FI72606C - Thin section staining apparatus for electron microscope grids. - Google Patents

Description

72606

Thin section staining device for electron microscope gratings

In the electron microscopic (EM) research routine, the so-called thin sections are attached to special round metal nets or perforated plates (diameter approx. 3 mm). In order to provide the necessary contrast to the samples, these so-called The EM gratings with their samples are treated, i.e. the color-5 is left with suitable chemical solutions either mechanically or manually. In the mechanized method, the machine automatically takes care of the fluid exchange according to a predetermined program. In manual dyeing, the gratings are transferred either one by one from one liquid column to another or as a group in some kind of holder from one dyeing alley to another.

The disadvantages of mechanically performed dyeing can be considered e.g. uncertainty in the operation of the device when used occasionally, larger volumes of liquid used, impracticality of the sample grid holder, possible settling of the toner, high purchase price.

The disadvantages of manual dyeing are the risk of damage associated with the continuous handling of individual gratings, the slowness and labor of the process, the low capacity, the occupational health risk caused by open liquid spaces.

20 The disadvantages of the holders currently used for dyeing gratings are e.g. gratings unprotected and prone to damage when moving the holder, large volume required by the holder, contamination by possible adhesives.

The features of the invention will become apparent from the claims.

In practical working conditions, it has been found that the device according to the invention provides e.g. the following advantages: the clips are protected; small: required amount of liquid (1 - 5 ml, depending on the size of the tube); easy: maneuverability; large capacity; simple filtration of liquids; sectional gratings during handling and transport with protection; lower health risks than when using open treatment pools; reliable; low acquisition costs, especially for small laboratories and occasional users · 2 '72606; can be easily attached to machine dye packages. List of drawings: 35 A. Sample grid holder (no. 1-4) B. Lattice holder opening bracket (no. 5-8) C. Piston cylinder with connections (no. 9-13)

Device structure

The device consists of three parts: the sample grid holder (A); a holder-40 for the opening holder (B); from a cylindrical, piston tube (C).

The sample grid holder (A) is made of an elastic, tubular material (e.g. PVC) so that its thickness corresponds to the inner dimension of the piston tube and allows it to be easily placed inside the tube 45. The height of the sample grid holder (1) is at most about 1/3 of the inside length of the piston tube and at most half the length of the piston plug. A series of incisions (6) 1-2 mm long and about 0.5 mm deep are made in the regular surface of the sample grid holder (1) in regular rows about 2-3 mm apart. The incisions (6) 50 are coded row by row and by column using alphabet and numbers or other notations. In addition, for marking purposes, cavities (2) can be made in the edge of the material to unambiguously identify the position of the holder. One wall of the elastic tube is Lei covered longitudinally across so that the tube can be opened, allowing. 55 when opened, the incisions (6) for the gratings open. The edge portion of the longitudinally cut sides of the opened tube] has holes (3), each about 2 mm in diameter.

The opening holder of the holder has two knobs suitable for the above-mentioned holes (3), one of which is hook-shaped (8) and the other spherical (7). The size of the hoe-60 knob (8) is such that it goes loosely: into the second hole (3) of the lattice holder (5). The diameter of the spherical knob (7) is slightly larger than the diameter of the second hole (3) of the lattice holder. However, so that the knob goes into the hole effortlessly when the elastic material gives up. The distance of the knobs is determined by the distance of the holes in the open lattice holder 65. The material of the opening rack: the base (5) can be, for example, wood or the like.

As the cylindrical, piston (11) tube (C), for example, a syringe (9) with a volume of 5, 10 or 15 ml is used.

-3- 72 60 6

The size depends on the diameter of the lattice holder tube. For fluid filtration 70, a standard disposable filter (10) (e.g., Millipore) may be attached to the syringe. Furthermore, through a filter connected to the syringe, the syringe can be connected, e.g. via a three-way tap (12), to machine color packages (13).

Device operation 75 To open the grille holder (A), attach it to the opening bracket (B). The second knob on the opening rack is hook-shaped (8). First, insert the second hole of the lattice holder into the hook-shaped knob and then roll the lattice holder open. Finally, press the round-headed knob (7) into the second hole of the lattice holder. In this case, the incisions (6) open and the sample gratings 80 can be placed in the opened slots with due care. The lattice holder is removed in the reverse order. The sample gratings adhere to the incisions as the lattice holder acquires its original shape. The gratings adhere to the incisions very reliably. The tubular lattice holder 85 is then inserted into the syringe from the piston rod end by first removing the plunger (11). The plunger is then inserted and the plunger is gently aspirated into the syringe by the plunger. The processing takes place according to the desired program. Air is removed from the syringe through the suction port with the syringe in an upright position. If samples need to be dried or otherwise examined between 90, the gratings can be easily and safely removed from the syringe in their holder by first removing the liquid and then the plunger.

The structure of the cylinder can also be such that it can be connected to a dyeing machine, for example. In this case, the piston would be replaced by the pump-95 pu in the machine and the fluid exchange would take place on the flow principle. An advantage of the structure of the automatic machines currently in use would be that the lattice holder shown could be connected directly to the staining tube and in this way the processing of the samples could be automated if desired.

Claims (3)

100 Claims An electron microscopic specimen lattice handling and staining device comprising a specimen grid holder (A), an opening rack (B) and a piston cylinder (C), characterized in that the specimen gratings are attached to slits (6) of 105 specimen grid holders 105 made of elastic material. in the case of a wall, inside a longitudinally split pipe, and which incisions open when the pipe is opened, spread into a plate and close when the pipe returns to its normal shape. Opening rack 110 (B) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook-like knob (8) in the rack fits loosely into the second hole in the sample grid holder and when the holder is rolled the holder opens so that its second hole falls into the spherical knob (7) in the rack. to a point which, when pressed through the elastic hole, holds the lattice holder in the open position. 115 Staining treatment of sample gratings placed in the device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is carried out in a cylinder (C), into which, for treatment, the liquid is sucked by means of a cylinder piston (11).