Biopsy support with sectionable resilient cellular material

• US 8,383,067 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2007
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC
• Original Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC
• Inventors: Williamson, Warren P. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): KWAK, DEAN P
• Application Number:
  US11/954,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20080138854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,904 Days
• Field of Search: 422/536, 436/174, 206/1.5, 206/485, 206/486, 435/40.5, 435/40.52, 600/562, 600/564, 604/22, D24/216, D24/224, 831/67, 839/155
• US Class Current: 422/536
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/043 Hinged closures
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0809 rectangular shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/36 Embedding or analogous mounting of samples
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

A histologic tissue sample support device includes a tissue support formed of material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue. A resilient cellular material is coupled to the tissue support and is configured to engage and retain tissue in place during processing and embedding. The resilient cellular material is also capable of successful sectioning in the microtome and porous to allow infiltration of the solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, and of embedding material used to embed the tissue while the tissue is retained by the resilient cellular material.

Claims

1. A histologic tissue sample support device comprising:

a tissue cassette, the tissue cassette including a tissue containment portion having a recess surrounded by at least one side wall and including a bottom wall, the tissue containment portion formed of material which can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, the cassette further including a lid; and

an open cell, fully reticulated foam material coupled to the tissue cassette, the open cell, full reticulated foam material configured to engage and retain tissue in place during processing and embedding, the lid being couplable to the tissue containment portion and used to compress the open cell, fully reticulated foam against the tissue, and the open cell, full reticulated foam material further being capable of successful sectioning in the microtome and porous to allow infiltration of the solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue, and of embedding material used to embed the tissue while the tissue is retained by the open cell, full reticulated foam material in the recess.

2. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 1, wherein the open cell, fully reticulated foam material further includes at least one of a polyether or a polyurethane.

3. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 1, wherein the open cell, fully reticulated foam material is coupled to the lid and is inserted at least partially into the recess upon connecting the lid to the containment portion.

4. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 1, wherein the material forming the cassette is at least translucent so as to be non-distracting during tissue analysis.

5. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 4, wherein the cassette is formed of a polymer.

6. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 5, wherein the polymer is a fluorinated polymer.

7. The histologic tissue sample support device of claim 5, wherein the polymer is a fluoropolymer.