Method and apparatus for laser microdissection
AssigneeLeica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH
InventorsMichael Ganser, Albrecht Weiss, Joachim Wesner, Gerhard Johannsen
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for laser microdissection of specimen regions (23) of interest of a specimen (4) are described. In a first step, an incomplete cut line (25) enclosing the specimen region (23) of interest is generated by means of a laser beam (7). At the incomplete point of the cut line (25), there remains a web (26) which joins the specimen region (23) of interest to the surrounding specimen (4). In a second step, the web (26) is severed with a single laser pulse directed onto it, thereby completing the cut line. The specimen region (23) of interest is in that context detached from the specimen (4) and falls by the action of gravity into a collection vessel (19).
Claims39
A method for laser microdissection of specimen regions of interest of a specimen that is mounted on a specimen holder, comprising:
- a) cutting, with a focused laser beam having a defined cut width, along an incomplete cut line largely enclosing the specimen region of interest, such that there remains between a beginning and end of the cut line a stable web of defined width by way of which the specimen region of interest is joined to the surrounding specimen;
- and
- b) severing the web with a laser pulse, directed onto the web, of a focused laser beam having an enlarged cut width enlarged as compared to said defined cut width.
An apparatus for laser cutting of microscopic specimens, comprising:
- a microscope configured for viewing of a specimen having a specimen region of interest, comprising:
- at least one objective that defines an optical axis;
- a laser that generates a laser beam;
- and at least one optical system that couples the laser beam into the objective, wherein
- a) a cut line control unit is associated with the microscope and configured to generate a relative movement between the laser beam and the specimen to achieve an incomplete cut line largely enclosing the specimen region of interest, such that there remains between a beginning and end of the cut line a stable web of defined width by way of which the specimen region of interest is joined to the surrounding specimen;
- and
- b) means for severing the web, with which a cut width of the laser beam is enlarged and a single focused laser pulse is directed onto the web and severs the web, are provided.
A method for laser microdissection of a specimen region of interest of a specimen, comprising:
- (a) cutting with a laser beam along an incomplete cut line such that there remains a stable web by way of which the specimen region of interest is joined to the surrounding specimen;
- and
- (b) severing the web with a laser pulse, directed onto the web, of a laser beam.
An apparatus for laser cutting of microscopic specimens comprising:
- a microscope having at least one objective that defines an optical axis, for viewing of a specimen having a specimen region of interest;
- a laser that generates a laser beam and at least one optical system that couples the laser beam into the objective;
- and
- a control unit associated with the microscope which generates a relative movement between the laser beam and the specimen to achieve an incomplete cut line such that there remains a stable web by way of which the specimen region of interest is joined to the surrounding specimen, and to sever the web with a laser pulse directed onto the web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.