JP2023172679A - Slice preparation device and support member - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a slice preparation device that can solve the problems of wrinkles and breakage or the like arising in a slice depending on the type of slice and the skills of an operator, and that provides a technique for stably placing a slice on a grid and improves work efficiency as much as possible.SOLUTION: A slice preparation device comprises: a blade 3 that prepares slices by slicing a sample; a liquid storage part 2 that stores a liquid for making the slices float; and a support member 20 having a grid support structure 21 for supporting a grid G on which the slices floating on the liquid are placed. The grid support structure 21 comprises: a lower support surface 21b for supporting a lower surface of the grid G so that an upper surface of the grid G forms a downward inclination toward the slices floating on the liquid; and an upper support surface 21c arranged so that it can abut on the upper surface of the grid G.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to a sectioning device.

BACKGROUND ART In order to observe a sample using an electron microscope or the like, a sample embedded in a resin or the like is sliced thinly using a microtome. For example, please refer to Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-33312

The sliced sections as described above are placed on a grid mesh or Formvar support membrane for observation, analysis, etc. In order to carry out the mounting, the section immediately after being sliced is floated on the surface of a liquid such as water, and an eyelash tool is used to guide the section to the position of the mesh of the grid or the position of the support membrane. The tips of the grid, section, and eyelash tools are all small. Therefore, depending on the type of section, the skill of the operator, etc., wrinkles, damage, etc. may occur in the section. Therefore, a technique that can stably place sections on a grid is desired. Furthermore, since it is often necessary to place a large number of sections on the grid, it is also desirable to improve the efficiency of the work as much as possible.

A sectioning device according to a first aspect includes a blade for slicing a sample to create a section, a liquid storage section for storing a liquid in which the section floats, and a grid supporting a grid for placing the section floating on the liquid. a support member having a support structure, the grid support structure has a lower support surface that supports a lower surface of the grid such that the upper surface of the grid slopes downward toward the section floating in the liquid; and an upper support surface disposed so as to be able to come into contact with the upper surface of the grid.

A sectioning device according to a second aspect includes a blade for slicing a sample to create a section, a liquid storage section for storing a liquid in which the section floats, and a support for supporting a grid for placing the section floating on the liquid. a grid support structure that supports the grid such that the top surface of the grid slopes downward toward one end of the support member; and at least one member that extends vertically through the support member. one slit, at least a portion of the at least one slit being disposed below the grid supported by the grid support structure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a boat of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a boat of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a boat of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a boat of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a boat of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support member of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. It is a sectional view of the support member of the sectioning device of a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of a support member of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. It is a top view of the support member of the sectioning device of 1st Embodiment. It is a sectional view of the support member of the sectioning device of the 1st modification of a 1st embodiment. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of a sectioning device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the sectioning device of the first embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of main parts of a sectioning device according to a first embodiment; FIG. It is a top view of the support member of the sectioning device of the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the support member of the sectioning device of the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the principal part of the sectioning device of the 4th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the principal part of the sectioning device of the 5th modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the support member of the sectioning device of 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a support member of a sectioning device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a support member of a sectioning device according to a third embodiment. It is a side view of the support member of the sectioning device of 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a support member of a sectioning device according to a fourth embodiment. It is a side view of the support member of the sectioning device of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view of the support member of the sectioning device of 5th Embodiment.

The sectioning device according to the first embodiment will be explained below using the drawings.
The sectioning device of this embodiment is sometimes called a knife because it slices a sample and creates thin sections. The thin section is used for observation and analysis using an electron microscope, an optical microscope, an infrared absorption analyzer, an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, and the like. Further, one example of a sectioning device uses a diamond to create an ultra-thin section, and in this case is also called a diamond knife. The sectioning device is used by being mounted on a known microtome or ultramicrotome. Samples include bacteria, viruses, animal and plant cells or tissues, materials, metals, composites, ruins, meteorites, and other samples can also be used. In one example, a sample embedded in resin or the like is sliced by a sectioning device.

1 to 4 show the sectioning device 1 with the support member 20 (FIG. 6) removed. The sectioning device 1 supports a boat (liquid storage section) 2 with an open upper side, a blade 3 and a drainage path 4 provided in the boat 2, and a substrate P (FIG. 5) disposed inside the boat 2. It is equipped with a support stand 5 that can be used. The substrate P has conventionally been used to place a section (FIG. 13) floating in a liquid (water or the like) in the tank 2a.

The boat 2 has a front-back direction, a left-right direction, and an up-down direction that are perpendicular to each other, and the front-back direction and the left-right direction correspond to the horizontal direction, and the up-down direction corresponds to the vertical direction. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the X direction is the front-back direction, the Y direction is the left-right direction, and the Z direction is the up-down direction. Hereinafter, the side where the blade 3 is located in the X direction will be explained as the front side of the boat 2, and the other end side in the X direction will be explained as the rear side of the boat 2. The boat 2 is made of metal, plastic, or the like.

The boat 2 has, for example, a tank 2a surrounded by a front wall 2b, a rear wall 2c, and a pair of side walls 2d and 2e, and a liquid (such as water) for floating the sections can be stored in the tank 2a. can. As shown in FIG. 5, the boat 2 is a well-known boat in which substrates P such as cover glasses, slide glasses, and silicon wafers can be placed in the tank 2a, but boats having other shapes and structures can also be used. It is.

A fixing part 8 for fixing the sectioning device to a microtome or ultramicrotome is provided on the lower side of the boat 2.
A blade 3 is fixed to the front end of the boat 2. In one example, the upper end of the blade 3 is made of diamond, and the slices sliced by the diamond blade 3 float in the liquid stored in the tank 2a.

A drain passage 4 serving as a discharge means is provided to discharge liquid from the inside of the boat 2 to the outside. The drain path 4 is provided to communicate with the tank 2a, and more specifically opens to the bottom of the tank 2a, the front wall 2b, the rear wall 2c, the side walls 2d, 2e, etc. A joint 7 for connecting a tube (not shown) is attached to the outlet of the drain path 4, and the drain path 4 communicates with the inside of the joint 7.

In this embodiment, the support stand 5 has the first support part 11 and the second support part 12 arranged in the X direction, but only one of the first support part 11 and the second support part 12 is arranged in the tank 2a. Good too. The support parts 11 and 12 are made of metal, plastic, or the like.

In one example, the first support part 11 is fixed to the boat 2 or formed integrally with the boat 2 . The second support portion 12 can be placed at any position in the X direction within the tank 2a. The first support portion 11 has a plurality of steps 11a that are gradually lowered toward the rear end of the boat 2. The second support part 12 has a plurality of steps 12a that are gradually lowered toward the front side of the boat 2. The height position of the support member 20 can be easily adjusted by placing the support member 20, which will be described later, on any step among the plurality of steps 11a and 12a that are the support height adjustment structure. This is useful for facilitating the setting work by the operator. If the height dimension of each step 11a, 12a is further reduced, setting work can be performed more precisely.

The sectioning device of this embodiment includes a support member 20. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the support member 20 has a grid support structure 21 that supports the grid G. As shown in FIGS. The grid G is for placing the section S, and its shape and structure are not limited to those described in this embodiment. In one example, the grid support structure 21 is provided by forming a gap 21a on the upper surface of the support member 20, and in this embodiment, the gap 21a is formed by wire cutting or the like. As shown in FIG. 10, it is also possible to form the gap 21a by fixing another member 20a to the support member 20, or it is also possible to form the gap 21a by other methods.

The support member 20 is made of metal. Support member 20 may be made using other materials. In this embodiment, the support member 20 is made of aluminum, and its surface is subjected to color alumite treatment. The color alumite treatment contributes to improving the visibility when viewing the support member 20, grid G, section S, etc. with a microtome microscope.
Hereinafter, one end side of the support member 20 in the X direction may be explained as the front side, the other end side of the support member 20 in the X direction may be explained as the rear side, and the Y direction of the support member 20 may be explained as the width direction. The one end side of the support member 20 is the side closer to the blade 3 of the boat 2.

The gap 21a extends obliquely downward toward the front side. In this embodiment, the gap 21a is provided throughout the support member 20 in the width direction. Note that, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when one end side (front end side) of the grid G is inserted into the gap 21a, the grid G is supported by the grid support structure 21. The grid support structure 21 has a lower support surface 21b that slopes downward toward the front, and an upper support surface 21c that faces the lower support surface 21b.

In this embodiment, an upper support surface 21c is provided that faces the lower support surface 21b by forming the gap 21a. The lower surface of the grid G is supported by the lower support surface 21b, and in this state, the upper support surface 21c can come into contact with the upper surface of the grid G on the front end side. The thickness of the grid G is approximately 0.03 mm in one example. In this embodiment, the distance D (FIG. 7) between the lower support surface 21b and the upper support surface 21c in the gap 21a is 0.06 mm or more, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more. Therefore, a part of the grid G (front end side) can be easily inserted into the gap 21a, and even a slightly curved grid G can be easily inserted into the gap 21a. Furthermore, the grid G is thin and easily deformed by handling tools such as tweezers. It is useful for the distance D to be sufficiently larger than the thickness of the grid G to prevent the above-mentioned deformation.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the support member 20 is supported by a support stand 5 within the boat 2. As shown in FIGS. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a liquid is put in the tank 2a of the boat 2, and the upper end side (rear end side) of the grid G supported by the support member 20 comes out above the liquid level WS. In this state, the section S is placed on the grid G. In the case of the grid G having holes H as shown in FIG. 9, the holes H are formed with Formvar support membranes. Instead of the grid G, a known grid provided with a plurality of holes H, a known grid in which a mesh is formed at the positions of the holes H, or other types of known grids may be used. As the grid G, it is possible to use a grid manufactured by Beco, Gilder, or the like.

The grid G tends to float in liquid due to surface tension phenomenon or the like. For this reason, when an operator placing the section S on the grid G using a handling device positions the grid G in the liquid, it may be difficult to determine the position of the grid G due to the buoyant force of the liquid acting on the grid G. be. In this embodiment, when the grid G is supported by the grid support structure 21, the lower surface of the grid G is supported by the lower support surface 21b. Further, the upper support surface 21c is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the upper surface of the grid G on the front end side. In other words, the movement of the grid G is regulated by the upper support surface 21c and the lower support surface 21b.

With the above configuration, when the grid G is supported by the grid support structure 21, the above-mentioned problems are unlikely to occur. The effect can be sufficiently obtained if the distance D (FIG. 7) between the lower support surface 21b and the upper support surface 21c is 5 times or less the thickness of the grid G, and can be sufficiently obtained even if the distance D is 10 times or less the thickness of the grid G. It will be done. The thickness of the grid G made by Beco, Gilder, etc. is often about 0.03 mm, and in this case, 5 times the thickness of the grid G is 0.15 mm. The outer diameter of the grid G made by Beco, Gilder, etc. is about 3 mm, and if the distance D is 1/6 or less (0.5 mm or less) of the outer diameter of the grid G, the above effect or a similar effect can be achieved. . Note that even if the distance D is greater than or equal to the above-mentioned value, it is sufficient if the above-mentioned effect can be obtained.

As described above, since the distance D is sufficiently larger than the thickness dimension of the grid G, the grid G can be easily attached to and detached from the grid support structure 21. The distance D needs to be equal to or greater than the thickness of the grid G, but considering the attachment and detachment of the grid G, the distance D is preferably at least 2.5 times the thickness of the grid G, and more preferably at least 3 times the thickness of the grid G. It is even more preferable that there be.
In this embodiment, a contact portion 21d is provided in the gap 21a, with which a portion of the grid G contacts in the insertion direction of the grid G, and this is in order to keep the amount of protrusion of the grid G from the liquid surface WS constant. It is useful for

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the section S created by the blade 3 is placed at a predetermined position on the grid G by a section guiding device called an eyelash tool or the like. The predetermined position is the position of the hole H or the mesh. In FIG. 13, one cut out of a plurality of continuous sections S is placed on the grid G, but a plurality of continuous sections S may be placed on the grid G in some cases. In one example, as shown in FIG. 13, part or all of the section S rides on the grid G, so that the section S is placed on the grid G.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 10, 13, etc., the upper surface of the grid G supported by the lower support surface 21b slopes downward toward the section S created by the blade 3 and floating on the liquid. Therefore, the section S can be smoothly guided so that part or all of the section S runs on the grid G. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the angle α between the lower support surface 21b and the lower reference surface (horizontal surface) 20b of the support member 20 is 30 degrees when viewed from the Y direction. In order to improve workability such as ease of attachment and detachment of the grid G when liquid is contained in the tank 2a, it is preferable that the angle α is 15° or more. Further, the angle α is preferably 70° or less, more preferably 45° or less so that the state of the section S on the grid G can be easily seen from a microtome microscope. The lower reference surface 20b may be any surface that is horizontal in the support member 20 or the boat 2 in use. Further, the angle α may be an angle that the upper surface of the grid G supported by the grid support structure 21 makes with the horizontal plane. In this case, the above angular ranges apply as well.

In the X direction in which the grid G is inclined, the upper support surface 21c can come into contact with the upper surface of the grid G on one end side. In this embodiment, the one end side is the lower side of the inclined grid G. More specifically, the side lower than the center C (FIG. 13) of the grid G can be referred to as the one end side, and it is sufficient if the upper support surface 21c can come into contact with the upper surface of any part thereof. That is, the most extreme part of the grid G in the X direction may come into contact with the upper support surface 21c, but may not come into contact with the upper support surface 21c.

Here, the lower surface of the grid G may be supported not by a single support surface but by a plurality of lower support surfaces 21b. Also in this embodiment, one grid G is supported by two lower support surfaces 21b separated in the Y direction. The lower surface of the grid G may be supported by a plurality of small lower support surfaces. This modification is also possible on the upper support surface 21c.

The upper support surface 21c suppresses lifting of the grid G, movement of the grid G, and the like. Note that the contact of the lower surface of the grid G with the lower support surface 21b also contributes to suppressing lifting of the grid G and movement of the grid G.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the grid G can be easily attached and detached, work efficiency can be improved. Moreover, the lower support surface 21b and the upper support surface 21c hold the grid G in a constant posture, which facilitates the work of placing the section S on the grid G, prevents the section S from being wrinkled or damaged, and prevents the section S from being wrinkled or damaged. This makes it possible to accurately place the material on the grid G.
Furthermore, the grid G is supported by the lower support surface 21b such that the upper surface of the grid G slopes downward toward the front wall 2b side where the blade 3 is arranged in the boat 2. This configuration is useful for smoothly guiding the section S toward the grid G.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 16, the lower support surface 21b may be arranged such that the upper surface of the grid G slopes downward toward the side wall 2e where the blade 3 is not arranged. Even in this case, if the upper surface of the grid G slopes downward toward the slice S created by the blade 3 and floating in the liquid, the same effect as described above can be achieved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, it is also possible to provide a grid support structure 21 in which the upper support surface 21c can abut only on the upper surface of one end side of the grid G in the width direction (Y direction). In this case, the operator inserts one end of the grid G in the Y direction into the gap 21a. Furthermore, the upper support surface 21c of the grid support structure 21 may be configured to be able to come into contact with another portion of the upper surface of the grid G. Even in these cases, the above-mentioned lifting of the grid G and the movement of the grid G can be suppressed.

The operator removes the grid G on which the section S is placed from the grid support structure 21 using a handling instrument such as tweezers, and similarly attaches a new grid G to the grid support structure 21 using the handling instrument. In this embodiment, the upper end side (rear end side) of the grid G is exposed above the liquid surface WS, which contributes to accurate holding of the grid G by the handling instrument and to improved efficiency of handling work of the grid G. This structure in which the upper end side of the grid G can be held by the handling device without lowering the liquid level WS contributes to improving work efficiency.

On the other hand, there is also a method of lowering the liquid level WS in the tank 2a when removing the grid G from the grid support structure 21, and for this purpose, the liquid is discharged from the drain path 4. In this case, the section S is stably supported by the grid G, which is useful for preventing problems that may occur depending on the skill of the operator or the type of section S. The defects include wrinkles, damage, etc. of the section S.

The support member 20 is formed with a first slit 22 and a second slit 23 that vertically penetrate the support member 20 . In this embodiment, the first slit 22 and the second slit 23 are formed from one end (front end) of the support member 20 in the X direction and extend toward the other end (rear end) in the X direction.

In this embodiment, the first slit 22 extends from one end (front end) of the support member 20 in the X direction toward the position where the grid G is supported by the grid support structure 21 . Further, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the first slit 22 is formed to the rear end of the grid G supported by the grid support structure 21. With this configuration, when the upper end side of the grid G is held by the handling instrument, it is possible to insert the tip of the handling instrument into the first slit 22, which contributes to improved workability.

Note that it is also possible to provide the first slit 22 up to the position shown by the broken line 22c in FIG. Even in this case, the first slit 22 opens in a wall 21e (FIGS. 6 and 9) extending downward or diagonally downward from the rear end of the lower support surface 21b. Therefore, the tip of the handling instrument can be inserted into the first slit 22 through the opening, and the tip of the handling instrument can be placed below the grid G using the first slit 22.

When the section S is placed on the grid G by the section guiding instrument, liquid flows slightly as the section S moves, and the flowing liquid flows through the first slit 22. This configuration is advantageous in guiding the section S to the grid G smoothly. In this embodiment, it is considered that the flowing liquid may flow through the second slit 23 that is substantially parallel to the first slit 22, and this configuration also contributes to smooth guidance of the section S. If the angle formed by the first slit 22 and the second slit 23 is 15 degrees or less, it can be said that the first slit 22 and the second slit 23 are substantially parallel.

In this embodiment, a plurality of second slits 23 are provided on both sides of the first slit 22, but a configuration in which one second slit 23 is provided on both sides or one side of the first slit 22 is adopted. It is also possible to do so, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration without the second slit 23.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the width W1 of the first slit 22 is 1 mm or more, and the width W2 of the second slit 23 is 0.5 mm or less. That is, the width W1 is more than twice the width W2. It is thought that this configuration contributes to smoother flow of the liquid in this embodiment. A similar effect can be achieved if the width W1 is 1.5 times or more the width W2. It is preferable that the width W1 is 0.5 mm or more. Moreover, it is more preferable that the width W1 is three times or more the width W2. Further, as shown in FIG. 13 and the like, it is often preferable that the width W1 is equal to or larger than the width of the hole H of the grid G in order to smoothly guide the section S to the grid G.

The slits 22 and 23 also contribute to smooth movement of the liquid even when the liquid level WS is lowered and the section S is attached to the grid G as described above. The structure in which liquid hardly remains on the support member 20 when lowering the liquid level WS contributes to stable attachment of the sections S to the grid G. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface 25 of the support member 20 on the front end side of the grid support structure 21 is a convex curved surface. The convex curved surface draws an arc in the X direction and/or the Y direction. In this embodiment, for example, 70% or more of the upper surface 25 is the curved surface. Further, the lower support surface 21b is inclined in the X direction, and the first slit 22 extends to the support position of the grid G in the grid support structure 21. Therefore, when lowering the liquid level WS, the liquid is unlikely to remain at the support position. These configurations are advantageous in preventing liquid from remaining when lowering the liquid level WS, which contributes to stable attachment of the sections S to the grid G. Note that in order to reduce residual liquid, it is also possible to incline or curve the lower support surface 21b in the Y direction.

In this embodiment, since the grid support structure 21 and the first slit 22 are provided, workability can be improved, and it is also possible to achieve the above-mentioned smooth and stable attachment and detachment of the grid G at a high level. be. In addition, even when attaching the section S to the grid G by lowering the liquid level WS, it becomes difficult for liquid to remain around the grid G, so it is possible to stably place the section on the grid G while improving work efficiency. It becomes possible.

In this embodiment, the slits 22 and 23 are opened at the front end of the support member 20, but the slits 22 and 23 may be opened at the rear end of the support member 20, the end in the Y direction, etc. There may be cases where the slits 22 and 23 are not linear. There may be cases where the slits 22 and 23 are not substantially parallel to each other. If the support member 20 is provided with a hole larger than a circle with a diameter of 3 mm, for example, and the hole passes through the support member 20 in the vertical direction, the first slit 22 and/or the second slit 23 will be connected to the grid G from the hole. It may extend to the supporting position. Even in these cases, the same effects as described above can be achieved.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 14, instead of the first slit 22 and the second slit 23, it is also possible to provide a center hole 22a and a side hole 23a that vertically penetrate the support member 20. Even in this case, since the flowing liquid flows through the holes 22a and 23a as described above, the same effects as described above can be achieved. The tip of the handling device can be placed below the grid G by placing the tip of the handling device into the central hole 22a.

In addition, by supplying liquid at a predetermined flow rate near the blades 3 of the tank 2a while draining the liquid from the drain path 4 at a predetermined flow rate, the liquid in the tank 2a is caused to flow, and thereby the section S is placed on the grid G. It is also possible to move smoothly towards the Alternatively, it is also possible to flow the liquid in the tank 2a by a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-33312. In these cases, the liquid flows smoothly due to the slits 22, 23 and holes 22a, 23a.

Further, in this embodiment, the slits 22 and 23 penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface of the support member 20, but it is also possible to form grooves that do not penetrate to the lower surface of the support member 20 at the positions of the slits 22 and 23, respectively. . Even in this case, when the liquid level WS is lowered, the liquid is smoothly discharged from around the grid G, or the liquid flows smoothly from the front end side to the rear end side of the support member 20 via the groove. Moreover, the tip of the handling device can be placed below the grid G by putting the tip of the handling device into the groove.

In addition, in this embodiment, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the support member 20 is not provided with any of the slits 22, 23, holes 22a, 23a, and grooves. Even in this case, the aforementioned smooth and stable attachment and detachment of the grid G to and from the grid support structure 21 can be achieved.

In this embodiment, notches 24 are formed on both sides of the support member 20 in the width direction, and the notches 24 penetrate the support member 20 in the vertical direction. With this configuration, when the support member 20 is placed in the tank 2a containing the liquid, the liquid flows vertically through the notch 24, so that the workability when placing the support member 20 is improved. A slit, a hole, etc. may be provided instead of the notch 24.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, there is no portion higher than the top 21f of the lower support surface 21b of the support member 20 on the front end side of the top 21f. In other words, the upper surface 25 on the front end side is lower than the top portion 21f. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, it is easy to set the upper surface 25 below the liquid surface WS, and this setting is important for smooth guidance of the section S to the grid G.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 15, it is also possible to provide the support member 20 with a plurality of first slits 22. In this case, a plurality of grids G can be arranged at positions corresponding to the plurality of first slits 22, respectively. With this configuration, it is possible to place sections S on a plurality of grids G at once.

Furthermore, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 18, a single or plural leg portions 26 may be provided that extend downward from the support member 20. The configurations of the boat 2 and the like of this embodiment that are not explained are the same as those of the first embodiment. The leg portions 26 may be integrally provided with the support member 20. By providing the legs 26, the legs 26 fixed to the support member 20 come into contact with the internal structure of the tank 2a, such as the bottom surface, and the support member 20 can be placed inside the tank 2a without using the support stand 5. Ru. Preferably, the height dimension of the leg portion 26 is set so that the upper end side (rear end side) of the grid G supported by the support member 20 protrudes slightly above the liquid level of the tank 2a. In this structure, since there is no need to use the support stand 5, the position and posture of the support member 20 within the tank 2a tend to be stable. Further, in this structure, the liquid can flow in the X direction on the lower surface side of the support member 20, so that the liquid can easily flow within the tank 2a. This is useful when guiding the section S on the liquid level WS or lowering the liquid level WS.

Further, as in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, a height adjustment mechanism 30 for adjusting the height of the support member 20 may be provided. The configurations of the boat 2 and the like of this embodiment that are not explained are the same as those of the first embodiment. The height adjustment mechanism 30 includes, for example, a base 31 supported by the internal structure of the tank 2a, such as the bottom surface, a screw member 32 screwed into the base 31, and a screw member 32 that is rotated to adjust the height to the base 31. It has a movable member 33 that moves up and down. In this embodiment, the rear end side of the support member 20 is fixed to the movable member 33 with a bolt (fastening member) B. The support member 20 shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 is similar to that described above, except that the shape of the rear end side is changed for attachment to the movable member 33. For this reason, the support member 20 will not be described in detail here.

The rotational axis of the screw member 32 extends in the vertical direction. The screw member 32 has a male thread 32a on its lower end that engages with the female threaded hole 31a of the base 31, and an engagement portion 32c that engages with a screwdriver on its upper end. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 32c is a linear groove, but it may also be a hole into which a hexagonal wrench is engaged. A mounting member 40 such as a retaining ring is attached to the vertically intermediate portion of the screw member 32 . For example, a groove 32b is provided in the intermediate portion of the screw member 32 over the entire circumference, and the mounting member 40 is fitted into the groove 32b. The retaining ring is a known E-ring or the like. As the mounting member 40, a protrusion such as a flange that protrudes horizontally may be formed at the intermediate portion of the screw member 32, or a plate extending horizontally may be fixed to the intermediate portion.

The movable member 33 has, for example, a lower member 34 and an upper member 35, and the lower member 34 and the upper member 35 are fixed to each other by a bolt (fastening member) B. The lower member 34 is provided with a through hole 34a through which the screw member 32 is inserted in the vertical direction, and an engaging portion 34b that engages with a guide portion 31b provided on the base 31 in a first horizontal direction. The guide portion 31b extends in the vertical direction and can be configured by a groove, a slit, a rail, or the like. The engaging portion 34b is provided with a stopper portion 34c, and in this embodiment, a member constituting the stopper portion 34c is fixed to the engaging portion 34b with a bolt (fastening member) B.

The stopper portion 34c can be engaged with the base 31 in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and can be engaged with the base 31 from below. Thereby, movement of the movable member 33 in the first horizontal direction and the second horizontal direction with respect to the base 31 is restricted. The first horizontal movement restriction is useful for facilitating the work of setting the position of the movable member 33 in the vertical direction, which will be described later.

The upper member 35 is provided with a through hole 35a through which the screw member 32 is inserted in the vertical direction. The screw member 32 vertically inserts the movable member 33 through the through holes 34a and 35a. A mark (scale) 36 is provided on the upper surface of the upper member 35, and the mark 36 serves as a mark for the rotational position of the screw member 32. If the mark 37 is provided on the upper surface of the screw member 32, the operator can more easily recognize the rotational position of the screw member 32.

With the lower member 34 and the upper member 35 fixed to each other, a space 33a (FIG. 19) is formed between the lower member 34 and the upper member 35 in which the E-ring is arranged. The space 33a is formed, for example, by a counterbore formed on the upper surface of the lower member 34 and/or the lower surface of the upper member 35. A space 33a may be provided between the lower member 34 and the upper member 35 by a spacer. Space 33a communicates with through holes 34a and 35a.

With the above structure, the upper member 35 of the movable member 33 is placed on the mounted member 40. Thereby, when the screw member 32 is rotated around its axis, the screw member 32 moves up and down, and thereby the movable member 33 and the support member 20 placed on the mounted member 40 move up and down. The operator can finely adjust the height of the support member 20 using the screw member 32 while the height adjustment mechanism 30 and the support member 20 are placed in the tank 2a. This is useful for facilitating adjustment work. Furthermore, since the movable member 33 rests on the mounted member 40, the support member 20 is unlikely to tilt during the fine adjustment. This is useful for facilitating adjustment work, and is also useful for placing the section S on the grid G accurately. Note that even if the movable member 33 does not include the lower member 34 and there is no space 33a, the same effect as described above can be achieved if the upper member 35 is configured to rest on the mounted member 40. obtain.

Furthermore, as in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a height adjustment mechanism 50 for adjusting the height of the support member 20 may be provided. The configurations of the boat 2 and the like of this embodiment that are not explained are the same as those of the first embodiment. The height adjustment mechanism 50 includes, for example, a base 51 supported by the internal structure of the tank 2a, such as the bottom surface, and a movable member 53 attached to the base 51 so as to be movable in the vertical direction by a guide member 52. The height adjustment mechanism 50 also includes a screw member 54 that is screwed onto the movable member 53 and moves the movable member 53 up and down with respect to the base 51 by turning it. In this embodiment, the rear end side of the support member 20 is fixed to the movable member 53 with a bolt (fastening member) B. The support member 20 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 is similar to that described above, except that the shape of the rear end side is changed for attachment to the movable member 53. For this reason, the support member 20 will not be described in detail here.

The lower end of the guide member 52 is inserted into a hole 51a formed in the base 51, and the lower end of the guide member 52 is fixed to the hole 51a by a set screw 51b having an axis in the horizontal direction. The set screw 51b is screwed into the base 51. In this embodiment, the hole 51a is a long hole elongated in the X direction, and the lower end of the guide member 52 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the hole 51a by a set screw 51b.

A hole 52a is provided in the movable member 53 at a position corresponding to the guide member 52, and the guide member 52 is inserted through the hole 52a in the vertical direction. The guide member 52 is inserted through a ring member 55, and the ring member is arranged between the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 52 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole 52a. The ring member 55 is a ring with a portion cut off in the circumferential direction. A vertically intermediate portion or upper end side of the guide member 52 is fixed to the hole 52a by a set screw 52b having an axis in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the set screw 52b pushes the ring member 55, and the pressed ring member 55 hugs the guide member 52, thereby fixing the guide member 52 in the hole 52a. 52b may be used to fix the guide member 52 to the hole 52a.

The rotational axis of the screw member 54 extends in the vertical direction, and the lower end of the screw member 54 contacts the upper surface of the base 51. Therefore, when the screw member 54 is turned while the guide member 52 or the ring member 55 is loosened from being pressed against the intermediate hole 52a by the set screw 52b, the movable member 53 can be moved up and down with respect to the base 51. I can do it. After the height position of the movable member 53 is adjusted, when the guide member 52 or the ring member 55 is pressed against the hole 52a by the set screw 52b, the position of the movable member 53 is fixed. Since the above-mentioned pressing by the set screw 52b is used, it is also possible to finely adjust the inclination of the movable member 53. Even with this configuration, the operator can finely adjust the height of the support member 20 using the screw member 54 while the height adjustment mechanism 50 and the support member 20 are arranged in the tank 2a.

Note that the guide member 52 may guide the movable member 53 in a vertically movable manner with respect to the base 51. Therefore, it is also possible to use other guide members such as rails that have this function. The guide member 52 may be engaged with a groove formed on the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface of the movable member 53, so that the movable member 53 may be attached to the base 51 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

Note that, as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the grid support structure 21' may be a recess 60 formed on the upper surface of the support member 20'. The configurations of the boat 2 and the like of this embodiment that are not explained are the same as those of the first embodiment. The front end (lower end) of the grid G in the X direction is in contact with the lower part of the inner wall 60a on the side of the blade 3 in the recess 60, and the middle part of the grid G in the X direction is in contact with the upper end of the inner wall 60b on the side away from the blade 3 in the recess 60. The bottom surfaces of the two are in contact with each other. The X direction in FIG. 24 is the same as the X direction in FIG. Thereby, the grid G is supported by the recess 60 so as to slope downward toward the slice S created by the blade 3 and floating in the liquid. The support member 20' communicates with grooves 61, 62 and/or holes 63, 64. It communicates with the inside of the recess 60.

The grooves 61, 62 and the holes 63, 64 penetrate the support member 20' in the vertical direction. In FIG. 24, the hatched portion indicates a portion of the recess 60 where the grooves 61, 62 and holes 63, 64 are not provided, that is, a portion that does not penetrate the support member 20' in the vertical direction.
In FIG. 24, groove 61 extends from the rear end of support member 20' to recess 60, and groove 62 extends from the front end of support member 20' to recess 60. Thereby, when lowering the liquid level WS, the liquid in the recess 60 can smoothly escape.

In FIG. 24, a portion of the hole 63 is placed within the recess 60 and another portion of the hole 63 is placed outside the recess 60. Further, in FIG. 24, the entire hole 64 is disposed within the recess 60. Although it depends on the sizes of the grooves 61, 62 and the holes 63, 64, the grooves 61, 62 are more effective in improving the waste liquid efficiency in the recess 60 than the holes 63, 64 when lowering the liquid level WS. . The grooves 61 and 62 may open at the end of the support member 20' in the Y direction, or may open at a large hole, for example, 3 mm or more in diameter, provided in the support member 20'. These configurations can also provide similar effects.

In the above embodiment, the support member 20, the legs 26, and the bases 31, 51 of the height adjustment mechanisms 30, 50 may be attached to the boat 2, or may be formed integrally with the boat 2. Similar effects can be achieved in these cases as well.

2 Boat (Liquid storage part)
3 Blade 20 Support member 21 Grid support structure 21a Gap 21b Lower support surface 21c Upper support surface 21d Contact portion 22 First slit 23 Second slit 24 Notch 26 Leg portion 30, 50 Height adjustment mechanism S Slice G Grid WS Liquid surface

Claims (11)

A blade that slices the sample to create sections;
a liquid storage section that stores a liquid in which the section floats;
a support member having a grid support structure that supports a grid for placing the section floating on the liquid;
The grid support structure includes:
a lower support surface that supports a lower surface of the grid so that the upper surface of the grid slopes downward toward the section floating in the liquid;
an upper support surface arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the upper surface of the grid;
A sectioning device equipped with The sectioning device according to claim 1, wherein the upper support surface faces the lower support surface. The support member includes at least one slit and/or at least one hole that vertically penetrates the support member,
The sectioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the at least one slit and at least a portion of the at least one hole are arranged below the grid supported by the grid support structure. The sectioning device according to claim 2, wherein a distance between the lower support surface and the upper support surface is 0.5 mm or less or 1/6 or less of the outer diameter of the grid. A blade that slices the sample to create sections;
a liquid storage section that stores a liquid in which the section floats;
a support member supporting a grid for placing the section floating in the liquid,
The support member is
a grid support structure that supports the grid such that the top surface of the grid slopes downward toward one end of the support member;
at least one slit vertically penetrating the support member;
Equipped with
A sectioning device, wherein at least a portion of the at least one slit is disposed below the grid supported by the grid support structure. The sectioning device according to claim 5, wherein the slit extends from the one end of the support member toward a position in the grid support structure that supports the grid. The sectioning device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the support member is provided with a plurality of the slits that are substantially parallel to each other. The sectioning device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, wherein the liquid storage section includes a means for discharging the liquid. The sectioning device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, further comprising a height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height of the support member. A support member for use with a section preparation device comprising a liquid reservoir for storing a liquid in which a sliced section floats, the support member comprising:
comprising a grid support structure for supporting a grid for placing the section floating in the liquid;
The grid support structure includes:
a lower support surface that supports a lower surface of the grid so that the upper surface of the grid slopes downward toward the section floating in the liquid;
an upper support surface arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the upper surface of the grid;
A support member comprising: A support member that is used with a sectioning device that includes a liquid storage section that stores a liquid in which sliced sections float, and that supports a grid on which the sections that float on the liquid are placed,
a grid support structure that supports the grid such that the top surface of the grid slopes downward toward one end of the support member;
at least one slit vertically penetrating the support member;
Equipped with
A support member, wherein at least a portion of the at least one slit is disposed below the grid supported by the grid support structure.