Sample holder and auxiliary apparatus

Abstract

A sample holder and auxiliary apparatus are provided to position and hold a sample in the sample holder. A method of positioning and holding a sample in the sample holder is also provided. The sample holder preferably includes a holder body having a sample holding portion arranged therein. An opening in the sample holding portion is configured to receive a sample therein. An elastic member is configured to supply a holding force to hold the sample in the opening. The auxiliary apparatus preferably includes one or more holder supports configured to support a sample holder. The auxiliary apparatus is configured to receive the sample holder and force a sample holding member of the sample holder into a rearward position to permit the sample holder to receive a sample into an opening thereof.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An auxiliary apparatus for facilitating insertion of a sample into a sample holder, the auxiliary apparatus comprising: 
 a base;    one or more holder supports arranged on the base, wherein the holder supports are configured to support a sample holder a predetermined height above the base; and    a first stop configured to stop the forward movement of a sample holding member of the sample holder at a predetermined distance from a forward end of the auxiliary apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second stop arranged at a predetermined location on the base to prevent premature backward movement of the sample holder relative to the auxiliary apparatus when the sample holder is arranged in a forward position on the first and second supports.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first stop comprises a hole configured to permit a forward end of the sample holder to pass therethrough and to stop forward movement of a protrusion formed on the sample holding member at an entrance thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second stop comprises a latch.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the latch comprises a moveable latching member having an edge that slants upwardly in a direction of a forward end of the auxiliary apparatus and a substantially vertical edge that extends downward from a forward end of the slanted edge, and wherein a catch formed on a lower external surface of the sample holder is configured to catch on the latch to prevent premature backward movement of the sample holder from the auxiliary apparatus.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the latch includes an elastic member that biases a latching member in an upward position, wherein a catch of the sample holder is configured to force the latching member downward as the sample holder is moved forward in the auxiliary apparatus, and wherein the latching member returns to the upward position to prevent premature backward movement of the sample holder when the catch passes the latch.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the latch comprises a handle configured to permit a user to initiate a downward movement of a latching member to release the sample holder from the auxiliary apparatus.  
     
     
         8 . A method of positioning a sample in a sample holder, the method comprising: 
 mounting a sample holder on a holder support of an auxiliary apparatus;    moving the sample holder forward on the auxiliary apparatus;    forcing a sample holding member of the sample holder rearward to enable receipt of a sample into an opening of the sample holder;    mounting the sample in the opening of the sample holder; and    removing the sample holder from the auxiliary apparatus to permit an elastic holding force provided by an elastic holding element to cause forward movement of the sample holding member to securely hold the sample in the opening.    
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , further comprising latching the sample holder in a forward position in the auxiliary apparatus to prevent premature backward movement of the sample holder.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising unlatching the sample holder from the auxiliary apparatus to permit backward movement thereof.