MICROTOME SECTIONABLE BIOPSY SUPPORT FOR ORIENTING TISSUE SAMPLES

• US 20130078670A1
• Filed: 11/16/2012
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC, Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Biopath Automation, LLC, Sakura Finetek USA Incorporated (Sakura Finetechnical Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Williamson, Warren P. IV, Whitlatch, Stephen P., Saez, Carlos A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,796,038 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/40.52
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/52 Supports specially adapted for flat sample carriers, e.g. for plates, slides, chips
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/06 providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/312 for samples mounted on planar substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/36 Embedding or analogous mounting of samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4833 of solid biological material, e.g. tissue samples, cell cultures tissue in vivo A61B5/00; cell suspensions G01N33/48735
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

Tissue orientation devices include a perforated tissue support with at least one perforated channel for receiving a tissue sample, and a plurality of tabs configured to extend along and into the channel to retain the tissue sample during processing and embedding. Tissue orientation devices include elongated legs coupled together for holding one or more biopsy tissue samples therebetween. Associated methods include using the cassettes and orientation devices to hold and orient tissue samples for processing, embedding and microtome sectioning.

Claims

1. A method for preparing one or more elongated biopsy tissue samples for histological examination, comprising:

positioning an elongated tissue sample in a first elongated channel of a perforated microtome sectionable support;

extending the elongated tissue sample from the first elongated channel to a second elongated channel segregated from the first elongated channel by separating structure;

using biasing structure to hold the tissue sample against a bottom surface of the channel;

subjecting the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample to a process that replaces fluid in the tissue sample with a hardenable material;

embedding the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample in an embedding material;

hardening the embedding material into a block; and

slicing the block with a microtome into thin slices of the embedding material, the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

holding the tissue sample in a desired orientation using resilient fingers on opposite sides of the channel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the microtome sectionable support further comprises a resilient cellular material, and holding the tissue sample against the bottom surface further comprises:

positioning the resilient cellular material between a lid and the tissue sample to trap the tissue sample between the resilient cellular material and the bottom surface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the resilient cellular material deforms during the immobilizing step to create a three dimensional space that receives the tissue sample.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the microtome sectionable support is coupled to a frame prior to being subjected to the process for replacing fluid in the tissue sample with the hardenable material, and the method further comprises securing the frame in the microtome prior to slicing the block.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein prior to embedding the microtome sectionable support, resilient cellular material and the tissue sample in the embedding material, the microtome sectionable support is moved from a first position within the frame to a second position in which the support, resilient cellular material and tissue sample are exposed for simultaneous sectioning in the microtome.

7. A method for preparing one or more elongated biopsy tissue samples for histological examination, comprising:

positioning a tissue sample in a first elongated channel of a perforated microtome sectionable support;

resiliently engaging the tissue sample with fingers positioned on opposite sides of the channel;

using biasing structure to hold the tissue sample against a bottom surface of the channel;

subjecting the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample to a process that replaces fluid in the tissue sample with a hardenable material;

embedding the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample in an embedding material;

hardening the embedding material into a block; and

slicing the block with a microtome into thin slices of the embedding material, the microtome sectionable support and the tissue sample.

8. A biopsy tissue orientation device configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, comprising a plurality of elongated legs coupled together, said legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween and said legs undulating along their respective lengths.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the legs are flexible.

10. A biopsy tissue orientation device, comprising a plurality of legs coupled together and configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, said legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween and the legs being elongated, wherein the legs further include standoff elements extending transverse thereto and formed of a material capable of being sectioned by a microtome, the standoff elements facilitating sectioning of biopsy samples without sectioning through the legs.

11. A biopsy tissue orientation device configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, comprising a plurality of elongated legs coupled together, the legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween, and peripheral tissue cassette engagement structure for coupling the device to interior side wall structure of the tissue cassette.

12. A biopsy tissue orientation device configured to be coupled to a tissue cassette, comprising a plurality of elongated legs coupled together, the legs adapted to hold at least one biopsy tissue sample therebetween and including tissue engagement teeth along their respective lengths.