PL228518B1 - Stabilizing set, preferably for stabilization of a sample during the microscope measurements - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the application is a stabilizing set, in particular for stabilizing a sample during measurements using a microscope, comprising an external holder (1) for fixing a measuring vessel therein on the measuring stage of the microscope, and further comprising at least one fastening means (3) for fixing the external holder (1) on the measuring stage of the microscope, and an opening (5) for placing and fixing the measuring vessel therein in such a way that after placing and fixing the external holder (1) on the measuring stage of the microscope and placing the measuring vessel in the opening (5), the movement of the vessel in the plane of the microscope stage is blocked.

Description

(12) PATENT DESCRIPTION ₍ i ₉₎ PL ₍ u)228518 (13) B1 (51) Int.CI.

(21) Report number: 414050 _{G01Q 3Q/2Q (201001)}

Patent Office of the Republic of Poland (22) Date of filing: 17/09/2015

Stabilizing device, especially for stabilizing the sample during measurements using a microscope

(73) Patent holder: JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY, Kraków, PL (43) Application published: 27/03/2017 BUP 07/17 (72) Inventor(s): (45) The patent was granted on: MARTA PACIA, Sucha Beskidzka, PL MICHAŁ PACIA, Gołaczewy-Nadmłynie, PL KRZYSZTOF CZAMARA, Krakow, PL AGNIESZKA KACZOR, Krakow, PL 30/04/2018 WUP 04/18 (74) Attorney: Oliwia Czarnocka, attorney-in-fact

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PL 228 518 B1

Description of the invention

The subject of the invention is a stabilizing device, especially for stabilizing a sample during measurements using a microscope (e.g. Raman or atomic force), with particular emphasis on testing preparations in aqueous solutions.

Maintaining a single position of the sample being measured during microscopic measurements is extremely important, especially when: 1. the object of interest is small, 2. the location selected for measurement must be precisely defined, 3. multiple research techniques (e.g., Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy) need to be applied to the same sample location. When working with a Raman microscope, there is a significant risk of shifting an unattached sample (the operator manipulates microscope elements, e.g., diaphragms, or the objective lens). Microscopes are often equipped with two holders that allow for sample attachment as long as it meets the following criteria: 1. it is flat, 2. it can be placed on a microscope slide, and 3. it does not require immersion in a solution. A disadvantage of the holders proposed by the manufacturer is the inability to stabilize the sample position during measurements in solution.

The essence of the invention is a stabilizing device, especially for stabilizing a sample during measurements using a microscope, characterized in that it comprises an external ring-shaped holder with a measuring vessel immobilized therein, to which the external ring-shaped holder is attached four projections at the end of which pins are attached for mounting the external ring-shaped holder on the measuring table of the microscope, and an internal ring-shaped holder for placing in the measuring vessel, wherein the internal surface of the internal ring-shaped holder has at least one recess.

Preferably, the outer ring-shaped holder for receiving and securing the measuring vessel therein has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the shape and dimensions of the outer surface of the measuring vessel in a part where the inner surface of the outer ring-shaped holder contacts the outer surface of the vessel after the vessel is properly secured in the outer ring-shaped holder.

Preferably, the outer surface of the inner ring-shaped holder has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the inner surface of the measuring vessel at a portion where the outer surface of the inner ring-shaped holder contacts the inner surface of the vessel after the inner ring-shaped holder is properly secured in the measuring vessel.

The external holder immobilizes the measuring vessel on the microscope stage. The internal holder also allows the measuring slide to be immobilized within the measuring vessel.

The invention in a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the drawing which shows:

Fig. 1 isometric view of the stabilizing device with an external and internal holder, Fig. 2 top view of the device, Fig. 3 side view of the device, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show the dimensions of the device designed for the WITec alpha 300 Raman spectrometer and a measuring vessel with an external diameter of 35 mm (e.g. Falcon), Fig. 4 device with an external and internal holder and a vessel mounted on the measuring table of the microscope.

The device for stabilizing a sample during measurements using a microscope (e.g., Raman) according to the invention is made of two unconnected, rigid elements. Both parts are made of polylactic acid (PLA). The inner holder 2 consists of a ring that centers the measuring slide, while the outer holder 1 secures the measuring vessel to the microscope stage.

The role of the internal holder 2 is to stabilize the position of the measuring slide (e.g., calcium fluoride) in the measuring vessel. This part is advantageous if the sample is not directly in the measuring vessel, but on the measuring slide (e.g., cell culture). The ring centring the measuring slide completely fills the free space between the slide and the measuring vessel. An additional benefit of this solution is that the sample is positioned in the center of the measuring vessel, which reduces the possibility of damage or contamination of the objective lens due to contact with the vessel walls. Two semicircular recesses 6 in the ring enable easy insertion and removal of the measuring slide using, for example, tweezers. The use of the external

PL 228 518 B1 of the holder 1, in the form of a centering ring, allows for the immobilization of a measuring vessel, e.g., a plastic or glass dish, on the microscope's measuring table. The size and shape of the outer centering ring 1 are designed to closely fit the measuring vessel. The measuring vessel centering ring consists of four arms - protrusions 4 ending in mounting pins 3. The mounting pins 3 are placed in recesses in the microscope's measuring table, so the position of the outer centering ring 1 is constant. Both the length of the protrusion arms 4, their spacing, and the size of the mounting pins depend on the design of the microscope's measuring table.

Claims (3)

Patent claims 1. A stabilizing device, in particular for stabilizing the sample during measurements with a microscope, characterized in that it comprises a ring-shaped outer holder (1) with a measuring vessel immobilized therein, to which outer ring-shaped holder (1) are connected four projections (4) at the end of which pins (3) are mounted for fixing the outer ring-shaped handle (1) on the microscope's measuring table, and the inner ring-shaped handle (2) to be placed in the measuring vessel, on the inner surface ( 8) of the inner ring-shaped holder (2) there is at least one recess (6). 2. The device according to claim The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer ring-shaped handle (1) for placing and fixing the measuring vessel therein has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the shape and dimensions of the outer surface of the measuring vessel in the part in which the inner surface of the outer ring-shaped handle (1) is makes contact with the outer surface of the vessel after the vessel is properly seated in the outer ring-shaped handle (1). 3. The device according to claim 1-2, characterized in that the outer surface (7) of the inner ring-shaped handle (2) has a shape and dimensions corresponding to the inner surface of the measuring vessel in the part where the outer surface of the inner ring-shaped handle (2) contacts the inner surface vessel after the inner ring-shaped handle (2) is correctly fitted into the measuring vessel.