Leica Biosystems Nussloch Gmbh

Leica Microsystems Nussloch Gmbh

Leica Instruments Pte. Ltd.

Leica Microsystem Nussloch Gmbh

Stefan Thiem

Eric Barth

Roland Walter

Rolf Metzner

Simon Keimer

Stefan Kuenkel

Charilaos Dalkidis

Christoph Schmitt

Anton Lang

Heinz Plank

Karl-Heinz Westerhoff

Andreas Laudat

Eberhard Sendobry

Jürgen Tenhaef

Markus Egle

Christian Lorenz

Harald Rauh

Martin Wernz

Ralf Eckert

Joachim Glasenapp

Ralf Kaltenmeier

Bernd Guenther

The invention relates to an apparatus () for sectioning histological samples, which encompasses a sectioning unit (), a sample holder (), and a drive unit () for moving the sample holder () relative to the sectioning unit () in order to section the sample (). Also provided is a cooling unit (), for cooling at least a sub-region of the sample holder (), which encompasses a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a capillary tube () for delivering the liquefied refrigerant from the compressor () to the sample holder (), and a return line () for returning the refrigerant from the sample holder () to the compressor (). At least a sub-region () of the capillary tube () is embodied in a spiral shape.

Apparatus for sectioning histological samples having a spiral-shaped capillary tube

An apparatus for sensing specimen slides () has a specimen slide holder () holding specimen slides (), each specimen slide () comprising an identification code. The specimen slides () are arranged inside the specimen slide holder () on a lifting element () in a lifted position. The apparatus includes a reading apparatus () for reading out the identification code, and a positioning apparatus that moves the specimen slide holder () with the specimen slides () relative to the lifting element () so that the specimen slides () drop successively from the lifted position on the lifting element (). As one of the specimen slides () drops, the identification code of the specimen slide () or of the subsequent specimen slide () becomes readable for the reading apparatus (). A triggering apparatus () triggers the reading apparatus () to read the identification code.

Identification system for specimen slides

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 microtome blade changing apparatus for a knife holder () of a microtome comprises a blade dispenser () storing unused blades and a blade container () for receiving used blades. The blade dispenser () and blade container () are respectively arranged adjacent to the knife holder (). To reduce the risk of injury to an operator in the context of a blade changing operation, enable operation of the microtome blade changing apparatus reliably and in simple fashion, and allow economical manufacture of the microtome blade changing apparatus, the microtome blade changing apparatus is characterized in that an entraining element () manually actuable by an operator is provided, and is configured in such a way that an unused blade is transferable with the entraining element () from the blade dispenser () to the knife holder (), and a used blade is thereby conveyable into the blade container ().

Microtome blade changing apparatus for a knife holder of a microtome, and microtome

A knife holder () for microtome blades () has a body () for reception of the blade () against an abutment edge () and a pressure plate () for retention of the blade, such that in the retained state, only the blade cutting edge () protrudes from the body (), and an ejection apparatus (), associated with one side edge () of the blade cutting edge (), is connected to the body ().

Knife holder for microtome blades

An apparatus is described for treating prepared specimens. The apparatus comprises at least two container rows arranged in parallel to each other, each comprising a plurality of reagent containers and a transport mechanism for transporting at least one transport container that receives at least one carrier holding at least one prepared specimen. The transport mechanism is movable along an X and Z axis. A rotation unit is provided comprising holding arms and at least one holding element. The container rows are received rotatably at the ends of the holding arms of the at least one holding element that is connected to a rotation shaft such that it co-rotates with the rotation shaft that extends parallel to the X axis. The rotation unit is adapted to assume at least one working position allowing the transport mechanism to have access to the reagent container.

Apparatus for treating prepared specimens

A system () for staining and coverslipping specimen slides comprises a first part (the stainer ()) and a second part (the coverslipper ()). A transport device (), with which racks () carrying specimen slides are transferred directly from the stainer () into the coverslipper (), is provided in the stainer ().

System for staining and coverslipping specimen slides

A device for signaling the position of an orientable sample holder for a microtome is described. The drive system () for moving the sample holder is arranged in a housing. At least one rotatably mounted spindle (), and a nut () running on the spindle (), are provided for moving the sample holder in one spatial direction. The nut () comprises a position element () identifying the zero position, and an indicating element () is associated with the position element ().

Orientable sample holder having a zero-point indication, for a microtome

A rotary microtome () is disclosed, having a base part () on which a microtome housing () and a knife holder () are arranged. Also provided is a collection element () that surrounds the knife holder on three sides, the collection element having a U-shaped base outline. Also provided are several clamping levers that are associated with the knife holder, at least one clamping lever for the knife holder being arranged operably on a first or a second outer side wall (). In addition, the bottom () of the collection element () has shaped on it an elevation () under which a mechanical coupling is guided from the clamping lever () to the knife holder.

Rotary microtome and collection element for a rotary microtome

For automatic transportation and lifting and lowering of specimens in an automatic stainer, a drive system comprises a motor () and a side wall assembly (), the motor () being coupled on the drive side to a first () and a second () crank system. The first () and second () crank systems are respectively coupled to the side wall assembly ().

Drive system for an apparatus for staining specimens

An apparatus for treating objects, in particular cytological or histological specimens, having multiple processing stations () and a transport device () for delivering the objects into and out of the processing stations (), is characterized in that the transport device () comprises a robot arm () that is movable in three dimensions and provides for arbitrary positioning of the objects.

Apparatus for treating cytological or histological specimens

An apparatus for treating objects, in particular cytological or histological specimens, having multiple processing stations and a transport device for delivering the objects into and out of the processing stations, is characterized in that at least one running-water station (), having an inflow () and an outflow (), is provided as a processing station.

Apparatus for treating objects

An automatic stainer for staining specimens that are arranged on specimen slides and embedded in a medium, preferably in paraffin, is described. The automatic stainer has multiple reagent containers arranged one behind another for treating the specimens. During staining, the specimen slides pass successively through the reagent containers. There are transport baskets for receiving multiple specimen slides, multiple transport baskets being received simultaneously each in different reagent containers. A motorized transport mechanism, with a lifting device that lifts all the transport baskets simultaneously out of the respective reagent container and transports them on into the respective adjacent reagent container, is provided. A heating station for heating the specimens and melting the embedding medium is arranged in front of the row of reagent containers. The heating station has at least one melting container for simultaneously receiving multiple transport baskets.

Automatic stainer having a heating station

A system for staining and coverslipping specimen slides, having a stainer ( ) and a coverslipper ( ) that are arranged next to one another. A transfer device ( ), which transports racks with specimen slides from the stainer ( ) to the coverslipper ( ), is provided between the stainer ( ) and the coverslipper ( ). Transport is automated so that operation by the user is substantially reduced.

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Heidelberg, Germany

Stefan Thiem