Microtome blade changing apparatus for a knife holder of a microtome, and microtome

A knife holder assembly for a microtome, the knife holder assembly comprising:

• a knife holder including an immobilizing mechanism for releasably immobilizing a blade in a sectioning position and a locking rod connected to the immobilizing mechanism;
• a blade dispenser (4) adjacent the knife holder for holding unused blades;
• a blade container (5) adjacent the knife holder for receiving used blades;
• and
• an entraining element (13) arranged on the locking rod of the knife holder for movement with the locking rod relative to the blade dispenser along an entrainment path, the entraining element being manually actuable along the entrainment path by an operator to transfer an unused blade from the blade dispenser to the knife holder and convey the used blade into the blade container.

A microtome comprising:

• a microtome housing;
• a knife holder mounted on the microtome housing for adjustment relative thereto, the knife holder including a locking rod operable for releasably immobilizing a blade in a sectioning position;
• a blade dispenser (4) adjacent the knife holder for holding unused blades;
• a blade container (5) adjacent the knife holder for receiving used blades;
• and
• an entraining element (13) arranged on the locking rod of the knife holder for movement with the locking rod relative to the blade dispenser along an entrainment path, the entraining element being manually actuable along the entrainment path by an operator to transfer an unused blade from the blade dispenser to the knife holder and convey the used blade into the blade container.