AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVANCING TAPE TO TRANSPORT CUT TISSUE SECTIONS

• US 20170205317A1
• Filed: 04/01/2017
• Published: 07/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clarapath, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clarapath, Inc.
• Inventors: Fasciano, Mark, Mitra, Partha P., ZHANG, CONG
• Granted Patent: US 10,571,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/06 providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/312 for samples mounted on planar substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/061 Blade details
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00019 cassette structures
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00009 provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones

Abstract

An automated tape transfer apparatus including a tape feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus and a tape applicator applying the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein a section of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape after cutting of the section from the sample block. A slide station transfers the cut section from the adhesive tape to a slide.

Claims

1. An automated tape transfer apparatus, comprising:

a tape feed mechanism, the tape feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus;

a tape applicator, the tape applicator applying the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein a section of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape after cutting of the section from the sample block; and

a slide station, the slide station transferring the cut section from the adhesive tape to a slide.

2. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tape applicator includes a roller member coupled to a linear actuator member, wherein an extension of the linear actuator member causes the roller member of the tape applicator to apply the adhesive tape to the cutting face.

3. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tape applicator further includes a spring member that causes the roller member to apply a force to the cutting face that is normal to the cutting face when the linear actuator member is extended.

4. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a take-up mechanism that takes up the adhesive tape after the adhesive tape has exited the slide station.

5. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feed mechanism includes a controllable motor that controls properties of the feeding of the adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus.

6. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 5, wherein the properties include one or more of a speed of the feed through the automated tape transfer apparatus, an acceleration of the feed, a jerk of the feed, and a slack of the adhesive tape within the automated tape transfer apparatus.

7. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a controller that controls the motor, wherein the controller receives inputs from sensors that are included in the automated tape transfer apparatus.

8. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the section is cut by a microtome and the automated tape transfer apparatus is coupled to the microtome.

9. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, wherein the automated tape transfer apparatus sends a signal to the microtome when the section is ready to be cut.

10. The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein a strength of an adhesive material of the adhesive tape is decreased after the transfer of the section to the slide by one or more of heating the adhesive material, cooling the adhesive material or exposing the adhesive material to an ultra-violet (UV) light source.

11. An automated tape transfer system, comprising:

a feed mechanism, the feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of tape through the automated tape transfer system, the tape having an adhesive portion;

a tape applicator, the tape applicator applying the adhesive portion of the tape to a sample supported on a cutting block;

a cutting mechanism, the cutting mechanism cutting a section of the sample for transfer to the adhesive portion; and

a slide station, the slide station transferring cut section of the sample from the adhesive portion to a slide.

12. The automated tape transfer system of claim 11, wherein the adhesive portion is separated from the tape prior to transport to the slide station.

13. The automated tape transfer system of claim 11, wherein the adhesive portion extends continuously along the tape.

14. The automated tape transfer system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of spaced apart adhesive portions along the tape.

15. The automated tape transfer system of claim 11, further comprising a guide movable from a first position to a second position to change the angle of the tape relative to the sample.

16. An automated method for advancing a tape comprising:

applying a first portion of a continuous length of an adhesive tape to a first cutting face of a sample block;

moving the first portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after a first section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the first section is adhered to the first portion of the adhesive tape and the cutting exposes a second cutting face of the sample block;

applying a second portion of the adhesive tape to the second cutting face of the sample block;

moving the second portion of the adhesive tape away from the sample block after a second section has been cut from the sample block, wherein the second section is adhered to the second portion of the adhesive tape;

moving the first and second portions of the adhesive tape carrying the corresponding first and second sections to a slide station; and

transferring the first section to a slide in the slide station.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of transferring the second section to a second slide in the slide station.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein a distance between the first portion and second portion of the adhesive tape is controlled.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein one of more of a speed, acceleration and jerk of moving operations is controlled.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the applying step include pressing a roller member that holds the adhesive tape in a direction against the cutting face throughout an entire length of the cutting face.