# US 2014/0193314 A1 · Method for execution upon processing of at least one histological sample

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- Number: US 2014/0193314 A1
- Document ID: US20140193314A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/208,384
- Filed: 2014-03-13
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2011-04-20
- Assignees: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
- Applicants: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
- Inventors: Arne BURISCH; Christian LÖCHTE; Annika RATZ; Hermann ULBRICH; Karl-Heinrich WESTERHOFF
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193314A1

## CPC

- G01N 1/31: Apparatus therefor
- G01N 1/36: Embedding or analogous mounting of samples
- 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)

## Abstract

The invention relates to a method for execution upon processing of at least one histological sample that is arranged, in particular after an infiltration process, in a closed cassette (2). The method is characterized in that prior to opening of the cassette (2), the sample is detached from the cover of the cassette (2) and/or isolated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automatic apparatus (1), comprising:
means for heating the cassette before the cassette is opened; and
means for exposing the cassette to mechanical vibrations, after the infiltration process and before the cassette is opened;
whereby the sample is detached or isolated from one or more of the following: a cover of the cassette (2), another sample, and a basket of the cassette, prior to opening of the cassette (2).

### Claim 2

An apparatus (1) for treating at least one histological sample located in a cassette (2), wherein the apparatus (1) is suitable for detaching a sample, located in a closed cassette (2), from the inner side of the cover of the cassette (2), and/or for isolating the sample located in the closed cassette (2), without opening the cassette.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus comprises a vibration generating means (7) for generating mechanical vibrations.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus comprises a sample receiving chamber (3) fillable with a liquid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus comprises a vibration generating means (7) for generating mechanical vibrations and a sample receiving chamber (3) fillable with a liquid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 5, wherein the sample receiving chamber (3) is configured such that the cassette is immersible entirely into the liquid or the liquid level within the sample receiving chamber is raisable such that a previously introduced cassette is entirely immersed in the liquid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein the vibration generating means (7) is configured and arranged to impart vibration, directly or indirectly, to the liquid.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein the vibration generating means comprises a vibrator placeable into the liquid or arranged in the liquid.

### Claim 9 (depends on 3)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the vibration generating means (7) is configured and arranged to impart mechanical vibrations to the sample receiving chamber (3).

### Claim 10 (depends on 3)

The apparatus (1) according to one of claims 3, wherein the vibration generating means (7) is configured and arranged to impart mechanical vibrations to the cassette (2) and/or to a holder for the cassette (2).

### Claim 11 (depends on 4)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the sample receiving chamber (3) is part of a heating bath (6).

### Claim 12 (depends on 3)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, wherein the vibration generating means (7) is controllable to select or adjust at least one of the following properties of the generated mechanical vibrations: amplitude, frequency, and sequence of different vibrations.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 12, further comprising an open- or closed-loop control apparatus (11) which controls the vibration generating means in open- or closed-loop fashion such that the sample is conveyed into a predefined gripping position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 2, further comprising an image processing system (9) configured and arranged to monitor the detachment and/or isolation of the sample.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus (1) according to claim 14, further comprising an open- and/or closed-loop control apparatus (11) which controls the detachment and/or isolation in open- or closed-loop fashion based on information from the image processing system (9).