Microscope cover slip materials

• US 6,589,650 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2000
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Kavanagh, Maureen A., Ruegsegger, Michael L., Huang, Audrey S., Govek, Michael, Hogerton, Cynthia M., Gaddam, Babu N., Liu, Junkang
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Vivian
• Application Number:
  US09/633,835
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 428/343, 428/346, 428/355.AC, 428/480, 428/483, 428/421, 428/447, 428/446, 428/13, 428/507, 428/510, 428/515, 428/520, 428/522, 156/57, 359/396, 359/397
• US Class Current: 428/355.0AC
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2/44 Polymerisation in the presence of compounding ingredients, e.g. plasticisers, dyestuffs, fillers
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/20 of polyhydric alcohols or phenols , e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate or glycerol mono-(meth)acrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 222/103 of trialcohols, e.g. trimethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 290/06 Polymers provided for in subclass C08G
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 290/062 Polyethers
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 65/007 containing fluorine
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/04 Macromolecular compounds according to groups C08L7/00 - C08L49/00, or C08L55/00 - C08L57/00; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 53/00 Compositions of block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 153/00 Coating compositions based on block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Coating compositions based on derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 171/02 Polyalkylene oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 4/00 Coating compositions, e.g. paints, varnishes or lacquers, based on organic non-macromolecular compounds having at least one polymerisable carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond ; Coating compositions, based on monomers of macromolecular compounds of groups C09D183/00 - C09D183/16
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 4/06 Organic non-macromolecular compounds having at least one polymerisable carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bond in combination with a macromolecular compound other than an unsaturated polymer of groups C09D159/00 - C09D187/00
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 153/00 Adhesives based on block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Adhesives based on derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2433/00 Presence of (meth)acrylic polymer
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/22 Plastics; Metallised plastics
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/30 characterised by the adhesive composition
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/36 Embedding or analogous mounting of samples
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/34 Microscope slides, e.g. mounting specimens on microscope slides
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 : with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 : Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 : Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 : Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 29/868 : Screens covering the input or output face of the vessel, e.g. transparent anti-static coatings, X-ray absorbing layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/65 : Holding-devices for protective discs or for picture masks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3141 : Constructional details thereof details not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1002 : with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1424 : Halogen containing compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1429 : Fluorine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 : Release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 : Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24942 : including components having same physical characteristic in differing degree
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2495 : Thickness [relative or absolute]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24967 : Absolute thicknesses specified
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24975 : No layer or component greater than 5 mils thick
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/259 : Silicic material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/265 : 1 mil or less
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/28 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and having an adhesive outermost layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2813 : Heat or solvent activated or sealable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 : Three or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2891 : including addition polymer from alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acid [e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, etc.] Or derivative thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3154 : Of fluorinated addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31544 : Addition polymer is perhalogenated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31663 : As siloxane, silicone or silane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31797 : Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3188 : Next to cellulosic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31891 : Where addition polymer is an ester or halide
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31909 : Next to second addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31928 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31935 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer

Abstract

A cover slip material and a method of making and using the same are provided. The material comprises (a) a light transmissible polymeric backing having first and second surfaces; (b) a tack free bonding layer disposed on the first surface of the backing, the bonding layer comprising polymers selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, and combinations thereof; and (c) a protective coating disposed on the second surface of the backing. Upon exposure to an environmentally friendly activating solvent such as terpene, d-limonene, esters of coconut oil and aliphatic hydrocarbon blends, the bonding layer acquires tacky properties causing the cover slip to adhere to a specimen previously mounted on a microscope slide.

Claims

1. A flexible light transmissible cover slip comprising:

(a) a light transmissible polymeric backing having first and second surfaces;

(b) a tack free bonding layer disposed on the first surface of the backing, the bonding layer comprising polymers selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof; and

(c) a protective coating disposed on the second surface of the backing wherein the bonding layer is capable of being activated by an environmentally friendly solvent, wherein the environmentally friendly solvent is selected from the group consisting of terpene, d-limonene, esters of coconut oil, aliphatic hydrocarbon blends, and combinations thereof.

2. The cover slip of claim 1, wherein the backing is selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene, terephthalate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer.

3. The cover slip of claim 1, wherein the alkyl acrylate is selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, and combinations thereof, and wherein the alkyl methacrylate is selected from the group consisting of isobornyl methacrylate, and cyclohexyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof.

4. The cover slip of claim 1, wherein the bonding layer comprises octadecyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate at a weight ratio of about 65:

35 to 90;

10.

5. The cover slip of claim 1, wherein the bonding layer comprises isobornyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate at a weight ratio of about 65:

35 to 90;

10.

6. The cover slip of claim 1, wherein the bonding layer comprises cyclohexyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in a weight ratio of about 65:

35 to 90;

10.

7. The cover slip of claim 1, wherein the bonding layer comprises isobornyl acrylate and n-butylacrylate in a weight ratio of about 65:

35 to 90;

10.

8. The cover slip of claim 1, wherein the protective coating comprises polymers selected from the group consisting of silicone, fluorosilicone, fluorochemical, fluoroether, silicone acrylates, silicone epoxy, ceramer, and combinations thereof.

9. The cover slip of claim 8, wherein the protective coating comprises greater than 70% by weight ceramer and less than 30% by weight silicone acrylate.

10. The cover slip of claim 1 having a refractive index of about 1.40 to 1.60.

11. The cover slip of claim 1 further comprising gridlines disposed on the light transmissible backing.

12. The cover slip of claim 1 in roll form, the roll being exposed to a condition of about 49°

C. (120°

F.) for at least seven days and able to be unwind without blocking.

13. The cover slip of claim 1 disposed on a stained histology specimen microscope slide that has been exposed to xylene to yield a cover slipped slide, said cover slipped slide being exposed to an accelerated aging condition of about 49°

C. (120°

F.) and about 90% relative humidity for at least seven days without substantial lifting or bubbling of the cover slip material from the microscope slide and without substantial fading or bleeding of the stain.

14. A method of preparing a specimen for optical microscopy, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) placing the specimen on a portion of a microscope slide;

(b) applying a cover slip over the specimen and the slide, the cover slip comprising (i) an optically transparent polymeric backing having first and second surfaces;

(ii) a tack free bonding layer disposed on the first surface of the backing, the bonding layer comprising polymers selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof, and (iii) a protective coating disposed on the second surface of the backing,

(c) applying an environmentally friendly activating solvent on the cover slip, wherein the environmentally friendly activating solvent is selected from the group consisting of terpene, d-limonene esters of coconut oil, aliphatic hydrocarbon blends, and combinations thereof,

wherein upon exposure to the activating agent, at least a portion of the bonding layer is dissolved and the cover slip adheres to the specimen and the microscope slide to yield a prepared slide.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising applying a stain comprising hematoxylin and eosin on the specimen.

16. The method of claim 15 where said prepared slide is subjected to accelerated aging condition of about 49°

C. (120°

F.) at about 90% relative humidity for about seven days where said stain does not fade and/or bleed from the specimen.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said prepared slide is subjected to accelerated aging condition of about 49°

C. (120°

F.) at about 90% relative humidity for about 7 days where said cover slip does not substantially lift and/or bubble.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the acrylate is selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, isooctyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, and combinations thereof, and wherein the methacrylate is selected from the group consisting of isobornyl methacrylate, and cyclohexyl methacrylate, and combinations thereof.