Reciprocating microtome drive system
AssigneeSakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc.
InventorsHwai-Jyh Michael Yang, Xuan S. Bui
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus having a sample sectioning device including a cutting mechanism that is operable to cut sections from a sample and a sample holder that is operable to hold the sample. The apparatus further includes a drive system coupled with the sample holder to drive movement of the sample holder and a reciprocating member coupled to the drive system to drive vertical movement of the drive system. The reciprocating member to move in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of less than 180 degrees. A surface orientation sensor may further be provided that is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder.
Claims14
A method comprising:
- positioning a sample that is held by a sample sectioning device relative to a cutting mechanism;
- and
- producing a vertical movement of the sample sectioning device using a reciprocating member to obtain a section of the sample.
A method comprising:
- aligning a surface of a sample attached to a vertical drive member with a cutting member;
- and
- performing a sample sectioning cycle to obtain a section of the sample by moving the vertical drive member in a vertical direction, wherein moving the vertical drive member comprises moving a reciprocating member attached to the vertical drive member in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of 180 degrees or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.