Microscope mounting system for cutting and testing of soft materials

Abstract

A microscope mounting system includes a sample holder shaped and configured to fit a particular horizontal microscope stage and fix one end of a soft material sample. A blade holder configured to position a cutting blade and connect directly or eventually to the particular microscope or a frame of the particular microscope. A load measurement device is configured to determine a load applied to the cutting blade. A precision adjustment assembly sets positioning of the cutting blade in the horizontal x-y plane and the z vertical plane such that a cutting edge of the cutting blade can be positioned at a focal point of the particular microscope. At least two grips are configured to grip a second end of the soft material sample at at least two discrete locations on opposite sides of the cutting blade when the blade contacts the soft material sample at the focal point. A tension mechanism can apply tension in the x-y plane to each of the at least two grips.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.