Apparatus and methods for automated handling and embedding of tissue samples
First Claim
1. An automated machine for embedding tissue samples on respective microtome sectionable supports, comprising:
- an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation;
an output member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation;
a plurality of cooling units each including a mold configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation;
a motorized carrier assembly mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports and move the one support from said input member to one of said cooling units to said output member;
a dispenser operating to dispense an embedding material respectively onto the microtome sectionable supports and at least one tissue sample carried by each of the microtome sectionable supports and into the molds during the embedding operation; and
at least one heater, said at least one heater coupled to at least one of said input member or the molds for heating the microtome sectionable supports.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. An automated machine for embedding tissue samples on respective microtome sectionable supports, comprising:
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an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation; an output member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation; a plurality of cooling units each including a mold configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation; a motorized carrier assembly mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports and move the one support from said input member to one of said cooling units to said output member; a dispenser operating to dispense an embedding material respectively onto the microtome sectionable supports and at least one tissue sample carried by each of the microtome sectionable supports and into the molds during the embedding operation; and at least one heater, said at least one heater coupled to at least one of said input member or the molds for heating the microtome sectionable supports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An automated machine for embedding tissue samples on respective microtome sectionable supports, comprising:
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an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation; an output member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation; a plurality of cooling units each including a mold configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation; a motorized carrier assembly mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports and move the one support from said input member to one of said cooling units to said output member; a dispenser operating to dispense an embedding material respectively onto the microtome sectionable supports and at least one tissue sample carried by each of the microtome sectionable supports during the embedding operation at least one heater, said at least one heater coupled to at least one of said input member or the molds for heating the microtome sectionable supports; a first mold and a second mold thermally coupled with each cooling unit, said first mold being configured to receive a first microtome sectionable support and said second mold being configured to receive a second microtome sectionable support having a configuration different than the first microtome sectionable support; and a sensor operative to detect the respective configurations of the first and second microtome sectionable support; wherein said carrier assembly transports one of the microtome sectionable supports to either said first mold or said second mold depending on the configuration of the microtome sectionable support detected by said sensor.
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16. An automated machine for embedding tissue samples on respective microtome sectionable supports, comprising:
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a perforate input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation, said perforate input member further constructed for receipt in a tissue processing machine and capable of resisting degradation from procedures used to fix and process the tissue in the tissue processing machine; an output member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation; a cooling unit including a mold configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation; a motorized carrier assembly mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports and move the one support from said input member to said cooling unit to said output member; a dispenser operating to dispense an embedding material respectively onto the microtome sectionable supports and at least one tissue sample carried by each of the microtome sectionable supports during the embedding operation; and at least one heater, said at least one heater coupled to at least one of said input member or said mold for heating the microtome sectionable supports. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An automated machine for embedding tissue samples on respective microtome sectionable supports, comprising:
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a perforate input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation, said perforate input member further constructed for receipt in a tissue processing machine and capable of resisting degradation from procedures used to fix and process the tissue in the tissue processing machine; an output member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation; a cooling unit including a mold configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation; a motorized carrier assembly mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports and move the one support from said input member to said cooling unit to said output member; a dispenser operating to dispense an embedding material respectively onto the microtome sectionable supports and at least one tissue sample carried by each of the microtome sectionable supports during the embedding operation at least one heater, said at least one heater coupled to at least one of said input member or the molds for heating the microtome sectionable supports; a first mold and a second mold thermally coupled with said cooling unit, said first mold being configured to receive a first microtome sectionable support and said second mold being configured to receive a second microtome sectionable support having a configuration different than the first microtome sectionable support; and a sensor operative to detect the respective configurations of the first and second microtome sectionable supports; wherein said carrier assembly transports one of the microtome sectionable supports to either said first mold or said second mold depending on the configuration of the microtome sectionable support detected by said sensor.
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31. An automated machine for embedding tissue samples on respective microtome sectionable supports, wherein each microtome sectionable support is received within a frame and is movable between a first position within the frame and a second position in which the tissue sample is exposed for sectioning in a microtome, the automated machine comprising:
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an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation; an output member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation; a plurality of TEC units each including a mold configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation at least one heater, said at least one heater coupled to at least one of said input member or the molds for heating the microtome sectionable supports; a motorized carrier assembly mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports and move the one microtome sectionable support from said input member to one of said cooling units to said output member; and a staging device mounted for movement between said cooling units and including a setting head operative to move the support from the first position to the second position and a dispenser operating to dispense an embedding material respectively onto the microtome sectionable supports and at least one tissue sample carried by each of the microtome sectionable supports during the embedding operation. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification