Double z-drive tissue array instrument
AssigneeBeecher Instruments
InventorStephen B. Leighton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Arrays of biological tissue can be created by removing cores from regions of interest in a series of donor blocks of embedded tissues. The cores removed are placed in a regular array in a recipient block. This is typically done with two different punches, one for obtaining the cores of interest and the other for creating the receiving holes in the recipient block. The present invention comprises such a system including two separate z axes, one for each punch. Each punch has its own stylet and the axis of each punch is parallel to the axis of its drive.
Claims14
An instrument for constructing arrays of tissue in a recipient block, the instrument comprising:
- a platform for holding at least one donor block;
- a platform for holding said recipient block;
- a first punch unit mounted on a punch arm, said first punch unit comprising a recipient punch and associated stylet;
- a second punch unit mounted on a punch arm, said second punch unit comprising a donor punch and associated stylet, said donor punch having an internal diameter greater than said recipient punch;
- and
- means for selectively repositioning said recipient block platform and said donor block platform relative to said first and second punches;
- wherein each of said first and second punch units has its own independently operable punch drive, and wherein said first and second punch units are independently moveable along respective first and second punch axis, said punch axis being parallel and spaced apart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.