Method and apparatus for spacing cellular matter in a cell block

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for bonding block of paraffin having cellular material embedded at one end thereof with an additional amount of paraffin are disclosed, including a method comprising placing the paraffin block in a well of a mold with the paraffin-embedded cellular material positioned on a support structure that elevates the cellular matter from a bottom surface of the well; heating the mold to thereby soften and at least partially melt and blend together the embedding paraffin and additional paraffin located in the well, the support structure sized such that some of the additional paraffin flows on the bottom surface of the well at least partially surrounding the support structure; and cooling the mold to thereby bond the additional paraffin to the embedding paraffin and re-solidify the paraffin block, wherein the retained cellular matter is spaced apart from an end of the re-solidified paraffin block defined by the bottom surface of the well.

1 . A method for forming a cell block, comprising:
 dispensing a sample fluid across a filter until a desired amount of cellular material carried in the sample fluid is retained by the filter;   dispensing liquefied paraffin over the filter and allowing the paraffin to solidify to thereby form a substantially solid block of paraffin with the retained cellular material embedded at one end of the paraffin block against the filter;   removing filter from the paraffin block;   placing the paraffin block in a well of a mold with the paraffin-embedded cellular material positioned on a support structure that elevates the cellular matter from a bottom surface of the well;   heating the mold to thereby soften and at least partially melt and blend together the embedding paraffin and additional paraffin located in the well, the support structure sized such that some of the additional paraffin flows on the bottom surface of the well at least partially surrounding the support structure; and   cooling the mold to thereby bond the additional paraffin to the embedding paraffin and re-solidify the paraffin block, wherein the retained cellular matter is spaced apart from an end of the re-solidified paraffin block defined by the bottom surface of the well.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein heating and cooling of the mold is controlled using a heating and cooling mechanism placed in thermal contact with the mold. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a raised, integral portion of the bottom surface of the well. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a spacer placed on the bottom surface of the well. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the spacer is a sectionable filter membrane. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for bonding a block of paraffin having cellular material embedded at one end thereof with an additional amount of paraffin, the apparatus comprising:
 a thermally conductive re-melt tray having a well formed therein, the well having substantially rectangular dimensions including side walls and a bottom surface; and   a support platform positioned in a center area of the well, the support platform raised from the bottom surface and sized to accommodate placement thereon of the respective end of the paraffin block with the embedded cellular matter, while allowing for the additional paraffin to substantially fill a volume at least partially surrounding the paraffin block and defined by the bottom surface and the side walls of the well.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a heating and cooling mechanism having a thermally conductive surface configured for controllably heating and cooling the re-melt tray. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the support structure comprises a raised, integral portion of the bottom surface of the well. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the support structure comprises a spacer placed on the bottom surface of the well. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the spacer is a sectionable filter membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the spacer is adhered to the bottom surface of the well. 
     
     
         12 . A method for forming a cell block, comprising:
 dispensing a sample fluid across a sectionable filter membrane until a desired amount of cellular material carried in the sample fluid is retained by the filter membrane;   dispensing liquefied paraffin over the filter and allowing the paraffin to solidify to thereby form a substantially solid block of paraffin with the retained cellular material embedded at one end of the paraffin block against the sectionable filter membrane.