Microtome for producing thin sections

Abstract

A microtome for producing thin sections includes a knife holder ( 32 ) with a cutting knife ( 33 ), a sample holder ( 34 ) for samples ( 42 ) embedded in a cartridge ( 40 ), a feed device ( 31 ) for changing the distance between the cutting knife ( 33 ) and the cartridge ( 40 ), and a drive device for producing a cutting movement between the cutting knife ( 33 ) and the cartridge ( 40 ). The microtome also includes a reading device ( 54 ) for coded information ( 45 ) applied to a cartridge ( 40 ), and a control device ( 10 ) with a computer for coordination of functional sequences. A magazine ( 60 ) with code ( 62 ) and partitions ( 61 ) holds prepared cartridges ( 40 ), and a handling device ( 50 ) provides for the controllable removal of a cartridge ( 40 ) and positioning on the sample holder ( 34 ) as well as returning cartridges into the magazine ( 60 ). The reading device ( 54, 53 ) is assigned to the magazine housing and/or the handling device ( 50 ).

1 . A microtome for producing thin sections, containing 
 a) a knife holder ( 32 ) with cutting knife ( 33 ),    b) a sample holder ( 34 ) for samples ( 42 ) embedded in a cartridge ( 40 ),    c) a feed device ( 31 ) for changing the distance between cutting knife ( 33 ) and cartridge ( 40 ),    d) a drive device for producing a cutting movement between cutting knife ( 33 ) and cartridge ( 40 ),    e) a reading device ( 54 ) for coded information ( 45 ) applied to the cartridge ( 40 ), and    f) a control device ( 10 ) with computer for coordination of all the functional sequences, wherein    g) a magazine ( 60 ) with code ( 62 ) and partitions ( 61 ) for holding prepared cartridges ( 40 ), and also    h) a handling device ( 50 ) for the controllable removal of a cartridge ( 40 ) and positioning on the sample holder ( 34 ) as well as returning into the magazine ( 60 ) are provided, and    i) the reading device ( 54 ,  53 ) is assigned to the magazine housing and/or the handling device ( 50 ).    
   
   
       2 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the magazine ( 60 ) is coupled to the microtome ( 30 ).  
   
   
       3 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a bar magazine ( 60 ) is provided.  
   
   
       4 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the magazine ( 60 ) and the partitions ( 61 ) are aligned in such a way that the cartridges ( 40 ) are kept with their section plane parallel to the plane of the sample holder ( 34 ) as they are fed to the sample holder ( 34 ).  
   
   
       5 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the handling device ( 50 ) contains a displacer ( 52 ) for the removal and return of the cartridges ( 40 ).  
   
   
       6 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the magazine ( 60 ) is stored in a refrigerated housing ( 55 ).  
   
   
       7 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the magazine ( 60 ) is mounted in the refrigerated housing ( 55 ) such that it can be displaced under control.  
   
   
       8 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a disk microtome ( 30 ) with sample holder ( 34 ) guided rotationally past the cutting knife ( 33 ) is provided.  
   
   
       9 . The microtome as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thin sections are deposited on an object carrier ( 25 ) and the control device ( 10 ) is connected to a printer ( 20 ) in order to label the object carriers ( 25 ).