WO2019242831A1

WO2019242831A1 - Microtome with actuated knife carrier clamping

Info

Publication number: WO2019242831A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/000312
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Ruiz Robles
Original assignee: Especialidades Medicas Myr, S.L.
Priority date: 2018-06-20
Filing date: 2018-06-20
Publication date: 2019-12-26

Abstract

A microtome (1) is equipped with an actuator (8), which can be for example an electrical motor (20), specifically a gear-motor, which accomplish by force transmitting means (18) the clamping and / or unclamping of the knife carrier base (5) to its counterpart at the microtome (1). The counterpart at the microtome (1) can be for example a dove tail guidance or a rail guidance (12) which is fixedly connected to the base body (2) or in the case that the microtome is equipped with a knife carrier feed system, it will be the feed system guidance body. The microtome (1) is further equipped with control means (19) which control the actuator (8) when operated. Part of the control means (19) can be for example a keypad (36) where user commands can activate or deactivate the actuator (8). Other embodiments of the same invention are also described. The microtome (1) with the actuated clamping system provides to the user more operation comfort at the knife carrier (4) operation, because there are less mechanical levers to operate, it reduces operation complexity and facilitates the cleaning process at the knife carrier (4) because of the reduced number of levers.

Description

Microtome with actuated knife carrier clamping

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The invention describes a microtome with a movable and detachable knife carrier which provides an actuated clamping function of the knife carrier base on the microtome for increased ergonomic comfort, better access for cleaning and to facilitate the complicated operation of various manually operated clamping functions at a knife carrier of a microtome. Microtomes are sectioning instruments with primary use in histology, biology, medical research but also in materials science and quality assurance for producing thin sections of specimen. These sections are then used in microscopic, mainly light microscopic examination methods. Background Art

With all types of microtomes the production of thin sections in the sectioning process is performed by a relative movement of a clamped specimen and the cutting edge of a sectioning tool along a linear or curved sectioning path. Thereby the section thickness of the resulting section is basically the amount of feed which is carried out in a previous step as relative movement to each other between specimen and sectioning tool. This feed movement is typically, but not necessarily, in a vertical direction to the sectioning movement. The feed can either be carried out as feed of the specimen by the specimen holder or as feed of the sectioning tool by the knife carrier. Common microtomes differ in their type of construction as there are rocking microtomes with knife carrier feed system, sledge microtomes with knife carrier or specimen feed systems, disk microtomes with knife carrier feed system and rotary microtomes with knife carrier or specimen feed systems. Microtomes used in microtome-cryostats to produce frozen sections are named cryostat-microtomes. Generally they are similar and they also differ as to the named types of construction and types of feed system. They are also included in this description as these microtomes exhibit the same problem which is addressed with this invention. It should be noted, that in general each type of microtome can be represented either with knife carrier feed system or with specimen feed system.

State of the art microtomes of all named types are equipped with devices to held, position and orientate the sectioning tool for the sectioning process. These devices are typically named knife holder, blade holder or knife carrier. Within this description such a device is always named knife carrier.

Known knife carriers for microtomes are suitable to take sectioning tools like disposable blades, solid C-or D-knives, glass knives or diamond knives. Besides the type of sectioning tool which they support, they differ in their functions which they offer.

A basic knife carrier just may have a body where a knife is placed on and can be simply fixed by a screw. Most knife carriers offer additional functions which are useful for a state of the art microtome sectioning process.

Such additional functions are: adjustment of a clearance angle between cutting edge and sectioning path, a lateral adjustment of the knife or blade in order to make full use of the length of the tool, a height adjustment for knife carriers of C-or D-knives to overcome the loss in height when resharpening the knives, or even a rotational adjustment of knife carriers for glass or diamond knives in order to offer a function to trim the specimen surface in different planes. Also most knife carriers offer finger guards for protection which may be swiveled away when sectioning. Cryostat-microtomes are furthermore equipped in most cases with anti-roll devices on their respective knife carriers to handle the specifics of frozen sections.

In addition all types of knife carriers may differ in such that they are either fixedly connected to a microtome base body (in case of a specimen feed system) or to a feed system guidance body (in case of a knife carrier feed system) or they are movable and detachable from their respective counterparts. Knife carriers which are movable and detachable typically comprise a knife carrier base which is formed as dovetail guidance with its counterpart or as rail guidance. Other forms of a linear guidance which serves for a linear movement and enables to detach the knife carrier are also included in this description.

Knife carriers which are movable, and therefore also detachable from their counterparts when unclamped offer advantages. In practical use, it is of advantage to be able to adapt the distance between specimen and sectioning tool in a fast and easy way. The direction of the movement is thereby the same direction as the feed movement.

However to overcome relative large distances with a slow acting and distance limited feed system is not useful. A need to adapt the distance is for example given when specimen bodies differ largely in their size, or if the specimen clamps are exchanged and are of different size. The other advantage of being able to detach the knife carrier offers first of all the possibility to make use of different type of knife carriers, for example when different sectioning tools would be needed. In addition it is a clear advantage for the cleaning process of the microtome and for cleaning the knife carrier itself.

However all these functions of a knife carrier need operational means such as knobs or levers and can make a knife carrier quite difficult to operate and clean it. A typical movable and detachable knife carrier of a microtome which represents most of the above named functions is described in DE 10 2004 051 974 B4. It has a base part, a clearance angle adjustment, a lateral shifting possibility, a finger guard, and combined with that, means to eject disposable blades after the use of it. Further typical movable and detachable knife carriers of a microtome, but in this case to be clamped to a feed system guidance body, because the microtome has a knife carrier feed system, are described in the instruction manual of the LKB 2218 HistoRange Microtome (Company LKB AB, Bromma, Sweden) printed 1984. Various knife carriers, mounted as well as detached, are shown on pages 14- 16 of that instruction manual. The number of knobs and levers shown here makes clear how difficult it is to operate and to clean such a system. Knife carriers of cryostat-microtomes have basically the same problems and even more, because they typically have anti-roll devices equipped in addition.

There were already steps taken to reduce the number of operating elements on a knife carrier, for example by using detachable levers for some functions. Further possibilities to address the problem of too many operation elements at a knife carrier are as follows:

DE 10 2004 004 355 B3 describes a rotary microtome with a detachable knife carrier and whereby the number of levers for the knife carrier functions is reduced at the knife carrier. This is achieved in that the clamping of the knife carrier base to the baseplate of the microtome is transferred away from the knife carrier to the side of the microtome, besides the waste tray. One lever less directly at the knife carrier reduces effort for cleaning and makes the knife carrier operation less difficult. However the clamping lever is still needed at. a different position.

DE 10 2005 020 266 A1 describes a rotary microtome where numerous functions of a knife carrier are operated in an angular sequence with a lever on one single cam shaft. That solution reduces the number of levers, but has the limitation that the functions are operated in fixed sequence and do not allow be operated independent.

DE102009 036 190 B4 describes a knife carrier for a microtome where the operation of a finger guard is coupled with the lateral clamping of the knife carrier top part to the middle part. That proposal is another way to avoid one of the levers at the knife carrier by using double function with the operation of the finger guard.

The here named proposals offer some advantage by having a reduced number of levers or different positioning of a lever. This helps to facilitate cleaning and makes the knife carrier appearing less complex. However with the combined functions it also may contribute to some operating errors and a cumbersome operating sequence.

Further improvements with clearly structured and independent functions but less mechanical operating elements would be of advantage and welcome. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the invention to describe a movable and detachable knife carrier of a microtome where the basic function of clamping the knife carrier base to the microtome base body (in case of a specimen feed system) or to a feed system guidance body (in case of a knife carrier feed system) is carried out without a manual mechanical operation at or around the knife carrier in order to facilitate overall knife carrier operation, contribute to easier cleaning of the knife carrier and offer more comfortable clamping operation. That objective is accomplished according to the present invention by a microtome and knife carrier with the characteristics of claim 1. Claims 2 to 10 are describing forms of the microtome according to claim 1 and claims 11 and 12 are describing variants of the microtome according to claim 10. The solution of the problem is found by introducing an actuated clamping system between the movable and detachable base part of a knife carrier and its counterpart at the microtome, which is either the main body, main frame or baseplate of the microtome in a case that the microtome has a specimen feed system, or the feed system guidance body in case where the microtome is equipped with a knife carrier feed system.

An actuated clamping system consists of an actuator which is fixedly connected to either the base of the knife carrier or to its respective counterpart where it is clamped to. It also consists of force transmitting means which are arranged between the actuator and the respective counterpart to be clamped. Further the actuator is connected to a control means by which the user is enabling or disabling the actuator.

It is clear that any type of actuator needs for operation a power or supply source which must be either part of the microtome or can be an auxiliary device besides the microtome or on site equipment. It should be understood within this description that the need for such a power or supply source is a precondition and will not be addressed any further in this description and the related drawings. The actual clamping takes place when the base of the knife carrier is pressed to its counterpart with sufficient force that static friction will avoid any movement against the forces applied in the sectioning process. The actuator can be an electromechanical actuator such as an electro-motor, gear- motor, electro-magnet or a piezo-ceramic device or it can be a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator for example a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

Force transmitting means between the actuator, which is connected to one part to be clamped and the respective counterpart, can be, for example, a plunger which directly connects to an electromagnet or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or an eccentric axle together with a plunger or tension bolt which connects to a gearmotor, or in the case of a piezo-ceramic device, just a tension plate to press against a counterpart. The force transmitting means also include the end pieces of plungers, tension bolts etc. which finally engage with the counterpart to be clamped.

The control means to operate an actuator may vary from a single control valve to open or close a fluid in the case of a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator, or simply an electrical switch in the case of an electrically powered actuator, but can also be as complex as microcontroller driven electronic switches programmed with specific firmware and reacting on user commands transmitted by a human machine interface, for example a touchscreen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and embodiments of the microtome according to the invention ensue from the following figures and their descriptions.

In particular, Fig. la up to Fig. 4b show microtome base bodies with attached knife carrier bases according the state of the art, always without housing and in different embodiments. The figures 5a up to 9f show embodiments of the microtome according to the invention. For components which are connected to each other the representation of the respective fasteners was spared for reasons of clarity, to the extent the type of connection is irrelevant for the invention. The drawings illustrate in

Fig. la a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a dove tail guidance according the state of the art Fig. lb a cross section thru the microtome base body and the knife carrier base and a dove tail guidance according the state of the art

Fig. 2a a further embodiment of a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a middle opening below the knife carrier according the state of the art

Fig. 2b a cross section of a further embodiment of a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a middle opening below the knife carrier according the state of the art Fig. 3a a further embodiment of a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a rail guidance system according the state of the art

Fig. 3b a cross section of a further embodiment of a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a rail guidance system according the state of the art

Fig. 4a an embodiment of a microtome base body and with a knife carrier feed system with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a dove tail guidance system according the state of the art Fig. 4b a cross section of an embodiment of a microtome base body and with a knife carrier feed system with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a dove tail guidance system according the state of the art Fig. 5a a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and an electro-motor as actuator with control means according to the invention and with a dove tail guidance

Fig. 5b a cross section thru the microtome base body and the knife carrier base of Fig.5a according to the invention with a dove tail guidance

Fig. 6a a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a piezo- ceramic actuator with control means according to the invention and with

a dove tail guidance

Fig. 6b a cross section thru the microtome base body and the knife carrier base of Fig.6a according to the invention with a dove tail guidance

Fig. 7a a microtome base body with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and an electro-magnet as actuator with control means according to the invention and with a dove tail guidance with a middle opening Fig. 7b a cross section thru the microtome base body and the knife carrier base of Fig.7a according to the invention with a dove tail guidance with a middle opening

Fig. 8a an embodiment of a microtome base body and with a knife carrier feed system with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a dove tail guidance and with an actuator and a control means according the invention

Fig. 8b the same embodiment of a microtome base body and with a knife carrier feed system as shown in Fig. 8a with a movable and detachable knife carrier base and a dove tail guidance and with an actuator and a control means according the invention, but with detached knife carrier for better understanding of the clamping system for the knife carrier Fig. 8c the same embodiment of a microtome base body and with a knife carrier feed system as shown in Fig. 8a and b as a top view with details of the clamping system

Fig. 8d the same embodiment of a microtome base body and with a knife carrier feed system as shown in Fig. 8a, b and c as a cross view in the working plane of the actuator with details of the clamping system

Fig. 9a a perspective view of a microtome with a knife carrier according to the invention with a view below the bottom of the microtome to better see the arrangement of the actuator

Fig. 9b a cross section thru a microtome with knife carrier according to the invention with a clamped knife carrier base Fig. 9c the same cross section as in Fig. 9b thru a microtome with knife carrier according to the invention but with an unclamped knife carrier base

Fig. 9d a cross section thru a microtome with knife carrier according to the invention with a clamped knife carrier base and with a position sensor

Fig. 9e a magnified portion of Fig. 9d

Fig. 9f a similar figure to Fig. 9e but with an unclamped knife carrier base

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. la shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the state of the art. To the base body 2 of the microtome 1 is attached knife carrier base 5 which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the dove tail guidance 7. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the base body 2 can be achieved by operating the clamping lever 9. Fig. lb shows a vertical cross section of Fig. la in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement 6 and at the position of clamping lever 9. It is shown how clamping lever 9 is connected to pressure screw 10 which when turned in the pressure thread 23 at knife carrier base 5 is pressing the pressure piece 11 against the base body 2 and thus clamping the knife carrier base 5 via the dove tail guidance 7 to the base body 2.

Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the state of the art. To the base body 2 of the microtome 1 is attached knife carrier base 5 which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the dove tail guidance 7 which has compared to Fig. la and b more extended guidance because of a middle opening in the base body 2 under the knife carrier base 5. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the base body 2 can be achieved by operating the clamping lever 9.

Fig. 2b shows a vertical cross section of Fig. 2a in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement 6 and at the position of clamping lever 9. It is shown how clamping lever 9 is connected to pressure screw 10 which when turned in the pressure thread 23 at knife carrier base 5 is pressing the pressure piece 11 against the base body 2 and thus clamping the knife carrier base 5 via the dove tail guidance 7 to the base body 2.

Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the state of the art. To the base body 2 of the microtome 1 is attached knife carrier base 5 which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the rail guidance 12. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the base body 2 can be achieved by operating the clamping lever 9.

Fig. 3b shows a vertical cross section of Fig. 3a in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement 6 and at the position of damping lever 9. It is shown how clamping lever 9 is connected to eccentric 13 which when turned in the eccentric bearing 24 at base body 2 is pulling the tension bolt 14, which is adjustable in pull sleeve 25, and thus clamping the knife carrier base 5 via the rail guidance 12 to the base body 2.

Fig. 4a shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a knife carrier feed system 15, which comprises knife carrier feed drive 22, feed spindle 17 and feed system guidance body 3 which is guided with knife carrier feed system guidance 16 in the base body 2 of microtome 1, and with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the state of the art. To the feed system guidance body 3 of the microtome 1 is attached knife carrier base 5 which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the dove tail guidance 7. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the feed system guidance body 3 can be achieved by operating the clamping lever 9.

Fig. 4b shows a vertical cross section of Fig. 4a in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement 6 and at the position of clamping lever 9. It is shown how clamping lever 9 is connected to pressure screw 10, which when turned in the pressure thread 23 at knife carrier base 5 is pressing the pressure piece 11 against the feed system guidance body 3 and thus clamping the knife carrier base 5 via the dove tail guidance 7 to the feed system guidance body 3, which is guided itself in the knife carrier feed system guidance 16 when moved by the feed spindle 17.

Fig. 5a shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the invention. The base body 2 of the microtome 1 is attached to the knife carrier base 5, which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the dove tail guidance 7. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the base body 2 can be achieved by operating with the control means 19 the actuator 8 via force transmitting means 18. In this example the actuator 8 is an electric motor 20, which would be preferably selected as a gearmotor, and the control means 19 can be simply operated by an electrical switch 21. Fig. 5b shows a vertical cross section of Fig. 5a in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement 6 and which is a section thru the mid of knife carrier 4. It is shown how the force transmitting meansl8, which comprise an eccentric 13 and a pressure piece 11 and which when activated thru actuator 8 (not visible in this figure) by electrical switch 21 of control means 19, will press the pressure piece 11 against the knife carrier base 5 and thus clamping the knife carrier base 5 via the dove tail guidance 7 to the base body 2. Fig. 6a shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the invention. The base body 2 of the microtome 1 is attached to the knife carrier base 5, which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the dove tail guidance 7. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the base body 2 can be achieved by operating with the control means 19 the actuator 8 and via the force transmitting means 18. In this example the actuator 8 is a piezo-ceramic device 26 and the control means 19 can be simply operated by an electrical switch 21.

Fig. 6b shows a vertical cross section of Fig. 6a in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement 6 and which is a section thru the mid of knife carrier 4. It is shown how the force transmitting meansl8, which here simply comprise a pressure plate 27, when activated thru actuator 8 by electrical switch 21 of control means 19, will press the pressure plate 27 against the knife carrier base 5 and thus clamping the knife carrier base 5 via the dove tail guidance 7 to the base body 2. -

Fig. 7a shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the invention. The base body 2 of the microtome 1 is attached to the knife carrier base 5 which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the dove tail guidance 7 which has compared to Fig. 6a and b more spaced guidance because of a middle opening in the base body 2 under the knife carrier base 5. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the base body 2 can be achieved by operating the actuator 8 with control means 19 and thru the transmission of the force transmitting means 18. Fig. 7b shows a vertical cross section of Fig. 7a in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement 6 and which is a section thru the mid of knife carrier 4. It is shown how the force transmitting means 18, which in this embodiment is simply an eccentric axle which is pivoted in base body 2, when turned by actuator 8, which is in this embodiment a rotary electro magnet 45, after being activated by control means 19, will press against knife carrier base 5 and thus clamping the knife carrier base 5 via the dove tail guidance 7 to the base body 2. Fig. 8a shows a perspective view of a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a knife carrier feed system 15, which comprises knife carrier feed drive 22, feed spindle 17 and feed system guidance body 3 which is guided with knife carrier feed system guidance 16 in the base body 2 of microtome 1, and with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 according to the invention. The feed system guidance body 3 of the microtome 1 is clamped to the knife carrier base 5 which is movable and detachable in the direction of movement 6 along the dove tail guidance 7. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to and from the feed system guidance body 3 can be achieved by operating the actuator 8 (not visible in this figure) by control means 19. Fig. 8b shows another perspective view of same embodiment as in Fig. 8a with a base body 2 of a microtome 1 with a knife carrier feed system 15, which comprises knife carrier feed drive 22, feed spindle 17 and feed system guidance body 3 which is guided with knife carrier feed system guidance 16 in the base body 2 of microtome 1 according to the invention. For better understanding of the clamping mechanism the knife carrier base 5 should be understood as detached and therefore not visible in this figure. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 (not visible in this Fig.) to and from the feed system guidance body 3 can be achieved by operating the actuator 8, which is inserted inside the feed system guidance body 3, by control means 19 for example by operating the control valve 28. When actuated the actuator 8 is effecting the clamping by the force transmitting means 18. The actuator is pushing plunger 29 against the inclined slider 30, which then will press the inclined pressure piece 31 sideways in a perpendicular direction to the movement of the plunger 29.

Fig. 8c shows a portion of a top view of same embodiment as in Fig. 8a and b with a base body 2, feed spindle 17 and feed system guidance body 3 according to the invention. For better understanding of the clamping mechanism the knife carrier base 5 should be understood as detached and therefore not visible in this figure. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 (not visible in this Fig.) to and from the feed system guidance body 3 can be achieved by operating the actuator 8, which is inserted inside the feed system guidance body 3. When actuated the actuator 8 effects the clamping thru the related force transmitting means 18. The plunger 29 is pushing against the inclined slider 30, which then will press the inclined pressure piece 31 sideways, in a perpendicular direction to the movement of the plunger 29. With this sideways movement the inclined pressure piece 31 will press against the knife carrier base 5 (not shown in this Fig.) and that way clamp the knife carrier base 5 to the feed system guidance body 3. Fig. 8d shows a cross section in the working plane of the actuator 8 thru that portion of the embodiment which is shown in Fig. 8c with a base body 2, feed spindle 17 and feed system guidance body 3 according to the invention. The clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 (not visible in this Fig.) to and from the feed system guidance body 3 can be achieved by operating the actuator 8, which is, for example as shown here, a pneumatic cylinder 32, inserted inside the feed system guidance body 3 and held in position by a fastening thread 33. When actuated the actuator 8 effects the clamping thru the related force transmitting means 18. The plunger 29 is pushing against the inclined slider 30, which then will press the inclined pressure piece 31 sideways, in a perpendicular direction to the movement of the plunger 29. With this sideways movement the inclined pressure piece 31 will press against the knife carrier base 5 (not shown in this Fig.) and that way clamp the knife carrier base 5 to the feed system guidance body 3. The pneumatic cylinder 32 can be activated by control means 19, for example by the control valve 28 (both not visible in this Fig.) and thru connected supply tube 35. Fig. 9a shows a perspective view of the microtome 1 with a movable and detachable knife carrier 4 and with actuated clamping function according to the invention. The knife carrier base 5 is guided on rail guidance 12 on the base body 2. The view is selected to also see the bottom of the microtome 1 with the position of the actuator 8 placed in a recess of the base body 2. The actuator 8 is in this example realized by an electro- motor 20, preferably a gear- motor, which acts with force transmitting means 18. One part of the force transmitting means 18 is the eccentric 13. The microtome 1 is equipped with control means 19, which get commands from the keypad 36. Fig. 9b shows a longitudinal middle section thru the microtome of Fig. 9a. The figure shows the knife carrier base 5 in a clamped position. For clarity the top part of knife carrier 4 is not shown here. The knife carrier base 5 is placed on rail guidance 12 which is fixedly connected to the base body 2 of microtome 1. The actuator 8, which is here an electrical motor 20 acts by the force transmitting means 18 for clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to the rail guidance 12. The force transmitting means 18 are in this example the transmission axle 37, the eccentric 13, the pull sleeve 25, the tension bolt 14 and the counter-load spring 34. The counter-load spring 34 is placed between lock nut 44 and pull sleeve 25. Pull sleeve 25 is sitting in the eccentric housing 41, which is fixedly connected to the base body 2. In this figure the rotational position of eccentric 13 is such that it is not in physical contact with pull sleeve 25. The counter- load spring 34 is pressing the pull sleeve 25 in direction to the bottom of eccentric housing 41. The adjustment of tension bolt 14 within the thread that connects it to the pull sleeve 25 is such, that tension bolt 14 is clamping knife carrier base 5 to the rail guidance 12, which itself is fixedly connected to base body 2. A change from that clamped position to an unclamped position occurs when the actuator 8 is activated via the control means 19. In detail control means 19 comprise in this example keypad 36, keypad connection 40, control unit 38 and motor connection 39. If the keypad 36 is operated by pressing a respective key, the signal will be transferred via keypad connection cable 40 to the control unit 38, which will activate the motor 20 via motor connection cable 39. When unclamped the knife carrier base 5 will be movable and also detachable from the rail guidance 12 in direction of double arrow 6.

Fig. 9c shows a longitudinal middle section thru the microtome of Fig. 9a. The figure shows the knife carrier base 5 in an unclamped position. For clarity the top part of knife carrier 4 is not shown here. The knife carrier base 5 is placed on rail guidance 12 which is fixedly connected to the base body 2 of microtome 1. The actuator 8, which is here an electrical motor 20, acts by the force transmitting means 18 for clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to the rail guidance 12. The force transmitting means 18 are in this example the transmission axle 37, the eccentric 13, the pull sleeve 25, the tension bolt 14 and the counter-load spring 34. The counter-load spring 34 is placed between lock nut 44 and pull sleeve 25. Pull sleeve 25 is sitting in the eccentric housing 41, which is fixedly connected to the base body 2. In this figure the rotational position of eccentric 13 is such that it is in physical contact with pull sleeve 25. The eccentric 13 is in a position where pull sleeve 25 is lifted upward against the force of counter-load spring 34 and that way also tension bolt 14 is lifted by same amount. There is now no physical contact between tension bolt 14 and knife carrier base 5. The knife carrier base 5 will be movable and also detachable from the rail guidance 12 in direction of double arrow 6. A change from that unclamped position to a clamped position occurs when the actuator 8 is activated via the control means 19. In detail control means 19 comprise in this example keypad 36, keypad connection 40, control unit 38 and motor connection 39. If the keypad 36 is operated by pressing a respective key, the signal will be transferred via keypad connection cable 40 to the control unit 38, which will activate the motor 20 via motor connection cable 39. When clamped the knife carrier base 5 will be no longer movable in direction of double arrow 6 and also not detachable from the rail guidance 12, which itself is fixedly connected to base body 2. Fig. 9d shows a longitudinal middle section thru the microtome of Fig. 9a. The view is basically the same as in Fig. 9b with the addition of position sensor 42 and sensor connection cable 43. In this embodiment the position sensor 42 is sensing the rotational position of transmission axle 37 in this example by a reflective sensing light barrier module. The transmission axle 37 has, in this example, at its ending a nip which serves half of a rotation of transmission axle 37 for reflection to the position sensor 42 and for the other half of a rotation of transmission axle 37 for non-reflective condition to the position sensor 42. A change from the here shown clamped position to an unclamped position takes place when the actuator 8 is activated via the control means 19. In detail control means 19 comprise in this example keypad 36, keypad connection 40, control unit 38, motor connection 39, position sensor 42 and sensor connection cable 43. If the keypad 36 is operated by pressing a respective key, the signal will be transferred via keypad connection cable 40 to the control unit 38, which will activate the motor 20 via motor connection cable 39. Motor 20 will then run and turn transmission axle 37 until the position sensor 42 detects the opposite state of the current state, which means reflection or non-reflection from the transmission axle 37. When position sensor 42 detects the change of that signal it is transferred via sensor connection cable 43 to the control unit 38, which then stops the motor 20. When undamped the knife carrier base 5 will be movable and also detachable from the rail guidance 12 in direction of double arrow 6.

Fig. 9e shows a magnified view of a portion of Fig. 9d for clarity. It shows the knife carrier base 5 in a clamped position. The knife carrier base 5 is placed on rail guidance 12 which is fixedly connected to the base body 2 of microtome 1. The actuator 8, which is here represented by electrical motor 20 acts thru the force transmitting means 18 for clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to the rail guidance 12. The force transmitting means 18 are in this example the transmission axle 37, the eccentric 13, the pull sleeve 25, the tension bolt 14 and the counter-load spring 34. The counter-load spring 34 is placed between lock nut 44 and pull sleeve 25. Pull sleeve 25 is sitting in the eccentric housing 41, which is fixedly connected to the base body 2. In this figure the rotational position of eccentric 13 is such that it is not in physical contact with pull sleeve 25. The counter-load spring 34 is pressing the pull sleeve 25 in direction to the bottom of eccentric housing 41. The adjustment of tension bolt 14 within the thread that connects it to the pull sleeve 25 is such, that tension bolt 14 is clamping knife carrier base 5 to the rail guidance 12, which itself is fixedly connected to base body 2. A change from that clamped position to an unclamped position is carried out when the actuator 8 is activated via the control means 19 (not shown in this magnified view). Motor 20 will turn transmission axle 37 until position sensor 42 detects a changed state.

Fig. 9f shows another magnified view similar to Fig. 9e for clarity. It shows the knife carrier base 5 in an unclamped position. The knife carrier base 5 is placed on rail guidance 12 which is fixedly connected to the base body 2 of microtome 1. The actuator 8, which is here represented by electrical motor 20 acts thru the force transmitting means 18 for clamping and unclamping of the knife carrier base 5 to the rail guidance 12. The force transmitting means 18 are in this example the transmission axle 37, the eccentric 13, the pull sleeve 25, the tension bolt 14 and the counter-load spring 34. The counter-load spring 34 is placed between lock nut 44 and pull sleeve 25. Pull sleeve 25 is sitting in the eccentric housing 41, which is fixedly connected to the base body 2. In this figure the rotational position of eccentric 13 is such that it is in physical contact with pull sleeve 25. The eccentric 13 is in a position where pull sleeve 25 is lifted upward against the force of counter-load spring 34 and that way also tension bolt 14 is lifted by same amount. There is now no physical contact between tension bolt 14 and knife carrier base 5. The knife carrier base 5 will be movable and also detachable from the rail guidance 12. nA change from that unclamped position to a clamped position is carried out when the actuator 8 is activated via the control means 19 (not shown in this magnified view). Motor 20 will turn transmission axle 37 until position sensor 42 detects a changed state.

The microtome according to the invention is considerably improving the routine work with microtomes as well as with versions of cryostat-microtomes. Movable and detachable knife carriers can comfortably be clamped with their base to their counterparts at the microtome. The reduced number of levers at the knife carrier contributes to a clearer arrangement of the different functions of a knife carrier and lastly it helps to ease the routine daily cleaning process. The here shown embodiments are only examples of the various forms which can be arranged with this invention. The invention is not limited to the here presented embodiments. All types of microtomes and cryostat-microtomes with movable and detachable knife carriers can be equipped with actuated clamping systems and controlled by control means according to this invention. Also the type of actuator can be chosen freely as electrical, electro-magnetic, electro-motoric, piezo-ceramic or also fluid based actuators such as pneumatic or hydraulic actuators can be applied under this invention. The control means can be of same variety. It can be represented by electrical switches, keypads, Touchpads, other types of human machine interfaces, based on relay, discrete logic or microcontroller technique, up to mechanically operated pneumatic or hydraulic valves, but also magnetically operated pneumatic or hydraulic valves. The force transmitting means finally comprise all technical means which are suitable to adapt a respective actuator to its counterpart in order to make use of its function when activated.

List of component parts: 1 microtome

2 base body

3 feed system guidance body 4 knife carrier

5 knife carrier base

6 direction of movement

7 dove tail guidance

8 actuator

9 clamping lever

10 pressure screw

11 pressure piece

12 rail guidance

13 eccentric

14 tension bolt

15 knife carrier feed system

16 knife carrier feed system guidance 17 feed spindle

18 force transmitting means

19 control means

20 electrical motor

21 electrical switch

22 knife carrier feed drive

23 pressure thread

24 eccentric bearing

25 pull sleeve

26 piezo-ceramic device

27 pressure plate

28 control valve

29 plunger

30 inclined slider

31 inclined pressure piece

32 pneumatic cylinder

33 fastening thread

34 counter-load spring

35 supply tube 36 keypad

37 transmission axle

38 control unit

39 motor connection cable 40 keypad connection cable

41 eccentric housing

42 position sensor

43 sensor connection cable

44 lock nut

45 electro-magnet

Claims

1. Microtome (1) with a base body (2) or a feed system guidance body (3), with a knife carrier (4), which has a knife carrier base (5) which is movable in at least one direction (6) and which is detachable from the microtome (1) and with control means (19) characterized in that the clamping of the knife carrier base (5) to the base body (2) or the feed system guidance body (3) is accomplished by an actuator (8) which is controlled by the control means (19).

2. Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (8) is applying force between base body (2) or feed system guidance body (3) and the knife carrier base (5) by force transmitting means (18).

3. Microtome (1) according to claiml, characterized in that the control means (19) include a position sensor (42)

4.Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (8) is an electromagnet (45).

5. Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (8) is an electrical motor (20).

6. Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (8) is a pneumatic or hydraulic actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder (32)

7. Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (8) is a piezoceramic device (26).

8. Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (19) is an electrical switch (21)

9. Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (19) is a pneumatic or hydraulic valve such as control valve (28).

10. Microtome (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (19) include a human machine interface such as a keypad (36).

11. Microtome (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuator (8) is enabled by a signal of a human machine interface such as the keypad (36) and disabled by a signal of the position sensor (42).

12. Microtome (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the human machine interface is a touchscreen device.