Method and apparatus for presetting specimens in a cutting device
AssigneeLeica Microsysteme GmbH
InventorsReinhard Lihl, Hubert Goll, Anton Lang, Paul Wurzinger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In microtomes or ultramicrotomes, it is necessary to preset the specimen (14) onto the knife (16). In order to facilitate and automate this presetting operation, which is intended to guarantee the fastest and most accurate possible positioning of the knife (16) relative to the specimen (14), the spacing (13) between the trimmed surface (15) of the specimen (14) and the specimen holder (22) is ascertained and is transferred to the microtome or ultramicrotome (10). The spacing (13) is preferably ascertained in the trimming device (12).
Claims6
A method for automatically presetting and cutting a specimen with a microtome or ultramicrotome, the specimen having a trimmed surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a microtome or ultramicrotome with a knife holder for a knife and a specimen holder for holding the specimen;
- using a feed device for producing a relative motion between the knife and the specimen;
- producing a trimmed surface of the specimen with a trimming apparatus having a trimming knife or a milling cutter;
- ascertaining in the trimming apparatus the spacing between the trimmed surface of the specimen and the specimen holder with a distance measurement system during the movement of the trimming knife or the milling cutter;
- and,
- transferring the spacing to the microtome or ultramicrotome via a data transfer means, prior to mounting the specimen with the specimen holder in the microtome or ultramicrotome.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.