Microscope slide system and method of use

Abstract

A slide system allowing rapid, sterile, clean and safe preparation and use of microscope slides containing sample materials including living and/or hazardous preparations or samples. In one embodiment, the system comprises a slide base and and cover slip which are preferably precleaned and supplied in a sterile wrapper. The cover slip, slide base or both have an adhesive coating that surrounds a sample area to adhere the cover slip to the slide base, thereby creating a sealed sample area or chamber that is defined by the slide, the cover slip, and the adhesive. In another embodiment, the slide base has one or two grooves or depressions in the surface of the slide base positioned within the sample area, the grooves or depressions accommodating extra or expanding sample material to prevent loss of the sample material into the environment and prevent damage to the adhesive and/or cover slip. A layer of an active element, such as a neutralizing compound, can be provided to neutralize sample materials before they escape past the adhesive. The wrapper is designed to facilitate easy handling and to permit convenient and easy mounting of sample material into the slide.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A slide system for microscopy comprising: 
 a planar slide base;    a planar cover slip; and    a recess disposed in one of the slide base and the cover slip, the recess having a sufficient amount of adhesive therein to adhere the cover slip to the slide base when the cover slip is mounted on the slide base.    
     
     
         2 . A slide system according to  claim 1 , wherein the slide base and the cover slip each have a pre-selected thickness such that when the slide system is assembled it has a pre-selected overall thickness.  
     
     
         3 . A slide system according to  claim 1 , wherein the recess is disposed on the slide base in the form of a continuous channel which surrounds a sample area on the slide base.  
     
     
         4 . A slide system according to  claim 3 , wherein the adhesive continuously surrounds the sample area such that when the cover slip is mounted to the slide base, the cover slip and adhesive define a sealed sample area inhibiting migration of sample material out of the sealed sample area and inhibiting migration of contaminants into the sealed sample area.  
     
     
         5 . A slide system according to  claim 4 , including an expansion volume formed in at least one of the cover slip and slide base, the expansion volume surrounding the sample area.  
     
     
         6 . A slide system according to  claim 5 , wherein the recess surrounds the expansion volume.  
     
     
         7 . A slide system according to  claim 6 , including at least one active element surrounding the expansion volume and being between the adhesive and the expansion volume within the sealed sample area when the slide system is assembled.  
     
     
         8 . A slide system according to  claim 7 , including two expansion volumes in the slide base, the active element being between the outermost of the two expansion volumes and the adhesive when the slide system is assembled.  
     
     
         9 . A slide system according to  claim 7 , wherein the active agent is an antibiotic.  
     
     
         10 . A slide system according to  claim 7 , wherein the active agent is an antiseptic.  
     
     
         11 . A slide system according to  claim 3 , including at least one test material applied to at least one of the slide base and the cover slip.  
     
     
         12 . A slide system according to  claim 11 , wherein the test material comprises a stain.  
     
     
         13 . A slide system according to  claim 12 , wherein the stain is biohazardous.  
     
     
         14 . A slide system for microscopy, comprising: 
 a cover slip;    a slide base, the slide base having 
 an expansion volume formed therein which surrounds a sample area, and  
 a recess formed on the slide base in the form of a continuous channel which surrounds the expansion volume; and  
   adhesive disposed in the recess in sufficient amount to adhere the cover slip to the slide base when the cover slip is mounted on the slide base.    
     
     
         15 . A slide system according to  claim 14 , wherein the slide base and the cover slip each have a pre-selected thickness such that when the slide system is assembled it has a pre-selected overall thickness.  
     
     
         16 . A slide system according to  claim 14 , wherein the adhesive continuously surrounds the sample area such that when the cover slip is mounted to the slide base, the cover slip and adhesive define a sealed sample area inhibiting migration of sample material out of the sealed sample area and inhibiting migration of contaminants into the sealed sample area.  
     
     
         17 . A method of preparing a slide for microscopy, comprising: 
 placing a sample material on a sample area of a slide base, said sample area being surrounded by a recess formed in the slide base which continuously surrounds the sample area;    placing adhesive material in said recess to a sufficient extent to continuously surround said sample area and adhere a cover slip to the slide base;    locating a planar cover slip over said slide base to engage said adhesive material; and    pressing said planar cover slip and said slide base to form a sealed sample area inhibiting sample material from leaving said sealed sample area and inhibiting contaminants from entering said sealed sample area.