MICROTOME SECTIONABLE BIOPSY SUPPORT FOR ORIENTING TISSUE SAMPLES

• US 20100184127A1
• Filed: 01/22/2010
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC, Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC, Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Saez, Carlos A., Williamson, Warren P. IV, Whitlatch, Stephen P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,329,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/40.520
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/06 providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/312 for samples mounted on planar substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/36 Embedding or analogous mounting of samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4833 of solid biological material, e.g. tissue samples, cell cultures tissue in vivo A61B5/00; cell suspensions G01N33/48735
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

Tissue orientation devices include a perforated tissue support with at least one perforated channel for receiving a tissue sample, and a plurality of tabs configured to extend along and into the channel to retain the tissue sample during processing and embedding. Tissue orientation devices include elongated legs coupled together for holding one or more biopsy tissue samples therebetween. Associated methods include using the cassettes and orientation devices to hold and orient tissue samples for processing, embedding and microtome sectioning.

Claims

1. A histologic tissue sample support device for orienting and retaining tissue samples during processing, embedding and sectioning in a microtome, comprising:

a tissue cassette, the tissue cassette including a perforated bottom wall and at least one perforated side wall for defining a tissue sample receiving space, the cassette formed of material which can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, the tissue cassette including first and second elongate channels for receiving at least one tissue sample, the first and second channels being separated from each other by separating structure, the separating structure connected with and extending upwardly from the bottom wall and including an anchoring element including a surface facing the bottom wall to anchor the separating structure in embedding material during a microtome sectioning process; and

tissue sample biasing structure configured to extend into the first and second channels to retain the tissue sample or samples against the bottom wall during processing and embedding, the tissue sample biasing structure further being capable of successful sectioning in the microtome.

2. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 1, wherein the biasing structure further comprises a resilient cellular material configured to engage the tissue sample and hold the tissue sample flat against a reference surface, the resilient cellular material being porous to allow infiltration of the solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, and of embedding material used to embed the tissue while the tissue sample is retained by the resilient cellular material.

3. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 2, wherein the resilient cellular material further comprises an open cell foam material.

4. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 3, wherein the open cell foam material further includes at least one of a polyether or a polyurethane.

5. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 3, wherein the open cell foam is a fully reticulated foam.

6. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 1, further comprising:

fingers on opposite sides of the first and second channels to hold the tissue sample or samples in a desired orientation.

7. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 6, wherein the cassette is formed of a polymer.

8. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 7, wherein the polymer is a fluorinated polymer.

9. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 7, wherein the polymer is a fluoropolymer.

10. The histologic tissue sample support of claim 1, wherein the cassette includes a lid and the biasing structure further comprises a plurality of spaced apart tabs connected with and extending downwardly from the lid into the first and second channels.

11. The histologic tissue sample support of claim 1, wherein the separating structure is perforated.

12. The histologic tissue sample support of claim 1, wherein the separating structure is configured to allow the tissue sample to extend from the first channel to the second channel.

13. A histologic tissue sample support device, comprising:

a frame;

a tissue cassette releasably retained on the frame, the tissue cassette including a perforated bottom wall and at least one perforated side wall for defining a tissue sample receiving space, the cassette formed of material which can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, the tissue cassette including first and second elongate channels for receiving at least one tissue sample, the first and second channels being separated from each other by separating structure, the separating structure connected with and extending upwardly from the bottom wall and including an anchoring element including a surface facing the bottom wall to anchor the separating structure in embedding material during a microtome sectioning process; and

tissue sample biasing structure configured to extend into the first and second channels to retain the tissue sample or samples in place during processing and embedding, the tissue sample biasing structure further being capable of successful sectioning in the microtome.

14. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 13, wherein the tissue cassette is configured to be releasably coupled to the frame and the frame is further configured for releasable securement within a microtome chuck.

15. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 14, wherein the frame includes an interior and the tissue cassette is sized to fit and move within the interior between at least a first position and a second position, the first position being used during processing of the tissue sample, and the second position being used to expose the tissue outward of the frame in a position for allowing the tissue sample to be sectioned in the microtome.

16. A histologic tissue sample support device for orienting and retaining tissue samples during processing, embedding and sectioning in a microtome, comprising:

a tissue cassette, the tissue cassette including a perforated bottom wall and at least one perforated side wall for defining a tissue sample receiving space, the cassette formed of material which can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, the tissue cassette including first and second elongate channels for receiving at least one tissue sample, the first and second channels being separated from each other by separating structure, the separating structure connected with and extending upwardly from the bottom wall and configured to allow the tissue sample to extend from the first channel to the second channel; and

tissue sample biasing structure configured to extend into the first and second channels to retain the tissue sample or samples against the bottom wall during processing and embedding, the tissue sample biasing structure further being capable of successful sectioning in the microtome.

17. A histologic tissue sample support device, comprising:

a frame;

a tissue cassette releasably retained on the frame, the tissue cassette including a perforated bottom wall and at least one perforated side wall for defining a tissue sample receiving space, the cassette formed of material which can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, the tissue cassette including first and second elongate channels for receiving at least one tissue sample, the first and second channels being separated from each other by separating structure, the separating structure connected with and extending upwardly from the bottom wall and configured to allow the tissue sample to extend from the first channel to the second channel; and

tissue sample biasing structure configured to extend into the first and second channels to retain the tissue sample or samples in place during processing and embedding, the tissue sample biasing structure further being capable of successful sectioning in the microtome.

18. A histologic tissue sample support device for orienting and retaining tissue samples during processing, embedding and sectioning in a microtome, comprising:

a tissue cassette, the tissue cassette including a perforated bottom wall and at least one perforated side wall for defining a tissue sample receiving space, the cassette formed of material which can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, the tissue cassette including an elongate channel for receiving at least one tissue sample, the channel including resilient fingers on opposite sides thereof for resiliently engaging and holding the tissue sample during processing and embedding; and

tissue sample biasing structure configured to extend into the channel to retain the tissue sample or samples against the bottom wall during processing and embedding, the tissue sample biasing structure further being capable of successful sectioning in the microtome.

19. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 18 wherein the resilient fingers have a one-way barbed-type configuration to prevent the tissue sample from backing out of the channel.

20. A histologic tissue sample support device, comprising:

a frame;

a tissue cassette releasably retained on the frame, the tissue cassette including a perforated bottom wall and at least one perforated side wall for defining a tissue sample receiving space, the cassette formed of material which can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, the tissue cassette including an elongate channel for receiving at least one tissue sample, the channel including resilient fingers on opposite sides thereof for resiliently engaging and holding the tissue sample during processing and embedding; and

tissue sample biasing structure configured to extend into the channel to retain the tissue sample or samples against the bottom wall during processing and embedding, the tissue sample biasing structure further being capable of successful sectioning in the microtome.

21. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 20 wherein the resilient fingers have a one-way barbed-type configuration to prevent the tissue sample from backing out of the channel.

22. A method for preparing one or more elongated biopsy tissue samples for histological examination, comprising:

positioning an elongated tissue sample in a first elongated channel of a perforated microtome sectionable support;

extending the elongated tissue sample from the first elongated channel to a second elongated channel segregated from the first elongated channel by separating structure;

using biasing structure to hold the tissue sample against a bottom surface of the channel;

subjecting the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample to a process that replaces fluid in the tissue sample with a hardenable material;

embedding the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample in an embedding material;

hardening the embedding material into a block; and

slicing the block with a microtome into thin slices of the embedding material, the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

holding the tissue sample in a desired orientation using resilient fingers on opposite sides of the channel.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the microtome sectionable support further comprises a resilient cellular material, and holding the tissue sample against the bottom surface further comprises:

positioning the resilient cellular material between a lid and the tissue sample to trap the tissue sample between the resilient cellular material and the bottom surface.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the resilient cellular material deforms during the immobilizing step to create a three dimensional space that receives the tissue sample.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the microtome sectionable support is coupled to a frame prior to being subjected to the process for replacing fluid in the tissue sample with the hardenable material, and the method further comprises securing the frame in the microtome prior to slicing the block.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein prior to embedding the microtome sectionable support, resilient cellular material and the tissue sample in the embedding material, the microtome sectionable support is moved from a first position within the frame to a second position in which the support, resilient cellular material and tissue sample are exposed for simultaneous sectioning in the microtome.

28. A method for preparing one or more elongated biopsy tissue samples for histological examination, comprising:

positioning a tissue sample in a first elongated channel of a perforated microtome sectionable support;

resiliently engaging the tissue sample with fingers positioned on opposite sides of the channel;

using biasing structure to hold the tissue sample against a bottom surface of the channel;

subjecting the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample to a process that replaces fluid in the tissue sample with a hardenable material;

embedding the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample in an embedding material;

hardening the embedding material into a block; and

slicing the block with a microtome into thin slices of the embedding material, the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample.

29. A biopsy tissue orientation device configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, comprising a plurality of elongated legs coupled together, said legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween and said legs undulating along their respective lengths.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein the legs are flexible.

31. A biopsy tissue orientation device, comprising a plurality of legs coupled together and configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, said legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween and the legs being elongated, wherein the legs further include standoff elements extending transverse thereto and formed of a material capable of being sectioned by a microtome, the standoff elements facilitating sectioning of biopsy samples without sectioning through the legs.

32. A biopsy tissue orientation device configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, comprising a plurality of elongated legs coupled together, the legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween, and peripheral tissue cassette engagement structure for coupling the device to interior side wall structure of the tissue cassette.

33. A biopsy tissue orientation device configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, comprising a plurality of elongated legs coupled together, the legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween and including tissue engagement teeth along their respective lengths.