US3377898A - Microtome provided with microscope and specimen catching grid operated thereby - Google Patents

Microtome provided with microscope and specimen catching grid operated thereby Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3377898A
US3377898A US535864A US53586466A US3377898A US 3377898 A US3377898 A US 3377898A US 535864 A US535864 A US 535864A US 53586466 A US53586466 A US 53586466A US 3377898 A US3377898 A US 3377898A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
microscope
knife
grid
sections
microtome
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US535864A
Inventor
Persson Karl Goran Algy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pfizer Health AB
Original Assignee
LKB Produkter AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LKB Produkter AB filed Critical LKB Produkter AB
Priority to US535864A priority Critical patent/US3377898A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3377898A publication Critical patent/US3377898A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N1/04—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
    • G01N1/06—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
    • G01N1/04—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
    • G01N1/06—Devices for withdrawing samples in the solid state, e.g. by cutting providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
    • G01N2001/068—Illumination means
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T83/00—Cutting
    • Y10T83/202—With product handling means
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T83/00—Cutting
    • Y10T83/828—With illuminating or viewing means for work
    • Y10T83/839—Mirror or lens

Definitions

  • a micro-tome comprises a knife arranged to cut a specimen into thin sections, the sections falling into and being floated upon the surface of a liquid contained in a tray located adjacent the cutting point.
  • a microscope having a three-dimensional movement is utilized for observing the knife edge and the floating sections, and a holder in the form of tweezers for rele'as-ably holding a grid used to catch and remove the floating sections, is secured to the objective of the microscope so that the holder, and hence also the grid, are manipulated simultaneously with manipulation of the microscope.
  • the invention relates to a microtome, that is an instrument for cutting a specimen into thin sections.
  • the invention relates to a microtome which produces sections of an extremely small thickness and size, for instance a thickness of down to 50 Angstrom units and a size of down to 0.01 mm.
  • a microtome In a microtome it is conventional technique to receive the cut sections on the surface of a liquid provided in a tray which is mounted close to the edge of the knife. The operator then catches the sections floating on the surface of the liquid by means of a small foramiuous plate or grid. The grid and the section caught thereon is subsequently transmitted to examination in a micro scope. For use in an electron microscope the grid has a convenient diameter of approximately 3 mm.
  • the process of catching the section on the surface of the liquid is conveniently controlled by the operator through a microscope, preferably a stereo microscope.
  • a microscope preferably a stereo microscope.
  • the catching process is diflicult and requires a trained operator. Any small shaking of the hand of the operator disturbs the process. It is the object of the invention to provide a microtome with a manipulator which allows the grid to be moved with a slowand quiet motion during the catching process, even with an untrained operator.
  • the microto'me of the invention comprises a knife, means for moving a speciznen so as to be cut into thin sections by the knife, a tray mounted close to the edge of the knife, to be filled with a liquid for receiving the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, a microscope for observing the edge of the knife and the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, means allowing a three-dimensional movement of the microscope, and a holder for releasably holding a grid for catching the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, said holder being fastened to the microscope so as to be operated by the movements of the microscope.
  • FIG. 1 shows a view of a microtome according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows the manipulator in a side view.
  • FIG. 3 shows part of the manipulator in a top view.
  • FIG. 4 shows the knife of the microtome and the tray for receiving the sections.
  • FIG. 5 shows a grid and a section.
  • the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 contains a microscope 1 which is mounted upon a generally U-shaped support 2 which is slidable in grooves 4 on a base plate 3.
  • the microscope is of the binocular type. It can be raised and lowered by means of a wheel 5. It is fastened to the horizontal portion 7 of a bent arm having its vertical portion 8 rotatably secured to the support 2. Consequently, movements in all three directions can be imparted to the microscope.
  • the base plate 3 also supports a knife holder 8 in which a knife 10 is fastened by a screw 9.
  • the knife 10 consists of a triangular glass plate the upper edge 11 of which forms a sharp cutting edge.
  • the knife 10 supports a tray consisting of a rear wall 12 and two side walls 13.
  • the surface 14 of the knife forms the front wall of the tray.
  • the walls 12 and 13 are secured to the knife by means of an adhesive.
  • the specimen 15 to be cut into sections by the knife 10 is fastened to a rod 16.
  • the rod 16 is actuated 'by a mechanism, generally indicated at 17, for giving it an up and down movement and a feed towards the knife.
  • This mechanism may be a conventional microtome mechanism. It does not form part of the invention and will not be described in detail.
  • An annular bearing 19 is fastened to the objective 18 of the microscope.
  • the bearing supports an annular member 20 to which is secured a rod 21.
  • This rod '21 supports, by means of a screw 22, a second rod 23.
  • the lower end of this rod 23 supports, by means of a screw 25, a holder 24 for a .pair of pincers or tweezers 27.
  • the tweezers can be opened and closed by means of a member 28.
  • the free end of the tweezers is situated in the optical axis of the microscope and carries a grid 29 for catching a section floating on the surface of the liquid.
  • the manipulator 20-28 is adjusted so that the grid 29 is situated approximately in the focal plane of the microscope.
  • the objective of the microscope is lowered so that the grid 29 partly dips into the liquid contained in the tray 12-13.
  • the operator moves the grid 29 towards the section to be caught.
  • the operator raises the microscope and releases the grid from the pincers 27 by means of the member 28.
  • a microt-ome comprising a knife, means for moving a specimen so as to be cut into thin sections by the knife, a tray mounted close to the edge of the knife, to be filled with a liquid for receiving the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, a microscope for observing the edge of the knife and the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, means allowing a three-dimensional movement of the microscope, and .a holder for releasably holding a grid for catching the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, said holder being fastened to the microscope so as to be operated by the movements of the microscope.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)

Description

Aprll 16, 1968 G. PERSSON 3,37 MICROTOME PROVIDED WITH ROSC t3 AND SPECIMEN CATCHING GRID OPERATED RBBY Filed March 21, 1966 6 Sheets-Sheet 1.
G. A. PERSSON CROTOME PROVIDED WITH MICROSCOPE AND GRID OPERATED THEREBY 3,377,898 SPECIMEN CATCHING A ril 16, 1968 Filed March 21, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I April 16, 1968 K. G A. PERSSON 3,377,398
MICROTOME PROVIDED WITH MICROSCOPE AND SPECIMEN CATCHING GRID OPERATED THEREBY Filed MarchZl, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Kan/ gmam W MF I [Ill Y/ aw/wr.
United States Patent MICROTOME PROVIDED WITH MICROSCOPE AND SPECIMEN CATCHING GRID OPER- ATED THEREBY Karl Goran Algy Persson, Stockholm, Sweden, assignor to LKB-Produkter Akfiebolag, Stockholm, Sweden, 3 company of Sweden Filed Mar. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 535,864 1 Claim. (Cl. 8378) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A micro-tome comprises a knife arranged to cut a specimen into thin sections, the sections falling into and being floated upon the surface of a liquid contained in a tray located adjacent the cutting point. A microscope having a three-dimensional movement is utilized for observing the knife edge and the floating sections, and a holder in the form of tweezers for rele'as-ably holding a grid used to catch and remove the floating sections, is secured to the objective of the microscope so that the holder, and hence also the grid, are manipulated simultaneously with manipulation of the microscope.
The invention relates to a microtome, that is an instrument for cutting a specimen into thin sections. In particular the invention relates to a microtome which produces sections of an extremely small thickness and size, for instance a thickness of down to 50 Angstrom units and a size of down to 0.01 mm.
In a microtome it is conventional technique to receive the cut sections on the surface of a liquid provided in a tray which is mounted close to the edge of the knife. The operator then catches the sections floating on the surface of the liquid by means of a small foramiuous plate or grid. The grid and the section caught thereon is subsequently transmitted to examination in a micro scope. For use in an electron microscope the grid has a convenient diameter of approximately 3 mm.
Because of the minute size of the grid and the section the process of catching the section on the surface of the liquid is conveniently controlled by the operator through a microscope, preferably a stereo microscope. In spite of this microscope the catching process is diflicult and requires a trained operator. Any small shaking of the hand of the operator disturbs the process. It is the object of the invention to provide a microtome with a manipulator which allows the grid to be moved with a slowand quiet motion during the catching process, even with an untrained operator.
The microto'me of the invention comprises a knife, means for moving a speciznen so as to be cut into thin sections by the knife, a tray mounted close to the edge of the knife, to be filled with a liquid for receiving the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, a microscope for observing the edge of the knife and the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, means allowing a three-dimensional movement of the microscope, and a holder for releasably holding a grid for catching the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, said holder being fastened to the microscope so as to be operated by the movements of the microscope.
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a view of a microtome according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows the manipulator in a side view. FIG. 3 shows part of the manipulator in a top view. FIG. 4 shows the knife of the microtome and the tray for receiving the sections. FIG. 5 shows a grid and a section.
The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 contains a microscope 1 which is mounted upon a generally U-shaped support 2 which is slidable in grooves 4 on a base plate 3. The microscope is of the binocular type. It can be raised and lowered by means of a wheel 5. It is fastened to the horizontal portion 7 of a bent arm having its vertical portion 8 rotatably secured to the support 2. Consequently, movements in all three directions can be imparted to the microscope.
The base plate 3 also supports a knife holder 8 in which a knife 10 is fastened by a screw 9. The knife 10 consists of a triangular glass plate the upper edge 11 of which forms a sharp cutting edge. The knife 10 supports a tray consisting of a rear wall 12 and two side walls 13. The surface 14 of the knife forms the front wall of the tray. The walls 12 and 13 are secured to the knife by means of an adhesive.
The specimen 15 to be cut into sections by the knife 10 is fastened to a rod 16. The rod 16 is actuated 'by a mechanism, generally indicated at 17, for giving it an up and down movement and a feed towards the knife. This mechanism may be a conventional microtome mechanism. It does not form part of the invention and will not be described in detail.
An annular bearing 19 is fastened to the objective 18 of the microscope. The bearing supports an annular member 20 to which is secured a rod 21. This rod '21 supports, by means of a screw 22, a second rod 23. The lower end of this rod 23 supports, by means of a screw 25, a holder 24 for a .pair of pincers or tweezers 27. The tweezers can be opened and closed by means of a member 28. The free end of the tweezers is situated in the optical axis of the microscope and carries a grid 29 for catching a section floating on the surface of the liquid.
in operation the manipulator 20-28 is adjusted so that the grid 29 is situated approximately in the focal plane of the microscope. The objective of the microscope is lowered so that the grid 29 partly dips into the liquid contained in the tray 12-13. By moving the microscope as described the operator moves the grid 29 towards the section to be caught. When a section 30 has been caught on the grid 29, see RIG. 5, the operator raises the microscope and releases the grid from the pincers 27 by means of the member 28.
What is claimed is:
1. A microt-ome, comprising a knife, means for moving a specimen so as to be cut into thin sections by the knife, a tray mounted close to the edge of the knife, to be filled with a liquid for receiving the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, a microscope for observing the edge of the knife and the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, means allowing a three-dimensional movement of the microscope, and .a holder for releasably holding a grid for catching the sections floating on the surface of the liquid, said holder being fastened to the microscope so as to be operated by the movements of the microscope.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,225,639 12/1965 Martinelli 83-9155 3,272,348 9/1966 Metz 8 3-915.5
WILLIAM S. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.
US535864A 1966-03-21 1966-03-21 Microtome provided with microscope and specimen catching grid operated thereby Expired - Lifetime US3377898A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US535864A US3377898A (en) 1966-03-21 1966-03-21 Microtome provided with microscope and specimen catching grid operated thereby

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US535864A US3377898A (en) 1966-03-21 1966-03-21 Microtome provided with microscope and specimen catching grid operated thereby

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3377898A true US3377898A (en) 1968-04-16

Family

ID=24136110

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US535864A Expired - Lifetime US3377898A (en) 1966-03-21 1966-03-21 Microtome provided with microscope and specimen catching grid operated thereby

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3377898A (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3832923A (en) * 1972-01-01 1974-09-03 Schwarzer Co Method for the production of microtome slices and device for the implementation of the method
US3924500A (en) * 1973-08-28 1975-12-09 Lkb Produkter Ab Device in a microtome for holding a grid on which sections are collected
US3937564A (en) * 1970-08-28 1976-02-10 Lkb-Produkter Ab Method for trimming of a specimen for a microtome
US4532838A (en) * 1982-06-28 1985-08-06 Lkb-Produkter Ab Method in a microtome for creating the possibility that the slit between the knife edge and the specimen can be made extremely narrow
US5551326A (en) * 1994-12-15 1996-09-03 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Adhesive-less microtome boat
US6601488B1 (en) 1999-05-07 2003-08-05 University Of Kentucky Research Foundation Cutter assembly for a microscope and related method
US20040099119A1 (en) * 2001-01-02 2004-05-27 Hans-Juergen Hess Microtome
US20070033681A1 (en) * 2005-08-05 2007-02-08 Reinhard Lihl Device For Sectioning Specimens
US20070053057A1 (en) * 2005-09-07 2007-03-08 Reto Zust Apparatus And Method For Producing Multiple Images Of A Specimen
US20090183613A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Micromanipulator for a cryomicrotome
US20110252935A1 (en) * 2008-07-14 2011-10-20 John Welsh Device for dissecting thin samples and methods thereof

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3225639A (en) * 1964-02-21 1965-12-28 Martinelli Robert Microtome knife
US3272348A (en) * 1964-07-07 1966-09-13 Howard D Metz Microtome section pickup and manipulator

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3225639A (en) * 1964-02-21 1965-12-28 Martinelli Robert Microtome knife
US3272348A (en) * 1964-07-07 1966-09-13 Howard D Metz Microtome section pickup and manipulator

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3937564A (en) * 1970-08-28 1976-02-10 Lkb-Produkter Ab Method for trimming of a specimen for a microtome
US3832923A (en) * 1972-01-01 1974-09-03 Schwarzer Co Method for the production of microtome slices and device for the implementation of the method
US3924500A (en) * 1973-08-28 1975-12-09 Lkb Produkter Ab Device in a microtome for holding a grid on which sections are collected
US4532838A (en) * 1982-06-28 1985-08-06 Lkb-Produkter Ab Method in a microtome for creating the possibility that the slit between the knife edge and the specimen can be made extremely narrow
US5551326A (en) * 1994-12-15 1996-09-03 Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation Adhesive-less microtome boat
US6601488B1 (en) 1999-05-07 2003-08-05 University Of Kentucky Research Foundation Cutter assembly for a microscope and related method
US20040099119A1 (en) * 2001-01-02 2004-05-27 Hans-Juergen Hess Microtome
US7066067B2 (en) * 2001-02-01 2006-06-27 Hess Consult Gmbh Microtome
US20070033681A1 (en) * 2005-08-05 2007-02-08 Reinhard Lihl Device For Sectioning Specimens
US20070053057A1 (en) * 2005-09-07 2007-03-08 Reto Zust Apparatus And Method For Producing Multiple Images Of A Specimen
US8640585B2 (en) * 2005-09-07 2014-02-04 Leica Microsystems Cms Gmbh Apparatus and method for producing multiple images of a specimen
US20090183613A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Micromanipulator for a cryomicrotome
US20160123847A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2016-05-05 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Micromanipulator for a cryomicrotome
US10520398B2 (en) * 2008-01-18 2019-12-31 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Micromanipulator for a cryomicrotome
US20110252935A1 (en) * 2008-07-14 2011-10-20 John Welsh Device for dissecting thin samples and methods thereof
US8464619B2 (en) * 2008-07-14 2013-06-18 John Welsh Device for dissecting thin samples and methods thereof

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3377898A (en) Microtome provided with microscope and specimen catching grid operated thereby
JPS6223843B2 (en)
US10065340B2 (en) Device and method for cleaving
NL1017669C2 (en) Device for the manufacture of preparations for a cryo-electron microscope.
US20090183613A1 (en) Micromanipulator for a cryomicrotome
Hagler Ultramicrotomy for biological electron microscopy
Yamaguchi et al. A method for obtaining serial ultrathin sections of microorganisms in transmission electron microscopy
JP7015077B1 (en) Section making device and section making device set
Chambers The microvivisection method
Butler Methods for improved light microscope microtomy
Baerwald et al. Techniques for the preparation of submarine sediments for electron microscopy
US10773420B2 (en) Device and method for cleaving a substrate
US4367914A (en) Microscope equipped with a micro manipulator
Skvarla et al. Techniques of pollen and spore electron microscopy. Part II. Ultramicrotomy and associated techniques
US3924500A (en) Device in a microtome for holding a grid on which sections are collected
JP2006329733A (en) Microsampling apparatus
JP4840931B2 (en) Substrate drying support and drying apparatus
KR101985008B1 (en) exfoliative cell processing device
US4210099A (en) Floating receptacle for collecting histologic material
Westfall Obtaining flat serial sections for electron microscopy
Bouchet-Marquis et al. Cryoelectron microscopy of vitreous sections: a step further towards the native state
White et al. An improved clinical microtome for sectioning frozen tissue
US4158709A (en) Method for collecting histologic material
Danon An instrument to trim plastic specimen blocks for electron microscopy prior to sectioning
KR100966790B1 (en) Cell/tissue mass selecting apparatus and dividing mechanism thereof