Instrument for constructing tissue arrays
AssigneeBeecher Instruments
InventorStephen B. Leighton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A simple, robust and precise instrument for constructing tissue arrays. The instrument includes multiple punches mounted on a punch platform, the punch platform displaceable between precisely defined positions. Mechanical detentes or stops are provided which mechanically arrest the movement of the punch platform in the precisely defined positions. This arrangement greatly saves time and improves accuracy over use of conventional precision linear positioning means. By the simple step of moving the punch platform from a first position to a second position, either punch can be quickly brought into operating position (and the other moved into a non-interfering position) by either manually or by automatic means, making it possible to quickly alternate from one punch to the other.
Claims18
An instrument for constructing arrays of tissue in a recipient block, the instrument comprising:
- a punch platform carriage displaceable in the Z axis;
- a punch platform mounted on said punch platform carriage and displaceable between at least first and second positions with respect to said punch platform carriage, said positions precisely defined by detentes or stops;
- at least first and second punch units mounted on said punch platform, each punch unit comprising a punch and a cooperating stylet;
- means for holding said recipient block;
- means for selectively repositioning said recipient block and punch platform in X and Y axis with respect to each other;
- means for guiding the movement of at least one of said recipient block and punch platform carriage in the Z axis relative to each other;
- wherein said first punch unit comprises a recipient punch and associated stylet and said second punch unit comprises a donor punch and associated stylet, said donor punch having an internal diameter greater than the recipient punch,
- wherein when said punch platform is in said first position said recipient punch is in position over said recipient block holder and in alignment with said Z axis, and when said punch platform is in said second position said donor punch is in position over said recipient block holder and in alignment with said Z axis.
An instrument for constructing a tissue array, said instrument comprising:
- means for positioning a first block of material;
- a pivotable member pivotable between at least first position and a second position;
- support means for selectively positioning said pivotable member in the X and Y axis relative to said means for positioning said block of material;
- a recipient punch mounted on said pivoting member, said recipient punch including a recipient punch tube and a recipient stylet guided within said recipient punch tube, said recipient stylet having an outer diameter approximating that of the recipient punch tube inner diameter;
- a donor punch mounted on said pivoting member, said donor punch including a donor punch tube and a donor stylet guided within said donor punch tube, said donor stylet having an outer diameter approximating that of the donor punch tube inner diameter;
- wherein when said pivotable member is in said first position said recipient punch is in an operating position, and wherein when said pivotable member is in said second position said donor punch is in an operating position.
An instrument for constructing arrays of tissue in a recipient block, the instrument comprising:
- a punch platform carriage displaceable in the Z axis;
- a punch platform mounted on said punch platform carriage and displaceable between at least first and second positions with respect to said punch platform carriage, said positions precisely defined by detentes or stops;
- a flexible hose;
- at least first and second punches mounted on said punch platform, each punch having a hollow center channel in communication with said flexible hose;
- fluid under pressure connected to said flexible hose via a valve;
- pressure sensing means connected to said flexible hose;
- means for holding said recipient block;
- means for selectively repositioning said recipient block and punch platform in X and Y axis with respect to each other;
- means for guiding the movement of at least one of said recipient block and punch platform carriage in the Z axis relative to each other;
- wherein said donor punch having an internal diameter greater than the recipient punch,
- wherein when said punch platform is in said first position said recipient punch is in position over said recipient block holder and in alignment with said Z axis, and when said punch platform is in said second position said donor punch is in position over said recipient block holder and in alignment with said Z axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.