention relates to a microtome (,) for producing thin slices for microscopy, which is provided with a base (,), a blade holder (,) for holding a cutting blade (,) and an object holder (,) for holding the object (,) to be cut. Cutting occurs in a plane by a relative movement between the object (,) and the cutting blade (,) To produce the relative movement, a rotating component (,) is provided with a drive motor (,), wherein the rotating axis of the rotating component (,) is arranged obliquely to the base (,), and a feed slide (,) is provided with a linear guide for setting the slice thickness. The structure of said feed slide (,) is such that it is removable via a feed motor (,) and a control circuit (,) connected thereto.

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Meckesheim, Germany

Andreas Laudat