Methods, apparatuses and systems for collection of tissue sections

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9784648-B2
Application number	US-201113821028-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 7, 2011
Priority date	Sep 7, 2010
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for processing a tissue sample, the device comprising:
a collection apparatus configured to collect at least one thin tissue section provided from a fluid reservoir of a microtome,
wherein the collection apparatus is constructed and arranged to move back and forth in a repeated motion between a collecting position and a non-collecting position relative to the microtome, and
wherein the collection apparatus is constructed and arranged to contact the fluid reservoir when positioned in the collecting position and to not contact the fluid reservoir when positioned in the non-collecting position.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the collection apparatus is adapted to automatically collect the at least one thin tissue section from the microtome.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the collection apparatus is constructed and arranged to move in a horizontal motion toward or away from the microtome.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the collection apparatus is constructed and arranged to rotate toward or away from the microtome.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the collection apparatus is constructed and arranged to be locked into the collecting position.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a support substrate adapted to collect the at least one thin tissue section.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the collection apparatus is adapted to collect a plurality of thin tissue sections.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the collection apparatus includes a conveyor portion for guiding the at least one thin tissue section on to a support substrate.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the conveyor portion is configured to guide the at least one thin tissue section from a surface of the fluid reservoir on to the support substrate.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the collection apparatus is constructed and arranged to move along a mechanical track between the collecting position and the non-collecting position.

11. A method for processing a tissue sample, the method comprising:
causing movement of a collection apparatus from a non-collecting position to a collecting position relative to a microtome, the microtome including a fluid reservoir, and wherein the collection apparatus contacts the fluid reservoir when positioned in the collecting position;
operating the collection apparatus to collect at least one thin tissue section produced from the microtome, said collecting of the at least one thin tissue section being from the fluid reservoir of the microtome; and
causing movement of the collection apparatus from the collecting position to the non-collecting position relative to the microtome, wherein the collection apparatus does not contact the fluid reservoir when positioned in the non-collecting position.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein operating the collection apparatus to collect the at least one thin tissue section from the microtome comprises automatically collecting a plurality of thin tissue sections continuously for more than 30 minutes.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein operating the collection apparatus to collect the at least one thin tissue section from the microtome comprises collecting the at least one thin tissue section on to a support substrate.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising monitoring a rate of slicing of the tissue sample with a microtome-quality knife in producing the at least one thin tissue section, and controlling a speed of the support substrate moving on the apparatus in accordance with the rate of slicing of the tissue sample to collect the at least one thin tissue section on to a support substrate.

Assignees

• Hayworth Kenneth Jeffrey
• Schalek Richard
• Tapia Juan Carlos
• Kasthuri Narayanan
• Lichtman Jeff
• Harvard College

Inventors

• Hayworth Kenneth Jeffrey
• Schalek Richard
• Tapia Juan Carlos
• Kasthuri Narayanan
• Lichtman Jeff

Classifications

• G01N1/06 Primary

  providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome · CPC title

• G01N2001/065

  Drive details · CPC title

• A61B16/00

  Devices specially adapted for vivisection or autopsy · CPC title

• G01N35/00009

  provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones · CPC title

• G01N2001/066

  electric · CPC title