# US 12,111,264 B2 · Sample preparation method and sample preparing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,264 B2 - Document ID: US12111264B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/231,662 - Filed: 2021-04-15 - Published: 2021-07-29 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-19 - Assignees: Nikon Corporation - Applicants: Nikon Corporation - Inventors: Ichiro Sase - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111264B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/6458: {Fluorescence microscopy (fluorescence microscopes per se G02B21/0076 and G02B21/16)} - C12M 25/00: {Means for supporting, enclosing or fixing the microorganisms, e.g. immunocoatings} - G01N 1/30: Staining; Impregnating {; Fixation; Dehydration; Multistep processes for preparing samples of tissue, cell or nucleic acid material and the like for analysis} - G01N 1/31: Apparatus therefor - G01N 1/42: Low-temperature sample treatment, e.g. cryofixation - G01N 1/44: Sample treatment involving radiation, e.g. heat - G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)} - G01N 21/6452: {Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates} - G01N 21/6456: {Spatial resolved fluorescence measurements; Imaging} - G01N 23/225: using electron or ion - G02B 21/008: {Details of detection or image processing, including general computer control} - G02B 21/0088: {Inverse microscopes} - G02B 21/06: Means for illuminating specimens - G02B 21/361: {Optical details, e.g. image relay to the camera or image sensor (G02B21/364 takes precedence; illumination details G02B21/06 and subgroups)} - H01J 37/20: Means for supporting or positioning the object or the material; Means for adjusting diaphragms or lenses associated with the support - G01N 23/04: and forming images of the material - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) ## Abstract A sample preparation method includes: irradiating a first region of a sample with light at a time t1; irradiating a second region different from the first region with the light at a time t2 after the time t1; and fixing the sample at a time t3 after the time t2. A sample preparing apparatus includes: a light radiating unit that irradiates a first region of a sample with light at time t1 and irradiates a second region different from the first region with the light at a time t2 after the time t1; and a fixing unit that fixes the sample at a time t3 after the time t2. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sample preparing apparatus comprising: a light radiating unit, including a lens, that irradiates a first region of a sample with light at a time t1 and irradiates a second region different from the first region with light at a time t2 after the time t1; a fixing unit, including a valve, that fixes the sample at a time t3 after the time t2; and a computer that automatically sets the first region and the second region in response to a first input by a user indicating a number of regions to be irradiated with light, and automatically sets the time t2 and the time t3 in response to a second input by the user indicating an irradiation interval of time. ### Claim 2 A sample preparing apparatus comprising: a light radiating unit, including a lens, that performs: irradiating a first region of a sample and a second region different from the first region with light at a time t1; irradiating the first region with light at a time t2 after the time t1; and irradiating the second region with light at a time t3 after the time t2; and a fixing unit, including a valve, that fixes a composition of the sample at a time t4 after the time t3. ### Claim 3 A sample preparing apparatus comprising: a light radiating unit, including a lens, that irradiates a first region of a sample and a second region different from the first region with light for mutually different lengths of time after simultaneously starting an irradiation of light; and a fixing unit, including a valve, that fixes a composition of the sample after the irradiation of light. ### Claim 4 A sample preparing apparatus comprising: a display; and a controller configured to cause the display to display a setting screen that allows a setting of an order of performing: irradiating a first region of a sample with light; irradiating a second region different from the first region with light; and fixing a composition of the sample. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The sample preparing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein on the setting screen, a duration of an irradiation of the first region of the sample with light and a duration of an irradiation of the second region of the sample with light can further be set. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The sample preparing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a light radiating unit, including a lens, that irradiates a plurality of regions of the sample with light; and a fixing unit, including a valve, that fixes a composition of the sample, wherein the controller controls the light radiating unit and the fixing unit based on information set on the setting screen. ### Claim 7 A sample preparing apparatus comprising: a display; and a controller configured to cause the display to display a setting screen that allows a setting of: a time at which a first region of a sample is irradiated with light; a time at which a second region different from the first region is irradiated with light; and a time at which a composition of the sample is fixed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The sample preparing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein on the setting screen, the first region and the second region can further be set. ### Claim 9 A sample preparing apparatus comprising: a display; and a controller configured to cause the display to display a setting screen that allows a setting of: a time t1 at which a first region of a sample is irradiated with light; a time t2 at which a second region different from the first region is irradiated with light after the time t1; and a time t3 at which a composition of the sample is fixed after the time t2.