DE2409167A1 - Microtome tissue sections prepn - by rotating spider with sample baskets dipped into successive baths by program control - Google Patents

Abstract

Tissue samples are prepd. for embedding in paraffin, etc. for microtome sections required for histological research, by passing them in turn through dehydration, stabilization and impregnation baths, arranged in a circle. The baskets carrying the samples are suspended from a rotatable spider and are lowered into the respective baths in turn by program control. This allows successive prepn. of the tissue samples in charges as they become available in hospitals or research laboratories. Urgent samples can be treated faster and the labour available is better utilised.

Description

Method and apparatus for embedding tissue samples The invention relates to a method for batch-wise embedding, in particular for production of microtome sections suitable tissue samples in paraffin and the like. For histological Investigations, as well as a device for carrying out this process.

For embedding tissue samples in paraffin and the like. These are first to treat in several steps Usually the tissue samples are taken one after the other fixes, drains, stabilizes and impregnates using suitable baths or liquids.

There are already devices known that these process steps automatically, with a sample basket containing several sieve days from bath to bath by means of automatic lowering in or lifting out of the containers and step-by-step pivoting in a plane above the B * holder. Eie containers with the baths are arranged in a circle.

In the versions that have become known so far, is used for transport of the specimen basket a one-armed carrier rack is used, on which the specimen basket goes down is attached hanging. In addition, such orders have also been confessed at to which two test baskets are attached next to each other on a support arm are, in such a way that they immerse them in two adjacent baths at the same time.

This means that the capacity of the embedding device can be doubled, However, it is disadvantageous on the one hand that the number of baths at least for the first and last treatment function needs to be increased because not each of the sample containers can go through all the baths arranged in a circle.

Another disadvantage is that working in batches is not possible, rather all tissue samples etc. must first be prepared and then filled into the two sample containers at the same time, after which the device is then put into operation and is then used to capacity for several hours.

It has now been believed that there is a need for such embedding devices exists, which allow a batch operation, so that one after the other in the laboratory Accruing tissue samples can be successively fed to the embedding device.

The object of the present invention was accordingly to provide a chergenweises To enable procedures and to develop a suitable device for this.

It was therefore a (helbautomatic) process for batch-wise Embedding of the type mentioned above designed using for drainage, Stabilize and impregnate baths arranged in a circle, in which the samples by means of a centrally arranged support organ and at least one on this attached sample feet or basket automatically through the various baths to get promoted.

According to the invention, the method is characterized in that with Test baskets filled with a trial period are placed in batches in Umleuf in each case when one arm of the multi-armed carrier organ above the first Treatment bath has been reached, and that the sample baskets are then removed, venn the arm of the carrier genus connected to them over the last treatment bath has arrived.

Furthermore, an apparatus for carrying out the above has been proposed Developed.

This comes from several arranged in a circle, open at the top Containers for holding, fixing, draining, stabilizing and impregnating suitable baths, as well as means for conveying at least one sample vessel through the various baths by means of automatic lowering in zbw. Lifting off the containers and gradually swiveling further in an ebone above the drilling containers in the direction of a circle According to the invention it is characterized in that it has a number "e" container arranged in a circle is a vertically arranged shaft as a carrier organ is assigned with "b" above the container level to the periphery extending, equal angles between enclosing arms, at the free end of each one Trial basket is anbringber, and that the shaft with its lower end below the Standing or working level is in operative connection with a transport drive, so that each of the sample baskets at a time interval, the dwell time in a / b containers, put into circulation by attaching them to a carrier term can be, and that the functions of the container in 3 groups (essentially drainage. Stabilization, Impregnation) and the containers with the same function are arranged next to one another are, where the number a is at least 6 and is divisible by the number 3, and the numbers a and b are still chosen so that the quetient rib is an exact number results.

In the case of a particularly expedient embodiment, the number e is n 9 or 12, 6 "3 and the angles between the support arms are 120 °.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention means are provided for switching off and triggering an operating signal after the passage of each arm equipped with the sample holder through all of the containers.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention Device is provided that the automatic conveyance through the baths with A program carrier is regulated as a disc with radially displaceable Pins are designed for variable adjustment of the dwell times, and these Pins directly or indirectly actuate a switch assigned to the program carrier and that longer pins can be used to switch off the device, the one more Operate the switch that shuts down the device and, if necessary, triggers an operating signal.

An ancestor and a device of the type described have naturally the advantage that a batch-wise embedding is now possible, which is the in hospitals and investigation offices and the like. The usual workflow fits much better. As soon as a certain number of samples to be examined is available and is prepared, can this already treated further and with Paraffin are soaked, after which then the work of microtome cutting and microscopic examination of the sections obtained can follow.

Since once the device has been started, this does not apply to the entire cycle is occupied, but in the case of 3 support arms already after a third of the Total time, e.g. B. is ready to record again after an hour or two especially urgent samples can be handled much faster. In the end the utilization of the laboratory workforce can be managed much more evenly.

It does not matter with regard to the device according to the invention how many .Arme the carrier organ has. Even in the case of two opposite one another Poor would be able to do some batch work, but it is not optimal.

It is much cheaper to have three arms and thus three overlapping one another Batches. Four support arms, which can then be operated with a maximum of 4 test baskets, are also conceivable.

The number of baths will generally be chosen so that per treatment phase two to four bathrooms can be arranged.

In the case of three support arms, i. H. up to three test baskets in full operation, one could assign nine baths, so that each sample basket has nine or twelve containers that normally runs through the three successive functions Drainage, stabilization and impregnation are divided.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous, not all of the containers Containers containing only the paraffin containers, with one individually thermostatic to provide adjustable heating, for example in the form of heating plates or patio heaters, the containers are preferably made of fireproof glass in order to benefit the possibility of observation, in particular the control of the liquid level. It is also recommended to cover the container and make a corresponding saving of bed liquid by preventing evaporation an autemetically processing probe, centrally arranged cross spider, on the arms of which lids to cover the container are located.

To control the embedding process and the automatic transport Due to the baths, a program carrier is particularly recommended, which is a disc with radially displaceable pins for variable setting of the dwell times is trained. A switch is assigned to these pins, which they can either directly or actuate indirectly and thus the retraction or extension of the sample container and manage the pivoting of the transport arm.

Longer pens can be used to switch off the device Actuate another separate switch that shuts down the device and, if necessary, an operating signal triggers. Timely shutdown in batch operation is essential, in order to avoid that already paraffinized samples are accidentally turned into the cycle get into the starting container with baths for draining.

In order to illustrate the method according to the invention, the following an example of a method to explain the invention in more detail; The @ ubettenden Tissue capsules are first gelsgert in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Are enough When the samples are narrowed, they are placed in a sample basket attached to the carrier arm of automatic embedding device is attached, whereupon the embedding device is started. The first three baths contain 100% isopropyl alcohol and the sample basket remains 15 min in each bath. Each of the baths is to speed up the process to 40 ° C heated. If there are enough more tissue samples after 45 minutes, or if there is an urgent case, a further sample carrier can now be used has been attached to the second sample term above the first container. The same is true after another 45 min.

There are then in the case of three support arms, the angles of 120 ° C with each other, and nine baths at Stert of the third sample basket the first sample basket in the seventh bath, which is the first paraffin bath, and the second Sample basket in the fourth bath, this is the first stabilization bath. By the accordingly inserted long cut-off pins ensure that the device is switched off as soon as a sample basket has reached the ninth and last bath.

As soon as a sample container has reached the last bath and the device switches off, this must be removed from the support arm and the device evaluated again.

As already said, the first three contain drainage Baths, for example, 100% isopropylelkchol, the following three, stabilization serving baths acetone.

These baths can also be accelerated to 40 ° C, for example the third acetone bath, i.e. the sixth bath in total considered, can possibly be heated to a higher temperature in order to avoid a temperature loss in the three subsequent paraffin baths (which are normally heated to 65 ° C to be avoided). In the case of the above example using a three-armed embedding device so everyone can 45 min a sample basket with finished samples removed and - if desired - a test notch with newly prepared tissue samples be smuggled in. It goes without saying that of course with another Number of containers or carrier arms, as well as with other dwell times in the individual Baths can be worked.

The device according to the invention is also based on an exemplary embodiment explained with the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 shows a corresponding device in a perspective view, whereby, for the sake of simplicity, certain parts of the device, such as the cross spider with bath cover are omitted.

In detail, the sample baskets are 10, the multi-part Tag organ with 11. You dive by means of a not shown in the picture automatic lowering and lifting device in the containers arranged in a circle 12th

These are equipped with a thermostatically controlled heater using mushrooms 14 heated. The sensor 15 transmits the temperature in the container 12 to the thermostat 13. The containers 12 are made of refractory gel for better observation. The shaft of the carrier organ does not necessarily have a round cross-section to have, it can also be designed differently as well as solid or hollow. The connection with the arms can be designed differently, detachable or sterr etc.

Figure 2 shows a detail from Figure 1, namely the control of the automatic transport through the baths serving program disc 20, the radiel displaceably arranged pins 21 for variable setting of the dwell time wearing. These pens 21 is assigned a microswitch 22, which these actuate directly and thus the retraction or extension of the sample container and manage the pivoting of the transport arm to switch off the device longer pins 23 can be used, which actuate another microswitch 24, which stops the device and simultaneously triggers a signal.

Claims (5)

Claims 1. Method for batch-wise embedding in particular for the Preparation of microtome sections of suitable tissue samples in paraffin and the like for histological examinations using for dehydration, stabilization and impregnation of baths arranged in a circle, in which the samples to be embedded by means of a centrally arranged support organ and at least one on this attached sample vessel or basket automatically through the various baths be conveyed indicates that sample baskets filled with sample material in batches be put into circulation, in each case when one arm of the multi-armed trained Carrier organ has reached the first treatment bath, and that the sample baskets be removed in each case when the arm of the carrier organ connected to them has reached the last treatment bath. 2. Apparatus for performing the method according to claim 1 with several containers arranged in a circle, open at the top, to hold for dewatering, stabilizing and impregnating suitable baths, as well as with agents for conveying at least one sample vessel through the various baths by means of automatic lowering in or lifting out of the containers and step-by-step pivoting in a level above the BeMiter in the direction of a circle and a heating device at least for some of the containers, characterized in that a number "a" in a circle arranged container a centrally arranged vertically shaft as a carrier ore is assigned with wba above the container level on the periphery extending equal angles @ between enclosing arms the free end of which a test notch can be made, and that the Velle with its lower one End below the standing or working level with a transport drive in operative connection stands in such a way that each of the sample baskets at a time interval, that of the dwell time in a / b containers, put into circulation by attaching to a support arm can be, and that the Fuukticn the container in 3 groups (essentially drainage, Stabilization, impregnation) and the containers with the same function are adjacent are arranged, the number a being at least 6 and divisible by the number 3 is, and the numbers a and b are further chosen so that the quotient a / b a results in an integer. 3. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that a = 9 or = 12 and b = 3 and the angles between the support arms are each 120 °. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by means for switching off and triggering an operating signal after each one with A support arm that can be equipped with a test basket through all a containers. 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that that the automatic transport through the baths takes place with a program carrier, as a disc with radially displaceable pins for variable adjustment the dwell times is formed, and these pins are assigned to the program carrier Actuate the switch directly or indirectly, and that W switch off the device for a longer period of time Pins can be inserted into the disc, which actuate another switch that shuts down the device and, if necessary, triggers an operating signal.