Device and method for rapid tissue preparations for histological investigations
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device for processing tissue samples for histological examination, comprising:
- a housing comprising an upper part and a lower part divided by a baseplate;
several process chambers, each process chamber comprising a side wall and a floor, the process chambers being arranged on the baseplate and capable of being filled with a reagent;
a transport mechanism, transferring the tissue samples to the process chambers, the transport mechanism comprising a transport arm and a holder for several cassettes for tissue samples attached to a transport arm; and
a drive mechanism attached to the transport arm and causing a relative rotational motion between the transport mechanism and the baseplate,wherein the rotational motion causes the transfer of the tissue samples between the process chambers;
wherein the process chambers are arranged around the axis of the rotational motion;
wherein the transport arm is lowered by gravity introducing the holder into the process chamber;
wherein at least one process chamber comprises a first opening in the floor; and
wherein the process chamber may be filled with a reagent or emptied of a reagent through the first opening simultaneously with the transferring.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The device (1) for fast tissue processing for histological examination consists of a housing (2) that is covered by a transparent hood (70). A baseplate (3) divides the device (1) into an upper part (4a) and a lower part (4b). Several process chambers that are served by a transport mechanism (6) with holders (40) for tissue specimens are provided for on the baseplate (3). At least one reservoir (74) is provided for in the lower part (4b) of the device, which has a flow connection to at least one process chamber. An operating panel (76) allows the user to enter the appropriate data.
21 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A device for processing tissue samples for histological examination, comprising:
-
a housing comprising an upper part and a lower part divided by a baseplate; several process chambers, each process chamber comprising a side wall and a floor, the process chambers being arranged on the baseplate and capable of being filled with a reagent; a transport mechanism, transferring the tissue samples to the process chambers, the transport mechanism comprising a transport arm and a holder for several cassettes for tissue samples attached to a transport arm; and a drive mechanism attached to the transport arm and causing a relative rotational motion between the transport mechanism and the baseplate, wherein the rotational motion causes the transfer of the tissue samples between the process chambers; wherein the process chambers are arranged around the axis of the rotational motion; wherein the transport arm is lowered by gravity introducing the holder into the process chamber; wherein at least one process chamber comprises a first opening in the floor; and wherein the process chamber may be filled with a reagent or emptied of a reagent through the first opening simultaneously with the transferring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for processing of tissue samples in several process chambers, each of the process chambers comprising a side wall and a floor, comprising the following steps:
-
lowering a holder with cassettes for tissue samples into a loading position, comprising a first process chamber containing a reagent for intermediate storage of the tissue samples; lifting of the holder by a transport arm attached to a transport mechanism; transfer of the holder to a second process chamber; filling simultaneously with the transfer the second process chamber through an opening in the floor of the second process chamber; lowering of the holder into the second process chamber; keeping the holder in the second process chamber for a time t1; removal of the holder from the second process chamber; transfer of the holder to a third process chamber; emptying simultaneously with the transfer the second process chamber; filling simultaneously with the transfer the third process chamber;
lowering of the holder into the third process chamber;
keeping the holder in the third process chamber for a time t2;removal of the holder from the third process chamber; emptying the third process chamber after the removal of the holder; lowering of the holder into a first wax-filled process chamber; keeping the holder in the wax-filled process chamber for a time t3; and lowering of the holder into an unloading station. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification