JP2002533670A - Method and apparatus for cutting tissue mass - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention relates to a tissue embedding method and apparatus for cutting an irregular mass of tissue into a plate having a cross section having the same orientation as a scanning plane used for CT, MRI, and PET scanning. When the mass of tissue is embedded in an alginate plastic polymer using an embedding device, the mass of tissue has a well-defined, contoured outer surface and conforms to the cross-sectional device. By the embedding method, for example, a tissue or an organ having an irregular surface such as a brain or a kidney can be cut reproducibly and in any direction. The machine consists of a row of long razor blades in a frame, which can be lowered through the operation of a crank. The razor blade frame is vibrated by the air vibrator. The alginate tissue mass is held in place by the vacuum created by the compressed air flow valve.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cutting a tissue mass for pathological examination. The invention further relates to a method and a device for preparing a tissue mass for cutting into pieces using the method on the device. The invention also relates to an embedding of the tissue obtained by the method and the device for preparing a tissue mass.

[0002] Usually, cutting of a large tissue mass for pathological examination is performed manually. This technique involves a special pathology knife used to cut slices of parenchymal organs such as the brain, liver, kidney, and heart. This cutting technique is rapid and sufficient for routine qualitative testing of pathology laboratories. However, since cutting by hand inevitably causes tissue deformation, the shape and thickness of the fragments obtained by this technique are extremely variable.

[0003] US Pat. No. 5,148,729 discloses a slicer for biological tissue, which is capable of producing slices of living tissue for biochemical, pathological and toxicological studies. With this machine, a single slice of tissue can be peeled from the tissue mass by a reciprocating cutting blade. The slices thus obtained are completely unsuitable for pathological examination purposes.

[0004] US Pat. No. 4,820,504 discloses a method for preparing a multi-sample tissue mass and fragments thereof. According to this, a plurality of specimens of a tissue having different antigen reactions are formed on a rod, embedded in a medium, and then sliced (sliced) into fragments each including a cross section of the rod. In this technique, the resulting slices of tissue are inaccurate in shape due to possible deformation during rod formation and slicing. Furthermore, these fragments can only be used as samples for checking different tissues in a multi-specimen tissue mass from which the fragments are sliced. This technique of preparing tissue sections for pathological examination is accurate and prevents tissue mass deformation to an acceptable degree.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to prevent problems leading to bias when a qualitative examination of an organ or tissue is desired. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new qualitative, unbiased stereo analysis technique, which requires cutting the tissue into pieces having equal thickness and orientation. .

[0006] The purpose of these is to arrange the tissue mass according to a predetermined orientation in the tissue mass, preferably CT or M
This is achieved by a method of cutting into thin sections corresponding to the orientation of the scanning surface such as R or PET scanning. In this manner, a mass of tissue, such as an internal organ or other in vivo anatomical structure, is placed in place and then simultaneously sliced into a plurality of fragments. In a second aspect, the invention includes an apparatus for cutting a tissue mass into slices in a predetermined orientation of the tissue mass in order to obtain a direct correlation with CT, MR, and PET images for pathological examination. The apparatus contains a support surface for receiving a tissue mass, a sectioning means having a plurality of cutting members, and a driving means for moving the cutting means toward the support surface to slice the tissue mass into fragments.

[0007] The present invention prevents problems leading to bias when a qualitative examination of an organ or tissue is desired. The present invention is ideally suited for a new qualitative, unbiased stereoscopic analysis technique that requires cutting a tissue mass into pieces having equal thickness and orientation. The present invention also provides for direct cross-sectioning of the resulting organs or tissues into corresponding scan planes from image modalities such as, for example, computed tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET). Can be correlated.

In a third and fourth aspect, the invention includes a method and apparatus for preparing a tissue mass for cutting on a slicing machine. In this preparation, the organ or tissue is embedded in an alginate plastic polymer mold, and the mold can be cut into pieces along with the embedded tissue on a tissue slicer. Finally, the present invention further includes an implant of tissue prepared using this method.

[0009] In a first embodiment of the method and apparatus for cutting a tissue mass of the present invention, the cutting means comprises a plurality of parallel cutting members disposed on a cutting frame. Thus, a fragment obtained by simultaneously cutting the tissue mass can be easily created by lowering and lowering the frame with the cutting member to the tissue mass below.

In a preferred embodiment, the spacing between the cutting members is adjustable. This makes a piece of predetermined thickness available.

[0011] The degree of tension of the cutting member can also be preferably adjusted. There is no danger of tissue deformation during the cutting operation.

In the first embodiment, the cutting member is a razor blade. This ensures a sharp and accurate cut without deformation of the tissue mass during the slicing operation.

In another embodiment, the cutting member is a wire. This provides a simpler and less expensive solution in place.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support surface comprises positioning means for providing a precise placement of the tissue mass. The tissue mass is preferably embedded in an embedding device having a predetermined reference plane. This ensures that the tissue is positioned with respect to the cutting member and that the resulting fragment can correspond to the scan plane used for scanning.

In a preferred embodiment, the support surface is provided with a vacuum pressure supply to hold the tissue mass in place. This provides a simple, hygienic and stable holding means.

In a preferred embodiment, a centering means is provided with a laser pointer for precisely positioning the tissue mass on the support surface. The laser can be used to help center the tissue mass in the center of the support surface so that the tissue mass can be accurately positioned relative to the cutting member.

The positioning may also include a concentric centering display circle on the support surface.
This may be further supplemented by an aiming crossing line. This can be, for example, in the form of a concentric recess on the support surface.

In particular, a concentric circular suction ring to which a vacuum pressure is supplied from a vacuum pressure supply means is provided so that a tissue mass can be held. This is particularly advantageous since vacuum pressure can be used not only for holding but also for aligning or centering the tissue mass.

Preferably, the cutting member is connected to the vibration means and vibrated during the slicing operation to facilitate the cutting operation and to prevent deformation of the tissue mass during the cutting operation. Advantageously, the vibration means comprises an air vibrator connected to the air supply means.

It is advantageous if the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pressure supply means is generated by a vacuum pressure generation means connected to the air supply means. This can reduce the number of control or supply devices required.

In a preferred embodiment, the driving device comprises a column guide provided on the support surface, and a linear actuator for linearly moving the cutting means toward the support surface along a path defined by the column guide. . This allows the cutting frame to move accurately and smoothly straight up and down relative to the support surface for cutting tissue. If a die set is used for the guiding means, the movement of the cutting frame can be carried out virtually without slack, which results in a cutting accuracy. The linear movement means preferably comprises a threaded drive spindle parallel to the guide means and a corresponding thread on the cutting frame.

In a first embodiment, the threaded drive spindle has a handle for manual operation. This provides a simple device for performing the cutting. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the drive spindle can be driven pneumatically or electrically.

In order to ensure good placement of the tissue mass on the device and to prevent deformation during cutting, the invention further relates to a method and device for preparing a tissue mass. The method comprises the steps of filling a suitable amount of a non-toxic, biologically inert polymer molding material into a frame having at least one reference surface, and removing a mass of tissue while the polymer molding material is in a soft state. Disposing in the polymer molding material at a predetermined position with respect to the at least one reference plane. In this way, the tissue mass has a neat exterior surface that is adapted by the shape of the mold to the support surface of the cutting device.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the tissue mass is disposed on the polymer material according to an orientation corresponding to the orientation (orientation) of the tissue mass in vivo. This ensures a correlation between the scanned image and the fragment.

The tissue mass is embedded in the lower mold part and the upper mold is formed in the upper mold. The upper mold is filled with a polymer molding material and placed over the lower mold portion, partially surrounding the tissue mass. As a result, the tissue mass is completely encapsulated by the mold. In this way, the top of the tissue is freed and is effectively prevented from being deformed by the cutting member.

In a preferred preparation method, the tissue mass is fixed in a reference mold of predetermined dimensions. The reference mold pivots in one or more directions to turn to a predetermined position and is then molded at least in the lower mold. Thereby, the orientation of the mass of tissue embedded in the reference plane can be accurately changed.

[0027] Preferably used polymeric materials are cold polymerisates, such as arginoplastic polymers, which polymerize upon the addition of water. Details of the device and the function of the device can be taken from the dependent claims 33 to 36.

Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for embedding tissue containing a tissue mass produced by the method and the device. This method of embedding tissue, which gives the tissue mass a neat reference surface, ensures that the mass is cut into slices accurately for pathology and other purposes. This technique of embedding a tissue mass in alginate or a similar suitable molding material can be used to cut a single slice or to cut multiple slices simultaneously as in the first embodiment of the present invention. Can be advantageously used prior to the cutting operation.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the tissue slicer. The tissue slicer is placed on an aluminum or steel substrate 1. The substrate 1 is preferably placed on a rubber pad or rubber mass attached to the substrate 1. The substrate 1 is connected to an aluminum or steel upper plate 2 by means of column guides having two columns 3. The column guide means moves the upper plate 2 up and down with respect to the substrate 1 through the operation of the crank and the spindles 8 and 9. At the center of the upper plate 2, a rectangular hole that forms a space for mounting the cutting frame 12 is provided. The cutting frame 12 is secured in place by screws or handles on the sides of the cutting frame 12. The cutting frame 12 comprises a number of cutting members 14 (see FIG. 2), preferably in the form of a thin razor blade of hardened steel. Each razor blade 14 is separated by a spacing block 38, which can be made of metal or plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting frame 12 can be replaced as a whole when the razor blade 12 wears out and loses its sharpness. In other embodiments, a separate block 38 of varying thickness can be used, while the knife houlem 12 allows for the replacement and removal of individual blades 14. On the side of the upper plate 2, a vibrator 4 which is operated by air or electricity is arranged. This, when activated,
The cutting means including the upper plate 2 and the knife frame 12 is vibrated along the long axis of the razor blade 14. This means that the knife 14 has a tissue 20 and an alginate mass 25 (FIG. 3).
a, 3b) to facilitate the cutting procedure by reducing friction. An air valve 7 for compressed air is also arranged on the side of the upper plate 2, and the air vibrator 4 operates the present embodiment. The air vibrator 4 is connected via an air hose 5 to an air actuated air valve 7. A pneumatic air valve 7 is connected at the air intake 6 to a source of compressed air. On the other side of the top plate 2 or, in another embodiment, on the substrate 1, a vacuum valve 13 with a vacuum vent 10 is arranged. In one embodiment, the vacuum vent 10 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). In a second embodiment, the vacuum pressure is generated by a second pneumatic air flow valve. A vacuum hose 15 connects the vacuum valve 13 to a recess and an associated opening 16 for holding and vacuum securing the alginate and tissue mass 25. On the support surface of the substrate 1, the concentric circles 17 and the cross-cuts allow centering of the alginate and tissue mass 25. To further assist in centering the tissue and alginate mass 25, a laser pointer 11 pointing to a vacuum hole in the center of the vacuum opening 16 is provided on the top plate.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a cutting frame 12 constituted by a knife 14 at an angle to the horizontal plane of the substrate 1. This embodiment reduces friction and deformation when cutting the tissue and alginate mass 25. In one embodiment, the knife frame 12 comprises a non-replaceable razor blade 14, and if the blade becomes dull, the entire frame 12 must be replaced. In another embodiment, the knife frame allows for the replacement of individual blades and the use of spacing blocks 38 of different thicknesses.

The support structure of the tissue slicer comprises upper and lower plates 1, 2 guided by columns. The upper plate 2 includes a set of parallel oriented knives 14 arranged on a frame 12. The knives 14 are mounted in a "knife frameset" and the knives 14 are separated by a high-resistance separation block 38 of equal thickness. The knife distance can be changed by replacing it with a different knife frameset. The frame of the tissue slicer is provided with an air vibrator 4, which oscillates the knife frame set along its longitudinal axis, ie along the cutting edge of the knife. The vibration of the knife frame 12 reduces friction as the knife frame 12 passes through the alginate and tissue mass 25. A knife frame with a vibrator is mounted on a columnar reed with a crank 19 which rotates to allow movement of the knife frame 12 in the vertical plane. To fix the alginate-tissue mass 25, the substrate 1 of the tissue slicer is provided with a suction pad which is activated by placing the alginate-tissue mass and then opening the vacuum valve. The concentric rings of the suction pad also serve to center the alginate and tissue mass. At this time, the laser pointer determines the center.

Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b. Any tissue mass 20 or organ can be embedded in an alginate plastic mold 25. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tissue 20 is first embedded in the lower mold 22 of alginate. This is done by injecting a mixture of alginate powder and water into a mold 21 such as a plastic jar, and then placing the tissue 20 in a still soft alginate-water mixture in a mold 22. When the lower part 22 of the alginate hardens, the upper mold 23
In a similar manner, ie a second form 2 such as a second plastic jar.
By arranging 4, 4 can be molded. This upper mold 23 is then removed and the lower part 22 of the alginate is successfully placed on the tissue slicer shown in FIG. 1 using anatomical landmarks. In a second embodiment, the tissue 20 can be completely molded in alginate, after which the mass of tissue and alginate is CT or MRI scanned. When placed on the tissue slicer in the same way as on a CT or MRI scanner, the resulting cross section of the tissue corresponds to the scan plane. In a third embodiment of the embedding procedure, the alginate-embedded tissue can be cut with a prior art tissue cutting machine such as a cryostat, vibratome, microtome.

For embedding the tissue, alginate plastic polymer from Bayer Dental was used. Alginate is a non-toxic, low temperature polymer that polymerizes after the addition of water. The alginate powder is stirred in water and then poured into a plastic jar or other formwork 21 of the appropriate size to accommodate the tissue mass in question. Next, an organ or tissue mass 20 such as a pig brain is placed in a still soft polymer,
The alginate is held in place until it hardens. Embedding is a crucial step in the procedure, and care must be taken to orient the tissue 20 in alginate as well as the tissue in vivo. If accuracy is not an issue,
This is accomplished using a protractor 34-36 and a dissection target on the tissue 20 in question. For high accuracy, a tissue embedding device must be used. A further option is to mold another alginate mold 24 over the tissue and the alginate underside 22. This is done to support the tissue 20 during the cutting procedure to avoid tissue deformation. In the following this will be referred to as the lower part 2 of the tissue and alginate.
2. Described as alginate lid 24.

If scanning is not required prior to the pathological removal of the organ, another method that can be used is to embed the organ 20 in alginate and remove the tissue and alginate mass 2.
5 may perform the desired computer-aided scanning mode, and then perform the cutting described in the first aspect of the invention. According to this method, if the mass 25 of tissue and alginate is placed in the cutter in the same manner as in CT, MRI, and PET scanners, the resulting digital image scan plane corresponds to the cross section of the tissue, Tissue mass 20
The need for orientation is eliminated.

In a device for cutting a tissue mass, a tissue mass 25 having an embedded tissue 20
Are placed on suction pads 16 on the support surface and concentric circles 17 on substrate 1 of the tissue slicer.
And the laser pointer 11 are used for centering with respect to the cutting frame 12. Subsequent to centering, the alginate tissue mass 25 is secured by the operation of the vacuum valve 13 and is ready for cutting. This can be done with or without the alginate lid 24. When the air valve 7 is opened, the air vibrator 4 is operated, and the cutting frame 12 starts to vibrate. Due to the steady rotational movement, the columnar lead crank 19 is rotated, and the cutting frame 12 moves down the mass 25 of alginate and tissue. The result of the cut is a set of alginate and tissue plaques (not shown) having the same thickness and oriented corresponding to the scan plane of the computer-aided scanning mode.

4a-4g illustrate a method and apparatus for preparing a tissue mass by embedding the tissue mass 20 in an alginate plastic polymer. This allows the organization 20 to
It can be performed by orienting on a T, MRI, or PET scanning plane.

FIG. 4 a shows the embedding device. The embedding device comprises a central plastic rod 28 with a spherical upper end 28a and two concentric plastic cylinders, an inner cylinder 29 and an outer cylinder 30. The rod 28 is a plastic substrate 3
1 and the cylinders 29, 30 also rest on the plastic substrate 31 in their storage positions. At the top of the outer cylinder 30, four threaded or unthreaded plastic pins 33 are arranged at 90 ° intervals perpendicular to the long axis of the cylinder 30 (see FIG. 12).

The reference molding frame 27 is placed on a plate means 32 having two half parts. The plate means 32 rests on the inner cylinder 29 on each side of the rod 28. In this way, a reference molding frame is defined. The frame is filled with the polymer molding material 26 and the mass of tissue 20 is placed on the material 26. That is, the tissue mass 20 is embedded in the reference material 26 as shown in FIG. 4b, excluding the plate means 32 and the frame 27.

FIG. 4 c shows the tissue and alginate reference mold 26 placed in the embedding device.
The alginate mold 26 is first secured by two plastic pins 33 facing each other at 180 degrees. This plane is defined as the X plane. Desired CT, MRI, P
Tissue and alginate canonical form for horizontal Z-plane determined from ET scan 26
Is calculated by the protractor 36 (see FIG. 8) in one embodiment. In the second embodiment, the protractor 36 is equipped with a laser guide 34 for irradiating the beam 35 toward the mold and measuring the inclination angle. Once the tissue and the alginate reference material 26 have been fixed at the desired angle in the X plane, they are then similarly fixed by two plastic pins 33 arranged at right angles in the Y plane.

FIG. 4 e shows the molding of the lower part 22 of the second alginate. The shape of the lower mold 22 is adapted to the tissue slicer of FIG. First, the outer cylinder 30 is lifted, and the second substrate 37 is slid into the corresponding horizontal opening in the cylinder 30. The lower part 22 of the second alginate is subsequently molded, while the outer cylinder 30 forms the lateral part of the mold.

FIG. 4 f shows the mounting of the upper frame 21 on the outer cylinder 30. Following this, the upper mold 24 of alginate is cast over the lower mold 22 and the tissue mass 20.

FIG. 4 g shows that the outer cylinder 30 slides and retracts toward the substrate 31 and is separated from the embedding device by the alginate mold 25, ie, the reference mold 26, the lower mold 22 and the upper mold 2.
4 shows an embedded tissue mass 20.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the outer cylinder 30, the inner cylinder 29, the center rod 28, and the plastic pin 33 that changes the orientation of the tissue mass reference mold 26. This embedding device allows for accurate three-dimensional orientation (orientation) of the tissue reference mold 26 for CT, MRI, and PET scans. Following the correct orientation of the tissue reference mold 26, a second shaping is performed, with a second shaping having an outer surface that fits into the tissue slicer.
The lower part 22 of the alginate is made. If desired, a final alginate lid 24 can be molded over the tissue 20 and alginate mold 22 to prevent tissue deformation during the cutting operation. The embedding device comprises a circular rod 29 made of a transparent plastic such as plexiglass, two outer concentric plastic cylinders 29, 30, a fixing pin 33, a semi-circular plastic plate 32, and preferably also a plug-in made of plastic material. And a substrate 37.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for cutting a tissue mass according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cutting frame of the device.

FIG. 3a shows a tissue mass embedded at the base of alginate.

FIG. 3b shows a tissue mass embedded with alginate base and embedded in the base of alginate.

FIG. 4a shows the embedding device and the stages of the embedding procedure of oriented alginate.

FIG. 4b shows the embedding device and the stages of the embedding procedure of the oriented alginate.

FIG. 4c shows the embedding device and the stages of the embedding procedure of the oriented alginate.

Figure 4d shows the embedding device and the stages of the embedding procedure of the oriented alginate.

FIG. 4e shows the embedding device and the stages of the embedding procedure of the oriented alginate.

FIG. 4f shows the embedding device and the stages of the embedding procedure of the oriented alginate.

FIG. 4g shows the embedding device and the stages of the embedding procedure of the oriented alginate.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the embedding device of FIGS. 4a to 4g.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 31, 37 Substrate 2 Upper plate 3 Column 4 Vibrator 5, 15 Air hose 6 Air intake 7 Pneumatic valve 8, 9 Spindle 10 Vacuum vent 11 Laser pointer 12 Cutting frame 13 Vacuum valve 14 Cutting member 16 Suction pad 17 Concentric circle 19 Crank 20 Tissue mass 21, 24, 27 Molding frame 22 Lower mold 23 Upper mold 25 Alginate mass 26 Molding material 28 Plastic rod 29 Inner cylinder 30 Outer cylinder 32 Plate means 33 Plastic pin 34 Laser guide 35 Beam 36 Protractor 38 Separation block

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID , IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72 ) Inventors Selsen, Ulric, Kuyagar, Denmark-2700 Blonshoy, Nesby Homwey 2.1. Tivi (72) Inventor Cancian, Graziano Denmark. Dek-8463 Anse, Tailgate 44 (72) Inventor Bujakam, Kirsten, Reides Denmark. DK-8240 RISCOVE, PAMERILEVEY 12 F term (reference) 2G045 AA24 BA14 BB22 CB01 CB26 FA19 JA07 2G052 AA28 AD34 EC01 EC02 FA02 FD20 GA19 GA21 GA25 HC25 JA09 JA16

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. A method for cutting a mass of tissue into slices at a predetermined orientation of the mass of tissue suitably corresponding to the orientation of a scanning plane such as CT, MR, PET scanning, etc. A method comprising placing a mass of tissue, such as an in-vivo structure, at a predetermined location and then slicing it into a plurality of fragments simultaneously. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the simultaneous cutting operation is performed by a plurality of cutting members oriented in parallel. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tissue mass is fixed to a predetermined orientation corresponding to the orientation of the tissue mass in the living body before being placed. how to. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mass of tissue is placed on a support surface for cutting and is applied to one or more suction pads on the lower surface of the mass of tissue. Held in place by applying vacuum pressure. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cutting member is attached to a frame for engaging and cutting the mass of tissue under the cutting member. And how. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the cutting member is vibrated during the cutting operation. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a centering of the tissue mass on the support surface is performed before the cutting operation. 8. An apparatus for cutting a tissue mass into slices according to a predetermined orientation in the tissue mass in order to obtain a direct correlation with CT, MR, and PET images for pathological examination, An apparatus comprising: a support surface for receiving a mass; a cutting unit including a plurality of cutting members; and a driving unit for moving the cutting unit toward the support surface and slicing the tissue mass into pieces. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cutting means comprises a plurality of parallel cutting members disposed on the cutting frame. 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the distance between the cutting members is adjustable. 11. The device according to claim 8, wherein:
An apparatus wherein the degree of tension of the cutting member is adjustable. 12. The device according to claim 8, wherein:
An apparatus wherein the cutting member is a razor blade. 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein:
An apparatus wherein the cutting member is a wire. 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein:
An apparatus characterized in that the support surface comprises positioning means for accurately positioning the tissue mass, preferably the tissue mass is embedded in an embedding device having a predetermined reference surface. 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein:
The apparatus wherein the support surface comprises vacuum pressure supply means for holding the tissue mass in place. 16. The device according to claim 14, further comprising a laser pointer for accurately placing the tissue mass on the support surface. 17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the support surface is provided with a concentric center display circle, which may be provided with an aiming crosshair. 18. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the support surface is provided with concentric recesses. 19. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a concentric circular suction ring, to which a vacuum pressure is supplied from a vacuum pressure supply means to hold a tissue mass. An apparatus characterized in that: 20. The device according to claim 1, wherein:
An apparatus wherein the cutting member is coupled to the vibration means and vibrates during the slicing operation. 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the vibration means comprises an air vibrator coupled to the air supply means. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the vacuum pressure of the vacuum pressure supply means is generated by a vacuum pressure generation means connected to the air supply means. An apparatus characterized in that: 23. The device according to any one of claims 8 to 22, wherein
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving means includes a column guide provided on the support surface, and a linear operation unit for linearly moving the cutting unit to the support surface along a path defined by the column guide. 24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the linear movement means comprises a threaded drive spindle, the drive spindle being parallel to the column guide means and corresponding to the threads of the cutting frame. apparatus. 25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the threaded drive spindle comprises a handle for manual operation. 26. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the drive spindle is driven by air or electricity. 27. A reference position used for preparing a mass of tissue such as an organ with a tissue embedding device and using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and the device according to any one of claims 8 to 26. Filling a suitable amount of a non-toxic, biologically inert polymer molding material into a mold having at least one reference surface, wherein the polymer molding material is in a soft state. Placing a mass of tissue in the polymer molding material at a predetermined location with respect to the at least one reference plane. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the tissue mass is disposed on the polymeric material according to an orientation corresponding to an orientation of the tissue mass in vivo. 29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the mass of tissue is embedded in the lower mold part, the upper mold is formed in an upper mold frame filled with a polymer molding material, and A method comprising placing a mold frame on a lower mold portion having a partially wrapped tissue mass and completely wrapping the tissue mass in a mold. 30. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the mass of tissue is fixed to a reference mold of predetermined dimensions, the reference mold pointing in one or more directions to a predetermined position. After being changed, is molded at least in the lower mold. 31. The method according to claim 27, wherein the polymer material is a low temperature polymerizable by the addition of water, such as an alginate plastic polymer. 32. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 26, wherein
31. An apparatus for effecting embedding of tissue according to the method of any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the apparatus defines a reference mold and a first embedding mass of tissue in the mold.
Shaping means, arranging means including at least one set of pivoting means for changing the orientation of the reference mold, and second shaping means defining a lower shaping frame, wherein the first shaping means has a tubular side. Part and a first providing a bottom surface of the reference formwork
A bottom plate means, wherein the second molding means comprises a retractable tubular side wall, and a second plate means for providing a bottom surface of the lower molding frame. 33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein a third shaping means is provided to define an upper shaping frame, said third shaping means comprising a frame of tubular side walls, the cross section of which is the second shaping means. An apparatus generally corresponding to the tubular side wall of the molding means. 34. A retractable piston according to claim 32 or claim 33, centrally disposed, having a hemispherical end, which, when extended, reaches the reference form and forms part of the reference form. An apparatus comprising: 35. Apparatus according to any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein the pivoting means is provided in the outer edge region of the two oppositely arranged and aligned second shaping means. An apparatus comprising a pin, wherein the pin is radially inserted into a reference mold to define a pivot axis and pivot the reference mold to a desired position. 36. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the two sets of pivoting means comprise two sets.
An apparatus characterized in that it defines two preferably mutually orthogonal pivot axes. 37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 26 for providing a predetermined reference surface, wherein the apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 26 performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A tissue embedding that provides a predetermined reference surface for accurately positioning a mass, such that a mass of tissue, such as an internal organ, or other anatomical in vivo structure can be used as a tissue mass for pathological examination. Embedded in a mold having a predetermined reference surface, preferably a bottom surface, for accurate positioning in a device for cutting a slab. 38. The implant of tissue according to claim 37, wherein the tissue mass comprises a lower mold portion and an upper mold portion, wherein the tissue mass is wrapped within the mold portions. Embedded material characterized by being. 39. The implant of claim 37 or 38, wherein the mold part is made of a non-toxic plastic polymer material, in particular an alginate plastic polymer.