LU84768A1 - DEVICE FOR COLORING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES - Google Patents

Description

ί.

Bl-3455 / vûw

Patent application filing in the United States on April 28, 1982 under Kr. 372,591 and as of January 31, 1983 under Kr. 462,510_

PATENT APPLICATION

BIO-INNOVATIONS Camp Hill

Pennsylvania / USA

DEVICE FOR COLORING BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

The invention relates to a device for staining biological samples, which has a container with a cavity, which is open at one end for receiving at least one standardized microscope carrier, the sample being attached to one of the large areas of the sample carrier, and with a filling a coloring liquid which is brought into contact with the sample in the cavity.

The staining and testing of biological samples is carried out daily in large numbers in the laboratories of hospitals, in the emergency rooms, in clinics, in biological departments, at blood banks and at doctors and 15 veterinarians. The test carriers used are made of glass and have an area of 1x3 inches with a thickness of 1 ne or 25 x 75 mm t with a thickness of 1.2 mm. The samples to be stained and examined can be, for example, tissue, blood sputum or urine. The biological samples are usually smeared onto the glass sample carrier and left to dry in air, often being fixed with heat or a reagent.

To stain a biological sample that adheres to a glass sample carrier, it is necessary to bring a / - 2 - staining liquid or a reagent into contact with the sample on the carrier. Dyeing is to be understood here to mean the use of any liquid or any reagent during the dyeing process, even if the liquid itself does not yet bring about the actual coloring.

j. A staining method is already known in which the sample holder is arranged horizontally 10 with the sample upwards on a frame suspended in a basin. The coloring liquid is poured from a bottle j over the sample holder or left to drip! to cover the sample with liquid. As a result, expensive coloring liquid is wasted, since a total of more j 15 liquid is poured out or drained; than is actually required for dyeing. In addition, the pool i is colored by the overflowing liquid and after some time unsightly. When the sample is taken, the laboratory assistant's fingers come into contact with the color. If the reactants in! remain in the pool for a longer period of time, the liquid can become spoiled or contaminated independently or accidentally, ____- _____

Usually 6 to 8 cm3 of the respective action i "" i; 25 is required in order to be able to carry out a special examination using this method.

A less well known method exists>. in positioning the sample holder or the sample holder vertically in a frame and then immersing the frame 30 with the sample holder in a container with coloring liquid. Here, in turn, much more. Coloring liquid used as for the actual -; Dyeing is required. If the reagent is used for several (- 3 - I consecutively colored sample carriers, i (it is often contaminated

Method in turn liquid from bottles into containers and out of poured the containers into a spout, which has the disadvantages above 1 5.

S A third method, also less used! is in use of an automatic dyeing device, «* which is mainly found in large hospitals, where very much: large amounts of sample have to be stained and examined.

10 This. The device is extremely complex to set up, so that its purchase is justified only where; very large amounts of samples have to be stained. This high

Effort prevents the use of this device in most lab-like stains. In addition, such coloring devices are only available for one or two dyes! J.

i; f I The object of the invention is to make the device of the type mentioned so simple! to train that it is suitable for single use, ie as a disposable unit, and is easy to handle for the user. .

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ijj This task is started from the device; type mentioned above by guideways provided on opposite walls of the cabbage space for the recording and that! | - 25 lead the sample carrier into contact with the other walls of the chamber, but the formation of a liquid film between them: 'allowing, through such a volume of the filling with staining liquid, that it, when it has been displaced by the inserted sample carrier Î v - is between the walls of the cavity and the | 30 surfaces of the sample carrier extends to a height above the position of the sample on the carrier, and loosened by a length of the hollow rim which is smaller than the length of the sample carrier to be inserted.

The sample carrier with the sample V7 adhering to it is introduced vertically in the longitudinal direction into a limited chamber formed in the container, namely the cavity. The sample carrier is placed in the cavity guided and / or guideways and I-; "held in the desired position by. If the j sample carrier displaces the liquid in the lower part of the cavity into the adjacent free spaces adjacent to the surfaces of the sample carrier, a thin film of the coloring liquid forms on each side The volume of the coloring liquid used is approximately equal to the amount of liquid i required to form the thin film on each side of the sample. This amount can reach a value as low as 1 cm3 .

ij If the container is sealed, it is secured against tampering, so that its content cannot be falsified or spoiled before use, 20 thereby preventing a false result when the colored sample is tested.

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When the colored sample holder is pulled vertically out of the cavity, the staining liquid flows off the sample holder and flows to the liquid; . 25 accumulation back in the lower part of the cavity. The i ·, j container and the used liquid can then be thrown away, the container being closed again beforehand. The sample holder can be inserted and withdrawn into the cavity, this and the subsequent handling being carried out on the part of the sample holder that remains outside the cavity.

- 5 -! ίι s s You need considerably less coloring liquid than with * i t> | the known methods, with one for each sample! fresh amount of reactant is available. No spouts are contaminated by coloring, since the h 5 liquid remains in the cavity. The fingers of the laboratory technician are also not colored, since the>! | Coloring liquid is always inside the cavity of the j - "container. Because the Packing of coloring liquid

Is, the coloring can be carried out in a very short time, - 10.

The container is a single-use, disposable container with a cover or seal that seals the cavity and the liquid therein until

The container is put into use. The container 15 is secure against external interference, so that the dyeing process leads to a true result. After completing the dyeing, the cavity can be

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i *. · | Î! throw again to be closed later! spray or to prevent staining liquid from flowing out of the I 20 cavity.

i (| Instead of staining a single sample holder, several sample holders can also be stained at the same time - I use the same method - the invention 5gemâfiefd? rîïvzip -: - —t ~ l; uses a thin film of the coloring liquid j * 25 on each surface of the sample to use it and the

Form the film by displacing a limited amount of the sample liquid by immersing the sample holder in the container.

.1 . 'In order to make this possible, a holder is used that positions the sample carriers in relation to each other, keeps them at a distance and fixes them in the position. Keeping a bite at a distance and positioning the sample carrier in the holder is essential in order to achieve the effect according to the invention, namely the formation of the thin film on the i-6-i i surface of each sample carrier, this being thin

Film is formed by the sample holder itself cooperating with the container when the sample holder is immersed in the limited amount of liquid which only fills part of the container when the sample holder is not immersed. The sample carriers fixed in their position in the holder at a distance are placed in * - a special suitable container which contains the specified amount of staining liquid.

- 10 The sample carriers displace the liquid as described, so that a thin film of the liquid can form on the surfaces of the sample carriers.

When the sample holder with the holder is pulled out of the container, the film-shaped coloring

Ij 15 liquid in the container and forms again the | amount of liquid originally present therein. The j sample carriers are then removed from the holder for further

Treatment removed. The holder, the container and the amount of liquid are each designed for a specific number 20 of sample carriers, so that for a fixed | System no longer uses more or fewer sample carriers; can be. -) · -. - As with the device for coloring a single one? Sample holder, “the container for several samples -“ _ "- 25 containers with cerium-filled coloring liquid can be sealed and closed again after use before being discarded’ r ". The holder is in front of the

Insert removably attached to the container so that the parts required for staining are available for use in combination.

Containers, holders and amount of staining liquid Zionnen can be designed for any number of sample carriers, however, an arrangement for five has proven advantageous: Sample carriers proved.

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Special advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention are explained in subclaims I and described in more detail below.

1 Based on the drawings, the invention is for example; 5 explained in more detail. It shows: FIG. 1 a device for dyeing in perspective! a sample carrier,

2 a glass sample holder in perspective, '

Fig. 3 shows in perspective the device of Fig. 1 10 with the cover removed and inserted

Sample holder, J Fig. 4 the sample holder with colored sample, IFig. 5 to 8, in longitudinal sections, individual stages of introducing the sample carrier into the dyeing liquid; i _ t. ._ Figure 9 is a graph showing the increase in the level of the; I; ......

'ΐ Staining liquid, depending on the insertion of the i 1 sample carrier; L- - S 4i: Fig. 10 shows the section 10-10 of Fig. 1, i! | 20 Fig. 11 the section 11-11 of Fig. 10, ϊ _

12 shows the section 12-12 of FIG. 10, FIG 13 shows the section 13-13 of FIG. 10,

Frg. 14 the device of FIG. 10 with the i inserted; hf Pr above carrier, * [ί! 15-section 15-15 of FIG. 14,

16 shows the section 16-16 of FIG. 14,

17 is a perspective view of a device for simultaneous staining of several 5 sample carriers with the cover partially removed,

18 is a perspective exploded view of the open device from FIG. 17 with the holder to be inserted with Pr at the top, | 10 Fig. 19 perspective view of the device with the inserted Pr sluggish, i | 20 shows the empty holder for the: j sample holder from below, | Fig. 21 in perspective the empty holder for the! 15 sample carriers pulled apart,

22 shows the sample holder from FIG. 20 with inserted sample holders

23 shows section 23-23 of FIG. 22, il. FIG. 24 section 24-24 of FIG. 23, 20 FIG. 25. the holder in the view of FIG. 23 with firmly clamped samples,

Fig. 26 the holder in the view of Fig. 24 with [clamped sample tracers,! i | ^ Fig. 27 the section 27-27 of Fig. 17, - 9 - i t

28 shows section 28-28 of FIG. 17,

Fig. 29 section 29-29 of Fig. 19 and

30 shows the section 30-30 of FIG. 29.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show a sample carrier 20, which consists of a rectangular piece of glass 21, on which a sample 22 for a microscope examination is applied. The sample carrier has opposite flat surfaces 23 and .25, opposite long ones Edges 26 and 27 and opposite short edges 28.

10 Standard sample carriers with a length Lg of approximately three inches, a width Wg of approximately one inch and a thickness Tc of approximately 1 mm are usually used.

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j Standard sample carriers with L of 75 mm 1 mm, W of 25 mm and T of 1.2 mm can also be used.

; ö ö 15 These dimensions change somewhat depending on the 2 production. So the fluctuations in the thickness are 0.0525 inches to 0.0325 inches and in the width of 1.016. Inches to 0.964 inches. Corresponding fluctuations exist for the standardized samples in the metric system.

20 The sample 22 is prepared and adhered to one side of the sample holder in a known manner, for example with air drying, with heat or by means of a reagent fixation. The sample 22 is positioned overall in the middle of one of the sample carrier surfaces; 25 the end portion of the surface being clean and free of

Is sample material. The sample is actually invisible at this point before staining.

The sample carrier 20 with the undyed sample 22 is now introduced into a disposable device 30 for coloring the sample 30. The device 30 consists of a transparent or translucent plastic and has the shape of an elongated cuboid, the dimensions of which are similar to those of the sample carrier 20. The device is used in the vertical position and has a 5 upper section 31, a lower section 32, edges 33 and sides 35 and 36. The upper side 30 is flat and enclosed by a collar or flange 29.

In the device 30, a cavity 40 is formed on one side in the form of a hollow cuboid, that is to say with a rectangular cross-section, the proportions of which correspond overall to those of the sample carrier 20. The cavity has opposing tapering along its vertical edges 43 and 45, which extend from its top 40 to its bottom 47! 15 vertical guideways 41 and 42. At its top

At the end, the cavity 40 is provided with a sloping section 51 converging downwards, which! has bevelled edges 52 and sides 53.

| On the upper section 31, a cover or a seal 55 is fastened to the collar or flange 20 29 by suitable means, for example by heat sealing or with an: adhesive for ^ cover, by: r;: - i - gripping and pulling on a tab 56 are peeled off before using the device 30 so that the i 25 cavity 40 is exposed.

The cavity 40 contains a quantity of a coloring liquid 60 which fills the cavity up to approximately half the height, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 10.

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The finished device is filled at the manufacturing site 30 with coloring liquid and sealed so that it; has the shape shown in Figure 1.

[- 11 -: j The sample carrier 20 is in the cavity 40 of the pre | direction introduced, which can be seen from the sequence of views of Figures 1 and 5. In Fig. 5, the I sample carrier 40 with the | 5 biological sample 22 straight into the cavity 40 on the! Guideways 41 and 42 introduced. The sample carrier 20 is located at a distance from the opposite sides 48 and 49 of the cavity, as shown in FIGS. 15 and; 16 can be seen. In the position of FIG. 5, the sample carrier comes into direct contact with the surface the amount of liquid 60, this surface as! static liquid level is called. The static liquid level is at the level above the bottom 47 of the cavity 40.

f 115 According to FIGS. 6 and 7, the sample carrier 20 progressively sinks into the cavity 40 below the amount of liquid, whereby liquid displaces from this menu! becomes and rises high until it reaches the dynamic liquid level Έί ^ shown in FIG. 8 when the | 20 sample carrier 20 is fully inserted. In this position j! the staining liquid completely covers the sample 22.- corresponds approximately to half of H ^ is too! | the height of the cavity 40, which can be seen from FIG. 14. --- .---- =! i. - 25 The process shown in Figures 5 to 8 is shown in Ί: · Figure 9 in the diagram. When the sample carrier 1 & 20 is immersed below the static liquid level, this results in a corresponding increase in the dynamic liquid level of the coloring liquid, which follows a linear relationship.

The sample carrier 20 is removed from the coloring liquid, after which it has remained therein for a period of time required for the coloring, by pulling out, the processes described above taking place in reverse - 12 -. The liquid level falls in accordance with the flow of the liquid from the sides of the sample carrier 20 into the liquid quantity 60. A remainder of the coloring liquid remains on the sample 22 and the sample carrier 5, so that the amount of the liquid quantity 60 at the end of the coloring accordingly falls below the static liquid level when the sample carrier 20 is pulled out of the device 30. The sample carrier 20 which has been pulled out then carries the colored sample | '* 10 54, as shown in Figure 4. Since the device j 30 is to be used only once, the drop in the amount of liquid j and the reduction in volume j are not important.

(The tapered or leading section 51 with the! 15 beveled edges 52 and the beveled side j 53 enables the sample carrier j 20 to be inserted easily into the guides 41 and 42. The section 51 also collects overflowing staining liquid, including splashes j, if the Sample carrier 20 quickly falls into the cavity j 20 40. Which is around the upper section 31 of the

Device 30 extending collar 'or guide portion 29 is integrally formed therewith. The flange 29 has a flat upper section. 63, -which enables the attachment t: "j of a film or a cover 55, for example ~ - = ------ 25 by gluing or by heat sealing

Foil 55 can be a metal foil or plastic foil that can be completely peeled off by gripping tab 56, as shown in FIG. 3.

The cover section in the sealing and closing position can be seen from FIGS. 10 and 11.

The sample carriers 20 have tolerances within defined limits in terms of their width and strength

Dimensions. Due to the fact that the guideways 41 [35 and 42 taper, the device 30 can change the sample carrier 20 within the tolerance limits. Lichen strengths and widths, in which case the sample carrier 20 is always kept at a distance from the inner wall 48 or 49 of the cavity 40.

In addition, the tapered guideways 5 and 41 enable only the edge 26 and 27 of the sample carrier 20 to contact the guideways 41 and 42, but not the surface 21 which carries the sample 22.

When the sample carrier 20 is inserted into the cavity 40 along the guideways 41 and 42, it assumes a precisely defined position and posture in the cavity 40 with respect to its side walls 48 and 49.

As can be seen from FIGS. 14 to 16, the sample carrier 20, when inserted into a lowermost position, has an upper section 61, which extends over the I 15 cavity 40 and the upper section 31 of the device; 30 protrudes. The upper section 61 of the sample carrier 20 is free of the material of the sample 22, since the | Sample zone is located in a known manner in the center of the sample carrier 20, as shown in dashed lines l 20 in FIG. The section ^ 61 of the sample holder \ ~ '- - 20, which remains above the device 30, becomes grasped; of the sample carrier-20 when it is in the. Device 30 is inserted, and used to extract the slide ---- 20 from device 30. The section 61 25 of the sample carrier 20 is also held during the rinsing following the dyeing. In this way the laboratory technician's fingers do not come into contact with the coloring solution and the color. About a sixth of the length L "of the sample carrier 20 extends over the i c> | . '30 device 30 addition.

The sample 22 is colored when the sample carrier 20 is voxl-fed, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16. As can be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, the sample carrier 20 is positioned centrally in the cavity 40 - 14 - j and at a distance from the side walls 48 and 49 i. The sample carrier 20 forms spaces 65 and 66 adjacent to each of its surfaces, which contain the ί staining liquid. The sample carrier 20 can! 5 are introduced so that its sample 22 points in one direction or the other when the sample carrier ij \ 20 enters the cavity 40. The area of the sample | Carrier 20 and the sample 22 thereon are positioned in such a way that the sample 22 cannot come into contact with the sides 48 or 49 of the δ '] * 10 cavity 40; - The sample 22 held so that it is exposed to the staining liquid in space 65 or 66, which is formed by the sample holder 20 and the corresponding side wall 48? i or 49 of the cavity 40. It is only a minimal amount of dye for dyeing; of the sample 22 is required if the sample carrier 20 is positioned so; sj. This clearly shows the sectional views of Figures 15 and 16.

i ί The space 65 and 66 adjacent to each surface of the floor support 20, when this is fully inserted into the cavity 40, is thus a flat-thin space which contains a suitable amount of coloring liquid to make up the

Sample 22 thereupon in a suitable manner. .to dye, . without - .¾ * excessive fluid consumption ^. The ------ 25 sample holder 20 itself serves to bring this liquid adjacent to the surfaces of the sample holder 20 in ΐ, position, whereby the sample 22 is on a! ί 1 of these areas is located. It does not matter i; . in which direction the sample 22 points when it is introduced into the cavity 40, since the film is formed on both sides of the sample carrier 20.

The sample carrier 20 thus cooperates with the container itself to produce the film adjacent to the sample support surfaces for staining, the liquid in L __ - 15 - i these spaces 65 and 66 to the lower portion of the cavity 40 to form the liquid therein -] can flow back if the sample holder j is removed.

i i i 5 The interior of the device 30 of FIG. 1 is shown in detail in FIGS. 10 to 16. Wg is the width of the sample carrier 20, Lg is its length, Tg is its thickness, namely the height of the cavity and the * height of the dynamic liquid level corresponds approximately to 10 three quarters of the length Lg of the sample carrier 20.

! The guideways 41 and 42 are tapered walls! at the edges of the cavity 40. The width W_ between

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! the guideways as shown in Figure 13! Two words is slightly larger, for example 0.02 inches, than the width of the sample carrier, so that there is sufficient play for the sample carrier 20 to accommodate J in the guideways 41 and 42. The thickness i of the guideway at its tapered end i Two words is somewhat smaller, for example 0.016 inches, than I added (Fig. 15); * 20 the thickness Tg ^ of the sample carrier .. 20. The strength Y of

Cavity 40 is slightly twice the strength

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Tc of the sample carrier 20. If the sample carrier 20 in. ".

i w i ^ the guideways 41 and 42 is inserted, it becomes ___.

due to the tapered guideways 41 and i 25 42 centrally in the distance between the side walls 48 and; 4S of cavity 40 held. Where the strength Y of the! Cavity 40 is twice the thickness of the sample carrier 20, the thickness of the spaces 65 and 66 is | are formed on each side of the sample carrier 20, j, - 30 when the sample carrier 20 is inserted, approximately half the thickness of the sample carrier 20.

i:

Due to the tapered guideways 41 and 42, sample carriers 20 with slightly changed r / j; -16-

Dimensions kept in the correct way at a distance in the cavity 40. The tapered walls of the i guideways 41 and 42 compensate for these slight changes, the sample carrier 20 being guided at its edges I 5 during its positioning. Even if |: a sample carrier 20 within the variable dimensions, ji i.e. the tolerance limits, the smallest width and / or the smallest thickness, it is still kept at a distance Î. from the side walls 48 or 49 of the cavity 40, 1 '* 1 10, although all edges of the sample carrier 20 not ij in firm contact with the guideways 41 or 42

Ij stand. Even if such a relatively small sample carrier 20 has more freedom in the cavity 40 | to move as a relatively large sample holder, I 15 holds the sample holder 20 at the corners of the sample holder through the tapering walls of the guideways 41 and 42, the sample holder 20 at a distance from the | Sidewalls 48 and 49 of the cavity 40 so that a | Film of staining liquid adjacent to the sample I 20 support surfaces can be formed.

^ · The dimensions given above are only for; ·: Explanation and representation of a for practice% | suitable container with appropriate dimensions ..

fe With the embodiment of the device described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 30, a | - A large number of sample carriers 120 are colored, the ax, size and design of which correspond to those of the sample carrier 20; " ' speaks.

’A container 130 similar to the container 30 in shape, height and width 30 is used, the horizontal depth of which is, however, 7 instead of just one. Sample carrier a large number of sample carriers 120 on j v »____; - 17 -; ! i can take. The container 130 has an open t j upper section 131, a lower section 132,! ! Edges 133 and 134, as well as side walls 135 and 136 and a collar or flange 129.

i 5 The inner cavity 140 of the container 130 has four guideways, namely the guideways 141 or

! 142, on its four vertical corner edges, vertical j edges 143 and 145, a base 147 and opposite I side walls 148 and 150.

y! f 10 The cavity 140 merges into one at its top

Uberströmkammer 160 over, which is formed in the flange section I 129, the side walls 168 and 170, the! i4 'are formed by the sides of the cavity 140, end walls 172 and 174 and skirting boards 180. A sealing cover 186, which corresponds to the seal 55, is adhesively attached to the upper section 131 of the container 130.

jf The sample carriers 120 are arranged at a distance from one another and are held in a holder 200, essentially consisting of a push element 202, a housing 204 and spacers 206. The spacer

1 I

’Pieces are slidably slidable - and pivotable in that - · ^ housing 204 hung on trunnion 210. which in; : Rails 212 and 214 on the inside of opposite side walls 215 and 216 of housing 204 are. The pushing element 202 is slidably displaceable in the housing 204, and when it is moved inward it presses against at least the foremost spacer 217.

f

The housing 204, which is shown in the loading position in FIGS. 20 to 23 and in the reverse in FIG. 25, has a closed upper wall 218 and a ctfenen bottom. The side walls 215 and 216 each have a slot 224 and 226, respectively. The housing 204 has further. jj towards an open front and a closed rear wall 230.

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The rails 212 and 214 in the housing 204 consist of! * j | 5 parallel projections, the channels 232 between them! I or 234 for receiving the pin 210 on the distance i. · Form pieces 206 or 217.

ii: »i t i 1 f | 'The spacers 206 are thin, flat rectangles that! have a tapered edge or are tapered on their longitudinal edges in the vicinity of the pins in order to j the insertion of one end of a sample carrier 120! between them to facilitate. The pins 210 are | located near the edges of the spacers 206, i | so that these are free and loose in the rails 212 and 214; | 15 hang before inserting the sample holder 120. As a rule, the spacers 206 are of identical design.

ij I »'* i The push element 202 has a front wall 300, push | and pull buttons or ears 302 and 304 on opposite- | lying sides of the front wall 300, side walls 306 and i 20 308 and diagonal inner struts 310. and 312, which! extend between the front wall 30D and the side walls 306 of the thrust element 202. Each of the side walls 306 and 308 has a cam tooth 314 which runs in a slot 226 in the respective side wall of the housing 204 when the pusher element 202 is inserted into the housing 204. The side walls 306 and 308 of pusher 202 fit slidingly into the inside of sidewalls 215 and 216 of housing 204. i Each of cam teeth 314 has an inclined surface 320, 30 that allows pusher 202 to be inserted into housing 204 until the Cam teeth 314 engage in their corresponding slots 224 and 226, respectively, where the flat end face 322 on each cam tooth 314 prevents the push element 202 from being inadvertently pulled out of the housing 204.

The slide element 202 consists of a relatively flexible plastic such as polyethylene, in particular the side walls 306 and 308 yielding to a certain extent beyond the struts 310 and 312, respectively. The spacers 206 are also made of such a flexible material.

In contrast to the push element 202 and the spacer pieces 206 and 217, the housing 204 consists of a relatively rigid material, for example of a glass-filled polyamide, so that the relatively flexible push element 202 and the spacers 206 together with the relatively rigid housing 204 allow 15 the push element 202, the spacers 217, 206 on

Housing 204 locked, which will be described below.

The container 130 is intended to contain a limited amount of the coloring liquid 360. As can be seen from FIGS. 27 and 28, this amount of liquid extends to a height H which extends somewhat over half the height of the cavity 140.

As in the embodiment for a single sample holder 20 according to FIGS. 1 to 16, the sample holders 120 are to be guided downward into the amount of liquid 360, whereby the coloring liquid is displaced upward in the cavity 140 essentially to the top thereof, without to flow into the overflow chamber. However, if there is an excessive upward flow of displaced liquid, it is trapped in the overflow chamber 160. The dimensions of the parts and the depth of the amount of liquid are dimensioned so that there is no significant overflow.

In this case, the large overflow chamber 160 can be omitted so that the upper section 131 of the container can be designed as for the embodiment for a single sample holder of FIGS. 1 to 16.

5 The sample carriers 120 are exactly spaced from each other and aligned to the container / so that a thin film; . the sample carrier 120 is formed on both sides.

The space between the sample holder 120 corresponds to that! . "Thickness of the spacers 206. This thickness is approximately,] 10 - equal to the thickness of the sample carrier 120, which is approximately 1; mm is. The distance is such that when the sample carriers 120 arranged at a distance are fixed in the holder and the sample carriers 120 are essentially immersed in the limited amount of liquid 360 in the container to the bottom, the amount of liquid is such is displaced that the staining liquid rises in the form of thin films which reach and substantially cover the entire shelf support section which extends into the cavity 140 of the container, and in particular the sections to which the samples adhere.

A

«| The positioning and spacing of the sample carriers! 120 is reached in the holder 200, which is first placed on its upper side in the reverse position.

^ 25 The spacers hang freely on their pins in the | Rails 212 and 214, as can be seen in Figures 22, 23 and f 24. At this time, the push element 202 is open, the side walls 306 and 303 of the push element 202 are parallel and relaxed, so that the push element 202 can slide freely into the housing 204, but the push element 202 is not completely due to this the

Engagement action of the cam teeth 214 can be pulled out.

- 21 -

As shown in FIG. 22, the sample carriers 120 are then inserted between the spacers 206, their bevelled edges making it easier to insert the sample carriers 120 between them. The spacer 5 pieces 206 and the sample holder 120 have the same width. The width of the housing 204 between its side walls 215 and 216 is equal to the width of the floor brackets 120 plus a small dimensional clearance.

= "During assembly, the sample carriers 120 10 fall to the" bottom "of the inverted housing 204 so that the straight edges of the ends of the sample carriers 120 rest on the inside of the top wall 218 of the housing 204. When the required number of sample carriers 120 are in the Inserted holder, in the embodiment shown five sample carriers 120 for a corresponding holder 200 and container, the push element 202 is pushed from the position shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 into the closed position of FIGS. 25 and 26.

20 The side walls 306 and 308 of the thrust element 202 end at their free ends in wedges 370 and 372, respectively, which have opposite, tapering wedge surfaces 374 and 376, respectively, which in the free spaces mentioned between the spacers 206 and the side walls 215 25 and 216 penetrate when the push element 202 in the

Closing position is brought. The outer ends of the side walls 306 and 308 are also spread outwards due to the wedge effects of the wedge surfaces 374 and 376 against the ends of the spacers 206. Wedges 370 and 372 30 are on the side walls 306 and 308 beyond

Struts 310 and 312 are formed so that the side walls 306 and 308 remain relatively parallel to the end of the struts 310, 312, while the remaining outer end portions of the side walls 306 and 308 are relatively free - 22 - outward under the influence of the spacers 206 and can bend against the inside of the side walls 215 and 216 of the housing 204. The resistance of the spacers 206 and the sample carrier 120 against the wedges 5 370, 372 thus serves the wedges 370, 372 against the

Wedge sidewalls 306, 308 of the pusher element so that the pusher element 202, the sample holder 120 and the spacers 206 are locked in position, the specimen pieces 120 being clamped between the spacers 10 pieces 206. The spacers 206, which are relatively flexible, give way somewhat to the hard glass of the sample carrier 120 and thus contribute to holding the sample carrier 120 like a cushion.

The sample carriers 120 are now held parallel to one another and have fixed equal distances from one another.

If there is a slight misalignment of the sample carriers 120 because the ends of the sample carriers 120 have not touched the inside of the top wall 208 of the housing 204 or because the end faces of the sample carriers 120 are not completely perpendicular to the side edges of the sample carriers 120 this can be eliminated by pressing the sample carrier 120 with the fingers into the exact position.

The outer dimensions of the group consisting of five sample carriers 120, which extends from the holder 200, are very closely matched to the shape of the cavity 140 for the dyeing process of five sample carriers 120.

; 30 The dimensions are such that when the holder 200 is reversed from the loading position and the free sections of the sample carriers 120 are stirred into the container, the edges of the outer sample carriers 120 touch the sides of the guideways 141, 142 in the '35 container , whereby when the sample carriers 120-23r are inserted into the container by means of the holder 200, a thin space is formed adjacent to each of the outer surfaces! i of the outer sample carriers 120. The guideways 141, 142 can be formed in one piece with the remaining i 1 5 container and insertion bevels

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«At the entry ends to introduce!!. To facilitate sample carrier arrangement.

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i: pi • j | j When the sample carriers 120 are immersed in the amount of liquid 360: the liquid becomes elongated upwards

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| 10 of the surfaces of the sample carrier 120 displaced. The dimension of the portion of the sample holder 120 which projects into the holder 200 is such that when the holder 200 is in contact with the upper section 131 of the loading | the sample holder 120 comes into contact with the bottom 147 of the ti (4 15 container almost or just slightly. Thus, essentially all of the coloring liquid extends at this point in time in the form of thin films over the surfaces of the sample holder 120 and over the samples The liquid rises to the top of the hollow 20 rauis 140 and can flow into the overflow chamber 160 if one or more sample carriers 120 are slightly stronger than the norm.

; When the samples have been stained, the sample carriers 120 are pulled out of the container by means of the holder 200} 25. The dyeing liquid runs from the sample carriers 120 and back to the amount of liquid, which has approximately the same volume as at the beginning, •. 9: "However, the amount remaining adhering to the sample carriers 120 is reduced. The container f 30 can then be closed again with the original seal and thrown away. The holder 200 and the sample carriers 120 are then reclassified, the sample tracers 120 can be removed from the holder 200 in essentially the reverse order of loading.

'S,'> - 24 - For pulling the push element 202 out of the housing 204 and for releasing the engagement of the | Spacers 206 on the sample carriers 120 are er | required to cancel the healing effect on the side walls 306 5 and 308 of the push part 202. In order to achieve this, the laboratory worker touches the ears 303 and 304 of the push element 202 with his fingers and practices a -. alternating pivoting movement on the push element 202 ii when it is pulled out of the housing 204 i * * 10, which is held by the fingers of the other hand of the laboratory assistant. The housing 204 lies during the 1st

Withdrawal process on a table. After lifting the \\ | Wedging effect of the thrust element 202, the thrust element 202 is pulled out to such an extent that the spacers 15 206 and the sample carrier 120 are released into the position shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. The samples ί | Carrier 120 can then be carefully removed from the holder 200 and further treated by rinsing or the like in the usual manner.

i; 20 The holder 200 can optionally be washed and rinsed Γ and then with a new container and a new liquid | used, but it can also be thrown away! ; will.

{

The container and the holder 200 can be produced for series production from plastic, for example by extrusion, so that the cost per unit is relatively low.

Instead of a group with five sample carriers, mit groups with two to ten or more sample carriers can also be used, each with a specially adapted container, holder and amount of liquid. However, the arrangement with five sample carriers is mostly used.

.Λ "i Β.> - 25 - j; To make a holder for ten samples I can use two holders for five samples back to back; be attached. Such a combination for ten sample carriers can then be introduced into a container for ten i 5 sample carriers, which is designed in the manner according to the invention.

i t:; _ The container shown has an overflow chamber that! is used when the sample carrier is in something; . «Differ in strength. Since a thicker 10 sample holder displaces more liquid, the overflow chamber is used to hold the corresponding amount of liquid during the staining process. However, if the thickness of the sample carriers is relatively uniform, there is no need for an overflow chamber because the | 15 ’displacement can be controlled more precisely. In this case, the overflow chamber of this size can be reduced or omitted, as can be seen in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6.

.! The interpretation can be facilitated by the following relationships: The distance E ^ by which the level of the upper side of the amount of liquid for staining is increased by immersing the sample holder is equal to the volume of the liquid displaced upwards by the glass of the sample holder would be divided by the i 25 mean cross-sectional area of the sample carrier-free

Hohlrauias, into which the liquid is displaced. The distance by which the sample carrier is immersed under the top of the original amount of liquid is denoted by, the mean cross-sectional area of the cavity above the surface of the original amount of liquid when the sample carrier is removed, with A. and the average cross-sectional area of the f in the liquid

Sample carrier glass with A so 1

V

t * - 26 - â H1 i h2 »-

Oh / Agl - 1st

In the simple case of a single rectangular chamber, this equation gives five sample carriers of 1 mm thickness, each spaced from each other = and from the cavity walls by 1 mm, and! when the sample carrier is immersed to the full! : 4 Depth H of the original amount of liquid, one | Rise in liquid level from H, = _— ^ _ = H .... = 0 / 83H.

2 * 11/5 -1 1/2; In practice, the height H ^ is below this value by; | an extra chamber space at the edges of the inserted Î sample carriers and due to the reduction; i ·> the chamber space through the guideways in the hollow | enlarged room, sj I ^ Ü -; i * '· ί; i

II

i f,, r!

Claims (8)

10 walls (43, 45, 143, 145) of the cavity (40, 140) are provided with guideways (41, 42, 141, 142) for receiving and guiding the sample carrier (20, $ 120) without contact with the other walls (48, 49, 148, 150) of the cavity (40, 140), but allowing the formation of a liquid film therebetween, by such a volume (60, 360) of the filling with coloring liquid that it, when it is inserted through the Sample carrier (20, 120) has been displaced between the walls. »« - 28 - 20 (42, 45, 143, 145, 48, 49, 148, 150) of the cavity (40, 140) and the surfaces of the sample; carrier (20, 120) extends to a height above the j position of the sample (22) on the sample carrier (20, 120th), and by a length of the hollow U 25 space (40, 140) that is smaller than that Length of the sample carrier (20, 120) to be introduced ij ii 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavity (40, Î40) has a rectangular cross section and that ... the guideways (41 , 42; 141, 142) in one piece; | j 5 are formed with the walls (43, 45; 143, 145) of the cavity (40, 140) which correspond to the smaller opposite sides of the rectangular cross-section; * (| section, so that the distance between ti Î of each large surface (23, 25) of the sample carrier 10 (20, 120) and the opposite wall (48, 49; 148, 149) of the cavity (40, 140) is essentially the same . * V i, 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide tracks (41, 42; 141, 142) on each side? ? are tapered in cross-section towards the edge. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the width of the cavity (40, 140) between the guideways (41, 42; 141, 142) of the opposite walls (43, 45; 143, 145) ) is approximately equal to the width of the sample carrier (20, 120) with maximum width tolerance, and that the guideways (41, 42; 141, 142) extend so far * * Λ - 29 -] that the sample carrier (20, 120) with 10 minimal width and thickness tolerances without con | tact with the other walls (48, 49; 148, 150) I of the cavity (40, 140) is recessed and guided I. i y! 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,, J. characterized in that the;! j cavity (40,; 140) widens outwards (51, 160) at its open end J (31, 131). ; ^ î! 'J 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, jf characterized by a remove! bare seal (55, 186) for closing the ii open end (51, 160) of the cavity (40, 140). •; · [ 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the II length of the cavity (40, 140) corresponds to approximately 5/6 of the length 'jjj of the sample carrier (20, 120). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the thickness of the cavity (20) is approximately; | is twice the thickness of the sample carrier 5 (20). ; -T · __ 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, Ί with a cavity for receiving more than; -. a standardized microscope carrier, characterized in that the guide tracks (141, 142) in each corner of the cavity! (140) for receiving and for guiding the surface of the sample carrier (120), the large side walls (148, 150) - 30 -. *> à of the cavity (140) opposite that distance! 10 pieces (206) between the end sections of the sample; ! Carriers (120) are introduced, which extend over the I open end (133) of the cavity (140) to a holder (200) for a clamping engagement of the spacers (206) and the sample carrier (120): 15 so that the parallel Distance between samples; carriers (120) and between the sample carriers (120) i j; »And the large side walls (148, 150) the structure i, a film of displaced coloring liquid up to; j to a height above the position of the samples (22); I 20 on the sample carriers (120) if the sample carriers (120) into the cavity (140) with | Help of the holder (200) are introduced. 10. The device according to claim 9, thereby g e k e η n | shows that the holder (200) a housing I | (204) with a closed rear wall (230), an open upper side (218) and opposite • 5 side walls (215, 216), which are spaced apart, | are arranged, which is larger than the widths of the sample carrier (120) and the spacers (206), one; j has an open underside, an open front side and li guide rails (212, 214) which adjoin along / »1 1. the inside of the side walls (215, 216); | extend zend to the open bottom side and form channels (232, 234) which slidably receive pins (210) which fasten on the narrow opposite sides of the spacers (206); % 15 are. 11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized? . "characterized in that the holder (200) '? has a thrust element (202) with side walls (306, 308.), sliding adjacent to the inner sides 5 of the side walls (215, 216) of the housing (204) - 31 - 4 i S are displaceable and are provided with wedges (370, 372)! which taper towards their inner ends, which taper into the free space between the spacers (206) and the side walls | 10 (215, 216) of the housing (204) for the Clamping engagement of the spacers (206) and the sample holder | (120) extend against each other against the rear wall (230) of the [i. Housing (204). T 12. The device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the I thrust element (202) has struts (310, 312), j -; which are between the front wall (300) of the thrust element (202) and positions on the side walls (306, 308) just before the wedges (370, 372) | extend, whereby the sections of the side walls remain rigid just before the wedges (370, 372), while the wedges (370, 372) are free; fr! i 10 bend outwards during the clamping action j. can. ; £ ß • I y