Method, system, and device for automating transfer of tape to microtome sections
AssigneeClarapath, Inc.
InventorsPartha P. Mitra, Alexander S. Tolpygo, Robert L. Kleinberg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.
Claims12
An automated tape transport apparatus for sectioning and transporting cut tissue sections from a sample block, the automated tape transport apparatus comprising:
- a controller;
- a tape having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface being an adherence surface;
- a tape transport unit having a supply reel at an upstream end and a take up reel at a downstream end, wherein the controller is configured to control the tape transport unit to transport the tape from the supply reel for adhering the tape to the sample block for adherence of a cut tissue section from the sample block;
- a specimen holding unit for mounting the sample block with an exposed surface of the sample block outwardly facing therefrom;
- a tape application unit configured to engage with the tape to apply pressure to the first surface of the tape to press the second surface of the tape into contact with the sample block to adhere the adherence surface of the tape to the exposed surface after transport of the tape to a position adjacent and over the exposed surface;
- a specimen sectioning unit operable to section the exposed surface of the sample block for adherence of the cut tissue section to the second surface of the tape to create a sectioned sample;
- and
- a reciprocating actuator and a sensor configured to provide locational information of the tape, the sample block, and the tape application unit relative to each other to the controller, the controller being configured to control the reciprocating actuator based on the locational information to cause the tape application unit to apply pressure on the first surface of the tape in a first position and to cause the tape application unit to be away from the specimen holding unit in a second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.