CA1190446A - Microtome knife-checking arrangement - Google Patents
Microtome knife-checking arrangementInfo
- Publication number
- CA1190446A CA1190446A CA000431654A CA431654A CA1190446A CA 1190446 A CA1190446 A CA 1190446A CA 000431654 A CA000431654 A CA 000431654A CA 431654 A CA431654 A CA 431654A CA 1190446 A CA1190446 A CA 1190446A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- knife
- cutting
- cutting edge
- specimen
- microtome
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/04—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
- G01N1/06—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/04—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
- G01N1/06—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
- G01N2001/061—Blade details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/04—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
- G01N1/06—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
- G01N2001/068—Illumination means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N2203/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
- G01N2203/0058—Kind of property studied
- G01N2203/0089—Biorheological properties
Abstract
MICROTOME KNIFE-CHECKING ARRANGEMENT
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device for checking the quality of a knife in a microtome, in particular an ultramicrotome, in which the microtome has an observation microscope and a sublevel-light source for illuminating a specimen/knife region, the knife being carried by a knife holder which can be pivoted about an axis lying along the cutting edge of the knife, between a specimen-cutting position and a tilted position, in which the exposed surface of the cutting edge of the knife and the optical path of the sublevel light source define an included angle of at least 20°.
The knife-holder can be locked in this tilted position.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A device for checking the quality of a knife in a microtome, in particular an ultramicrotome, in which the microtome has an observation microscope and a sublevel-light source for illuminating a specimen/knife region, the knife being carried by a knife holder which can be pivoted about an axis lying along the cutting edge of the knife, between a specimen-cutting position and a tilted position, in which the exposed surface of the cutting edge of the knife and the optical path of the sublevel light source define an included angle of at least 20°.
The knife-holder can be locked in this tilted position.
Description
MICROTOME KNIFE-CHECKING ARRANGEMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to microtomes, especially ultramicrotomes. More particularly, the invention concerns an arrangement for checking the knife in such a microtome.
The quality of the thin sections, which can be produced by means of a microtome, depends substantially on the quality of the cutting edge of the knife.
Particularly in the case of ultramicrotomes, in which glass knives are normally used, it is important to inspect the knife for damage (e.g. chipping, edge serration) and contamination before carrying out cutting lS operations. Inspection of the knife is usually carried out under dark-field illumination. This is achieved, in known ultxamicrotomes, by making the microscopes and/or the sublevel illumination system adjustable, or the knife is clamped at a more oblique angle in the knife holder for the purpose of being checked. It is also known to install, on the ultramicrotome, an additional spot-illumination light for checking the quality of the cutting edge, this light providing illumination of the cutting edge obliquely from above.
These known methods of checking the quality of the cutting edge are either troublesome or necessitate additional hardware since it is necessaxy first to swing the observation microscope, and/or the sublevel light source, into the position in which the condition for the precise viewability of the cutting edge of the knife is satisfied, after which they must be returned to the normal position required for cutting~
æ,.~.,~ i ~`
,~., OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which enables the quality of the cutting edge of the knife to be checked in a simple manner and without any significant additional expense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE lNv~NlION
Ac~ording to the present invention, we provide a microtome comprising a knife for cutting thin sections of a specimen, an observation microscope, and a sublevel light source directed onto the cutting edge of the knife, an arrangement for checking the knife comprising a knife holder which is arranged to be pivoted about an axis lying along the cutting edge of the knife, between a specimen-cutting position for cutting sections and a second tilted position in which the exposed surface of the cutting edge of the knife and the optical path of the sublevel light source define an included angle of at least 20.
In the known ultramicrotomes of the type described above, the knife holder can be pivotably adjusted, but this facility is used only for the purpose of setting the lead angle of the cutting edge of the knife, the angle between the exposed surface of the k.nife and the sectioning surface of the specimen, to the most advantageous value for th~ spec.imen in questionO As a rule, this angle does not exceed 10 for which reason the pivoting capability of the knife holder is limite~
to 15, re~erring to the æero point defined by the arc over which the specimen arm of the ultramicrotome can swing.
The present invention starts from the realization that it is possible, by markedly increasing the tilting range of the knife holder, without incurring significan~
additional expense, to shift the exposed surface of the knife into that position which guarantees clear viewability of its cutting edge, for the purpose of checking it, and to lock it in that position, thus dispensing with the need for any additional movement capability of the observation microscope and/or the sublevel light source. To achieve the desired result, the minimum angle through which movement must be possible is 20, but a larger angle is advantageousO
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An illustrative embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation of an ultramicrotome; and Figures 2 and 3 are diagrammatic detailed representations of the knife holder~ in the tilted positiont which permits the cutting edge of the knife to be checked, and in the cutting position respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE lNv~NlION
The ultramicro-tome shown in Figure 2 comprises a sp~cimen arm 1 which can be moved up and down, and on which a specimen/ or preparation, 2 is secured. During the up and down movement, the specimen 2 is guided past the cutting edge of a knife 3 so as to produce thin sections~ An observation microscope 4 is provided for observing the cutting process7 and or checking the knife, the optical axis of -this microscope being designated 5. In order to illuminate the knife/specimen region, a sublevel light source 6 is located inside the ultramicrotome, the light beam from the light source 6 being deflected, by a deflecting mirror 7, ~o provide an upwardly-directed optical path 8 The ultramicrotome shown in Figure 1 is of known design and or this reason details of its construction are not describedO
Figures 2 and 3 show, on a larger scale, the arrangement for providing the tilting movement of the knife 3. Beneath its cutting edge 3', the knife 3 carries a delivery trough 11. When the ultramicrotome is being operated, a liquid is provided in the trough 11 to receive the thin sections which are cut from the specimen by the cutting edge 3' of the knife. A knife holder 12, which grips the knie 3 in a known manner, is carried by a rocker 13 which can slide in a cylindrical slidewa,~ 14 on the support of the ultramicrotome. Movement o~ the rocker 13 in ~he slideway 14 causes the knife holder 12, lS and the knife 3, to pivot about the cutting edge 3l of the knife.
By the above means, it is possible to set the angle o the exposed surface 15 of the knife 3 in relation to the sectioning surface of the specimen 2 (this surface is not shown in Figures 2 and 3) and also to set the angle (Figure 2~ which is required in order to observe the cutting edge 3' of the knife~
Setting i5 carried out by means of an eccentric-rotary knob 16 ~shown diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 3), the eccentric pin of the knob acting on an end face of the rocker 130 The eccentricity of the eccentric pin is chosen such that~ in the tilted position of the knie holder 12 shown in Figure 2~ the exposed surface 15 and the optical axis 8 include an angle ~ of at least 20.
This angular position is sufficient to enable the ~utting edge 3' of the knife 3 to be viewed clearl,y to check the quality o~ the edge without a],tering the optical axls 5 and/or the optical path 8.
Although no~ shown in detail in the drawingt it is evident that the knife holder 12 can be locked by means o suitable clamping devices, both in the tilted position shown in Figure 2 and in the cutting position shown in Figure 3.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to microtomes, especially ultramicrotomes. More particularly, the invention concerns an arrangement for checking the knife in such a microtome.
The quality of the thin sections, which can be produced by means of a microtome, depends substantially on the quality of the cutting edge of the knife.
Particularly in the case of ultramicrotomes, in which glass knives are normally used, it is important to inspect the knife for damage (e.g. chipping, edge serration) and contamination before carrying out cutting lS operations. Inspection of the knife is usually carried out under dark-field illumination. This is achieved, in known ultxamicrotomes, by making the microscopes and/or the sublevel illumination system adjustable, or the knife is clamped at a more oblique angle in the knife holder for the purpose of being checked. It is also known to install, on the ultramicrotome, an additional spot-illumination light for checking the quality of the cutting edge, this light providing illumination of the cutting edge obliquely from above.
These known methods of checking the quality of the cutting edge are either troublesome or necessitate additional hardware since it is necessaxy first to swing the observation microscope, and/or the sublevel light source, into the position in which the condition for the precise viewability of the cutting edge of the knife is satisfied, after which they must be returned to the normal position required for cutting~
æ,.~.,~ i ~`
,~., OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which enables the quality of the cutting edge of the knife to be checked in a simple manner and without any significant additional expense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE lNv~NlION
Ac~ording to the present invention, we provide a microtome comprising a knife for cutting thin sections of a specimen, an observation microscope, and a sublevel light source directed onto the cutting edge of the knife, an arrangement for checking the knife comprising a knife holder which is arranged to be pivoted about an axis lying along the cutting edge of the knife, between a specimen-cutting position for cutting sections and a second tilted position in which the exposed surface of the cutting edge of the knife and the optical path of the sublevel light source define an included angle of at least 20.
In the known ultramicrotomes of the type described above, the knife holder can be pivotably adjusted, but this facility is used only for the purpose of setting the lead angle of the cutting edge of the knife, the angle between the exposed surface of the k.nife and the sectioning surface of the specimen, to the most advantageous value for th~ spec.imen in questionO As a rule, this angle does not exceed 10 for which reason the pivoting capability of the knife holder is limite~
to 15, re~erring to the æero point defined by the arc over which the specimen arm of the ultramicrotome can swing.
The present invention starts from the realization that it is possible, by markedly increasing the tilting range of the knife holder, without incurring significan~
additional expense, to shift the exposed surface of the knife into that position which guarantees clear viewability of its cutting edge, for the purpose of checking it, and to lock it in that position, thus dispensing with the need for any additional movement capability of the observation microscope and/or the sublevel light source. To achieve the desired result, the minimum angle through which movement must be possible is 20, but a larger angle is advantageousO
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An illustrative embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional representation of an ultramicrotome; and Figures 2 and 3 are diagrammatic detailed representations of the knife holder~ in the tilted positiont which permits the cutting edge of the knife to be checked, and in the cutting position respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE lNv~NlION
The ultramicro-tome shown in Figure 2 comprises a sp~cimen arm 1 which can be moved up and down, and on which a specimen/ or preparation, 2 is secured. During the up and down movement, the specimen 2 is guided past the cutting edge of a knife 3 so as to produce thin sections~ An observation microscope 4 is provided for observing the cutting process7 and or checking the knife, the optical axis of -this microscope being designated 5. In order to illuminate the knife/specimen region, a sublevel light source 6 is located inside the ultramicrotome, the light beam from the light source 6 being deflected, by a deflecting mirror 7, ~o provide an upwardly-directed optical path 8 The ultramicrotome shown in Figure 1 is of known design and or this reason details of its construction are not describedO
Figures 2 and 3 show, on a larger scale, the arrangement for providing the tilting movement of the knife 3. Beneath its cutting edge 3', the knife 3 carries a delivery trough 11. When the ultramicrotome is being operated, a liquid is provided in the trough 11 to receive the thin sections which are cut from the specimen by the cutting edge 3' of the knife. A knife holder 12, which grips the knie 3 in a known manner, is carried by a rocker 13 which can slide in a cylindrical slidewa,~ 14 on the support of the ultramicrotome. Movement o~ the rocker 13 in ~he slideway 14 causes the knife holder 12, lS and the knife 3, to pivot about the cutting edge 3l of the knife.
By the above means, it is possible to set the angle o the exposed surface 15 of the knife 3 in relation to the sectioning surface of the specimen 2 (this surface is not shown in Figures 2 and 3) and also to set the angle (Figure 2~ which is required in order to observe the cutting edge 3' of the knife~
Setting i5 carried out by means of an eccentric-rotary knob 16 ~shown diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 3), the eccentric pin of the knob acting on an end face of the rocker 130 The eccentricity of the eccentric pin is chosen such that~ in the tilted position of the knie holder 12 shown in Figure 2~ the exposed surface 15 and the optical axis 8 include an angle ~ of at least 20.
This angular position is sufficient to enable the ~utting edge 3' of the knife 3 to be viewed clearl,y to check the quality o~ the edge without a],tering the optical axls 5 and/or the optical path 8.
Although no~ shown in detail in the drawingt it is evident that the knife holder 12 can be locked by means o suitable clamping devices, both in the tilted position shown in Figure 2 and in the cutting position shown in Figure 3.
Claims (3)
1. In a microtome comprising a knife for cutting thin sections of a specimen, an observation microscope and a sublevel light source directed onto the cutting edge of the knife, an arrangement for checking the knife comprising a knife holder which is arranged to be pivoted about an axis lying along the cutting edge of the knife between a specimen-cutting position, for cutting sections, and a second tilted position in which the exposed surface of the cutting edge of the knife and the optical path of the sublevel light source define an included angle of at least 20°.
2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 in which the included angle does not exceed 45°.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 1 in which the knife holder is located in a cylindrical slideway and an eccentric device is provided to move the knife holder between its specimen cutting and its tilted positions.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3224375.8 | 1982-06-30 | ||
| DE19823224375 DE3224375C2 (en) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-06-30 | Device for checking the quality of the knife on a microtome, in particular an ultramicrotome |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1190446A true CA1190446A (en) | 1985-07-16 |
Family
ID=6167205
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000431654A Expired CA1190446A (en) | 1982-06-30 | 1983-06-30 | Microtome knife-checking arrangement |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5913941A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATA211883A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1190446A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3224375C2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2529678A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2129957B (en) |
| SE (1) | SE8303690L (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3413278C2 (en) * | 1983-07-30 | 1992-09-24 | Parke, Davis & Co., Morris Plains, N.J. | Clamping device for the cutting knife of a microtome |
| DE3327618C2 (en) * | 1983-07-30 | 1985-06-27 | Parke, Davis & Co., Morris Plains, N.J. | Device for clamping a specimen in a microtome |
| EP0164824B1 (en) * | 1984-04-07 | 1992-09-23 | Leica Instruments GmbH | Clamping mechanism for the cutter of a microtome |
| US4655274A (en) * | 1984-10-26 | 1987-04-07 | Ube Industries, Ltd. | Horizontal mold clamping and vertical injection type die cast machine |
| DE3509395C1 (en) * | 1985-03-15 | 1986-10-02 | Parke, Davis & Co., Morris Plains, N.J. | Microtome with a holding device for an optical observation device |
| WO1995020920A1 (en) * | 1994-02-02 | 1995-08-10 | Chiron Vision Corporation | A microkeratome and method and apparatus for calibrating a microkeratome |
| US5591174A (en) * | 1994-02-02 | 1997-01-07 | Chiron Vision Corporation | Microkeratome and method and apparatus for calibrating a microkeratome |
| DE4412722A1 (en) * | 1994-04-13 | 1994-12-08 | Ruediger Prof Dr Ing Haberland | Cutting-edge sharpness measuring device |
| DE10228985A1 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2004-01-15 | Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh | Illumination device for microtomes or ultramicrotomes |
| JP2006521868A (en) | 2003-04-07 | 2006-09-28 | ボシュ・アンド・ロム・インコーポレイテッド | Bar link drive system for microkeratome |
| CN101477241B (en) * | 2009-02-19 | 2012-10-31 | 华中科技大学 | Micro-optical scanning tomography device |
| CN105021616B (en) * | 2015-07-15 | 2016-08-17 | 中国石油大学(华东) | A kind of high-speed cutting deformation field instantaneous measurement device and using method |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3103844A (en) * | 1958-10-01 | 1963-09-17 | Lkb Produkter Fabrisaktiebolag | Microtome with illumination and observation means |
| AT276800B (en) * | 1968-08-30 | 1969-12-10 | Reichert Optische Werke Ag | Device for processing specimen blocks for microtomy, in particular ultra-microtomy |
| SE382501B (en) * | 1975-04-10 | 1976-02-02 | Lkb Produkter Ab | PROCEDURE TO KNOW A MICROTOM FORA THE KNIFE NEXT TO THE PREPARATION. |
-
1982
- 1982-06-30 DE DE19823224375 patent/DE3224375C2/en not_active Expired
-
1983
- 1983-06-09 AT AT211883A patent/ATA211883A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1983-06-14 GB GB08316138A patent/GB2129957B/en not_active Expired
- 1983-06-27 JP JP11444683A patent/JPS5913941A/en active Pending
- 1983-06-28 SE SE8303690A patent/SE8303690L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1983-06-29 FR FR8310723A patent/FR2529678A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1983-06-30 CA CA000431654A patent/CA1190446A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2129957B (en) | 1985-12-11 |
| GB8316138D0 (en) | 1983-07-20 |
| DE3224375C2 (en) | 1984-09-20 |
| ATA211883A (en) | 1989-08-15 |
| GB2129957A (en) | 1984-05-23 |
| JPS5913941A (en) | 1984-01-24 |
| FR2529678A1 (en) | 1984-01-06 |
| DE3224375A1 (en) | 1984-01-05 |
| SE8303690L (en) | 1983-12-31 |
| SE8303690D0 (en) | 1983-06-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |