Microm International Gmbh

Other

Carl-zeiss-stiftung

Microm Laborgerate Gmbh

Carl-zeiss-stiftung Trading As Carl Zeiss

Micron Laborgerate Gmbh

Hans Ludwid Heid

Manfred Berleth

Dieter Teppke

Jerome Sejournet

Christian Niesporek

Gernot Hansel

Reiner Fank

José Novoa

Stefan Schock

Ilia Izvoztchikov

Jurgen Vierling

Manfred Kempe

Manfred Biehl

Wolfgang Jakobi

A rotary microtome () for producing thin sections for histology is used for specimens () of different sizes. To maintain optimized cutting conditions, an adaptation to different specimen sizes is required without incurring disadvantages in terms of operation. An adjustment possibility is provided for the length of the vertical cutting movement (). However, the moment that is generated by the vertical carriage () and that acts on the drive shaft () then changes. To maintain balanced moments of the drive movement, the counterweight has to be accordingly adapted by an adjustment weight (). For this purpose, means are provided which, in an ergonomic and effective manner, permit the adjustment of the cutting stroke and also the necessary adaptation of the counterweights in one operation step. The rotary microtome according to the invention is suitable in particular in a histological routine in which mixed specimens are present in standard cassettes and also in macro-cassettes and in which, therefore, a rapid change of the cutting stroke length is desired along with good balance of the drive movement.

Cutting stroke adjustment of a rotary microtome

The invention relates to a method and device for the cross-referencing of identification () of tissue slice supports (), for microtomised analytical samples still to be mounted thereon, with identification information () of a tissue sample holder () of a tissue sample () which is not yet microtomised. The conventional problem of cross-referencing is improved in a simple manner, whereby the identification information () for the tissue sample holder () is automatically detected when positioned in the microtome () and an identification () corresponding thereto is automatically transferred to at least one tissue slice support () and that tissue slice support (), provided with the identification (), is dispensed for application of the tissue sample slice at the moment when a tissue sample slice must be applied to a tissue slice support ().

Method and devices for the cross-referencing of identification of tissue slice supports for microtomised analytical samples

The invention relates to an apparatus for handling microtomized tissue samples () which are arranged on an object carrier () and are provided with a machine-readable code (), with a reader () serving to detect the information of the code () and a controller () serving to convert the information for handling purposes. In order to use such an apparatus to classify unsorted object carriers () with respect to one another in a patient-oriented manner for evaluation purposes, it is proposed that a transfer apparatus () and at least one drive () are provided, which are formed in such a way that they can pick up object carriers () from a supply device () and move them to a presentation carrier () which has receptacles () for a plurality of object carriers (), an apparatus () which is ready to hold presentation carriers () being arranged and formed in such a way that it keeps a large number of presentation carriers () ready in a manner such that they are accessible to the transfer apparatus (), wherein the controller () is formed in such a way that it controls the at least one drive () on the basis of the information of the code () of the object carrier () to the effect that object carriers () which originate from a patient can be moved by the transfer apparatus () to at least one presentation carrier () in an order which is assigned to the patient.

Apparatus for handling and classifying microtomized tissue samples

A knife holder for a microtome has a plate arranged pivotably on its base member, which, in its functional position, covers the cutting edge of the knife and is spaced apart from the cutting plane towards the side of the knife holder remote from the specimen. The plate is also spaced apart from the knife holder on the side of the cutting edge of the knife. The plate precludes gripping of the cutting edge of the knife and a pivoting mechanism for the plate is coupled to a switch. When the plate is pivoted out of the functional position, the motor drive of the cutting movement is locked, or a brake precludes any movement of the knife slide or specimen slide. The plate preferably consists of a transparent material to permit observation of section removal in the functional position.

Knife holder for a microtome

The invention relates to a tempering device () for objects () located on the object carrier () of a microtome () of a cryostat () comprising an operating means supply () connected to a cooling device or a cooling and heating device () arranged on the object carrier (), and a temperature control system. According to the invention, one such tempering device () is embodied in such a way that the operating means supply () does not hinder the work carried out on the microtome (), and the accuracy of the cut is affected as little as possible. To this end, the operating means supply () is displaceably positioned in a guiding element () which is arranged on the guiding carriage () for the advancing movement () and the cutting movement () of the object head () and is oriented parallel to the direction of advancement (), in such a way that it can be guided away from the object head ().

Tempering device for a microtome

An apparatus for treating cytological or histological specimens has numerous treatment stations in the form of containers, and a transport device by which the specimens to be treated are transported and deposited in the treatment stations. The transport device has a pivotable unit that can be brought under the specimens while the specimens are being transported. This pivotable unit is provided with a suction underlay on which the specimens or specimen holders are deposited, and by which treatment fluids that run out of the specimens or the specimen holders are received. Carryover of liquid residues from one treatment container to the next is thereby greatly reduced. The individual treatment containers are provided with covers, and the pivotable unit is designed to remove covers. Since the treatment containers are covered for most of the time, evaporation of the treatment liquids and release of fumes is greatly reduced.

Apparatus for the treatment for specimens

The microtome has a sample carrier movable along a first linear guide and a hand drive movable along a substantially linear path of motion that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the sample carrier. A deflecting device is provided to deflect the motion of the hand drive into a motion in the direction of the linear guide of the sample carrier. By deflection of the paths of motion between the hand drive and the sample holder, the motion of the hand drive can take place substantially horizontally forward and backward and convert the motion of the hand drive into a motion of the sample carrier which is substantially perpendicular to the motion of the hand drive. The cutting motion takes place in a substantially vertical direction, so that the sections can be removed or washed away from the inclined back surface of the cutting knife or knife carrier.

Microtome

The suction device according to the invention for cryostatic microtomes has a filter for the separation of cutting wastes from the suction air stream, and a device arranged following the filter for sterilization or disinfection of the suction air stream. For this purpose, the air stream is first heated and then exposed to a strong UV irradiation. In the subsequent two-stage cooling arrangement, the air stream is cooled down again to about the cryostat temperature and is conducted back into the cryostat. The filter for the separation of the cutting wastes from the air stream is preferably constructed outside the cryostat as a liquid container with a disinfecting liquid, so that the cutting wastes are disinfected in the disinfecting liquid. A contamination of the surroundings or of the internal space of the cryostat with disease germs is largely prevented.

Suction device for cutting wastes in a cryostatic microtome

An apparatus for treating cytological or histological specimens has numerous treatment stations in the form of containers, and a transport device by which the specimens to be treated are transported and deposited in the treatment stations. The transport device has a pivotable unit that can be brought under the specimens while the specimens are being transported. This pivotable unit is provided with a suction underlay on which the specimens or specimen holders are deposited during transport, and by which treatment fluids that run out of the specimens or the specimen holders are received. Carry-over of liquid residues from one treatment container to the next is thereby greatly reduced. The specimens or specimen slides are thereby fixed in the specimen holders so that noise during transportation is reduced. The individual treatment containers are provided with covers, and the pivotable unit is designed to remove covers. Since the treatment containers are covered for most of the time, evaporation of the treatment liquids and release of fumes is greatly reduced.

Apparatus for the treatment of specimens

A knife holder for a microtome has actuating levers for fastening or for releasing the knife on the knife holder, constructed such that in the position effecting the fastening of the knife, the actuating levers extend at least partially over the cutting edge of the knife. The actuating levers thereby act simultaneously as finger protectors and prevent inadvertent contact with the cutting edge in the side regions of the knife when the knife is fastened. The fastening of the knife takes place by means of permanent magnets, which are arranged in the base portion of the knife holder and motion-coupled to the actuating levers which cover the knife edge.

A cryostatic microtome with an automatic approach of the preparation automatically stops the feed movement between the microtome knife and a frozen preparation towards each other upon a mechanical contact between the knife and the preparation. An electrical voltage of a few volts is applied between the microtome knife and the preparation. A small current which appears, due to the intrinsic conductivity of the preparation, upon mechanical contact between the preparation and the microtome knife, and a smaller voltage drop at the preparation resulting therefrom, is current amplified by means of a preamplifier connected as an impedance converter and subsequently measured. The feed movement between the preparation and the microtome knife is automatically stopped when the voltage at the amplifier output falls below a predefined threshold voltage. The preset threshold voltage is temperature dependent and is calculated by a control processor corresponding to the temperature of the cryostat, based on a function and function coefficients. The temperature dependence of the threshold voltage ensures a reliable and precise approach of the preparation throughout the entire temperature range usual in cryomicrotomy.

Cryostatic microtome

A microtome (2) with a sample holder (51) for a sample (22) to be thinly sectioned and with a knife holder (12) for a cutting knife (10) is described, wherein the sample holder (51), for performing a cutting movement (arrow 54) relative to the knife holder (12), can be driven in a first spatial direction (arrows 54, 56) by means of a first drive device (53), and for performing a coarse adjustment and a section thickness adjusting movement in a second spatial direction (arrow 24) perpendicular to the first spatial direction (54, 56) by means of an electrical second drive device (50). In the vicinity of the cutting knife (10), for defined delimitation of the coarse adjustment movement of the sample holder (51) in the second spatial direction, a delimiting device (20) is provided, which is connected over control means (44), preferably an electronic control, with the electrical second drive device (50).

An improve microtomy device is disclosed comprising a microtome and a thermostatically controlled refrigeration means controllable by a microprocessor and accommodated in an instrument cabinet, the improvement comprising, providing an upper part of the instrument cabinet in the form of a movable cover, which cover encloses a slidable transparent pane arranged above the microtome to define an inspection window disposed in a front portion of the cover. The pane is heatable and can be removed from the cover and/or shifted into a rearward portion of the cover to open the inspection window for cleaning purposes. The improved device provides convenient accessibility to the interior of the instrument and improved control of operations.

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Bammental, Germany

Hans Ludwid Heid