Method for cryopreparing biological tissue
First Claim
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1. A method for cryopreparing a biological tissue sample comprising:
- treating a biological tissue sample with a cryoprotectant;
vitrifying the tissue sample at a rate and under conditions so as to preclude the formation of significant resolvable ice crystals;
equilibrating said vitrified tissue sample at temperature and pressure conditions below the glass transition range of said sampleadding energy to said equilibrated tissue sample at a rate sufficient to cause vitrified water in said sample to change physical state directly to the vapor phase without substantially disturbing said equilibrium or completing the induced transition; and
removing water from said tissue sample by molecular distillation by the addition of energy until substantially no vaporized water can be detected in the atmosphere surrounding said tissue sample.
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Abstract
This invention relates to apparatus for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples. The method comprises treating a biological tissue sample with a cryoprotectant which raises the glass transition temperature range of the sample followed by vitrification under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a sample holder. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal nonequilibrium.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for cryopreparing a biological tissue sample comprising:
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treating a biological tissue sample with a cryoprotectant; vitrifying the tissue sample at a rate and under conditions so as to preclude the formation of significant resolvable ice crystals; equilibrating said vitrified tissue sample at temperature and pressure conditions below the glass transition range of said sample adding energy to said equilibrated tissue sample at a rate sufficient to cause vitrified water in said sample to change physical state directly to the vapor phase without substantially disturbing said equilibrium or completing the induced transition; and removing water from said tissue sample by molecular distillation by the addition of energy until substantially no vaporized water can be detected in the atmosphere surrounding said tissue sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for cryopreparing a biological tissue sample for ultrastructural analysis comprising:
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treating a biological tissue sample with a cryoprotectant which increases the glass transition temperature range of the sample; vitrifying the tissue sample under conditions so as to preclude the formation of significant resolvable ice crystals; bringing the vitrified tissue sample to equilibrium at a temperature below the glass transition temperature range; adding energy to said equilibrated tissue sample at a rate sufficient to cause vitrified water in said sample to change physical state directly to the vapor phase without substantially disturbing said equilibrium; and removing water from said tissue sample by molecular distillation by the addition of energy until substantially no vaporized water can be detected in the atmosphere surrounding said biological tissue sample. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification