JP2001296220A - Cassette for medical examination - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cassette for medical examination, capable of forming a paraffin block, without transferring a specimen from a cassette to a tray and slicing the specimen together with the cassette to form a microscope sample. SOLUTION: This cassette for medical examination is provided with a cassette body 31 made of a chemical-resistant material and a cover 32. The cassette body 31 is a container, opened on the upper face, capable of storing the specimen, and having many through-holes. The cover 32 is removably fitted to the cassette body 31 and has many through-holes. At least the portion storing the specimen of the cassette body 31 can be sliced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical examination cassette used for preparing a microscope specimen for medical examination, and more particularly, to a method for automatically or semi-automatically forming a paraffin block without transferring a sample from a cassette to a tray. The present invention relates to an extremely efficient medical examination cassette which can be formed and sliced with a microtome together with the cassette to prepare a microscope specimen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a conventional cassette of this type includes a cassette body 1 and a lid 2 made of a chemical-resistant synthetic resin. Cassette body 1
Is a rectangular container with an open top, and a large number of through holes 3 in the bottom.
And a plate-shaped recording portion 4 which is inclined toward the bottom and divergent toward the bottom outside of one short side wall, and has locking grooves 5 and 6 on both sides. The lid 2 is a detachable plate-like body, has many through holes 7 on the plate surface, and has locking pieces 8 and 9 on both sides.

In order to prepare a microscope specimen using the above cassette, first, as shown in FIG.
0 is accommodated in the cassette body 1 and the lid 2 is attached, and the name and the like of the subject are recorded in the recording unit 4. The locking pieces 8 and 9 of the lid 2 are engaged with the locking grooves 5 and 6 of the cassette body 1 to fix the lid 2.

Subsequently, the specimen 10 is washed with water through the through holes 3 and 7, the water content of the specimen 10 is removed with alcohol, and an affinity with liquid paraffin 12 described later is given with xylene.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a liquid paraffin 12 is placed in a stainless steel tray 11, the sample 10 is taken out of the cassette body 1 and placed in the liquid paraffin 12, so that the liquid paraffin permeates the sample 10. Subsequently, the cassette main body 1 is placed on the step of the tray 11, and the liquid paraffin 12 is poured onto the sample 10 until the bottom of the cassette main body 1 is immersed in the liquid paraffin 12.

After the liquid paraffin 12 has solidified, the tray 1
By removing the cassette 1, a cassette block 13 (see FIG. 15) in which the paraffin 12 in which the sample 10 is embedded is attached to the bottom of the cassette body 1 is obtained.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the cassette block 13 is placed upside down on the base 16 of the adapter 15 mounted on the microtome 14 and fixed. The adapter 15 holds the cassette body 1 between the fixed arm 18 provided on the base 16 and the movable arm 19 by operating the lever 17 to fix the cassette body 1. At this time, in order to prevent the cassette body 1 from rising due to the inclination of the recording section 4, a locking claw 20 formed at the tip of both arms 18 and 19 is engaged with a corner at the bottom of the cassette body 1. Subsequently, the portion of the paraffin 12 in which the specimen 10 is embedded is sliced in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 15, and the sliced slice is subjected to staining and other predetermined processing to obtain a microscope specimen.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned conventional method, as shown in FIG. 13, after subjecting the specimen 10 to chemical treatment in a state of being stored in the cassette body 1, as shown in FIG. Complicated work of putting liquid paraffin 12 in a tray 11 made of glass, placing the specimen 10 taken out of the cassette main body 1 with tweezers on the liquid paraffin 12, and pouring until the bottom of the cassette main body 1 is immersed in the liquid paraffin 12. Is required, the workability is extremely poor, and when the sample 10 is transferred from the cassette body 1 to the liquid paraffin 12 in the tray 11 with tweezers, the sample 1 is dropped by mistake, ruining the valuable sample. There are many troubles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical examination cassette which solves the above-mentioned conventional problems and does not require the transfer of a sample, and has a remarkably improved workability.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cassette body made of a chemical-resistant material and a lid, wherein the cassette body has an open upper surface and accommodates a specimen. In a medical test cassette comprising a rectangular container having a number of through holes, a lid detachable from the cassette body, and a number of through holes, at least a portion of the cassette body accommodating a sample is sliced. The medical test cassette is characterized in that it is possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the medical examination cassette according to the first aspect, wherein the cassette body is made of a synthetic resin, elastomer or rubber having chemical resistance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the medical examination cassette according to the first or second aspect, wherein a thickness of a portion of the cassette main body for accommodating a sample is smaller than thicknesses of other portions.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the medical examination cassette according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the cassette main body is formed in a convex shape having a wide portion and a narrow portion having a smaller width. .

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A feature of the present invention is that at least a portion of a cassette main body for storing a sample (hereinafter, referred to as a sample storing portion) can be sliced. And, in order to be able to slice at least the sample accommodating portion of the cassette body, for example, at least the thickness of the sample accommodating portion is made thin with a chemical-resistant synthetic resin, This can be attained by making them from an elastomer, rubber or the like. Of course,
A material or structure capable of slicing only the portion to be sliced may be used, or a material or structure capable of slicing the entire cassette body.

It is preferable that the shape of the cassette main body is a convex shape composed of a wide portion and a narrow portion having a smaller width. By adopting such a shape, the specimen is embedded in the narrow part with paraffin, and when this is sliced with a microtome later as a paraffin block to prepare a specimen,
Place the cassette block on the adapter base with the narrow part facing upwards and hold the cassette block with the wide part sandwiched between the fixed arm and the movable arm. Specimens can be made by slicing.

After the sample is accommodated in the cassette body, the sample is covered with a lid, washed with water, and subjected to a chemical treatment. Then, the sample is placed on a tray as it is, the lid is removed, and liquid paraffin is poured.
In this case, in the case where the specimen is a convex cassette body composed of a wide portion and a small width portion near the bottom portion of the cassette body, paraffin is embedded near the bottom portion of the small width portion.

After the liquid paraffin is infiltrated into the specimen,
At least the portion of the cassette body containing the specimen is poured so as to be embedded, and in the case of a convex cassette body consisting of a wide portion and a small width portion, at least the small width portion containing the sample is embedded. Poured to be. In this case, liquid paraffin can be poured over the entire cassette main body, and furthermore, liquid paraffin can be poured over the entire cassette main body, and the liquid paraffin can be covered before being solidified and solidified with the lid closed. it can.

As described above, the paraffin block obtained by solidifying the liquid paraffin is placed on the adapter with the bottom portion containing the specimen (in the case of a convex shape consisting of a wide portion and a small width portion, the small width portion) upward. Is fixed between a fixed arm and a movable arm on a base, and sliced into a microscope specimen.

In this case, the paraffin block in which liquid paraffin is poured into the entire cassette main body and solidified, or the paraffin block further solidified by closing the lid before the liquid paraffin solidifies, is such that the inside of the cassette main body is filled with paraffin. Therefore, the fixed arm and the movable arm can be pinched and fixed as they are.

On the other hand, a part of the cassette main body, for example, a sample accommodating portion (a small width portion in the case of a convex shape including a wide portion and a small width portion)
Only liquid paraffin is poured and solidified, the paraffin block having a hollow portion may be held and fixed as it is if it has the strength to withstand holding and fixing between the fixed arm and the movable arm. The holding body is clamped and fixed in a state where the reinforcing body is fitted in the hollow portion.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments.

Embodiment 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the cassette of this embodiment includes a cassette main body 31 made of a chemical-resistant material and a lid 32. The cassette body 31 is a rectangular container with an open top,
A wide portion 31a and a small width portion 31b smaller in width than the wide portion 31a, and a large number of through holes 3 are formed at the bottom of the small width portion 31b.
3 On the other hand, the lid 32 is a plate-like body having a large number of through holes 34, and the cassette body 31
Has an engagement projection 35 that fits in an internal fitting manner with the opening of the first projection.
Although not shown, the recording section is provided on the side wall of the cassette body 31, and is provided, for example, by forming one of the side walls of the widening section 31a in a satin pattern.

Then, the specimen 36 collected from the subject is accommodated in the narrow portion 31b of the cassette body 31, the lid 32 is attached, and the name of the subject is recorded in the recording section.
After performing the above-described water washing and chemical treatment through Nos. 4 and 33, they are placed on a tray 37 so as to overlap with each other as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the liquid paraffin 38 is poured over the entire narrow portion 31 b of the cassette main body 31 to embed the specimen 36. After the liquid paraffin has solidified, the tray 37 is removed to obtain a paraffin block 39 (see FIG. 3) in which the specimen 36 is embedded.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The cassette block 39 is mounted upside down on the base 16 of the adapter 15 mounted thereon and fixed. At that time, if necessary, the space of the widened portion 31a of the cassette body 31
The reinforcing member 40 is fitted. By operating the lever 17, the cassette body 31 is moved between the fixed arm 18 provided on the base 16 and the locking claws 20, 20 of the movable arm 19 by operating the lever 17.
Of the cassette block 3
9 is fixed. Subsequently, the portion of the paraffin 38 in which the specimen 36 is embedded is sliced in the direction of the arrow along with the narrow portion 31b of the cassette body, and the sliced slice is subjected to staining and other predetermined processing to obtain a microscope specimen.

FIG. 4 shows a paraffin block 39 obtained by pouring and solidifying a liquid paraffin 38 not only on the narrow portion 31b but also on the wide portion 31a of the cassette body 31 of FIG. 18 and 19 show an example of clamping and fixing. In this case, since the paraffin is also clogged in the widened portion 31a sandwiched and fixed between the arms 18, 19, the reinforcing member 40 is unnecessary as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the paraffin obtained by attaching the lid 32 and solidifying the liquid paraffin before the liquid paraffin 38 poured into the entire widened portion 31a solidifies in the case of FIG. This is an example in which a block 39 is clamped and fixed on the base 16 of the microtome 14 by both arms 18 and 19. In this case, the widened portion 31a sandwiched and fixed between the arms 18 and 19 is physically stronger than the case of FIG. 4 by the amount of the cover being attached.

Embodiment 2 In the cassette of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a locking projection 35 provided on the peripheral edge of the back surface of the lid 32 has a length substantially equal to the side wall of the widened portion 31a of the cassette body 31. Designed. The cassette designed in this manner is, as shown in FIG.
With both arms 1 on the base 16 of the microtome 14
8 and 19, the locking projections 3
5 serves as a reinforcing member, and the reinforcing member 4 shown in FIG.
0 can be omitted. However, also in this example, it is needless to say that the reinforcing body 40 may be used as shown in FIG. 3 if necessary, or the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

Embodiment 3 The cassette of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of Embodiment 1 except that the side wall of the widened portion 31a of the cassette body 31 is thickened as shown in FIG. With such a configuration, the strength of the side wall of the widened portion 31a is improved. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Is fixed to the base 16 by the arms 18 and 19.
However, also in this example, it is needless to say that the reinforcing body 40 may be used as shown in FIG. 3 if necessary, or the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

Embodiment 4 In the cassette of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the cassette main body 31 has a recording section 41 which is inclined outward and flared toward the bottom outside one side wall, and is provided on both sides. Stop groove 4
2 and 43, and the lid 32 is provided with locking pieces 44 and 45 that engage with the locking grooves 42 and 43. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 11, the microtome 14 is clamped and fixed on the base 16 of the microtome 14 by both arms 18 and 19. However, also in this example, it is needless to say that the reinforcing body 40 may be used as shown in FIG. 3 if necessary, or the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or FIG.

Although the case where one sample is stored in the cassette body has been described above, it is also possible to partition the inside of the cassette body and store a plurality of samples. In addition, through holes can be provided not only at the bottom of the cassette main body but also throughout the cassette main body including the side walls and the like, so that the permeability of the chemical solution and the immersion in the chemical solution can be enhanced.

[0031]

As described above, the cassette according to the present invention does not require the sample to be rinsed in the cassette and subjected to the chemical treatment, and the sample need not be transferred from the cassette to the tray. The embedding process can be performed, and the obtained paraffin block can be sliced together with the cassette by a microtome to prepare a microscope specimen, so that not only the workability is dramatically improved, but also the sample is transferred from the cassette to the tray. In this case, it is possible to completely avoid a trouble that the sample is accidentally dropped and spoiled. Therefore, if the medical examination cassette of the present invention is used, the preparation of the paraffin block can be automated or semi-automated, and a large labor saving is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of a cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a state in which a specimen is embedded in paraffin in the cassette of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the paraffin block obtained in FIG. 2 is sliced with a microtome.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing another example of slicing a paraffin block obtained by using the cassette of FIG. 1 with a microtome.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing still another example of slicing a paraffin block obtained by using the cassette of FIG. 1 with a microtome.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing another embodiment of the cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a paraffin block obtained by using the cassette of FIG. 6 is sliced by a microtome.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of the cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a state in which a paraffin block obtained by using the cassette of FIG. 8 is sliced by a microtome.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of the cassette of the present invention.

11 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a paraffin block obtained by using the cassette of FIG. 10 is sliced with a microtome.

FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an example of a conventional cassette.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a specimen is embedded in paraffin using a conventional cassette.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the paraffin block obtained in FIG. 14 is sliced with a microtome.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cassette main body 2 Lid 3,7 Through-hole 4 Recording part 5,6 Locking groove 8,9
Locking piece 10 Sample 11 Tray 12 Liquid paraffin 13 Cassette block 14 Microtome 15 Adapter 16 Base 17 Lever 18 Fixed arm 19 Movable arm 20 Locking claw 31 Cassette body 31a
Widening part 32 Lid 33, 3
4 Through-hole 35 Locking projection 36 Sample 37 Tray 38 Liquid paraffin 39 Paraffin block 40 Reinforcement 41 Recording unit 42, 4
3 Locking groove 44, 45 Locking piece

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cassette body comprising a chemical-resistant material and a lid, wherein the cassette body has an upper surface opened.
A medical test cassette comprising a rectangular container having a large number of through-holes, a lid being detachable from the cassette body, and having a large number of through-holes, capable of accommodating at least the sample in the cassette body. A medical examination cassette characterized in that a portion to be sliced can be sliced. 2. The medical examination cassette according to claim 1, wherein the cassette body is made of a synthetic resin, elastomer or rubber having chemical resistance. 3. The medical examination cassette according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of a portion of the cassette main body for accommodating a specimen is smaller than thicknesses of other portions. 4. The medical examination cassette according to claim 1, wherein the cassette main body has a convex shape comprising a wide portion and a narrow portion having a smaller width.