# US 2023/0057075 A1 · Automated system and method for advancing tape to transport cut tissue sections > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0057075 A1 - Document ID: US20230057075A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/981,135 - Filed: 2022-11-04 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-30 - Assignees: Clarapath, Inc. - Applicants: Clarapath, Inc. - Inventors: Cong Zhang; Mark Fasciano; Partha P. Mitra - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057075A1 ## CPC - G01N 1/06: providing a thin slice, e.g. microtome - G01N 1/31: Apparatus therefor - G01N 1/312: {for samples mounted on planar substrates} - G01N 35/00009: {provided with a sample supporting tape, e.g. with absorbent zones} - G01N 2001/061: {Blade details} - G01N 2035/00019: {cassette structures} - 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 An automated tape transfer apparatus including a tape feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus and a tape applicator applying the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein a section of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape after cutting of the section from the sample block. A slide station transfers the cut section from the adhesive tape to a slide. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automated tape transfer apparatus comprising: a microtome configured to cut at least one section from a sample block; a feed mechanism configured to move a tape with an adhesive material between the microtome and a slide station to transfer the at least one section from the microtome to the slide station, the slide station comprising a slide application member, the slide application member configured to transfer the at least one section from the tape to at least one slide; and a light source configured to expose the adhesive material to light to activate the adhesive material on the at least one slide to bond the at least one section to the at least one slide. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tape applicator configured for applying the tape to the sample block. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further including a conveyor, the conveyor transporting each slide of a plurality of stacked slides for application of the at least one section from the tape to the at least one slide. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tape applicator is adapted to pivot about a hinge member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an imager to image the at least one section on the at least one slide to provide feedback of a quality of the transfer of the at least one section to the at least one slide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more optical sensors to determine a tissue location during a trimming process of the sample block to determine when a cutting face of the sample block is sufficiently exposed; optionally wherein the one or more optical sensors is configured to provide feedback of a quality of the at least one section transferred to the at least one slide. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 1, where a label is disposed on the at least one slide, wherein the label links the at least one slide to an originating sample block. ### Claim 8 An automated tape transfer apparatus comprising: a microtome configured to cut at least one section from a sample block; a tape with an adhesive material between the microtome and a slide station to transfer the at least one section from the microtome to the slide station, the slide station comprising a slide application member, the slide application member configured to transfer the at least one section from the tape to at least one slide; and an ultraviolet (UV) light source at the slide station configured to expose the adhesive material to UV light to decrease a strength of the adhesive material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a tape applicator configured for applying the tape to the sample block. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, further including a conveyor, the conveyor transporting each slide of a plurality of stacked slides for application of the at least one section from the tape to the at least one slide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an imager to image the at least one section on the at least one slide to provide feedback of a quality of the transfer of the at least one section to the at least one slide. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, further comprising one or more optical sensors to determine a tissue location during a trimming process of the sample block to determine when a cutting face of the sample block is sufficiently exposed; optionally wherein the one or more optical sensors is configured to provide feedback of a quality of the at least one section transferred to the at least one slide. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 8, where a label is disposed on the at least one slide, wherein the label links the at least one slide to an originating sample block. ### Claim 14 An automated tape transfer apparatus comprising: a microtome configured to cut at least one section from a sample block; a tape with an adhesive material applied to a cutting face of the at least one section; a slide station comprising a slide application member, the slide application member configured to transfer the at least one section from the tape to at least one slide; and a light source in proximity to the slide station configured to expose the adhesive material on at least one of the tape or the at least one slide to light. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 14, wherein the light source is configured to expose the adhesive material of the tape to light to decrease a strength of the adhesive material of the tape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a tape applicator configured for applying the tape to the sample block; wherein the tape applicator is coupled to a linear actuator member, wherein an extension of the linear actuator member causes the tape applicator to contact the tape and apply the tape to cover the cutting face. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 14, further including a conveyor, the conveyor transporting each slide of a plurality of stacked slides for application of the at least one section from the tape to the at least one slide. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an imager to image the at least one section on the at least one slide to provide feedback of a quality of the transfer of the at least one section to the at least one slide. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 14, further comprising one or more optical sensors to determine a tissue location during a trimming process of the sample block to determine when a cutting face of the sample block is sufficiently exposed; optionally wherein the one or more optical sensors is configured to provide feedback of a quality of the at least one section transferred to the at least one slide. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The automated tape transfer apparatus of claim 14, where a label is disposed on the at least one slide, wherein the label links the at least one slide to an originating sample block.