Automated system and method for advancing tape to transport cut tissue sections
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated method for advancing a tape comprising the following automated controller controlled steps:
- pressing a first portion of a continuous length of an adhesive tape to a first cutting face of a sample block so the adhesive tape contacts and adheres to and covers the first cutting face;
after adherence of the tape to the first cutting face, cutting a first section from the sample block;
moving the first portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after the first section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the first section is adhered to the first portion of the adhesive tape and the cutting exposes a second cutting face of the sample block;
pressing a second portion of the adhesive tape to the second cutting face of the sample block;
after adherence of the tape to the second cutting face and covering of the second cutting face, cutting a second section from the sample block;
moving the second portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after a second section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the second section is adhered to the second portion of the adhesive tape;
moving the first and second portions of the adhesive tape carrying the corresponding first and second sections to a slide station, the slide station supporting at least first and second slides; and
pressing the first section to the first slide in the slide station to transfer the first section to the first slide and pressing the second section to the second slide in the slide station to transfer the second section to the second slide, wherein the step of pressing the first section includes moving a roller or a cam within a slide station to press the first section on the first slide, the slide movable in an axial direction and the roller movable from a first position axially spaced from the first slide to a second position over the first slide to press the first section on the first slide; and
wherein the foregoing steps are all performed by an automated controller controlled apparatus.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated tape transfer apparatus including a tape feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus and a tape applicator applying the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein a section of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape after cutting of the section from the sample block. A slide station transfers the cut section from the adhesive tape to a slide.
100 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An automated method for advancing a tape comprising the following automated controller controlled steps:
-
pressing a first portion of a continuous length of an adhesive tape to a first cutting face of a sample block so the adhesive tape contacts and adheres to and covers the first cutting face; after adherence of the tape to the first cutting face, cutting a first section from the sample block; moving the first portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after the first section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the first section is adhered to the first portion of the adhesive tape and the cutting exposes a second cutting face of the sample block; pressing a second portion of the adhesive tape to the second cutting face of the sample block; after adherence of the tape to the second cutting face and covering of the second cutting face, cutting a second section from the sample block; moving the second portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after a second section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the second section is adhered to the second portion of the adhesive tape; moving the first and second portions of the adhesive tape carrying the corresponding first and second sections to a slide station, the slide station supporting at least first and second slides; and pressing the first section to the first slide in the slide station to transfer the first section to the first slide and pressing the second section to the second slide in the slide station to transfer the second section to the second slide, wherein the step of pressing the first section includes moving a roller or a cam within a slide station to press the first section on the first slide, the slide movable in an axial direction and the roller movable from a first position axially spaced from the first slide to a second position over the first slide to press the first section on the first slide; and wherein the foregoing steps are all performed by an automated controller controlled apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An automated method for advancing a tape comprising the following automated controller controlled steps:
-
pressing a first portion of a continuous length of an adhesive tape to a first cutting face of a sample block so the adhesive tape contacts and adheres to and covers the first cutting face; after adherence of the tape to the first cutting face, cutting a first section from the sample block; moving the first portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after the first section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the first section is adhered to the first portion of the adhesive tape and the cutting exposes a second cutting face of the sample block; pressing a second portion of the adhesive tape to the second cutting face of the sample block; after adherence of the tape to the second cutting face and covering of the second cutting face, cutting a second section from the sample block; moving the second portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after a second section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the second section is adhered to the second portion of the adhesive tape; moving the first and second portions of the adhesive tape carrying the corresponding first and second sections to a slide station, the slide station supporting at least first and second slides; pressing the first section to the first slide in the slide station to transfer the first section to the first slide and pressing the second section to the second slide in the slide station to transfer the second section to the second slide; wherein the foregoing steps are all performed by an automated controller controlled apparatus and indicating via an optical device during the automated method that the tape has been adhered to the cutting face prior to the step of cutting the first section from the sample block wherein the first section is cut by a microtome.
-
-
17. An automated method for advancing a tape comprising the following automated controller controlled steps:
-
pressing a first portion of a continuous length of an adhesive tape to a first cutting face of a sample block so the adhesive tape contacts and adheres to and covers the first cutting face; after adherence of the tape to the first cutting face, cutting a first section from the sample block; moving the first portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after the first section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the first section is adhered to the first portion of the adhesive tape and the cutting exposes a second cutting face of the sample block; pressing a second portion of the adhesive tape to the second cutting face of the sample block; after adherence of the tape to the second cutting face and covering of the second cutting face, cutting a second section from the sample block; moving the second portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after a second section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the second section is adhered to the second portion of the adhesive tape; moving the first and second portions of the adhesive tape carrying the corresponding first and second sections to a slide station, the slide station supporting at least first and second slides; and pressing the first section to the first slide in the slide station to transfer the first section to the first slide and pressing the second section to the second slide in the slide station to transfer the second section to the second slide, wherein the step of pressing the first section includes moving a roller within the slide station to press the first section on the first slide, the roller movable by linear movement of a translation portion of the slide station to release the first section from the tape, the roller moving substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the slide; wherein the foregoing steps are all performed by an automated controller controlled apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification