JP3203595B2 - Microtome - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to microtomes, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to ultramicrotomes.

[Conventional technology and problems to be solved by the invention]

A microtome, in particular a super microtome, requires at least one displacement means for adjusting the cutting blade and the sample or sample to be thinly cut by the clamping means while performing the cutting operation. Conventional microtomes have a mechanical fine drive or an electromechanical drive for the adjustment movement in question. A major factor in microtomes and ultramicrotomes is cut thickness adjustment or feed movement. The movement is performed by moving the cutting blade with respect to the clamp means holding the object, that is, the sample, or by moving the clamp means forward with respect to the cutting blade.
Therefore, in the conventional microtome, the cutting thickness feed movement requiring the highest precision is performed by a fine movement drive mechanism operated by a step motor or a member whose length changes according to a predetermined temperature change. Fine drive driven by a step motor often has an additional lever assembly to create a step-down ratio to drive movement. Often, such a fine drive is referred to as a mechanical feed that produces a mechanical cut thickness feed movement, and with respect to a cut thickness feed movement performed by utilizing the coefficient of thermal expansion of a suitable member, a heat feed movement. It is called. The latter movement is usually only used in hypermicrotomes, in which the cut thickness of the sample to be sliced is from 10 mm to 1 μm. A common microtome has a cut thickness range of 1 μm or more.

During the cutting cycle, the microtome performs a movement known as a cyclic step movement, which includes a cutting movement in a first direction in space and a second direction at least substantially perpendicular to the first direction. , A return movement in the first direction following the backward movement, a forward movement in the second direction, and a cutting thickness feed movement in the same direction. In the series of movements, the amplitude of the cutting movement and the amplitude of the return movement are the same. Similarly, the amplitudes of the backward movement and the forward movement are the same. With the retreat movement, immediately after the slice is cut from the sample to be sliced, the sample is moved from the cutting blade so that the sample and the cutting blade do not contact or collide with each other during the return movement after the retreat movement. It means being moved away. It is important to avoid cutting blade damage and sample damage. In the configuration of the conventional ultra-microtome, the backward movement and the forward movement and the cutting thickness feed movement in the opposite direction to the backward movement are performed by a mechanical drive device or an electromechanical drive device. In a hypermicrotome, the return movement is also performed by mechanical or electromechanical devices, and the cutting movement can usually be performed simply by gravity. However, the cutting movement can also be performed by a mechanical or electromechanical drive.

As mentioned above, the hypermicrotome operates in the cut thickness range from 10 nm to 1000 nm. Before the cutting operation starts,
Between the cutting blade and the sample that is gripped in the object clamping means and the slice is to be cut, it is desirable to perform adjustment such that the interval between the sample and the cutting blade is only a few μm, and in some cases, Will need it. That level of adjustment accuracy can only be achieved in conventional ultramicrotomes by using relatively complex and expensive mechanical structures. Moreover, the thickness of the flakes produced by performing the above-described movement cycle included in the cutting operation during the operation of the ultra-microtome, and the variation in the thickness of the flakes cut from the sample during a series of cutting operations, the cutting thickness feed movement, The accuracy with which the reversing and forward movements are repeated during operation of the hypermicrotome. The mechanical feeders used to effect their movement in the first direction are expensive to manufacture, despite the lack of a high level of accuracy. The above-described thermal actuation forming device for performing the cutting thickness feed movement is more accurate than the mechanical feeding device, but can be used only within a relatively small cutting thickness range, and has a length that changes with temperature change. There is a drawback that a cooling means for cooling the feed and resetting the feed is required. However, such a cooling device not only adds to the cost of the device, but also takes up a certain amount of space in the context of the overall design of the microtome.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a microtome with a relatively simple structure and especially a super microtome.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a microtome, especially a super microtome, which has a high level of operating accuracy and can be manufactured relatively inexpensively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a microtome capable of cutting flakes from a sample over a wide thickness range from about 10 nm to 1000 nm or more.

[Means, actions, and effects for solving the problem]

According to the present invention, these and other objects are achieved by the following microtomes, in particular ultramicrotomes. That is, the microtome according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: (a) base means; (b) a blade holder supported on the base means; (c) a cutting blade supported by the blade holder; d) holding means disposed on the base means; (e) an object support having a first end facing the cutting blade and adapted to pass through the cutting blade; and (f) the object. Object clamping means for holding the sample object at the first end of the object support; (g) forward movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, cutting thickness feed movement, and object clamping. Displacement means adapted to cause a retraction movement between the cutting blade and the object clamping means for providing a gap between the means and the cutting blade, and (h) the displacement means At least one piezo-mechanical control element, (i) said holding means is moved onto base means Posably mounted lever element for leverage, wherein said object support is supported in the mounted position, and further said displacement means cooperates with said lever element. By having one end and a second end fixed to the base means, the position of the object clamping means with respect to the cutting blade is changed. I do.

A microtome according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: (a) a base means; (b) a blade holder supported on the base means; (c) a cutting blade supported by the blade holder; (E) a first end facing the cutting blade and passing through the cutting blade, and a second end supported by the holding means. (F) object clamping means for holding a sample object at a first end of the object support; and (g) forward movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade. And displacement means adapted to cause cutting thickness feed movement, and retreat movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade for providing a gap between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, and (H) the displacement means comprises at least one piezoelectric mechanical control element; A blade holder is movably mounted on the base means, and the displacement means causes a first end cooperating with the base means and displacement of the blade holder relative to the base means. A second end operable to change the position of the cutting blade with respect to the object clamping means, wherein the blade holder is movably mounted on the base means; The engagement position (second position) of the second end of the displacement means is spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in order to provide a lever effect according to the lever principle.

A microtome according to a third aspect of the present invention includes: (a) base means; (b) a blade holder supported on the base means; (c) a cutting blade supported by the blade holder; (E) a first end facing the cutting blade and passing through the cutting blade, and a second end supported by the holding means. (F) object clamping means for holding a sample object at a first end of the object support; and (g) forward movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade. And displacement means adapted to cause cutting thickness feed movement, and retreat movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade for providing a gap between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, and (H) said displacement means comprises at least one piezo-mechanical control element; The pedestal means is provided with a pivot in a transverse direction thereof. The pivot divides the pedestal into a first portion and a second portion which can pivot around each other around the pivot. The object support is disposed on the first portion of the base means, the object support is disposed on the second portion, and the displacement means is pivotally relative to the first and second portions of the base means. A first end engaging with the first portion and a second end engaging with the second portion for changing a relative position between the cutting blade and the object support by causing movement; It is characterized by having.

In the present invention, the piezoelectric mechanical control element includes an electromechanical transducer, and the electromechanical transducer is applied to an electric signal, that is, an electromechanical transducer by utilizing a piezoelectric solid-state property effect known per se. Voltage to a moving or electromechanical transducer. More specifically,
It is known that when a body of piezoelectric material is exposed to an electric field, ie, when a charge is applied to its surface, a change in its geometric dimensions occurs. This is done, for example, by applying a voltage to an object of piezoelectric material. When the geometric dimensional change occurs, a portion of the electrical energy supplied to the object is converted to a change in elasticity of the piezoelectric material object.
The piezoelectric material contains, for example, prepolarized lead zirconate-titanium oxide ceramics. A pre-polarization process is required to make a piezoelectric material from a ferroelectric material.

Piezomechanical control elements in the form of cylinders are known, their outer diameter is about 12 mm, their length is between 10 mm and 140 mm, and their length is between 5 μm and 150 μm at an operating voltage of 500 V. Change. Even large adjustment movements, for example up to 200 μm, can be achieved with similar piezoelectric mechanical control elements of large dimensions.

The following advantages can be achieved by a piezoelectric mechanical control element of this nature.

The control element remains in position without damage even under high levels of static load;

The control element has an almost unlimited sensitivity for adjustment when performing the positioning operation.

 The control element has a short response time on the order of μsec.

The control element provides a vibration-free movement in a so-called static operating mode.

 The control element does not wear;

The at least one piezo-mechanical control element for the displacement means according to the invention provides the high level of precision required especially in ultramicrotomes having a cut thickness range from 10 nm to 1000 nm, and at the same time the mechanical structure of the microtome Allows considerable simplification. This is especially important in ultramicrotomes. For example, a single piezo-mechanical control element can produce a forward movement and a backward movement associated with a cutting thickness feed movement. Since the retreat movement is smaller than the advance and cut thickness feed movement, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric mechanical control element of the displacement means to cause the advance and cut thickness feed movement is an amount corresponding to the cut thickness feed movement. It must be greater than the voltage required to perform the reversing movement. This means that a voltage is always applied to the piezo-mechanical control element and therefore the control element is always subjected to mechanical pressure. Such an arrangement can be easily achieved by using electrical or electronic actuators. In the microtome according to the invention, in which the displacement means has at least one piezo-mechanical control element, and in particular in the ultra-microtome, for rough adjustment of the object clamping means which supports the cutting blade or the sample to be sliced. In addition, it is only necessary to provide a mechanical coarse adjustment device if the range of displacement effected by at least one piezoelectric mechanical control element is insufficient.

[Embodiments of the invention] Further detailed features of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a displacement means with at least one piezo-mechanical control element can be provided for performing a forward movement, a cutting thickness feed movement and a backward movement. In this case, according to this purpose, at least one piezo-mechanical control element is provided for all the movements occurring in the aforementioned first direction in the space.

According to another aspect of the invention, a microtome includes at least one piezo-mechanical control element for performing forward movement and cutting thickness feed movement and at least one piezo-mechanical control element for performing reverse movement, respectively. It may have a respective displacement means provided.

Further, the microtome may have displacement means with at least one piezo-mechanical control element for performing only forward movement, only cutting thickness feed movement, or only backward movement. In this case, other movements not performed by the displacement means are performed in some other way.

According to another preferred form of the invention, one or each displacement means may comprise a plurality of piezoelectric mechanical control elements arranged in series. Such a series of piezo-mechanical control elements makes it possible to achieve relatively large length changes at relatively low operating voltages. The displacement means of such an arrangement are able to withstand high pressure loads as long as they are used in such a way as to receive them, as is usually the case. Because of the relatively low tensile load carrying capacity of such displacement means, they are not generally operated in such a way as to receive a tensile load.

In another aspect of the invention, the displacement means for adjusting the distance between the cutting blade and the object clamping means holding the sample from which the slice is to be cut can be arranged on the object support. In such a microtome configuration, the change in length of the displacement means with at least one piezo-mechanical control element is directly used to adjust the distance between the cutting blade and the object clamping means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a change in the length of the displacement means with a piezo-mechanical control element and an increasing or decreasing relation between the distance between the cutting blade and the object clamping means are produced. For this purpose, a displacement means for changing the distance between the cutting blade and the object clamping means is engaged by its end with a lever or lever element movably provided on the base structure of the microtome. You. In this case, the lever element supports the object support, and the other end of the displacement means is operatively engaged with the base structure (see claim 1).

In such a configuration, the position where the object support is mounted on the lever element (first position), the position where the lever element is movably mounted on the base structure (second position), and the position of the displacement means. It is advantageous that the position where the first end engages the lever element (cooperative position, third position) is spaced apart from each other in order to create a lever increasing or decreasing relationship according to the lever principle. ). Therefore, the position where the object support is mounted on the lever element (first position), the second position where the lever element is movably mounted on the base structure, and the first end of the displacement means is a lever. Position to engage the element (cooperative position, third position
Any increase or decrease relationship can be generated based on the principle of leverage by appropriate arrangement with the position (claims 3 and 4). In this way, the desired cutting thickness range between about 10 nm and 1000 nm can be obtained by means of the displacement means with a predetermined correlation between the operating voltage and the length change produced thereby.

In another aspect of the invention, the displacement means for changing the distance between the cutting blade and the object clamping means holding the sample to be sliced can be moved on the base structure by its first end. And the second end of the displacement means engages with the base structure. According to such a microtome structure, the object cutting means is not displaced with respect to the fixed cutting blade, but the cutting blade is displaced with respect to the substantially fixed object clamping means. By combining these two displacement modes, that is, both the object clamping means and the cutting blade can be displaceable in order to change the relative relationship between the object clamping means and the cutting blade.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in a microtome in which a cutting blade can be displaced by a displacement means, a position (first position) at which a blade holder is movably mounted on a base structure.
The engagement position (second position) of the first end of the displacement means for causing the movement of the blade holder is spaced apart from each other, so that a lever increasing or decreasing effect is produced (claim 7). In such a microtome structure,
Any desired cutting thickness and range can be set irrespective of the displacement means used for the microtome, and a precise operation for cutting a slice can be performed in the thickness range.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the base structure may comprise a pivot in its transverse direction that divides the base structure into a first part and a second part, in which case the blade supporting the cutting blade The holder is located in the first part and the object support is located in the second part. Displacement means for causing reciprocal pivoting of the first and second portions of the base structure engage the first portion of the base structure by a first end of the displacement means, and the displacement means comprises Engage the second portion of the base structure at two ends. In such a structure, the object support provided with the object clamping means for supporting the sample from which the slice is to be cut, and the cutting blade simultaneously perform the corresponding movements including the movement of the forward and the cutting thickness feed and the backward movement. . The cutting movement and the return movement in the opposite direction to the cutting movement are effected by a suitable drive or the action of gravity.

The base means is provided with a pivot portion in a transverse direction thereof,
The pivot divides the base means into a first part and a second part which can be driven relative to each other around the pivot, and the blade holder is arranged on the first part of the base means (claim) Item 10). Thus, the relative position between the cutting blade and the object support is changed by the relative drive between the first and second portions.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments.

〔Example〕

Referring first to FIG. 1, which illustrates the principle of operation of the present invention, there is shown a side view (schematic diagram) of an ultramicrotome 10, which comprises a base structure 12 and a A holding means 14 disposed on the base structure 12 on the right end side of the base structure 12 in FIG.
The blade holder 16 is provided on the base structure 12 on the left side in the drawing. The blade holder 16 is therefore arranged at a distance from the holding means 14 (lever element not shown).

A cutting blade having a cutting edge indicated by reference numeral 20 in the blade holder 16
18 is fixed. The holding means 14 is provided with an elongated object support 22. At the end of the object support 22 far from the holding means 14, the object support 22 has an object clamp means 24 for holding and gripping an object indicated by reference numeral 26, that is, a sample. The slice is cut by the cutting blade 18 from the object clamping means. First
In the ultramicrotome 10 shown in FIG.
Is provided on the holding means 14 by a mounting device schematically shown at 28, whereby the object support 22 is pivotable around the mounting device 28.

Referring to FIG. 2 showing the principle of operation, while pivoting around the mounting device 28, the object support 22 with the object clamping means 24 makes a cutting movement indicated by an arrow 30, Due to the movement, the sample 26 to be sliced is moved to the cutting edge of the cutting blade 18.
It is moved past 20 and the required slices are cut. The arrow 30 is along the curved contour line, and the center point of the curve coincides with the mounting device 28 shown in FIG.
After the cutting movement indicated by the arrow 30 is performed, the object support 22
Performs a backward movement indicated by an arrow 32 in FIG. 2, and this backward movement is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cutting movement. Subsequent to the retreat movement for moving the sample 26 further away from the cutting blade 18, a return movement indicated by an arrow 34 in FIG. 2 is performed, and this return movement is in the opposite direction but substantially parallel to the cutting movement 30. is there. Like the cutting movement 30, the movement 34 is along a slightly curved line. After the return movement indicated by the arrow 34 has been performed, the object support makes a forward movement substantially perpendicular to the arrow 34 indicated by the arrow 36. By the forward movement, the object support 22 and the sample 26 supported by the object return to a predetermined position, and immediately after the start of the movement cycle started at the predetermined position, a cutting thickness feed movement indicated by an arrow 38 is performed. Thus, the sample 26 is moved closer to the cutting blade 18 by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the slice to be cut from the sample 26. Therefore, after the cutting thickness feed movement is performed, the microtome again performs the cutting movement indicated by the dashed arrow 30 '.
After the second cutting movement 30 ', the next retreating movement 32'
And the next return movement 34 'which is almost perpendicular to this retreat movement.
Then, the next forward movement 36 'is successively performed, and then the next cutting thickness feed movement 38' is performed. The dashed arrows are displaced laterally in FIG. 2 relative to the solid arrows in FIG. 2 to clearly show the continuous step movements involved in the cyclic stepping movement of the device. Slices move each cutting 3
Cut from sample 26 between 0, 30 ', etc. That is,
While the object support 22 makes the cutting movement indicated by arrows 30, 30 ', etc., the slice is sliced from the sample 26 in cooperation with the cutting edge 20 of the cutting blade 18. 2, the cutting movement 30 and the return movement 34 have the same amplitude, and the same applies to the backward movement 32 and the forward movement 36. In each situation, their amplitudes are kept constant in order to prevent variations in the thickness of the slices produced during the execution of a series of cutting operations. For example, after a cutting movement indicated by an arrow 30, a backward movement
32 is performed to move the sample away from the cutting blade 17 so that the sample 26 is spaced apart from the cutting blade 18.
2 can be returned to the upper starting position in FIG. 2, and thereafter, ie, after the cutting thickness feed movement indicated by arrow 38 or arrow 38 ', the object support 22 with the sample 26 is moved. Can perform a further cutting movement corresponding to arrow 30 or arrow 30 '.

In the sequence movement constituting the cyclic step movement shown in FIG. 2, the forward movement 36, the cutting thickness feed movement 38 and the backward movement 32 are created by the displacement means schematically indicated by reference numeral 40 in FIG. The displacement means comprises at least one piezo-mechanical control or adjusting element 42. FIG. 1 shows a plurality of such piezoelectric mechanical control elements 42 arranged in a continuous direct connection fashion. The control elements 42 are therefore combined in a multi-layer configuration to form a laminate or pack. The displacement means 40 in that form has two connecting elements, shown schematically at 44, which are connected to an electronic circuit arrangement 46. The electronic circuit device 46 has the first
Power is supplied from a power supply network indicated by reference numeral 48 in the figure. An electronic circuit arrangement 46 is provided to supply the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 via the connection element 44 with a voltage of the first amplitude and a voltage of the second amplitude. The voltage of the first amplitude causes the backward movement 32 shown in FIG. 2, and the voltage of the second amplitude causes the forward movement 36 and the cutting thickness feed movement 38 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 schematically shows a driving device, which is used to attach the object support 22 to the mounting device.
Object support 22 by pivoting upwards around 28
2 is provided in the ultra-microtome 10 so as to perform a return movement indicated by an arrow 34 in FIG. Object support
After 22 has performed forward movement 36 and cutting thickness feed movement 38,
When in the lifting position, the object support 22 is
And perform a cutting movement 30 by pivoting downward under the influence of gravity. The super microtome 10 is capable of performing the cyclical step movement shown in FIG. 2 so that the individual movements are properly coordinated and aligned with each other, so that the drive 50 Must be connected. The connection is made between the electronic circuit device 46 and the drive
In FIG. 1, the connection line 52 schematically shows the connection line 50.

In FIG. 1, the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 includes a cutting blade 18.
Operatively coupled to the object support 22 to change the spacing between the cutting blade 18 and the object clamping means 24 and the associated sample 26 by displacing the object clamping means 24 relative to In a relationship.

Referring now to FIG. 3, which shows a first embodiment of a hypermicrotome 10 according to the present invention.
And a blade holder 16 and a holding means as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1 are provided on the base structure.
In addition to 14, a lever or lever element 54 is also supported. The lever element 54 is pivotally connected to the base structure 12 by another mounting device schematically shown by reference numeral 56, and the mounting device 56 may be, for example, at least one component such as a leaf spring, a ball, or a roller. it can. In FIG. 3, since the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same components as those in FIG. 1, it is not necessary to describe all of these components again in detail. For the same reason, in FIG.
Although the electronic circuit device shown at 46 in FIG. 1 and the drive device shown at 50 in FIG. 1 are not shown, they are provided in the ultramicrotome 10 shown in FIG. ing.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is more specifically described in that the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 is not provided on the object support 22, but is provided between the holding means 14 and the lever element 54. , Is different from the embodiment of FIG. In this case, the displacement means 40 also includes a piezoelectric mechanical control element 42 in a stacked state or an arrangement state so that a relatively large dimensional change occurs in the displacement means 40 with a relatively small operating voltage. One first end of the displacement means 40 indicated by reference numeral 58 is engaged with the lever element 54, and the other second end 60 of the displacement means 40 is engaged with the holding means 14. The object support 22 is mounted by its mounting device 28 on a lever element 54 at a mounting point 61, the mounting position of which, in comparison with the first end 58 of the displacement means 40, is based on the lever element 54. Mounting device to be mounted on structure 12
It is located at a different radial spacing from 56. Such an arrangement provides a lever step-up ratio effect, thereby providing a displacement means.
An increase in the predetermined amount of the effective length of 40 results in a forward movement 36 and a cutting thickness feed movement 38 shown in FIG. 2, the total amplitude of which is greater than the increase in the length of the displacement means 40. By properly disposing the displacement means 40 between the lever element 54 and the holding means 14, it is possible to easily produce a lever step-down ratio effect instead of the lever step-up ratio effect shown in FIG. The choice of the step-up or step-down ratio effect depends on the displacement means 40 used and the desired cutting thickness range of the ultramicrotome 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the arrangement of the illustrated ultramicrotome is such that the lever element designated by reference numeral 54 is designated by reference numeral 56 in FIG.
3 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in that it is not pivotally mounted on the base structure 12 by the mounting device indicated by, but instead is pivotally mounted on the holding means 14 of the ultramicrotome 10. ing. The mounting device for mounting the lever element 54 on the holding means 14 is designated by reference numeral 56 in FIG.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 provided with the piezoelectric mechanical
The lever element 54 is disposed between the lower end of the lever element 54 in FIG. 4 and a protrusion 62 projecting upward from the base structure 12. Mounting device
56, the mounting device 28, and the first end 58 of the displacement means 40
As can be seen from the relative position with respect to the position engaging with 54, also in this embodiment, the change of the length of the displacement means 40 and the advance and cut thickness feed movements 36, 38 or 36 shown in FIG. A step-up ratio effect or a step-down ratio effect can be generated with the backward movement 32.

An electronic circuit device 46 for controlling the operation of the displacement means 40
And a drive 50 for performing the cutting and returning movements, indicated respectively by the reference numerals 30 and 34 in FIG. 2, have been omitted from FIG. 4 for the sake of simplicity. 4th
It is provided in the ultramicrotome shown in the figure.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the ultramicrotome 10 shown schematically, unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the plate mechanical displacement means 40 is parallel to the object support 22. Not arranged, but perpendicular to it. The displacing means 40, which is composed of adjacent piezoelectric mechanical control elements 42 in a stacked or arranged state, abuts the lever element 54 at its first end 58 and at its second end 60 the microtome 10
In contact with the base structure 12. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the lever element 54 is pivotally mounted on the base structure 12 by a mounting device 56. The mounting device 56 can be, for example, at least one leaf spring, ball, roller, or the like. This embodiment further produces a lever step-up or step-down ratio effect such that a change in the effective length of the displacement means 40 results in the appropriate forward movement 36 and cutting thickness feed movement 38. Further, a blade holder 16 for supporting the cutting blade 18 is also arranged on the base structure 12 in the embodiment of FIG. The object support 22 is provided with object clamping means 24 for firmly gripping a sample 26 from which a slice is to be cut. The object support 22 is provided on a lever element 54 by a mounting device indicated by reference numeral 28.

In the case of the ultramicrotome 10 shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1 and the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, the forward movement 36, the cutting thickness feed movement 38, and the backward movement 32 are substantially on the base structure 12. This is performed by moving the object support 22 and the object clamping means 24 with respect to the cutting blade 18 which is fixed and arranged. In those arrangements, the two ends 58 of the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40,
60 is arranged such that the piezoelectric mechanical control element receives a pressure load but not a tensile load.

Referring now to FIG. 6, which illustrates another embodiment of the ultramicrotome, generally designated by the numeral 10, this ultramicrotome is somewhat similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. The element 54 is not pivotally mounted on the base structure 12 about the mounting device 56, but on the base structure 12 along a linear guide shown schematically at 64 in FIG. 3 in that it can move linearly. The linear movement of the lever element 54 with respect to the base structure 12 and the linear movement of the object support 22 with respect to the cutting blade 18 and its cutting edge 20 are shown schematically by a double-headed arrow 65 in FIG. The linear guide means 64 can be a leaf spring projecting away from the base structure 12, a known sliding guide structure, a ball track or other suitable linear guide.
In such a configuration, any change in the dimension between the first and second ends 58, 60 of the displacement means 40 comprising a series of piezo-mechanical control elements, the object provided with the object clamping means 24 The movement of the object support 22 and the sample supported by the object support 22 is accurately converted into the movement corresponding to the change. In this embodiment, furthermore, the object support 22 is pivotally mounted on the lever element 54 by the mounting device 28, whereby
The object support 22 can perform a cutting movement and a return movement indicated by reference numerals 30 and 34 in FIG. 2, respectively. The drive device 50 and the electronic circuit device 46 shown in block form in FIG. 1 are not shown in FIG. 6, but the ultramicrotome in FIG. 6 has these devices.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of yet another embodiment of the ultra-microtome 10, which includes a retracting movement, a forward movement and a cutting movement indicated by reference numerals 32, 36 and 38 respectively in FIG. Instead of displacing the object clamping means 24 with respect to the cutting blade 18 to cause the thickness feed movement,
It differs from the above-described embodiment in that the cutting blade 18 is displaced with respect to the object clamping means 24.

The movement of the cutting blade 18 is performed by piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 including piezoelectric mechanical control elements 42 adjacent to each other in a stacked state or an array state. The displacement means 40 is designated by reference numeral 58 in FIG.
Its upper end operatively supports the blade holder 16,
In addition, the second lower end portion indicated by reference numeral 60 in FIG. 7 is arranged so as to abut a part of the base structure 12. In the embodiment of FIG.
Is received in a recess 66 in the base structure 12, and the recess 66
Communicates with an elongated groove 68 extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the base structure 12. The end of the groove 68 on the right in FIG. 7 defines a position 70 for pivotally mounting the blade holder 16 on the base structure 12 of the ultramicrotome 10. Therefore, the blade holder 16 and the cutting blade 18 supported thereby are positioned under the control of the displacement means 40.
Pivotable around 70. As shown greatly enlarged in FIG. 2, the increase in the length of the displacement means 40 causes the forward movement 36 and the cutting thickness feed movement 38, and the displacement means 40
The retraction movement 32 is caused by the decrease in the length of.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the object support 22 is a mounting device.
The holding means 14 is provided on the holding means 14 by 28.
Are firmly connected on the base structure 12. Therefore, the object support 22 provided with the object clamp means 24,
Forward movement indicated by reference numerals 36, 38 and 32 respectively in FIG. 2,
It is not displaceable with respect to the base structure 12 to cause the cutting thickness feed movement and the retreat movement.

Also in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 receives more or less pressure loads.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the ultramicrotome 10 according to the invention, in which a piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 with adjacent piezoelectric mechanical control elements 42 in a stacked or arranged state is based. The table structure 12 is disposed between a protrusion 62 protruding upward from the left end in FIG. 8 and the blade holder 16 for the cutting blade 18. The blade holder 16 is rotatably provided on the base structure 12 by a second mounting device 72, and the mounting device 72 can include at least one leaf spring, ball, roller, and the like. . Piezoelectric mechanical displacement means
The change in length of 40 is therefore forward movement 36, cutting thickness feed movement
38 and the backward movement 32.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the object support 22 with the object clamping means 24 is pivotally mounted on the holding means 14 by a mounting device 28. The holding means 14 is a base structure
12 is fixedly arranged.

7 and 8 show the drive device shown in FIG.
50 and the electronic circuit device 46 are not shown.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, FIG.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically, which is somewhat similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, except that the blade holder 16 is pivoted on the base structure 12 by the mounting device 72. Blade holder which is not movably provided but instead has a blade edge 18
8 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 8 in that the linear guide structure 64 is displaceable linearly with respect to the base structure 12 and therefore with respect to the object clamping means 24 by means of a linear guide structure 64. I have. The linear movement is indicated by a double-headed arrow 65 in FIG. Since the same components are identified by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 8 and 9, all these components need not be described in detail again.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the ultramicrotome 10 according to the invention, in which the base structure 12 is provided with a pivot, indicated by the reference numeral 74 in the transverse direction. The pivot 74 divides the base structure 12 into first and second portions 76,78. The blade holder 16 with the cutting blade 18
The holding means 14 with the object support 22 is supported on a second part 78 of the base structure 12. The object support 22 has object clamping means 24 arranged on the end of the object support 22 facing the cutting blade 18. A mounting device 28 is provided at the other second end of the object support 22, and the object support 22 is pivotally attached to the holding means 14 by the mounting device 28. In a suitable recess 80 formed between the two portions 76, 78 of the base structure 12, between the two portions 76, 78 of the base structure 12, A piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 comprising a mechanical control element 42 is arranged. In the structure of FIG. 10, the piezo-mechanical displacement means 40 are also provided by the ends 58, 60 of the displacement means 40 cooperating with the respective end faces of the recesses 80 on the adjacent portions 76, 78 of the base structure 12. Subject to pressure load. Accordingly, an increase in the length of the displacement means 40 causes the first and second portions of the base structure 12 to pivot about the pivot 74, thus causing a forward movement 36 and a cutting thickness feed movement 38. It will be. Therefore, the displacement means
The reduction in the length of 40 results in a backward transfer, indicated at 32 in FIG.

In this regard, reducing the length of the displacement means 40 means that the length of the displacement means is reduced relative to the initial state when the displacement means is in a rest state and is not receiving a voltage. Not something. In other words, the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 starts from its rest state, that is, the state of the length of the displacement means 40 when the voltage of the predetermined first amplitude is applied to the displacement means 40, that is, the state of the standard length, When the displacement means 40 is receiving a voltage of a predetermined second amplitude, its length increases, while the displacement means 40 decreases from its already increased length. In other words, the first high voltage is the displacement means
A voltage of the same polarity lower than the first voltage is applied to the displacement means 40 to increase the length of the displacement means 40, and thereafter applied to the displacement means 40 to decrease the length of the displacement means.
That is, in any operating state of the ultra-microtome 10, the piezoelectric mechanical displacement means 40 is extended beyond the standard length in a rest state where no voltage is applied. The magnitude of the increase in the length depends on the voltage applied to the displacement means 40. That is, in any state, when the microtome is performing the cutting movement indicated by reference numeral 30 in FIG. 2, the displacement means 40 receives a pressure load, and the pressure applied to the displacement means 40 is as shown in FIG. It is greater than the pressure applied to the displacement means during the return movement indicated by reference numeral 34. Therefore, the displacement means 40 always generates a compressive stress due to a large or small pressure load when the apparatus is in the operating state.

Although the above embodiment of the ultramicrotome according to the present invention has been illustrated and illustrated, various changes and modifications can be made to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an ultra-microtome for explaining the operation principle of the present invention provided with a piezoelectric mechanical displacement means cooperating with an object support (lever elements are omitted). Fig. 2 is a diagram of the cyclic step movement of the object clamping means arranged on the object support in the configuration of Fig. 1 with respect to the cutting blade, Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are respectively FIG. 6 is a side view of an ultra-microtome according to an embodiment of the present invention having a lever element rotatably disposed on a base structure and displaceable by piezoelectric mechanical displacement means. FIG. 7 is a side view of an ultra-microtome according to an embodiment of the present invention having a lever element that is not rotatably arranged on an object but is guided linearly on the base structure, Until Fig. 9, the blade holder, not the object support, respectively, Side view of an ultra-microtome according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is appropriately arranged to generate forward movement, cutting thickness feed movement, and backward movement, FIG. 10 shows that the displacement means includes a cutting blade. A schematic side view of another embodiment of an ultra-microtome in which both the blade holder and the object support with the object clamping means are movable to produce a forward movement, a cutting thickness feed movement and a retreat movement, Are shown respectively. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Ultra microtome, 12: Base structure, 14: Holding means, 16: Blade holder, 18: Cutting blade, 20: Cutting edge, 22: Object support, 24: Object clamping means, 26: Sample, 28: mounting device, 30: cutting movement, 32: retraction movement, 34: return movement, 36: forward movement, 38: cutting thickness feed movement, 40: displacement means, 42: piezoelectric mechanical control element, 46: electronic Circuit device, 50: drive device, 54: lever element, 56: mounting device, 58: first end of displacement means, 60: second end of displacement means, 62: protrusion, 64: linear guide means, 70: connection part, 72: mounting device, 74: connection part, 76: first part of the base structure, 78: second part of the base structure.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Anton Lang Austria, 1160 Vienna, Zoe Hibauerstrasse 4/1/5/41 (56) References JP-A-53-73194 (JP, A) JP-A Sho 62-103537 (JP, A) JP-A-46-6444 (JP, A) JP-A-51-82478 (JP, A) JP-A-48-58479 (JP, A) JP-A-60-31651 (JP, A) U) Japanese Utility Model Showa 59-6572 (JP, U) Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-5784 (JP, B1)

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] (A) a base means; (b) a blade holder supported on the base means; (c) a cutting blade supported by the blade holder; and (d) disposed on the base means. (E) an object support having a first end facing the cutting blade and passing through the cutting blade; and (f) a first end of the object support. (G) a forward movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, a cutting thickness feed movement, and a movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade. Displacement means adapted to cause a retraction movement between the object clamping means for providing a gap and the cutting blade; and (h) said displacement means comprising at least one piezoelectric mechanical control element. (I) performing the lever action, wherein the holding means is movably mounted on the base means. A bar element on which the object support is supported in a mounting position, and wherein the displacement means further comprises a first end cooperating with the lever element and a base means. And a second end fixed to the cutting blade so as to change a position of the object clamping means with respect to the cutting blade. 2. The mounting position (first position) in which the object support is supported by the lever element; a second position in which the lever element is movably mounted on the base structure; The cooperating position (third position) between the first end of the displacement means and the lever element is spaced apart from each other to give a lever effect according to the lever principle;
The microtome according to claim 1. 3. The microtome according to claim 2, wherein said first to third positions are arranged so as to give a lever increasing effect according to the lever principle. 4. The microtome according to claim 2, wherein the first to third positions are arranged so as to give a lever decreasing effect according to the lever principle. 5. The holding means further comprises a holding portion fixed to the base means, wherein the lever element is movably mounted on the base means at a distance from the holding portion, and The microtome according to claim 1, wherein a displacement means is operatively arranged between the lever element and the holding part. 6. The holding means further comprises a holding part fixed to the base means, wherein the lever element is movably connected to the holding part, and wherein the base means is spaced apart from the lever element. A projection, wherein the displacement means is operatively disposed between the lever element and the projection.
The microtome according to claim 1. 7. A base means, (b) a blade holder supported on the base means, (c) a cutting blade supported on the blade holder, and (d) disposed on the base means. (E) an object support having a first end facing the cutting blade and passing through the cutting blade, and a second end supported by the holding means. (F) object clamping means for holding the sample object at the first end of the object support; (g) forward movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, and cutting thickness feed movement And a displacement means adapted to cause a retreat movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade for providing a gap between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, and (h) The displacement means comprises at least one piezoelectric mechanical control element, and (j) the blade holder is moved to the base means. Slidably mounted, further comprising a first end cooperating with the base means, and a cutting blade for the object clamping means by causing displacement of the blade holder relative to the base means. A second end operable to change the position of the blade holder; a first position at which the blade holder is movably mounted on the base means; and a second end of the displacement means. The microtome is characterized in that the engagement position (second position) of the microtome is arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in order to provide a lever effect based on the lever principle. 8. The microtome according to claim 7, wherein said first and second positions are arranged in an interrelated position providing a lever increasing effect according to the principle of leverage. 9. The microtome according to claim 7, wherein said first and second positions are arranged at an interrelated position providing a lever increasing effect according to a lever principle. 10. A base means, (b) a blade holder supported on the base means, (c) a cutting blade supported on the blade holder, and (d) disposed on the base means. (E) an object support having a first end facing the cutting blade and passing through the cutting blade, and a second end supported by the holding means. (F) object clamping means for holding the sample object at the first end of the object support; (g) forward movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, and cutting thickness feed movement And a displacement means adapted to cause a retreat movement between the object clamping means and the cutting blade for providing a gap between the object clamping means and the cutting blade, and (h) The displacement means comprises at least one piezo-mechanical control element, and (k) the base means has a transverse direction. A pivot portion for dividing the base means into a first portion and a second portion pivotable with respect to each other around the pivot portion, wherein the blade holder comprises a first portion of the base means; And the object support is disposed on the second portion, and the displacement means is adapted to cause relative pivoting of the first and second portions of the base means with the cutting blade. A first end engaged with the first portion and a second end engaged with the second portion, for changing a relative position with respect to the object support. And a microtome.