JP4841375B2 - Thin section sample preparation device and thin section sample preparation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a thin-section sample preparation apparatus and a thin-section sample preparation method for preparing a thin-section sample used for physicochemical sample analysis, microscopic observation of a biological sample and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a microtome is widely known as an apparatus for producing a thin slice sample used for physicochemical sample analysis or microscopic observation of a biological sample. The microtome is an apparatus for producing a thin slice by slicing a surface layer portion of a sample block in which a specimen such as a biological sample is embedded in an embedding material such as paraffin, with a cutter.

  The thin slice produced by the microtome is collected in a tank filled with a liquid for extension such as water or hot water using a brush, paper, etc., and the heel is extended, and then an adhesive solution (for example, water) Is attached to the slide glass. Or the said thin slice is directly arrange | positioned on the slide glass which apply | coated the adhesive agent, and an extension, such as a wrinkle, is performed and affixed on a slide glass by heating a slide glass. The thin slice attached to the slide glass is closely fixed to the slide glass as the adhesive solution evaporates, and is used as a thin slice sample for tissue observation.

  Conventionally, the preparation work of a thin slice sample using a microtome as described above has been manually performed by an operator, and has required a great deal of labor and labor. Even a worker skilled in the use of a microtome usually takes several days to process dozens of sample blocks, but the same work is repeated, so both physically and mentally The worker was overburdened. For this reason, while reducing the burden of an operator, the apparatus which reduces the fall of the precision of a thin section sample was calculated | required.

  In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-28910) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 3745554), a sliced sample is held on a carrier tape, and then the carrier tape is run to place the sliced sample on a slide glass. A thin-section sample pasting device is disclosed in which a sample is pasted on the surface of a slide glass by feeding it to the front of the glass and then bringing a carrier tape into close contact with the surface of the slide glass.

This device controls the running of the carrier tape, moves the thin section held on the carrier tape to the front of the slide glass coated with the adhesive liquid, and then moves the thin section by bringing the carrier tape closer to the slide glass surface. It is affixed to a slide glass, and the slide glass is heated to extend the wrinkles of the thin section and then move out of the apparatus.
JP 2004-28910 A Japanese Patent No. 3745554

  However, the apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document is carried out of the apparatus every time one thin section is attached to the slide glass. Accordingly, when a large number of thin slice samples are prepared, the number of slide glasses is increased, which causes a problem of a dry space and a problem that costs increase.

  In addition, the workability of the dyeing work as the next process is poor, and there are problems such as waste of the amount of dyeing reagent and deterioration of the efficiency of experiment evaluation.

  Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a thin-section sample preparation apparatus and a thin-section sample preparation method that solve the above-described problems and adopt a novel method for attaching a thin section to a slide glass. is there.

  In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a thin-section sample preparation device and a thin-section sample preparation method having the following configuration.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a sliced piece sample is prepared by attaching a sliced piece transported in a state where the surface layer portion of the sample block is adsorbed to a carrier tape to a slide glass coated with an adhesive liquid. In the device
A slide glass supply unit configured to store the unused slide glass and to be carried out one by one,
A first transport section extending from the slide glass supply section in a direction intersecting the traveling track of the carrier tape;
The adhesive liquid is slid at a place on the first transport unit located between the pasting position where the thin section of the slide glass transported by the first transport unit is pasted and the slide glass supply unit. An adhesive application section that is applied to a predetermined position of the glass;
The thin section adsorbed on the carrier tape is aligned so as to face the sticking position of the slide glass transported by the first transport unit, and the carrier tape and the slide glass are brought into contact with each other. A thin section pasting part for transferring the section to the glass slide,
A second transport unit that is provided in parallel to the first transport unit and transports the slide glass transported by the first transport unit in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the first transport unit;
A re-conveying unit that is provided in communication with the second conveying unit and supplies the slide glass conveyed through the second conveying unit to the first conveying unit again;
An unloading unit that communicates with the second transfer unit and unloads the slide glass that is transferred through the second transfer unit;
A thin-section sample preparation apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches whether to supply the slide glass conveyed through the second conveyance unit to the re-conveyance unit or the carry-out unit.

  According to the 2nd aspect of this invention, the said 2nd conveyance part is provided with the heating part which heats the said slide glass, The thin section sample preparation apparatus of a 1st aspect is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the adhesive liquid application unit includes a spray nozzle that applies a spray-like adhesive liquid to the slide glass conveyed by the first conveyance unit. A thin-section sample preparation apparatus according to a second aspect is provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive liquid application unit includes an adhesive liquid storage tank in which the adhesive liquid is stored, and the adhesive liquid on the slide glass provided at a lower position than the adhesive liquid storage tank. A drop nozzle that drops the liquid droplets, and is provided above the first transport unit with a drop distance that allows the liquid droplets dropped from the drop nozzle to collide with the slide glass and diffuse. A thin-section sample preparation device according to the first or second aspect is provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a thin section that is transported while being adsorbed to a carrier tape and sliced from a surface layer portion of a sample block is attached to a slide glass coated with an adhesive liquid. A thin-section sample preparation method in which the thin-section is attached to the slide glass using a section-sample preparation apparatus,
On the first transport unit that transports the slide glass in a direction that intersects the traveling track of the carrier tape, an adhesive liquid is applied to the first thin-section attaching position that is an arbitrary position on the slide glass,
Control the travel amount of the carrier tape and the transport amount of the slide glass in the first transport unit, and perform alignment so that the thin section is opposed to the first thin section attachment position,
Transfer the thin section to the first thin section attachment position of the slide glass,
The glass slide is supplied from the first transport unit to a second transport unit having a heating unit and transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the first transport unit, and the thin section is made to bend and the thin section is crushed. Adhere to the slide glass,
After the slide glass is disposed from the second transport unit to the first transport unit, the second thin section is pasted on the slide glass different from the first thin section paste position while transporting the first transport unit. Apply adhesive liquid to the landing position,
Control the amount of travel of the carrier tape and the amount of slide glass transported in the first transport unit to perform positioning so that the thin section faces the second thin section pasting position,
Transfer the thin section to the second thin section attachment position of the slide glass,
A thin-section sample preparation method is provided, wherein a plurality of the thin sections are attached to the slide glass.

  According to the present invention, since the first transport unit extends in a direction intersecting the travel path of the carrier tape, the slide glass transported on the first transport unit by adjusting the travel position of the carrier tape. And the corresponding position of the thin section held on the carrier tape can be changed. Therefore, it is possible to move the thin section so as to face the adhesive liquid applied to the predetermined position by the adhesive liquid application device, and to attach the thin section to the predetermined position of the slide glass.

  In addition, the slide glass with the thin section attached is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the first transport unit by the second transport unit, and returned to the first transport unit by the re-transport unit, so that the adhesive liquid coating apparatus can be The slide glass can be transported to a position facing the carrier tape. Thus, a plurality of thin slices can be pasted on one slide glass by applying the adhesive liquid again and pasting the thin slices from the carrier tape.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, by providing the heating unit in the second transport unit, it is possible to prevent the slide glass from being cooled while the second transport unit is transported, and soot from being regenerated.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the adhesive liquid can be thinly applied to the entire slide glass by applying the adhesive liquid in the form of a mist. Therefore, for example, even a slide glass with a thin section attached is a thin mist-like adhesive liquid, so it is not the original position of the thin section, such as a misalignment, and regardless of the attachment position to the slide glass. The adhesive liquid can be easily applied.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the dropping nozzle is provided at a lower position than the adhesive liquid storage tank, a predetermined amount of adhesive liquid can be dropped by weight. That is, since the discharge control of the adhesive liquid can be performed simply by opening and closing the flow path between the adhesive liquid storage tank and the dropping nozzle, the operation can be facilitated. In addition, since the drop distance between the dropping nozzle and the slide glass is more than a predetermined amount and the adhesive liquid collides with the slide glass and diffuses, it is easy to apply the adhesive liquid on the slide glass surface Can be done.

  Hereinafter, a thin-section sample preparation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration and operation of the thin-section sample device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a thin-section sample device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a sample sticking chamber of the thin-section sample device of FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a thin-section sample apparatus 100 transfers a thin-section sample 24 to a slide glass 22 and a sample preparation chamber 100A in which a series of components for preparing a thin-section sample 24 by slicing a sample block 20 is disposed. And a sample pasting chamber 100B in which a series of components to be firmly pasted are arranged.

  As an example, the sample block 20 to be sliced in the thin-section sample device 100 uses a specimen such as a biological sample embedded in an embedding material such as paraffin. When such a sample block 20 is cut with the surface layer portion being dried, the cut surface is likely to be scratched or deformed, and on the other hand, it is prone to expansion and contraction due to subtle changes in temperature and humidity. At times, there is a problem that unevenness tends to occur in the thickness of the thin slice. Therefore, the internal temperature and humidity of the sample preparation chamber 100A are set so as to maintain a constant temperature (for example, 25 ° C.) and a constant high humidity (for example, 65% or more) by a cooler and a humidifier (not shown). Has been. The temperature and humidity may be set as appropriate depending on the type of the subject and the embedded body.

  The sample preparation chamber 100A includes a sample storage unit 30, a sample block transport unit 1, a first charging unit 2, a cooling unit 3, a second charging unit 4, a cutter unit 5, and a supply reel 6. A carrier tape guide 8 is disposed.

  In the sample sticking chamber 100B, a take-up reel 7, a thin slice sticking part 9, a slide glass transport part 10, an adhesive liquid application part 11, an extension part 12, and a slide glass storage part 40 are arranged. Each of the above-described components is connected to a control unit 50, which will be described later, and is configured to appropriately operate in response to a control signal from the control unit 50.

  The sample block transport unit 1 takes out one sample block 20 to be sliced next from the sample storage unit 30 that stores a large number of sample blocks, transports the sample block 20 onto the position A, and then moves the sample block 20 to the position A. It is comprised so that reciprocating conveyance is possible between -D. The positions A to D are linearly aligned in the horizontal direction (± X direction shown in FIG. 1), and the sample storage unit 30 stores the sample block 20 in the same temperature and humidity environment as the sample preparation chamber 100A. ing. Further, the sample block transport unit 1 is configured so that, for example, when the sample block 20 is sliced by a cutter 5a included in the cutter unit 5 as described later, even if a force is applied to the sample block 20 in the −X direction, The sample block 20 can be firmly held at the sample block mounting position so that the accuracy of the thin section sample 24 is not deteriorated due to the position of the sample block 20 being displaced from the sample block mounting position (not shown). Has been.

  Moreover, the sample block conveyance part 1 is a position where the cutting surface which is the surface layer part after the thin slice of the sample block 20 is positioned above the position D and can be sliced by a cutter 5a provided in the cutter part 5 described later ( Hereinafter, the height position of the sample block 20 (the position in the ± Z direction orthogonal to the ± X direction) can be adjusted so as to be positioned at the sliceable position h).

  The first charging unit 2 is disposed above the sample block transport unit 1 at the position A. The first charging unit 2 applies a positive charge to the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 transported to the position A, and charges the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 to a plus.

  The cooling unit 3 is disposed above the sample block transport unit 1 at the position B. The cooling unit 3 converts the sample block 20 conveyed to the position B and a part of the carrier tape 21 that is supplied above the sample block 20 and faces the sample block 20 as will be described later into the temperature atmosphere of the sample preparation chamber 100A. Cool to a lower temperature. By this cooling, the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 can be easily sliced, and the thin slice sample 24 can be easily attached to the part of the carrier tape 21. The cooling temperature is preferably set so low that the part of the carrier tape 21 is condensed. Thereby, the said effect can be enlarged.

  The second charging unit 4 is disposed above the sample block transport unit 1 at the position C. As will be described later, the second charging unit 4 applies a negative charge to the part of the carrier tape 21 supplied from above the position B to above the position C in synchronization with the movement of the sample block 20, thereby The part of the tape 21 is negatively charged.

  The cutter unit 5 includes a cutter 5a, and the cutter 5a is separated from the slicable position h by the thickness of the thin slice sample 24 (for example, 3 μm to 10 μm) toward the sample block 20 (−Z direction side). Arrange so that the cutting edge comes on a plane. The cutter unit 5 is configured so that the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment is transported in the + X direction by the sample block transport unit 1 and moved to the slicable position h while the cutter 5a is fixed. A thin slice sample 24 is prepared by slicing the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 after the position adjustment. The side surface on the + X direction side of the sample block 20 is preferably formed, for example, so as to be perpendicular to the XY plane, that is, parallel to the YZ plane, in order to make it easy to slice with the cutter 5a.

  The supply reel 6 is disposed above the position A and the position B together with a feeding motor (not shown). The supply reel 6 is configured such that the carrier tape 21 functioning as a thin-cut auxiliary member can be fed by driving the feeding motor.

  The take-up reel 7, together with the motor 71, is arranged further downstream than the position E located on the downstream side (+ X direction side) of the traveling (supply) path of the carrier tape 21 from the position D. A constant torque is always applied to the take-up reel 7 by always driving the motor 71, and the carrier tape 21 fed from the supply reel 6 by the feed motor can be wound at the same time as being fed. Has been. The driving of the feeding motor and motor 71 for feeding and winding the carrier tape 21 is controlled by the control unit 50.

  The carrier tape guide unit 8 includes a plurality of guide rollers 81, 82, 83, 91, 92, 93. The plurality of guide rollers 81, 82, and 83 are drawn from the supply reel 6, and the carrier tape 21 that is taken up by the take-up reel 7 is between the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 and the cooling unit 3 that is conveyed to the position B. Between the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 transported to the position C and the second charging unit 4 and in a region near the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 transported above the position D and on the position D. Is done. Further, the guide rollers 91 and 92 are configured by a pair of rollers configured to guide and fix the carrier tape 21 above the position E. The guide roller 93 is configured to be able to guide the take-up reel 7 around the carrier tape 21 on the downstream side of the position E.

  The supply reel 6 and the take-up reel 7 are not limited to the arrangement as described above, and the carrier tape 21 can be guided as described above by the carrier tape guide portion. The arrangement and the number thereof are not limited.

  The thin-section pasting portion 9 includes a pair of guide rollers 91 and 91 disposed above the position E and upstream (−X direction side) of the traveling path of the carrier tape 21, and above the position E and the carrier tape. The thin slice sample held on the carrier tape 21 is attached to the slide glass between a pair of guide rollers 92 and 92 arranged on the downstream side (+ X direction side) of the travel path 21. For example, a part of the carrier tape 21 to which the thin slice sample 24 is attached is sandwiched between the pair of guide rollers 91, 91 and the pair of guide rollers 92, 92, and in this state, the pair of guide rollers 92, 92 or By moving the pair of guide rollers 91, 91 in the −Z direction, the carrier tape 21 is bent downward, and the adhesive liquid 23 is supplied to the upper surface, as will be described later, and the upper surface of the slide glass 22 positioned at the position E is thinned. The section sample 24 is brought into contact, and the thin section sample 24 is adhered to the upper surface of the slide glass 22. Hereinafter, the slide glass to which the thin section is transferred is referred to as a slide glass with a thin section.

  The slide glass transport unit 10 transports one slide glass 22 to which the thin section sample 24 is next attached onto the position F from the slide glass storage unit 40 that stores a large number of slide glasses 22, and the positions F, E, It conveys in order of the position G, and it mounts on the heater 61 with which the extension part 12 is equipped at the position G (refer FIG. 2).

  The adhesive liquid application unit 11 is disposed above the position F and supplies the adhesive liquid 23 to the upper surface of the slide glass 22 conveyed to the position F. Examples of the adhesive liquid 23 include water or water containing ethyl alcohol. The detailed configuration of the adhesive liquid application part will be described later.

  The extension unit 12 includes a heater 61, and the first warming (for example, 40 ° C. to 60 ° C.) is performed by the heater 61 on the slide glass 22 with a thin section placed on the heating plate by the slide glass transport unit 10. After a few seconds to several tens of seconds), the heel of the thin slice sample 24 is extended and the adhesive force of the thin slice sample 24 to the slide glass 22 is increased.

  The second slide glass conveyance unit 13 is provided in parallel to the slide glass conveyance unit 10, and the slide glass with a thin section conveyed from the slide glass conveyance unit 10 by the extension unit 12 is reverse to the conveyance direction of the slide glass conveyance unit 10. Transport to. The second slide glass transport unit 13 is provided with a heater 62, and in addition to the first heating heated by the extension unit 12, the second glass is further subjected to second heating (for example, about 40 ° C.). It is configured so that the folds of the thin slice sample 24 are completely extended and the adhesion between the thin slice sample 24 and the slide glass 22 is enhanced.

  The re-conveying unit 14 is a member that conveys the slide glass with a thin section conveyed by the second slide glass conveying unit 13 so as to return to the slide glass conveying unit 10 again. Further, the carry-out unit 15 is a member for carrying out the slide glass with a thin section conveyed by the second slide glass conveyance unit 13 to the outside of the sample pasting chamber 100B. The switching unit 16 determines whether the slide glass with a thin section conveyed by the second slide glass conveyance unit 13 is sent to the re-conveyance unit 14 or the unloading unit 15. Details of these configurations will be described later.

  The control unit 50 is connected to each of the above constituent members and controls the operation of each constituent member based on an operation program stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown). The operation program is configured so that various settings such as the number of manufactured slide glasses with thin slices and the number of thin slices attached to one slide glass can be performed by an input unit (not shown). Yes.

  Next, the manufacturing operation of the thin-section sample 24 of the thin-section sample apparatus 100 will be described. The production operation of the thin slice sample 24 is performed under the control of the control unit 50.

  In order to manufacture the thin slice sample 24 with high accuracy, the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 with unevenness or the like can be sliced in advance with the cutter 5a, and the cut surface that is the surface layer portion after the slice cutting of the sample block 20 can be sliced. It is preferable to be parallel to a plane with the position h (XY plane). In order to perform this parallelism, the following initial operation may be performed.

  First, one sample block 20 to be sliced is taken out from the sample storage unit 30 and conveyed onto the position A by the sample block conveyance unit 1. Next, the sample block 20 is transported by the sample block transport unit 1 so as to pass over the positions A, B, and C, and the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 is sliced during the transport. The height position (the position in the ± Z direction) of the sample block 20 is adjusted so that the sample block 20 is positioned on the XY plane where the possible position h is located, so that the sample block 20 can be sliced on the position D (see FIG. 1).

  By moving the sample block 20 to the slicing possible position h, the cutter 5a of the cutter unit 5 fixed at the slicing preparation position H slices the surface layer portion of the sample block 20 into the sample block 20. A cutting surface parallel to a plane (XY plane) having the sliceable position h is formed.

  Next, the sample block transport unit 1 moves the sample block 20 whose cutting surface is parallel to the XY plane from the position D to the position A, and the cutting surface of the sample block 20 is positioned at the slicable position h. The height position (position in the ± Z direction) of the sample block 20 is adjusted so as to be positioned on a certain XY plane. Thereby, the initial operation is completed.

  Next, the manufacturing operation of the thin-section sample 24 after the completion of the initial operation will be described. First, the sample block 20 whose height position is adjusted by the sample block transport unit 1 so that the cutting surface is positioned on the XY plane where the slicable position h is located is located on the position D from the position A. It is conveyed toward h.

  At this time, when the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment passes over the position A, a positive charge is applied to the cut surface of the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment by the first charging unit 2. Is supplied, and the cut surface of the sample block 20 is positively charged.

  Further, when the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment passes over the position B, the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment is positioned above the position B and the cutting surface of the sample block 20 and the height. A portion of the carrier tape 21 facing the sample block 20 after the position adjustment is cooled by the cooling unit 3.

Next, when the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment moves from the position B to the position C, the part of the carrier tape 21 is synchronized with the movement of the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment. The feeding motor (not shown) is driven so as to move while maintaining the opposed state to the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment.
Next, when the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment passes over the position C, the carrier tape 21 moved above the position C in synchronization with the movement of the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment. Negative charges are supplied to the part by the second charging unit 4. As a result, the part of the carrier tape 21 is negatively charged.

  Next, when the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment is transported from the position C to the sliceable position h on the position D by the sample block transport unit 1, the sample block after the height position adjustment is performed. The 20 surface layer portions abut against the cutter 5a of the cutter unit 5 fixed at the slicing preparation position H, and the sample block transport unit 1 is transported to be sliced to produce one thin slice sample 24. . At this time, the carrier tape 21 travels in synchronism with the conveyance speed of the sample block conveyance unit 1, and the thin slice sample sliced by the cutter 5 a is attached to the carrier tape 21 and held.

  When the cutting surface of the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment is sliced by the cutter 5a of the cutter unit 5, the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment is a sliceable position h on the position D. Until it stops, it stops at the slicing possible position h. On the other hand, the part of the carrier tape 21 that moves in synchronization with the movement of the sample block 20 after the height position adjustment leaves the sample preparation chamber 100A and continues to move to the sample pasting chamber 100B.

  When the carrier tape 21 moves to the sample attaching chamber 100B, the thin slice sample 24 is positively charged as described above, and the part of the carrier tape 21 facing the thin slice sample 24 is negatively charged. Therefore, the carrier tape 21 is stuck to the part due to static electricity and the cooling effect of the cooling unit 3 described above.

  The thin slice sample 24 sent to the sample sticking chamber 100B is stuck on a slide glass as will be described later to produce a slide glass with a thin slice. Note that the thin-section sample preparation device according to the present embodiment is configured such that a plurality of thin-section samples 24 can be attached to one slide glass. Details of this operation will be described later.

  In the above, when the thin slice sample 24 is moved to above the position E, the sample block 20 stopped at the sliceable position h on the position D is used for the preparation of the next thin slice sample 24. The sample block transport unit 1 returns the position from the position D to the position A, and the cut surface of the sample block 20 after the first thin slice sample 24 is formed on the XY plane where the sliceable position h is located. The height position (position in the ± Z direction) of the sample block 20 is adjusted so as to be positioned.

  Thereafter, the sample block 20 is transported from the position A to the position D by the sample block transport unit 1 in the same manner as described above, and the slicing operation is automatically and continuously repeated an arbitrary number of times. A section sample 24 is prepared.

  Next, the configuration and operation of each member provided in the sample pasting chamber 100B will be described in detail. In addition, in the following description, in order to add a case where the slide glass is actually moved, in order to explain the existence position of the member whose position changes such as the slide glass, the slide glasses 22-1 and 22-2, The description will be made with branch numbers such as the operation piece 52-1, but these do not particularly indicate another member.

  As described above, in the sample pasting chamber 100B, the slide glass storage unit 40, the thin section pasting unit 9, the slide glass transport unit 10, the adhesive liquid application unit 11, the extension unit 12, the second slide glass transport unit 13, A transport unit 14, a carry-out unit 15, a switching unit 16, and a take-up reel 7 are provided.

  The slide glass storage unit 40 stocks unused slide glass to which a thin section is attached, and supplies the slide glass 22 to the slide glass transport unit 10 under the control of the control unit 50.

  The slide glass transport unit 10 transports the slide glass along the Y-axis direction. The slide glass transport unit 10 extrudes the guide glass 31 that holds the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the slide glass 22-1 transported from the slide glass storage unit 40, the guide bar 32 provided in parallel to the guide unit, and the slide glass. And a moving unit 33 that moves along the guide bar 32. The moving part 33 is movably held along the guide bar 32 through the guide bar 32, and moves along the guide bar 32 when the drive belt 34 is driven. The drive belt 34 is wound around rollers 35 a and 35 b provided near both ends of the guide bar 32. The roller 35a is rotationally driven by a motor 36, and the driving belt 34 is driven by the rotational driving of the roller 35a, thereby moving the moving unit 33. The moving unit 33 contacts the rear end of the slide glass placed on the guide unit 31 in the conveyance direction, and moves the slide glass to the position G via the position F and the position E by the movement of the moving unit 33.

  The adhesive liquid application part 11 is provided in the middle of the guide part 31 of the slide glass conveyance part 10. The adhesive liquid application unit 11 applies an adhesive liquid onto the slide glass 22-2 conveyed through the slide glass conveyance unit 10, and specific examples thereof include those shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Illustrated. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an adhesive liquid application unit used in the thin-section sample preparation device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating another configuration example of the adhesive liquid application unit used in the thin-section sample preparation device illustrated in FIG. 1.

  3A includes a nozzle unit 45a including a plurality of nozzles (in this embodiment, four nozzles) for applying the adhesive liquid to the surface of the slide glass 22-2. The nozzles provided in the nozzle unit 45a are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the slide glass, and a nozzle for discharging the adhesive liquid can be appropriately selected according to the application position of the slide glass. . The nozzles 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, and 41 d communicate with each other through the supply pipe 43 and the adhesive liquid tank 44 that stores the adhesive liquid 95. The adhesive liquid tank 44 is provided at a position higher than the nozzles 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d, and the adhesive liquid is supplied to the nozzles 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d by gravity and discharged. As the adhesive liquid in the adhesive liquid tank 44 is consumed, the distance between the liquid surface of the adhesive liquid tank 44 and the tip of the nozzle changes. Therefore, the height direction position of the adhesive liquid tank is changed according to the amount of adhesive liquid consumed. You may comprise so that adjustment is possible. By supplying the adhesive liquid by gravity in this way, it is not necessary to provide a pump for supplying and discharging the adhesive liquid. In the middle of the supply pipe 43, on-off valves 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d are provided for each nozzle, and an arbitrary amount of adhesive liquid can be discharged from any nozzle under the control of the control unit 50. Thus, the opening / closing timing is controlled. The on-off valves 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d are preferably provided in the vicinity of the nozzles 41a, 41b, 41c and 41d.

  The nozzles 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d are arranged at a distance D from the surface of the slide glass 22, and the adhesive liquid dropped from the nozzle collides with the surface of the slide glass and diffuses. Moreover, the nozzle unit 45a is comprised so that adjustment of the distance D is possible, and the grade of the spreading | diffusion of the adhesive liquid dripped from the nozzle can be adjusted by adjusting this.

  The adhesive liquid application part 11b shown to FIG. 3B is provided with the nozzle unit 45b provided with the single nozzle 41e for apply | coating an adhesive liquid to the glass slide 22-2 surface. The nozzle 41e provided in the nozzle unit 45b is disposed in the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the slide glass, and can discharge the mist-like adhesive liquid at a wide angle. The nozzle 41 e communicates with the adhesive liquid tank 44 that stores the adhesive liquid 95 and the supply pipe 43. The adhesive liquid application unit 11 b having this configuration includes a pump (not shown) for discharging the adhesive liquid from the nozzle, and the drive timing of the pump is controlled by the control unit 50. According to the adhesive liquid application part 11b having this configuration, the adhesive liquid can be applied very thinly over a wide range by discharging the mist-like adhesive liquid from the nozzle 41e. Therefore, since the adhesive liquid can be applied by the same control process regardless of the position where the thin slice, which will be described later, is in close contact with the slide glass, the control can be facilitated.

  The thin slice pasting part 9 is provided on the downstream side of the adhesive liquid application part 11. As described above, the thin section pasting portion 9 is provided in the vicinity of the guide rollers 91 and 92 of the carrier tape guide portion 8, that is, in the vicinity of the portion where the carrier tape 21 intersects the slide glass transport portion 10. The thin section pasting unit 9 is positioned by the control unit 50 so that a part of the carrier tape 21 on which the thin section sample is held is positioned at a specific position between the guide rollers 91 and 92. The carrier tape clamped by 92 is pressed against the slide glass 22-3, and the thin slice sample 24 held on the carrier tape 21 is transferred to the slide glass 22-3. Specifically, as described above, the guide rollers 91 and 92 are configured to move to the slide glass 22-3 side with the carrier tape 21 sandwiched therebetween. As a modified example, the carrier tape 21 may have one or a plurality of pushers (not shown) that operate to press the carrier tape 21 downward from the surface on which the thin slice sample 24 is not held. The arrangement | positioning location in the case of using a several pusher can be provided in the position corresponding to the sticking position (refer FIG. 6) of the thin-section sample of a slide glass, for example.

  The extension unit 12 extends along the X-axis direction to the end of the slide glass transport unit 10 and transports the slide glass with a thin section in the X-axis direction. The extension unit 12 is a member for sending the slide glass 22 with a thin section from the slide glass transport unit 10 to the second slide glass transport unit 13, and heats the slide glass 22 with a thin section during the transport of the slide glass. The tissue of the thin slice sample 24 is stretched and the adhesion between the thin slice sample 24 and the slide glass 22 is strengthened. That is, the extension part 12 is provided with a heater 61, and for example, the slide glass is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, about 40 ° C to 60 ° C, several seconds to several tens of seconds).

  The extension unit 12 includes an operation piece 49 that pushes out the short direction end of the slide glass and a motor 47 for driving the operation piece 49 in order to convey the slide glass with a thin section in the longitudinal direction. The motor 47 can be driven to move the two connecting rods 48 connected to the operation piece 49 forward and backward. In the state where the connecting rod 48 is extended to the maximum, the slide glass 22 with a thin section conveyed from the slide glass conveying unit 10 is moved. The slide glass is transported to a position where the slide glass can be supplied to the second slide glass transport section 13 in the locked state (the position indicated by reference numeral 49-1 in FIG. 2).

  The 2nd slide glass conveyance part 13 is extended along the Y-axis direction from the terminal end of the extension part 12, and conveys the slide glass with a thin section in the reverse direction to the slide glass conveyance part 10 along the Y-axis direction. The second slide glass conveyance unit 13 is provided with a heater 62 for keeping the slide glass heated by the extension unit during conveyance of the slide glass 22 with a thin section. By heating and keeping the slide glass 22 with a thin section by the extension section 12 and the second slide glass transport section 13, the eyelid of the thin section sample 24 is extended and the adhesive force of the thin section sample 24 to the slide glass 22 is increased. can do.

  The second slide glass transport unit 13 includes a motor 53 that transports the slide glass, an operation piece 52 for supplying the slide glass from the extension unit 12, and a motor 51. The motor 51 moves the operating piece 52 by moving the connecting rod 54 connected to the operating piece 52 back and forth. In the state where the connecting rod 54 is the shortest, the operating piece 52 is positioned on the rear end side in the longitudinal direction of the slide glass 22 conveyed by the extending portion 12, and the connecting rod 54 is extended most (FIG. 2). ) At the upstream end of the belt conveyor 53 so that the slide glass can be supplied. The slide glass 22 can be supplied to the switching unit 16 by moving the slide glass to the end by the belt conveyor 53 of the second slide glass transport unit 13.

  The switching unit 16 performs switching for transporting the slide glass transported by the second slide glass transport unit 13 to either the re-transport unit 14 or the carry-out unit 15, and is a thin slice along the X-axis direction. It consists of a motor that can transport the attached slide glass.

  The re-conveying unit 14 is configured by a motor, and supplies the slide glass with a thin section to the slide glass conveying unit 10. The carry-out unit 15 is constituted by a motor, and carries out the slide glass with a thin section to the outside.

  Next, the operation of producing a slide glass with a thin section using each member provided in the sample pasting chamber 100B will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the processing operation for producing one slide glass with a thin section. These operation processes are performed by various members performing the following operations in accordance with instructions from the control unit 50.

  First, a paste condition is set in a storage area in the control unit 50 by operating an input unit (not shown). The affixing conditions include the thickness per thin section, the number of thin section samples affixed per slide glass, the position where the thin section sample is affixed to the slide glass, the extension unit 12 and the second slide glass transport The heating temperature in the section 13, the number of slide glasses with thin slice samples, and the like. When the input of these conditions is completed, the following operation is started by operating a start button (not shown). Hereinafter, description of the thinning operation performed in the sample preparation chamber 100A will be omitted, and only the preparation operation of the slide glass with a thin-section sample in the sample pasting chamber 100B will be described.

  The carrier tape 21 is transported in a state where the thin slice sample 24 is held on the surface of the carrier tape 21 by the thin cutting operation performed in the sample preparation chamber 100A. At the same time, an unused slide glass is supplied from the slide glass storage unit 40 to the slide glass transport unit 10, and the slide glass is transported along the Y-axis direction to the attachment position of the thin slice sample (# 2). In the middle of this, the slide glass is temporarily stopped at the adhesive liquid application position (position F in FIG. 2) by the adhesive liquid application part 11, and the adhesive liquid is applied by the adhesive liquid application part 11.

  Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the case where the adhesive liquid application part 11a which has four nozzles shown to FIG. 3A is used is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 5, the adhesive liquid is applied to the slide glass stopped at the adhesive liquid application position at positions 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d corresponding to the four nozzles 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d. Apply. For example, the adhesive liquid discharged from the nozzle 41 a is applied to the position 46 a on the slide glass 22. That is, the adhesive can be applied at any position of the slide glass 22 by controlling the opening / closing of the on-off valves 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d of the adhesive supply unit 11a. In addition, when attaching a sample to a large sample or a position between nozzle positions, it may be discharged from a plurality of nozzles in one attaching operation (for example, the nozzle 41a and the nozzle 41a in one attaching operation). Use the nozzle 41b and paste it at a position between 46a and 46b).

  Hereinafter, in this example, two thin slice samples are attached to one slide glass, and the first thin slice sample is attached to the position 46a, and the second thin slice sample is attached to the position 46c. Will be described as an example. That is, when the on-off valve 42a is opened by the controller 50, the adhesive liquid is supplied by gravity and dripped from the nozzle 41a. As described above, since a predetermined drop distance is provided between the nozzle and the slide glass surface, the adhesive liquid dropped from the nozzle 41a is diffused and applied by colliding with the slide glass surface.

  When the application of the adhesive liquid is completed, the slide glass transport unit 10 transports the slide glass to the thin-section sample attaching position E, and the corresponding positioning of the slide glass is completed.

  Since the carrier tape is orthogonal to the upper side of the corresponding position of the slide glass, as shown in FIG. 6, by controlling the feed amount of the carrier tape 21, it can be placed at an arbitrary position on the slide glass 22-3. Thin section samples can be moved. Since the adhesive liquid is applied to the position 46a as described above, the carrier tape 21 is run so that the thin slice sample held on the surface of the carrier tape 21 faces the position 46a.

  When the slide glass 22 and the carrier tape 21 are conveyed to the corresponding positions (Yes in # 3), the guide rollers 91 and 92 pinch and fix the carrier tape 21 (# 4).

  Next, the thin section pasting unit 9 moves the guide rollers 91 and 92 downward while holding the carrier tape 21, and the thin section sample 24 held on the carrier tape 21 is pressed against the adhesive liquid on the upper surface of the slide glass 22. The thin slice sample 24 is transferred from the carrier tape 21 to the upper surface of the slide glass 22 (# 5).

  The slide glass 22 with a thin section to which the thin section sample 24 is transferred is transported to the extension section 12 by the slide glass transport section 10. The slide glass 22 with a thin section conveyed to the extension section 12 is heated (for example, about 40 to 60 ° C.) by a heater 61 provided in the extension section 12 and the tissue of the thin section sample 24 is extended. Then, the adhesive force of the thin slice sample 24 to the slide glass 22 is increased (# 6).

  Next, the slide glass 22 with a thin section is supplied to the second slide glass transport unit 13 and transported in the direction opposite to the slide glass transport unit 10 along the Y-axis direction. In the second slide glass conveyance unit 13, the temperature is maintained (for example, about 40 ° C.) by the heater 62, so that wrinkles are not regenerated and adhesion between the thin slice sample 24 and the slide glass 22 is enhanced. Thereby, the pasting of the first thin slice sample 24 is completed.

  In the present processing example, since the second thin slice sample 24 is pasted on the same slide glass (# 7), the slide glass transported by the second slide glass transport unit 13 and sent to the switching unit 16 is re-transported. 14 is returned to the slide glass conveyance section (# 8). Thereafter, the same processing is performed to apply the adhesive liquid to the position 46c of the slide glass, paste the second thin slice sample 24 to the position 46c of the slide glass, heat by the extension section 12, and the second slide glass. Insulation is performed by the transport unit 13, and the slide glass on which the two thin slice samples are attached is sent to the switching unit 16.

  Since the two thin slice samples are pasted and the next thin slice sample does not exist, the switching unit 16 sends the slide glass to the carry-out unit 15 (# 9) and is discharged to the outside by the carry-out unit 15. It is preferable that the slide glass with a thin-section sample carried out to the outside is sent to a heat insulating box or the like to completely evaporate the adhesive liquid.

  Thus, the above operation is repeated until the production of one slide glass with a thin section is completed and a predetermined number of slide glasses inputted by the input unit are produced.

  As described above, according to the thin-section sample preparation device according to the present embodiment, the second slide glass transport section 13, the re-transport section 14, and the switch that returns the slide glass on which the thin section sample is attached to the slide glass transport section. By providing the part 16, a plurality of thin slice samples can be attached to one slide glass. Further, when the second thin slice sample is attached to the slide glass, the carrier tape is transported in a direction intersecting the slide glass transport unit 10 so that the attaching position can be precisely controlled. In addition, the adhesive liquid application part for applying the adhesive liquid is configured to be able to apply the adhesive liquid to an arbitrary position of the slide glass 22 so that more reliable thin slice samples can be attached. .

  In addition, according to the said embodiment, although the operation process is performed so that the thin slice sample sent continuously may be affixed on one slide glass, it is not specifically limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the thin slice samples (24-1, 24-2,..., 24-n) that are sequentially sent are sequentially attached to the first position of the unused slide glass. After that, a thin slice sample is attached to all the glass slides of a predetermined number (n), and then a thin slice sample (24-n + 1, 24-n + 2,..., 24-2n is moved to the second position of the slide glass. ) May be pasted. In addition, it is preferable that the slide glass on which the first thin slice sample is attached is stocked on the belt conveyor of the second slide glass conveyance unit 13.

  In addition, when the thing of the adhesive liquid application part 11b of the structure shown to FIG. 3B is used as the adhesive liquid application part 11, the whole surface of a slide glass is substantially 1 by the adhesive liquid discharged by a mist at a wide angle. It is performed by one discharge.

It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the thin section sample apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure in the sample sticking chamber of the thin section sample apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the adhesive liquid application part used for the thin section sample preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the adhesive liquid application part used for the thin section sample preparation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the processing operation which produces one slide glass with a thin section. It is the schematic which shows the example of the application position of adhesive liquid. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the affixing position to a slide glass, and the conveyance amount of a carrier tape. It is a figure explaining the modification of the affixing order of the thin section sample to a slide glass.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sample block conveyance part 2 1st charging part 3 Cooling part 4 2nd charging part 5 Cutter part 6 Supply reel 7 Take-up reel 8 Carrier tape guide part 9 Thin section sticking part 10 Slide glass conveyance part 11 Adhesive liquid application part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Extension part 13 2nd slide glass conveyance part 14 Re-conveyance part 15 Unloading part 16 Switching part 20 Sample block 21 Carrier tape 22 Slide glass 23 Adhesive liquid 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e Nozzle 50 Control part 81, 82, 83 , 91, 92 Guide roller 100 Thin section sample preparation device 100A
100B

Claims (5)

In the thin-section sample preparation device, in which the surface section of the sample block is sliced and the thin section conveyed in a state of being adsorbed to the carrier tape is attached to the slide glass coated with the adhesive liquid,
A slide glass supply unit configured to store the unused slide glass and to be carried out one by one,
A first transport section extending from the slide glass supply section in a direction intersecting the traveling track of the carrier tape;
The adhesive liquid is slid at a place on the first transport unit located between the pasting position where the thin section of the slide glass transported by the first transport unit is pasted and the slide glass supply unit. An adhesive application section that is applied to a predetermined position of the glass;
The thin section adsorbed on the carrier tape is aligned so as to face the sticking position of the slide glass transported by the first transport unit, and the carrier tape and the slide glass are brought into contact with each other. A thin section pasting part for transferring the section to the glass slide,
A second transport unit that is provided in parallel to the first transport unit and transports the slide glass transported by the first transport unit in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the first transport unit;
A place provided between the slide glass supply unit and the adhesive liquid application unit on the first conveyance unit , the slide glass that is provided in communication with the second conveyance unit and is conveyed through the second conveyance unit. A re-conveying section for supplying to
An unloading unit that communicates with the second transfer unit and unloads the slide glass transferred through the second transfer unit;
A thin-section sample preparation apparatus comprising: a switching unit that switches whether the slide glass that has been transported through the second transport unit is supplied to the re-transport unit or the carry-out unit.   2. The thin-section sample preparation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transport unit includes a heat and heat retaining unit that heats and heats the slide glass.   3. The thin-section sample preparation device according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive liquid application unit includes a spray nozzle that applies a spray-like adhesive liquid to a slide glass conveyed by the first conveyance unit. .   The adhesive liquid application unit includes an adhesive liquid storage tank in which the adhesive liquid is stored, and a dropping nozzle that drops the adhesive liquid on the slide glass provided at a lower position than the adhesive liquid storage tank. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a drop distance that allows a droplet dropped from a nozzle to collide with the slide glass and diffuse is secured above the first transport unit. Thin section sample preparation device. Using the thin-section sample preparation device, the thin-section sample is transported while being adsorbed on the carrier tape, and the thin-section prepared by cutting the surface layer portion of the sample block is attached to the slide glass coated with the adhesive liquid. Is a method for preparing a sliced piece sample to be adhered to the slide glass,
On the first transport unit that transports the slide glass in a direction that intersects the traveling track of the carrier tape, an adhesive liquid is applied to the first thin-section attaching position that is an arbitrary position on the slide glass,
Control the travel amount of the carrier tape and the transport amount of the slide glass in the first transport unit, and perform alignment so that the thin section is opposed to the first thin section attachment position,
Transfer the thin section to the first thin section attachment position of the slide glass,
The slide glass is supplied from the first transport unit to a second transport unit having a heating unit and transported in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the first transport unit, and the folds of the thin section are extended to form a thin section. Close to the glass slide,
After the slide glass is disposed from the second transport unit to the first transport unit, the second thin section is pasted on the slide glass different from the first thin section paste position while transporting the first transport unit. Apply adhesive liquid to the landing position,
Control the amount of travel of the carrier tape and the amount of slide glass transported in the first transport unit to perform positioning so that the thin section faces the second thin section pasting position,
Transfer the thin section to the second thin section attachment position of the slide glass,
A thin-section sample preparation method, wherein a plurality of the thin sections are attached to the slide glass.

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