Cassette for handling and holding tissue samples during processing, embedding and microtome procedures, and methods therefor

• US 20050084425A1
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC
• Original Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC
• Inventors: Williamson, Warren P. IV, Whitlatch, Stephen P., Ward, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,179,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/102
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/02 Identification, exchange or storage of information
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/545 for laboratory containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/315 Basket-type carriers for tissues

Abstract

A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.

Claims

1. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample; and

a plurality of query points associated with said body and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette.

2. The cassette of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to be coupled with said body and movable between open and closed positions, said lid being stiffer than said bottom wall.

3. The cassette of claim 1, further comprising:

a flange extending along an upper portion of said side wall, said flange including said query points.

4. The cassette of claim 3, wherein said sensing elements further comprise holes.

5. The cassette of claim 1, wherein said sensing elements further comprise holes.

6. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample; and

a sensing element associated with said body and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette.

7. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample, and

a flange extending along an upper portion of said side wall, said flange including a plurality of holes.

8. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample,

wherein said bottom wall transitions to said side wall with a radiused corner.

9. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample,

wherein said bottom wall includes a plurality of holes having a shape which widens in a direction toward said side wall so as to guide the flow of material for forming the cassette during an injection molding process.

10. The cassette of claim 9, wherein said holes have a teardrop shape.

11. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample, said bottom wall and said plurality of side walls being constructed of a material capable of being sectioned in a microtome;

wherein at least two of said side walls are positioned in opposed relation to one another and the dimension between said opposed side walls varies along the length of said opposed side walls.

12. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall having an upper surface, and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample,

a lid receivable in said interior space, and

a stop member in said interior space configured to stop said lid at a minimum distance from the upper surface of said bottom wall.

13. A cassette for holding and orienting a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall having an upper surface, and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample,

a plurality of posts extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said posts configured to orient the tissue sample therebetween; and

a lid receivable in said interior space and having holes for removably receiving said posts.

14. The cassette of claim 13, wherein said body has a lengthwise dimension and said posts are further arranged so as not to be aligned with one another in a straight line either perpendicular or parallel to said lengthwise dimension.

15. A method of handling a cassette containing a tissue sample during an embedding procedure, the cassette including a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space holding the tissue sample, and a query point associated with the cassette, the method comprising:

bringing the query point cassette within proximity to a sensor, and

extracting information from the query point using the sensor.

16. A method of handling a frame member for holding a cassette with a tissue sample, the frame member including a query point, and the method comprising:

bringing the query point cassette within proximity to a sensor, and

extracting information from the query point using the sensor.

17. A cassette for holding a tissue sample, comprising:

a body including a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly with respect to said bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample;

a lid configured to be coupled with said body; and

a plurality of query points associated with at least one of said body and said lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette.