JP3008078B2 - Biological sample embedding cassette - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a biopsy sample collected from a human body for a clinician to determine a method for diagnosing and treating a disease or a cut-out sample used for pathological diagnosis in an affected part removed by surgery for treatment. biological samples such as biological research sample, as well as fixing so as not altered, embedded cassette
And moved from the collection site to the pathological diagnosis site,
The present invention relates to an embedding cassette suitable for embedding a biopsy sample .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when performing this kind of work, a flat container with a lid formed of an opaque perforated plate, a so-called embedding cassette, is used. For the embedding cassette, select one with different hole sizes in the perforated plate depending on the size and characteristics of the biological sample.
The biological sample is accommodated therein, the lid is closed, and the biological sample is directly placed in a capsule containing a deterioration preventing agent and sent to a pathological examination room or the like.

[0003] After being transferred to the examination room, the embedding cassette accommodating the biological sample is taken out of the capsule, the cassette lid is opened, and the biological sample contained therein and the items described on the slip attached thereto are described. After confirming the identity of both, the biological sample is returned to the embedding cassette, and each is directly placed in each container containing alcohol or xylene, etc., and the biological sample is sequentially dehydrated and degreased. Each treatment is performed sequentially by immersion in an embedding agent made of transparent, paraffin or resin or the like.

[0004] Thereafter, the biological sample is directly picked out from the embedding cassette with tweezers or the like, placed on another embedding dish prepared in advance, and placed on the embedding cassette with a slight space therebetween. A bottom part (embedding support base) is arranged, and an embedding agent made of molten paraffin or resin is poured from above, and the biological sample is embedded with the embedding agent together with a part of the embedding cassette. In this state, the embedding medium is cooled to solidify the embedding cassette and the biological sample integrally with the embedding medium to form an embedding block, and the embedding block is sliced by a microtome.

[0005]

The above-mentioned conventional embedding cassette is formed of a perforated plate so that the processing solution can sufficiently spread to the biological sample when performing the above-mentioned processing such as dehydration. If the size of the hole in the perforated plate is too large compared to the size, the sample falls out from the hole. Therefore, it is necessary to change the size of the holes in the perforated plate according to the size of the biological sample contained in the embedding cassette.

[0006] According to the above-mentioned prior art, it is uneconomical to prepare various types of embedding cassettes having different sizes of holes in the perforated plate in accordance with the size of the biological sample.

Further, the present invention provides various sizes and characteristics without changing the size of the holes in the perforated plate of an embedding cassette comprising a flat container and a lid plate formed of a perforated plate conventionally used. Organisms that can accommodate biological samples and play the role of a basket during dehydration, degreasing, clearing, embedding work, and as an embedding support base during microtome slicing to prevent deterioration of biological samples. By providing a sample embedding cassette, the cost is reduced.

[0008]

The biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention has a window for installing a liquid-permeable perforated dish in one of a flat container and a cover plate, and the window is provided. Protruding support frame toward the inside of the flat container at the periphery of
A flange at the periphery of the opening of the perforated dish is sandwiched between the support frame and the inner surface of the lid plate or between the support frame and the bottom of the flat container.

In the biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention, a lattice is provided in a window formed in one of the container and the cover plate.

Further, in the biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention, the flat container is formed of a hard synthetic resin, and the cover plate is formed of non-rusting steel.

In the biological sample embedding cassette according to the present invention, an engagement piece that fits into an engagement hole of a flat container is protruded from one end of a lid plate made of non-rusting steel, and the other end is provided. The flatness
A spring-like engaging piece that engages with the locking portion of the container is provided in a protruding manner.

Further, the biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention is provided with a hydrophilic sheet at the opening of the perforated dish.

[0013]

The biological sample clinician taken from the human body [Katachikuma embodiment of the invention, housed in the bottom of the perforated plates that are locked to a window hole formed in either one of the bottom surface of the cover plate or flat containers, the Base
Close the plate or flat container and place it in a capsule prepared separately in advance in that state, immerse it in the anti-alteration agent, fix the biological sample in the embedding cassette so that it does not deteriorate , To hold.

After the above-mentioned processing is completed, the lid plate is fitted into the flat container to form a sealed embedding cassette, and the embedding cassette is transferred to a predetermined processing site, where the cassette is sequentially dehydrated, degreased and transparent. , And each processing agent of the embedding medium. Thereafter, the biological sample is placed on the embedding dish, and the bottom of the flat container (embedding support base) of the empty embedding cassette is disposed above the biological sample, and the biological sample is placed through the embedding cassette. The embedding agent in a molten state is injected from above, the biological sample is directly embedded with the embedding agent, the embedding agent is cooled and solidified, and at least a part of the bottom (flat container) of the embedding cassette The embedding block is formed by solidifying the (embedding support base), the biological sample, and the embedding agent integrally.

[0015]

1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
To explain, the lid plate 2 formed of the same porous plate as the flat container 1 formed of a porous plate of a hard synthetic resin or the like is engaged with the engagement pieces 3 and the locking pieces 3a on the lid side and the engagement of the flat container 1 side. In the embedding cassette which is openably and closably fitted with the hole 4 and the locking portion 4a, a window hole 6 for supporting the liquid-permeable perforated dish 5 is formed in the flat container 1, and the window hole 6 is formed. Flat container 1 around the edge of
A supporting frame 7 protruding toward the inside of the container, and sandwiching a flange 9 around the opening 8 of the perforated plate 5 between a front edge 7a of the supporting frame 7 and an inner surface of the lid plate 2. It is. The perforated dish 5 is integrally formed of a transparent hard synthetic resin liquid-permeable sheet.

A biological sample 10 collected by a clinician from the human body and required for examination or treatment is stored in the bottom of the perforated dish 5 as shown in FIG. In this state, they are placed in a separately prepared capsule and immersed in a deterioration preventing agent, and the biological sample is fixed so as not to be deteriorated in the embedding cassette. Some types of biological samples are easy to fall off during transfer or each treatment. In such a case, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-16 / 1990.
The fixing method using a fixing support disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 903 ensures that the toner is fixed in the perforated dish 5. That is, above and around the biological sample 10, a fixing support 11 composed of a glucomannan and a sample preserving and preserving liquid such as formalin is filled, and these are separately prepared beforehand in a capsule (shown in the figure). ), And immersed in a glucomannan gelling agent to gel the glucomannan, thereby supporting the biological sample 10 integrally therewith so as not to move in the embedding cassette.

After the above-mentioned processing is completed, the cover plate 2 is fitted into the flat container 1 to form a sealed embedding cassette, and the embedding cassette in that state is transferred to a predetermined processing site. Then, after the cassettes are sequentially treated with the processing agents of dehydration, degreasing, clearing, and embedding agent, the biological sample 10 is buried in the fixing support 11 from the perforated dish 5 by opening the lid plate 2 of the embedding cassette. Take out. It is placed on an embedding dish (not shown), and the bottom of an embedding support base is placed on the embedding dish, and the organism embedded in the fixing support 11 via the flat container 1 is placed. A biological material 10 is directly embedded with an embedding agent made of molten paraffin from above the sample 10, and the embedding agent is cooled and solidified, and embedded in the fixing support 11. The biological sample 10 in the closed state is sliced with a microtome (not shown). In addition, the embedding support base used at the time of embedding may be prepared separately, or the flat container 1 of the embedding cassette containing the biological sample may be used.

The embedding cassette of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be partially modified or partially added within the scope of the present invention. is there. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the window 6 is provided in the hollow portion of the flat container 1, and the inner periphery of the window 6 is provided with the flat container 1.
A supporting frame 7 protrudes toward the inside of the lid, and a flange 9 of the perforated plate 5 is sandwiched between a front end edge 7a of the supporting frame 7 and an inner surface of the cover plate 2, as shown in FIGS. As shown, the window hole 6 is
And a supporting frame 7 protrudes from the inner peripheral edge of the window hole 6, and the front edge 7 a of the supporting frame 7 and the inner surface of the flat container 1
It is also possible to clamp the collar 9.

In the above embodiment, the perforated dish 5 is formed of a transparent hard synthetic resin liquid-permeable sheet, but may be translucent or opaque.

When the opening area of the window hole 6 is made larger than the size of the bottom surface of the embedding cassette, a lattice 17 may be formed in the window hole 6. By forming the lattice 17, when the liquid-permeable porous dish 5 is installed in the window hole 6,
The base 17 reinforces the bottom portion of the liquid-permeable porous dish 5 and increases the strength when used as an embedding support base. Further, as compared with the case where only the window hole 6 is provided, the portion that comes into contact with the embedding agent is increased, so that the embedding can be performed more integrally.

Although the cover plate 2 of the above embodiment has been described as being formed of a hard synthetic resin, non-rust steel such as stainless steel is used as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in place of the synthetic resin. It is also possible. In this case, the fitting of the engaging piece 13 into the engaging hole 14 is the same as in the above-described embodiment, but the other one of the engaging pieces is
5, which is engaged with an engagement projection 16 provided on the flat container 1.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the edge 15a of the engaging element 15 in the above-described embodiment of FIG. 6 is directed outward, while the edge 15b is directed inward. They differ in the way they face.

Further, the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11
The difference is that the support frame 7 in each of the above-described embodiments projects along the inner peripheral edge of the window hole 6, whereas the support frame 7 projects along the outer peripheral edge of the cover plate 2. This embodiment is different from the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 9 in that the engaging element 15 is also used as the support frame 7, and the volume of the portion surrounded by the support frame 7 is increased. An extremely large biological sample 10 can be accommodated.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is different from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in that the engaging element 15 is constituted by two parts, whereas it is constituted integrally. .

It should be noted that FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, and
FIG. 13 shows a state in which the opening 8 of the perforated dish 5 faces downward, but the biological sample 10 is accommodated as described above, or the flange of the perforated dish 5 is held between the support frame 7 and the inner surface of the flat container 1. When the container 9 is sandwiched, the flat container 1 and the perforated dish 5 are turned upside down from the state shown in FIG.

In addition to the above-described embodiment, after the perforated dish 5 is filled with the fixing support 11, a hydrophilic sheet 12 having an affinity for the fixing support 11 is disposed in the opening 8 of the perforated dish. You may. This hydrophilic sheet 12 is used as the fixing support 11
The fixing support 11 can be more reliably fixed by disposing the fixing support 11. Therefore, in this case, the concentration of the fixing and supporting agent can be further reduced. The hydrophilic sheet 12 is made of a material having a hydrophilic property and easily adhering to the surface of the fixing support 11 and having a property of not dissolving in alcohol or xylene, for example, a thin slice of Japanese paper or sponge or cloth. .

Further, as shown in FIG.
The reference mark 13 may be displayed near at least one side edge of No. 2. This reference mark 13 is useful especially when a plurality of biological samples 10 are placed and it is necessary to indicate the order in which the biological samples 10 were collected and the positional relationship such as from which part of the organ to be collected or the like. For example, it is determined in advance that a plurality of biological samples 10 are arranged based on a certain reference with the reference mark 13 as a starting point, so that confusion does not occur when embedding.

Further, instead of displaying the reference mark 13 on at least one side edge of the hydrophilic sheet 12 as in the embodiment of FIG. 14, a notch is formed at one corner of the rectangular hydrophilic sheet 12 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to form the portion 13a and use it as a reference marker, or to form a protrusion 13b at one corner of the hydrophilic sheet 12 and use it as a reference marker as shown in FIG.

[0029]

The present invention is as described above, and a window hole is formed in one of the flat container and the cover plate of the embedding cassette, and a supporting frame is formed on the periphery of the window hole toward the inside of the embedding cassette. And a liquid-permeable porous dish containing a biological sample is placed and sandwiched between the flat container and the lid plate. It can accommodate specific biological samples of various sizes without change.The role of the basket during dewatering, degreasing, clearing, embedding work, and embedding at the time of slicing with a microtome. A biological sample embedding cassette that can serve as a support base can be provided, and cost can be reduced.

Further, since the perforated dish accommodating the biological sample is sandwiched between the flat container and the cover plate, the biological sample does not move or fall off, and handling such as transportation is facilitated. When the biological sample is qualitatively fixed using a fixing support and is supported in a perforated dish , deterioration and falling off can be prevented more reliably.

Further, by disposing a hydrophilic sheet having affinity for the fixing support such as Japanese paper at the opening of the perforated dish filled with the fixing support, the fixing support is more reliably supported . And the falling off of the biological sample can be prevented. Further, since the support strength is increased by this sheet, the concentration of the fixing support agent can be reduced, and the cost can be further reduced.

Further, a plurality of biological samples are placed in one perforated dish.
To be chemically established and physically supported ,
If a reference mark is displayed on the hydrophilic sheet and the biological samples are arranged on the basis of the reference mark, a person other than the person who arranged the biological samples can collect the samples in any order such as the order in which the samples were collected or from any part of the organs. It is possible to easily grasp the positional relationship of whether or not the sample has been processed, and no confusion occurs when the sample is subsequently processed.

Further, when the perforated dish is made of a transparent synthetic resin, the contents can be seen through without opening the case, and the sample can be easily confirmed. Therefore, during the embedding process, the type, number and state of the biological sample in the embedding cassette can be confirmed without opening and closing the cover plate.

Further, when non-rusting steel is used for the cover plate, the cover plate can be used a plurality of times, so that the cost can be further reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the embedding cassette of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line VV of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG.

8 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which a part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is modified.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment obtained by partially changing the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI of the embodiment of FIG. 10 in use.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment obtained by partially changing the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a use state of the embodiment of FIG. 12;
It is sectional drawing of a line part.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another part of FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of FIG. 14;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flat container 2 Cover plate 3 Engagement piece 4 Engagement hole 5 Perforated dish 6 Window hole 7 Support frame 8 Opening of perforated dish 10 Biological sample 11 Fixing support agent 13 Engagement piece 14 Engagement hole 15 Spring-like engaging element 16 Engagement projection

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 1/28 G01N 1/30

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An embedding cassette comprising a flat container formed of a perforated plate and a cover plate which is openably and closably fitted, wherein a liquid-permeable porous member integrally formed on one of the flat container and the cover plate. forming a window hole for mounting the pan to form a support frame projecting towards the inside of the flat container on the periphery of the window hole,
And characterized in that the between the leading edge of the supporting frame and the bottom of the leading edge and the flat container or between the support frame and the cover plate inner surface, sandwiching the flange of the opening portion of the porous plates of the liquid permeability Cassette for biological samples to be embedded. 2. When a liquid-permeable porous dish is installed in a window hole formed in one of a container and a lid plate , the bottom portion thereof is removed.
2. The biological sample embedding cassette according to claim 1, wherein a reinforcing grid is provided. 3. The biological sample embedding cassette according to claim 1, wherein the flat container is formed of a hard synthetic resin, and the cover plate is formed of non-rusting steel. 4. An engaging piece that fits into an engaging hole of a flat container protrudes from one edge of a lid plate formed of rust-resistant steel, and engages with one side of the lid plate at the other edge. The biological sample embedding cassette according to claim 3, wherein a spring-like engaging element that protrudes is provided. 5. The biological sample embedding cassette according to claim 1, wherein a hydrophilic sheet is provided at an opening of the perforated dish.