US2868072A

US2868072A - Mount for paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen

Info

Publication number: US2868072A
Application number: US497712A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin C Weiskopf; Gioia Michael Charles
Original assignee: Technicon International Ltd
Current assignee: Technicon International Ltd
Priority date: 1955-03-29
Filing date: 1955-03-29
Publication date: 1959-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 1976-01-13

Description

2,868,072 Patented Jan. 13, 1959 MOUNT FOR PARAFFIN-BLOCKED HISTOLOGIC TISSUE SPECIMEN Edwin C. Weiskopf, Brewster, N. Y., and Michael Charles Gioia, North Bergen, N. J., assignors to Technicon International Ltd., Chauncy, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 29, 1955, Serial No. 497,712

13 Claims. (Cl. 88-40) This invention relates generally to a mounting device for a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen and,

United States Patent ()filice such as a plug or block formed of wood or molded fiber or a metal holder, and the paper container is removed. Where wood or molded fiber blocks are used, they remain permanently afiixed to the paraffin-blocked specimen and have the attendant disadvantage of being relatively bulky and therefore utilize excessive space when filed. Where metal holders are utilized they are removed from the paraffin-blocked specimen for filing the latter due to the cost of such holders, adding technicians time and labor to the handling of such specimens. Furthermore, a mounted paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen must be oriented in the same position in the specimen holder 'of a microtome, especially when recutting a paraffinblocked specimen that has been filed, and this orientation is a delicate and time consuming procedure utilizing blocks or holders of the character described above. It is accordingly the primary aim and object of this invention to provide an improved mounting device for a paraffinblocked specimen which obviates the disadvantages of the heretofore used mounting devices and which provides for a relatively thin mounted parafiin-blocked specimen,

7 whereby to minimize the space required for filing such specimens, said mounting device providing a ready means for mounting such specimens in properly oriented position in the specimen holder of a m1crotome.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved mounting device for a paraffin blocked specimen which is adapted to be firmly releasably clamped to a specimen holder for mounting such specimen in position and which is adapted to provide a small clamping force for releas-ably supporting such specimen on the release of the specimenholder clamping pressure.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved mounting device for a paraflinblocked specimen which is of simple design and construction, and which may be economically mass produced.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawing which illustrates the best modes now contemplated by us for carrying out our invention;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mounted parafiinblocked histologic tissue specimen shown secured to a, Specimen holder of a microtome;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a parafiin-blocking mold formed according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting plate and one form of adaptor device for a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen according to the present invention with the mounting plate and adaptor device shown in disassembled relation; 7

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View, on an enlarged scale, of a mounted paraflin block histologic tissue specimen shown in assembled relation with the adaptor device of Fig. 5; t

Fig. 7 1S a sectional view taken on' the line 7-4. of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of adaptor device; and Y Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further modified form of adaptor device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is shown a mounted parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimen 10 which is formed by the method and apparatus to be described in detail hereinafter, said mounted paraffinblocked specimen being adapted to be releasably clamped to the specimen block holder 12 of the microtome 14 for slicing specimen sections of accurately predetermined thickness for histological examination.

The mounted paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen 10 is formed by utilizing the parafiin-blocking mold 16 which may be formed of any suitable material, such as neoprene, polyethylene, Bakelite, or the like. The paraffin-blocking mold 16 comprises a receptacle part 18 which is of quadrilateral configuration and which has an opening 20 of quadrilateral cross section extending therethrough, said opening having an enlarged part 22 at the bottom thereof defining the peripherally extending shoulder 24 which is adapted for a purpose .which will be evident from the description which follows. The opening 20 and the enlarged bottom part 22 thereof have side walls 26 and 28, respectively, which diverge outwardly towards the bottom face 30 of the part 18 in order to facilitate the removal of the mounted paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen 36 from the receptacle part 18 of the mold 16. It will be understood that the receptacle part 18 and the opening 20 extending therethrough may be of any desired size and shape and the specific embodiment illustrated and described is given by way of example only. The paraffin-blocking mold 16 further includes the mounting device 32 which is best shown in Fig. 5, said mounting device being adapted to form a removable bottom wall of the receptacle part 18. The mounting device or block 32 is of a size an'dshape as to removably fit in the enlarged part 22 of opening 26, as shown in Fig. 6, and said mounting device, which may be formed of any suitable material such as Bakelite or any other suitable plastic, has an outer planar scored face 34 which is adapted to form the bottom wall of the cavity 35 when the mounting block is in assembled relation with the receptacle part 18 of the mold. Thus the side walls tion which follows and said block is adapted to mount the paraflin-blocked histologic tissue'specimen 36, the latter being constituted by a solidified block of prafiin having a tissue specimen S embedded therein. The

- mounting block 32 is of quadrilateral configuration cor- 3 responding to the configuration of the side walls 28of the enlarged part 22 and said block is adapted to fit in said enlarged part with the peripherally extending marginal edge portion 38 interengaging with the peripheral shoulder 24'. Accordinglytheperipheral shoulder 24 of the part 18 constitutes; abutment means ifor'v the mounting block the latter being assembled to the part 18 byrbeing positioned in the enlarged opening ZZ'Wiih the periph erally extending marginal edge portion 38 abutting the peripheral shoulder 24.

The scored or interrupted surface area or face 34 is adapted for the adhesion theretoof the paralfin-blocked histologic specimen 36, it being noted that the score lines 40 extend longitudinally and laterally of the mounting block with said score lines being spaced uniformly and relatively close toeach other in the illustrated embodiment. The some lines 40 define a corresponding series of depressions and the latter provide for the adhesion of the parafiin-blocked specimen. 36 to the plate 32, it being understood that molten paraflin will flow into such depressions: to provide a firm securement between such parafiin-blocked specimen and the mounting plate 32.

. Inpractice, the. mounted paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimen 10 is prepared by pouring molten parafiin in the cavity 35 and immersingor placing. the impregnated tissuespeoimen S in the molten paraffin in said cavity. More parafiin ispoured into the cavity 35 until the specimen S is covered and thereafter the paraffin is allowed 'to solidify to form the paraflin-blocked tissue specimen 36', the latter being adhered to the scored. face 34 of the mounting block 32 and the-tapered side walls 26 of the opening 20. As noted above, the scored face 34 constitutes a; removable bottom wall of the mold and after the parafiincontaining the specimen S has solidified, suificient pressure isapplied on the top surface 46' of the paraffin-blocked tissuespecimen 36' to release the latter and the. mounting, device-32 from the mold. It will. be apparent-thatthe. tapered side walls 26 .of the mold fa'c'ili-- tate the. release of the parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimen therefrom, the mounted paraffin-blocked specimen 10 which has now been released from the receptacle part 18 of the mold 16 being adapted to be clamped to the specimen block holder 12 in the manner to be described hereinafter; From the above it will be apparent that the aforedescribed method for forming a mounted paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen provides for the mounting of such blocked specimens in the same operation with the formation thereof.

, The specimen block holder'1 2 ofv microtome 14 is conventional in all respects and is releasably secured in ad justed position to the part 56 of the microtome by means of the pair of clamping screws. 58. The specimen block holder 12 comprises a. stationary block. '59 and a block 60 whichis movable towards and away from the stationary block by means of the screw member 62 which mounts the movable block 60. The screw member-.62 is adapted to be-rotated by-the lever 64 for clampingandunclamp ing the-adaptor members to be described. hereinafter between the relatively movable companion blocksz58'and59.

The side 69 of the mounting. block or; plate 32 isIpro-- vided with aseries of spaced recesses or apertures'lll'a'nd in order to mount the plate to the holder 12, there isprovided an adaptor device'72 which: comprises a companion pair of resiliently interconnected adaptor members 74 and-74.

which are adapted for releasable engagement in the aper tures 70 of the mounting plate32. The apertures and pin members 70 and '78, respectively, are spaced nonequidistant in the assembled relation of the mounting Projecting from the

faces

76 and 76

0f members

74 and 74, respectively, are pin members 78 at 80, said grooves collectively defining the pivot. pin mounting aperture 82 which is adapted for the reception of the pivot pin 84. The pivot pin 84 is headed at its opposite ends as indicated at 86 and the aperture 82 1s correspondingly enlarged at its opposite ends as indicated at 88 for the reception'of' said heads 86. The headed pivot pin 84 is adapted to be positioned in its complementary aperture 82 on the assembly of the blocks 74 and 74.to each other in the manner to be described hereinafter. It is to be noted that the

members

74 and 74 define a slot 98 therebetween adjacent the pivot pin aperture 82, said slot being adapted to provide the requisite amount of clearance for the pivotal movement of said members away from each other. The adaptor members 74 and 74' are provided with registering apertures 92 and 94, respectively, which extend therethrough, said aperture 92 being internally threaded as indicated at 96 and said aperture. 94 being countersunk as indicated at 98'. The apertures 92 and 94 are further provided with registering enlarged. portions. 100 and 102, said enlarged portions collectively defining the internal chamber 104. The

members

74 and 74 are resiliently interconnected by means of the belt 106 which is threaded through the compression spring 108, the threaded part 110 of said bolt being threadedly engaged in thethreaded aperture 96 with the head 112 of said bolt disposed in the countersunk portion 98 of aperture 94. The spring 108 surrounds a portion of the bolt 106 and is seated in the chamber 104 to resiliently urge-the

members

74 and 74 pivotally away from each other. In the assembly of the adaptor device 72 the spring108 is positioned in the chamber 104 and the bolt 106 is extended through said spring and threadedly interengaged in the threaded aperture 96. The adaptor device 72 and the mounting plate 32 are releasably assembled to eachother by inserting the pin members 78 in their associated apertures 70 and this mounting plate and adaptor assembly is adapted to be clamped to the specimen holder 12 of the microtome for clamping the mounted paratfin-blocked specimen it) in properly oriented position. In practice, the adaptor device and mounted parafiin-blocked specimen assembly is releasably clamped between the

blocks

59 and 60 of the specimen block holder 12 by manipulating the lever 64 in a clamping direction, it being apparent that this mounting arrangement provides for the securement of the paraffin-blocked specimen 10 to holder 12 in properly oriented relation. On manipulating the lever 64 to release the specimen holder clamping pressure, the members 74 and 74' will be urged apart by the spring 108 against

blocks

59 and 60, this arrangement providing a loose clamping force for releasably supporting the mounted paraffin-blocked specimen in the microtome holder. If desired, the adaptor device 72 may be left in loosely clamped relation in the holder 12 in which case the selected mounted paraffinblocked specimen may be readilysecured thereto in the manner described above and firmly clamped in position in the microtome holder. It will be understood that on the firm clamping of the device 72 between the

blocks

59 and 60 of the holder 12, the pin members 78 will exert a .lateral force against the walls of the apertures 70 to firmly clamp the mounted paraffin-blocked specimen 10 in position. On the release of the specimen holder clamping pressure, the spring 108 will provide for the exertion of a small clamping force between the apertures andpin

members

70 and 78, respectively, for loosely supporting the mounted parafiin-blocked specimen in the specimen holder.

With reference to Fig. 8, there is shown a modified form of adaptor device which comprises a companion pair of

members

122 and 122 which are releasably interconnected to each other by means of the bolt and

nut

124 and 126, respectively. The

members

122 and 122 are provided with registering apertures 128 and 130, respectively, which are adapted for the reception of the bolt 124 therethrough, said apertures being countersunk, as indicated at 132 and 134, respectively, for the reception of the nut 126 and bolt head 136, respectively. The members 122 and 122' are laterally movable away from each other out of interengagement and disposed between said members is a spring 138 for biasing said members away from each other. The members 122 and 122' are provided with aligned

recesses

140 and 140" and the spring 138 has end portions 142 and 142 which are seated in said

recesses

140 and 140, respectively. Projecting from the members 12.! and 122 are pin members 78 which correspond in all respects to'the pin members 78 previously described. Thus the spring member 138 urges the members 122 and 122' laterally apart for the purposes aforenoted in connection with the description of the device 72. Accordingly, 'thevdevice 120 is adapted for association with a mounted paraffin-blocked specimen in the manner previourly described in detail.

' W1th reference to Fig. 9, there is shown an adaptor device 150 which comprises

members

152 and 152 which are integrally joined to each other as indicated at 154,said integral portion providing for the resilient biasing of said members away from each other. The portion 154, which constitutes the resilient biasing means of device 150, extends fcr the full width of members 152 and 152', said integral portion being defined by the circular opening 156, which extends for the full width of said device, and which is disposed at the inner end of the slot 158 defined between said members. The device 150 may be readily fabricated from a one-piece blank by slotting the latter as indicated at 158 and by drilling said blank as indicated at 156 to define the relatively narrow longitudinally extending integral formation 154. Projecting from the members 152 and 152' are pin members 78" which correspond in all respects to the pin members 78 and 7 8 previously described. From the above, it will be apparent that as long as the

adaptor device

72, 120 or 150 is consistently positioned in the holder 12, the aforedescribed arrangement provides for the orientation and reorientation of the parafiin-blocked tissue specimen in the same position in the specimen holder of the microtome and, accordingly, when recutting a paraffin block that has been filed, it is unnecessary for the technician to manually orient such parafiin-blocked specimen in accordance with the heretofore used technique.

The mounted paraffin-blocked tissue specimen 10 is relatively thin whereby to minimize the space required for filing such specimens and it will be understood that once a parafi'in-blocked specimen is mounted the mounting block 32 is not removed therefrom. The thickness of the mounting block or plate 32 is substantially less than the lengths of the surface axes of the outer face 34 thereof in order to minimize the bulk of a mounted specimen, this arrangement enabling the mounting plate with the specimen 36 secured thereto to be filed in a shallow drawer or tray of a filing cabinet. Certain features shown and described herein are claimed in the application of Edwin C. Weiskopf for Method and Apparatus for Forming a Mounted Parafiin-Blocked Histologic Tissue Specimen,

Serial No. 497,546, filed concurrently herewith, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

While we have shown and described the preferred emb-odiments of our invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face with an interrupted surface area for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means being of such conformation as to always orient the tissue specimen in the same position relative to said specimen holder, and means providing for the re-' leasable interengagement of said adaptor means and said plate.

2. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plate to said adaptor means, said interengageable parts having provision to always orient the mounting plate in the same position relative to said adaptor means.

3. A device for mounting a parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer planar face with an interrupted surface area for the adhe-' sion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair of resiliently interconnected members adapted to be clamped together by said specimen holder, said members and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plate to said adaptor means and for clamping said plate to said adaptor means in response to the clamping of said members.

4. A device for mounting a parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sectionsfor microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair of resiliently interconnected members, oneof the latter and said mounting plate having pin means and the other of said members and said mounting plate having formations complementary to said pin means, said pin means and said formations being adapted for releasable interengagement for the mounting of said plate to said members, the latter being adapted to be pressure urged towards each other by the specimen holder for clamping said mounting plate in position, said members being adapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping force between said releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position.

5. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair of members resiliently urged away from each other, said members and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for the releasable mounting of said plate to said members, the latter in engaged relation with said plate being adapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping force between said releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position.

6. A device for mounting a parafiin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means corn prising a companion pair of members pivotally movable towards and away from each other, and means for resiliently biasing said members away from each other, said members and said mounting'plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plate to'said members.

7. A device for-mounting parafiin-blocked histologic ti'ssue'specimen tothe specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair of members resiliently urged away from each other, said members and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relationprovide for the releasable mounting of said plate to said members, the'latter in engaged relation with said plate being adapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping force between said releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position, said members being pivotally movable towards and away from each other and having spring means disposed therebetween for urging said members away from each other.

8. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder'of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair of members resiliently urged away from eachother, said members and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for'the releasable mounting of said plate to said members, the latter in engaged relationwith said plate being adapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping force between said releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position, said members being laterally movable away from each other out of interengagement and having spring means disposed therebetweenfor urging said members in said last mentioned direction.

9. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraflin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair of members having integrally joined portions, said members being movable towards and away from each other and being resiliently biased in said last mentioned direction by said integrally joined portions, said members and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plate to said members, and said members being adapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping force be tween said parts.

10. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprisinga companion pair of members resiliently urged away. from each other, said members and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for the releasable mounting of said plate to said members, the latter in engaged relation with-said plate being adapted to be clamped between the jaws of. the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping force between said releasable parts whereby to clamp said mounting plate in position, said members having integrally joined portions and being movable towards and away from each other, said integrally joined portions constituting means for resiliently-biasing said members in said last mentioned direction.

' 11. A device for mounting a paraflin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a paraffin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor means comprising a companion pair of members having integrally joined portions, at one side thereof, said members being movable towards and away from each other and being resiliently biased in said last mentioned direction by said integrally joined portions, said members at the opposite side thereof and said mounting plate having releasably interengageable parts which in their engaged relation provide for the mounting of said plate to said members, and said members being adapted to be clamped between the jaws of the specimen holder for urging said members toward each other and for applying a clamping force between said parts.

12. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, .comprising'a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor and said mounting plate having companion releasable interengageable parts for removably securing said plate to said adaptor, said parts of said plate being related to the companion parts respectively of said adaptor in non-symmetrical relation whereby said plate and adaptor are attachable to each other by said interengageable parts in only one predetermined relative position, and said adaptor being of multi-lateral conformation for securement to said specimen holder in only one predetermined relative position.

13. A device for mounting a paraffin-blocked histologic tissue specimen to the specimen holder of a microtome for cutting tissue sections for microscopic examination of the tissue, comprising a mounting plate having an outer face for the adhesion thereto of a parafiin-blocked histologic specimen, and adaptor means for mounting said plate to the specimen holder, said adaptor and said mounting plate having companion releasable interengageable parts for removably securing said plate to said adaptor, said parts of said plate being releated to the companion parts respectively of said adaptor in non-symmetrical relation whereby said plate and adaptor are attachable to each other by said interengageable parts in only one predetermined relative position, and said adaptor being of multilateral conformation for securement to said specimen holder in only one predetermined relative position said interengageable parts comprising recesses in said mounting plate and pin projections on said adaptor receivable respectively in said recesses only in said predetermined relative position of said plate and adaptor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,212,953 Popp et a1 Aug. 27, 1940 2,494,834 Ringheim Jan. 17, 1950 2,549,830 Logan et al. Apr. 24, 1951