Cutter assembly for a microscope and related method

An apparatus for cutting a specimen on a stage of a microscope having an objective, comprising:

• a cutting device for positioning adjacent to the stage, said cutting device including a body comprised of at least two interconnected portions that are together displaceable toward and away from the specimen, a first portion of the body carrying a cutter and being capable of pivoting relative to a horizontal plane toward the stage when the body is adjacent the specimen such that the cutter is capable of making contact therewith;
• an actuator for displacing the body toward and away from the stage;
• wherein the first portion of the body is interconnected to the second portion by a compression spring and includes a first camming surface, said second portion of the body including a second camming surface,
• whereby upon reaching a maximum forward displacement, the spring is compressed and forces the second camming surface to follow the first camming surface such that the first portion pivots and moves the cutter towards the specimen.

A cutter assembly for cutting a specimen positioned on a stage of microscope, comprising:

• means for cutting the specimen,
• means for displacing the cutting means toward and away from the specimen in a horizontal plane;
• means for pivoting the cutting means relative to the horizontal plane toward the stage;
• and
• means for supporting the cutting means relative to the microscope;
• wherein the means for pivoting the cutting means includes a first member carrying the cutter means at one end and having a first camming surface and a second members being interconnected by a compression spring;
• the means for displacing the cutting means includes a cable secured to an end of the second member,
• whereby upon reaching a forward position, the spring is compressed the cause the first camming surface to engage the second camming surface and pivot the cutter toward the stage.