DE102018132950A1 - Height-adjustable cryostat with memory function - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cryostat (1) with an upper cryostat part (10) and a cryostat foot (20) with an electric drive (21), the height of the cryostat part (10) being relative to the cryostat foot (20) due to the electric drive (21) ) is motor-adjustable, with a control unit (23) for controlling the electric drive (21), with an operating unit (4) for receiving operating inputs, the control unit (23) and the operating unit (4) being set up to a set height save in response to a memory control input and in response to a load control input and to control the electric drive (21) to approach the retrieved height.

Description

The present invention relates to a cryostat.

State of the art

Cryostats are often used in the laboratory to freeze tissue. For example, cryostat microtomes are known which are used for making so-called frozen sections (very thin slices of frozen objects, mostly tissues). In it, the objects to be cut are cooled to a certain predetermined temperature, usually between -10 ° C and -50 ° C. In order to ensure constant temperature, the microtomes are arranged in complex encapsulated housings. A container, usually made of stainless steel, is provided in the interior of the housing for receiving the microtome. Cryostats also have an opening lid, usually a viewing window, through which a user has access to the interior of the container.

The US 4,548,051 A as well as the US 5,988,029 A show motorized height adjustable cryostats. This enables users to work ergonomically on the cryostat, for example while standing or sitting. However, changing between different heights or different users is complex.

It is therefore desirable to provide a height-adjustable cryostat that is particularly simple and reproducible to use.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, a cryostat with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

The invention is based on the measure of equipping a motor-height-adjustable cryostat with a so-called “memory function”, so that a large number of different settings can be stored and called up again by one or more users. A cryostat is thus provided with a cryostat upper part which is adjustable in height by an electric drive relative to a cryostat foot and which is particularly simple and reproducible to operate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inclination of the cryostat or its upper part can also be adjusted motor-wise relative to the cryostat foot, this inclination also being part of the memory function. This further contributes to ergonomics.

The cryostat is preferably equipped with a communication device (hereinafter referred to as a transceiver), which is set up to read out (and possibly describe) at least one piece of information from a user identification unit (hereinafter referred to as a transponder). Communication between the transceiver and the transponder is preferably wireless. The at least one piece of information is used to identify the user. The transceiver can have a reading device or a reading / writing device. Accordingly, the transponder can be read or read and written. The at least one piece of information can in particular be a user ID (e.g. a character string).

This further development significantly simplifies the use of the cryostat memory function. The susceptibility to errors is reduced, incorrect entries can be avoided. The entire process can be designed so that it runs essentially automatically. If a user places his transponder on the transceiver, the cryostat automatically moves to the desired position.

The reading and / or writing of transponders preferably takes place wirelessly, expediently an RFID system comprising an RFID transceiver and an RFID transponder is used. RFID transponders are available as very small units so that users can easily carry them with them. Another advantage of RFID transponders is the low manufacturing and procurement costs as well as their robustness and reliability, which in particular improves the possible use in the medical field, in which chemicals etc. are handled a lot.

Alternatively or additionally, remote control or remote accessibility of a stored setting, e.g. by means of a mobile phone and / or via the Internet. In other words, a memory operator input and / or a load operator input are then made by remote data transmission. In this way, the user can call up the desired setting in advance so that he can start working immediately when the device is reached. Other operator inputs, for example for setting a temperature, for starting a thawing and / or disinfection process or the like, and / or a data display, for example, the current position, the current temperature, the current operating state or similar, possible. It is also possible to enter the type of tissue to be cut and to automatically set an associated stored temperature.

As an alternative or in addition, a timer can be provided so that operator input can be triggered in a time-dependent manner.

For safety reasons, the cryostat preferably has sensors or the like. who recognize an inhibition of movement and stop the electric drives in response. This corresponds to a kind of crush protection.

The invention makes it easy to link the height and, if applicable, the inclination setting of a cryostat to the user performing the task.

Further advantages and refinements of the invention result from the description and the attached drawing.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is described in detail below with reference to the drawing.

Figure list

• 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a cryostat according to the invention in a perspective view.
• 2nd shows a section through the cryostat 1 .

The 1 and 2nd are described coherently and comprehensively, the same elements being provided with the same reference symbols.

In the figures is a cryostat 1 with a cryostat upper part 10 and a cryostat foot 20 shown. In the top part of the cryostat 10 is a cryostat container 2nd arranged. At the top of the cryostat 10 is one the cryostat container 2nd occluding lens 3rd arranged as a lid.

Inside the cryostat container 2nd is a cooling unit 11 Installed. The cryostat container 2nd serves to hold a microtome, not shown, with a cutting knife, which can be operated in particular by means of the handwheel shown on the side.

The cryostat upper part 10 is by means of a first electric drive 21st in height relative to the cryostat foot 20 adjustable by motor. At the same time is the upper part of the cryostat 10 by means of a second electric drive 22 in inclination relative to the cryostat foot 20 adjustable by motor.

Furthermore, the cryostat 1 a control unit 23 for controlling the first and the second electric drive, and an operating unit designed here as a sensor screen or touchscreen 4th to accept operator input.

The control unit 23 and the control unit 4th are set up to store a set height in response to a memory control input and in response to a load control input and to retrieve the electric drives 21st , 22 to drive to the requested height and / or inclination. In order to identify the memory entries, text input by the user may be possible. Entries that have already been stored can be called up in particular by selecting, in particular with the finger.

Further options are preferably provided for using the memory function described.

For example, the cryostat 1 via a here as a transceiver 5 trained communication device, for example an RFID transceiver, which can interact with a corresponding user identification unit designed here as an RFID transponder in order to read data from the transponder and / or write to the transponder. The communication between the transceiver and the transponder takes place wirelessly.

In response to a readout, a corresponding activation of the electric drives then takes place 21st , 22 to approach the requested height and / or incline.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 4548051 A [0003]
• US 5988029 A [0003]

Claims (8)

Cryostat (1) with a cryostat upper part (10) and a cryostat foot (20), with an electric drive (21), the upper part of the cryostat (10) being adjustable in terms of motor relative to the cryostat foot (20) by the electric drive (21), with a control unit (23) for controlling the electric drive (21), with an operating unit (4) for accepting operating inputs, wherein the control unit (23) and the control unit (4) are set up to store a set height in response to a memory control input and to be called up in response to a load control input and to control the electric drive (21) to move to the retrieved height. Cryostat (1) after Claim 1 , with a second electrical drive (22), the cryostat upper part (10) being adjustable in terms of motor relative to the cryostat foot (20) by the second electrical drive (22), the control unit (21) and the operating unit (4) for this purpose are set up to store a set inclination in response to a memory control input and to call it up in response to a load control input and to control the second electric drive (22) to start the retrieved inclination. Cryostat after Claim 1 or 2nd , wherein the control unit (4) has a sensor screen. Cryostat according to one of the preceding claims, which is equipped with a communication device (5) which is set up to read at least one piece of information from a user identification unit. Cryostat (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a memory control input and / or a load control input by remote data transmission. Cryostat (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a timer is provided so that the time-dependent approach to stored positions is possible. Cryostat (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one sensor for detecting an inhibition of movement of an electric drive (21, 22), wherein the control unit (23) is set up to react to a detected electric drive (21, 22) Stop movement inhibition. Cryostat (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cryostat chamber (2), in which a microtome for cutting frozen preparations is arranged, is provided in the cryostat upper part (20).

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