JPH09145571A - Organismic sample embedding cassette - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a cassette in which organismic sample of different size and characteristics can be contained without varying the size of hole in perforated board by mounting a perforated pan containing an organismic sample on a supporting frame and holding the perforated pan by means of a flat container and a cover plate. SOLUTION: A flat container 1 made of a perforated board of hard synthetic resin and a cover plate 2 made of same perforated board are fitted to be opened/closed freely by means of an engaging piece 3 and a stopper 3a on the cover side and an engaging hole 4 and a stop part 4a on the container 1 side. The container 1 is provided with a window 6 for supporting a perforated pan 5 for passing liquid and a supporting flange 7 is projected from the circumferential fringe of window 6 toward the inside of container 1. Circumferential flange 9 at the opening 8 of pan 5 is held between the forward end 7a of supporting flange 7 and the inner surface of cover plate 2. The pan 5 is made integrally of a liquid passing sheet of transparent hard synthetic resin. An organismic sample 10 is set on the bottom of pan 5 and encapsulated, under that state, in a previously prepared capsule and then fixed in place.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a biopsy sample taken from a human body by a clinician to determine a method for diagnosing and treating a disease, or a sliced sample used for pathological diagnosis in a surgically excised affected area and various specimens. The present invention relates to an embedding cassette suitable for fixing, supporting and moving a biological sample such as a biological research sample described in 1) so as not to be altered, and thereafter performing an embedding treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when carrying out this type of work, a flat container with a lid formed by an opaque porous plate, a so-called embedding cassette, is used as shown in FIG. Select an embedding cassette with different pore sizes of the perforated plate according to the size and characteristics of the biological sample, store the biological sample in it, close the lid, and put the alteration inhibitor of the biological sample as it is. Put it in a capsule and send it to a pathology laboratory.

After being transferred to the examination room, the embedding cassette containing the biological sample is taken out from the capsule, the lid of the cassette is opened, and the biological sample contained therein and the description items on the slip attached to it. After confirming the identity of the two, return the biological sample to the embedding cassette, put it in each container containing alcohol or xylene, and then dehydrate and degrease the biological sample in sequence. Each treatment is performed by immersing it in an embedding medium composed of clear, paraffin or resin.

After that, the biological sample is directly picked up from the embedding cassette with tweezers or the like, placed on another embedding dish prepared in advance, and a small space is placed on the embedding cassette so that the biological sample of the embedding cassette can be removed. Place the bottom part (embedding support base), pour in the embedding medium made of melted paraffin or resin, and embed the biological sample with the embedding medium together with a part of the embedding cassette. Then, in this state, the embedding medium is cooled to solidify the embedding cassette and the biological sample integrally with the embedding medium to form an embedding block, and the embedding block is sliced with a microtome.

[0005]

The above-mentioned conventional embedding cassette is formed of a perforated plate so that the treatment liquid is sufficiently spread over the biological sample when the above-mentioned treatment such as dehydration is performed. If the size of the holes in the perforated plate is too large compared to the size, the sample will fall out from the holes. Therefore, it is necessary to change the size of the holes of the perforated plate according to the size of the biological sample contained in the embedding cassette.

According to the above conventional technique, it is uneconomical to prepare various kinds of embedding cassettes having different pore sizes of the perforated plate according to the size of the biological sample.

Further, according to the present invention, various sizes and characteristics can be obtained without changing the size of the holes of the perforated plate of the embedding cassette which is composed of the flat container and the lid plate which are conventionally used. Organisms that can store biological samples and can play a role of baskets during dewatering, degreasing, clearing, and embedding work from prevention of alteration of biological samples, and also as a support base for embedding when slicing with a microtome. By providing a sample embedding cassette, the cost is reduced.

[0008]

The biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention is provided with a window hole for installing a liquid-permeable perforated plate in any one of the flat container and the lid plate, and the window hole is formed. A supporting frame is provided on the periphery of the support container so as to project toward the inside of the flat container.
The flange at the peripheral edge of the opening of the perforated dish is sandwiched between the support frame and the inner surface of the lid plate or between the support frame and the bottom of the flat container.

The biological sample embedding cassette according to the present invention has a lattice provided in a window hole formed in either one of the container and the cover plate.

In the embedding cassette for biological samples according to the present invention, the flat container is made of hard synthetic resin, and the lid plate is made of rust-free steel.

Further, the biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention has an engaging piece which fits into an engaging hole of a flat container protruding from one end of a lid plate made of non-rust steel, and the other end of the lid. A spring-like engagement element that engages with one side of the cover plate is provided on the projection.

The biological sample embedding cassette of the present invention comprises a hydrophilic sheet at the opening of the perforated dish.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A biological sample collected from a human body by a clinician is stored in a bottom portion of a perforated dish which is locked in a window hole formed in either a lid plate or a bottom surface of a flat container, and these are stored. In that state, it is put in a capsule prepared separately in advance and immersed in an alteration preventing agent, so that the biological sample is fixed so as not to be altered in the embedding cassette and is retained.

After the above processing is completed, the lid plate is fitted into a flat container to form a sealed embedding cassette, and the embedding cassette is transferred to a predetermined processing site, where it is dehydrated, degreased and clarified sequentially. , Each embedding agent. Then, the biological sample is placed on the embedding dish, and the bottom of the flat container (embedding support base) of the empty embedding cassette is arranged on the top of the embedding dish, and the biological sample is placed through the embedding cassette. At least a part of the bottom portion (flat container) of the embedding cassette is prepared by injecting a molten embedding medium from above and directly embedding a biological sample with the embedding medium, cooling the embedding medium and solidifying it. The (embedding support base), the biological sample, and the embedding agent are integrally solidified to form an embedding block.

[0015]

1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
The flat plate 1 made of a perforated plate such as a hard synthetic resin and the lid plate 2 made of the same perforated plate are used for engaging the engagement piece 3 and the engagement piece 3a on the lid side with the flat container 1 side. In the embedding cassette which is openably and closably fitted with the hole 4 and the locking portion 4a, a window hole 6 for supporting the liquid-permeable perforated dish 5 is formed in the flat container 1, and the window hole 6 is formed. Container 1 around the periphery of
A support frame 7 is provided so as to project inward, and a flange 9 around the opening 8 of the perforated plate 5 is sandwiched between the tip edge 7a of the support frame 7 and the inner surface of the lid plate 2. Is. The perforated plate 5 is integrally formed of a transparent liquid-permeable sheet made of hard synthetic resin.

A biological sample 10 required by a clinician for examination or treatment collected from a human body is contained in the bottom of the perforated dish 5 as shown in FIG. In the state, they are put in a capsule prepared separately in advance and immersed in an alteration preventing agent to fix the biological sample in the embedding cassette so as not to be altered. Depending on the type of biological sample, it may easily fall off during transfer or each treatment. In that case, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-16
By the fixing method using a fixing support agent disclosed in No. 903, the inside of the perforated dish 5 is surely fixed. That is, a fixing support agent 11 composed of glucomannan and a preservative stabilizing solution such as formalin and the like is filled above and around the biological sample 10 and these are separately prepared in this state in a capsule (not shown). No.) and immersed in a gelling agent for glucomannan to gel the glucomannan, thereby integrally supporting the biological sample 10 in the embedding cassette from migration.

After the above processing is completed, the lid plate 2 is fitted into the flat container 1 to form a sealed embedding cassette, and the embedding cassette in that state is transferred to a predetermined processing site. Therefore, after the cassettes are sequentially treated with each treatment agent such as dehydration, degreasing, clearing, and embedding agent, the lid plate 2 of the embedding cassette is opened and the biological sample 10 is embedded in the fixing support agent 11 from the perforated dish 5. Take it out. An organism in a state of being placed on an embedding dish (not shown), the bottom of an embedding support base being arranged on the upper part thereof, and being embedded in a fixing support agent 11 through the flat container 1. The biological sample 10 is directly embedded with the embedding agent made of paraffin in a molten state from above the sample 10, and the embedding agent is cooled to solidify and embedded in the fixing support 11. The biological sample 10 in the opened state is sliced with a microtome (not shown). The embedding support base used at the time of embedding may be separately prepared, or the flat container 1 of the embedding cassette containing the biological sample may be used.

The embedding cassette of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but may be partially modified or partially added within the scope of the gist of the present invention. is there. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the window 6 is provided in the hollow portion of the flat container 1, and the flat container 1 is provided at the inner peripheral edge of the window 6.
The support frame 7 is provided so as to project toward the inner side of the plate, and the flange 9 of the perforated dish 5 is sandwiched between the tip edge 7a of the support frame 7 and the inner surface of the lid plate 2. As shown, the window hole 6 and the cover plate 2
A support frame 7 is provided on the inner peripheral edge of the window hole 6, and the front end edge 7a of the support frame 7 and the inner surface of the flat container 1 form a perforated plate 5
It is also possible to sandwich the collar 9 of the.

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

Further, when the opening area of the window hole 6 is made larger than the size of the bottom surface of the embedding cassette, the lattice 17 may be formed in the window hole 6. By forming the lattice 17, the bottom portion of the perforated dish 5 is reinforced and the strength is increased when it is used as an embedded support base. Further, as compared with the case where only the window 6 is provided, the portion that comes into contact with the embedding medium increases, so that the embedding can be performed more integrally.

Although the lid plate 2 of the above-described embodiment is made of a hard synthetic resin, the rustproof steel such as stainless steel is used instead of the synthetic resin as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It is also possible. In this case, the fitting of the engaging piece 13 into the engaging hole 14 is the same as in the above-described embodiment, but the other one of the engaging pieces is attached to the spring-like engaging element 1.
5, and this is engaged with the engaging projection 16 provided on the flat container 1.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the end edge 15a of the engaging element 15 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is directed outward, whereas the end edge 15b is directed inward. They are different in that they are facing.

Furthermore, the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 is
The difference is that the support frame 7 in each of the above-described embodiments projects along the inner peripheral edge of the window hole 6, whereas it projects along the outer peripheral edge of the cover plate 2. In addition, this embodiment is different from the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 9 in that the engaging element 15 is also used as the support frame 7, and the volume of the portion surrounded by the support frame 7 increases, so comparison is made. It is possible to accommodate a large biological sample 10.

Further, the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 is different in that the engaging element 15 in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 is composed of two parts, but is integrally formed. .

The above-mentioned FIG. 5, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG.
FIG. 13 shows a state in which the opening 8 of the perforated dish 5 faces downward, but as described above, the biological sample 10 is accommodated or the collar of the perforated dish 5 is formed by the support frame 7 and the inner surface of the flat container 1. When sandwiching 9, the flat container 1 and the perforated dish 5 are placed in a state upside down from the state shown in FIG.

In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, after the fixing support agent 11 is filled in the porous dish 5, the hydrophilic sheet 12 having an affinity for the fixing support agent 11 is placed in the opening 8 of the porous dish. May be. This hydrophilic sheet 12 is a fixing support agent 11
Since it adheres well to the fixing support 11, the fixing support 11 can be more reliably fixed by disposing it. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to make the concentration of the support agent thinner. The hydrophilic sheet 12 is made of a hydrophilic material that easily adheres to the surface of the fixing support 11 and has a property of not dissolving in alcohol or xylene, such as Japanese paper, a thin piece of sponge, or cloth. .

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the hydrophilic sheet 1
The reference mark 13 may be displayed near at least one side edge of 2. This reference marker 13 is useful especially when a plurality of biological samples 10 are put in, when it is necessary to indicate the order in which the biological samples 10 were collected, the positional relationship such as from which part of the organ to be collected, etc. For example, it is determined in advance that a plurality of biological samples 10 are arranged with a certain reference from the reference marker 13 as a starting point so that confusion does not occur when embedding.

Furthermore, instead of displaying the reference mark 13 on at least one side edge of the hydrophilic sheet 12 as in the embodiment of FIG. 14, a notch is formed at one corner of the rectangular hydrophilic sheet 12 as shown in FIG. It is also possible to form the portion 13a and use it as a reference mark, or as shown in FIG. 16, form a protrusion 13b at one corner of the hydrophilic sheet 12 and use it as a reference mark.

[0029]

The present invention is as described above, and a window hole is formed in either the flat container or the cover plate of the embedding cassette, and a supporting frame is provided at the periphery of the window hole toward the inside of the embedding cassette. Since it has a configuration in which a perforated dish containing a biological sample is placed and sandwiched by the flat container and the lid plate, without changing the size of the holes in the flat container and the perforated plate of the lid plate, It can accommodate biological samples of various sizes and characteristics, and it plays a role of a basket during dewatering, degreasing, clearing, and embedding work from prevention of alteration of biological samples, and the embedding support base of the microtome for embedding. It is possible to provide an embedding cassette of a biological sample that can play a role, and it is possible to reduce the cost.

Further, since the perforated dish containing the biological sample is sandwiched between the flat container and the lid plate, the biological sample does not move or fall off, and handling such as transfer becomes easy. When the biological sample is fixed by using the fixing support agent, the dropout can be more reliably prevented.

Furthermore, by disposing a hydrophilic sheet such as Japanese paper having an affinity for the fixing support agent in the opening of the perforated dish filled with the fixing support agent, the fixing support agent can be fixed more reliably. It is possible to prevent the biological sample from falling off. Further, since the fixing strength is increased by this sheet, the concentration of the fixing support agent can be made thinner, and the cost can be further reduced accordingly.

When a plurality of biological samples are fixed,
By displaying a reference mark on the hydrophilic sheet and arranging biological samples on the basis of this, it is possible to easily grasp the order in which the samples were taken, the positional relationship such as from which part of the organ, etc., Subsequent processing of the sample does not cause confusion.

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

Further, if the cover plate is made of non-rust steel, the cover plate can be used a plurality of times, so that the cost can be further reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of FIG.

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

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a VV line portion showing a usage state of the embodiment of FIG.

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

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6 showing the usage state.

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

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

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment obtained by partially modifying the embodiment of FIG.

11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI showing the usage state of the embodiment of FIG.

12 is a perspective view of an embodiment obtained by partially modifying the embodiment of FIG.

13 is an XIII-XIII showing a use state of the embodiment of FIG.
It is sectional drawing of a line part.

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

15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of FIG.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An embedding cassette in which a flat container formed of a perforated plate and a lid plate are openably and closably fitted to each other, in order to install a liquid-permeable perforated plate on either one of the flat container and the lid plate. A window is formed, and a support frame is provided on the periphery of the window so as to project toward the inside of the flat container, and between the support frame and the inner surface of the lid plate or between the support frame and the bottom of the flat container. The biological sample embedding cassette is characterized in that the collar around the opening of the perforated dish is clamped. 2. The biological sample embedding cassette according to claim 1, wherein the window hole formed in either one of the container and the lid plate is provided with a lattice. 3. The embedding cassette for biological samples according to claim 1, wherein the flat container is made of hard synthetic resin and the lid plate is made of non-rust steel. 4. A lid plate made of non-rust steel is provided with an engagement piece projecting from one end edge thereof to fit into an engagement hole of a flat container, and the other end edge is engaged with one side of the lid plate. A biological sample embedding cassette according to claim 3, wherein a spring-like engaging element is provided so as to project. 5. The biological sample embedding cassette according to claim 1, wherein a hydrophilic sheet is provided in the opening of the perforated dish.