Method For Selecting And Positioning Segments Of A Knife Edge

• US 20110067537A1
• Filed: 07/26/2010
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Leica Microsystems Gmbh (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: LOYDOLD, Andreas, RANNER, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,555,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 83/13
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/06 providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/04 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0524 Plural cutting steps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/162 With control means responsive to replaceable or selectable information program
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/2137 And alternatively movable to or from operating position

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for positioning a cutting knife of a microtome or ultramicrotome equipped with motors for moving the cutting knife, the following steps being carried out:

• a) determining/defining at least two segments of the cutting knife according to a division of the previously defined width of the cutting knife;
• b) selecting a segment of the cutting knife; and
• c) positioning the cutting knife in an operational position by motorized movement of the cutting knife, wherein the selected segment of the cutting knife is positioned to cut the specimen.

Claims

1. A method for positioning a cutting knife of a microtome or ultramicrotome equipped with motors for moving the cutting knife, the method comprising the steps of:

a) determining at least two segments of the cutting knife according to a division of a width of the cutting knife;

b) selecting one of the at least two segments of the cutting knife; and

c) positioning the cutting knife in an operational position by motorized movement of the cutting knife, wherein the selected segment of the cutting knife is positioned to cut the specimen.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step a) is performed when an unused cutting knife is inserted in the microtome or ultramicratome, whereas, during the use of the cutting knife, only steps b) and c) are repeated each time a positioning operation is performed.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a specified, fixed segment width is used for the division of the cutting knife width in step a).

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a segment width used for the division of the cutting knife width in step a) corresponds to a width of a specimen to be sectioned.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the positioning of the selected segment in step c) is accomplished by motorized movement of the cutting knife in a direction parallel to a cutting edge of the cutting knife.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of storing a count for each of the at least two segments indicating the number of times the corresponding segment has been selected.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of displaying the count for each of the at least two segments on a display.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a preliminary step of adjusting the cutting knife to a defined starting position relative to the microtome or ultramicrotome.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein adjustment of the cutting knife to the starting position is done manually with the aid of a stereomicroscope.

10. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the method steps a) and b) are controlled by a user via a graphical software interface, the interface including a representation of the division of the cutting knife into knife segments and of the count for each of the at least two segments, and a representation of the knife segments selectable in step b).