Specimen slicing guide, specimen slicing apparatus and method of using the same

A specimen slicing kit for use in slicing a biopsy specimen taken from a human or an animal patient, comprising:

• a specimen slicing apparatus comprising:
• a first specimen slicing guide having a base extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of needles extending substantially perpendicularly from the base and being spaced along the longitudinal direction of the base, wherein distal ends of the needles are configured to pierce the biopsy specimen,
• a second specimen slicing guide having a base extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of needles extending substantially perpendicularly from the base and being spaced along the longitudinal direction of the base, wherein distal ends of the needles are configured to pierce the biopsy specimen and
• at least one link coupling the first and second specimen slicing guides in a spaced, parallel arrangement,
• wherein the first and second specimen slicing guides and the at least one link are configured to permit the spacing between the first and second specimen slicing guides to be adjusted while maintaining the needles of the first and second specimen slicing guides in a parallel relationship, and
• a support surface configured to support the biopsy specimen and to supportably receive the distal ends of the needles therein.

A specimen slicing apparatus comprising:

• a first specimen slicing guide having a base extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of resiliantly-elastic needles extending substantially perpendicularly from the base, wherein the needles are spaced along the longitudinal direction of the base and distal ends of the needles are configured to pierce the biopsy specimen,
• a second specimen slicing guide having a base extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of resiliantly-elastic needles extending substantially perpendicularly from the base, wherein the needles are spaced along the longitudinal direction of the base and distal ends of the needles are configured to pierce the biopsy specimen, and
• at least one link extending through an insertion hole formed in the base of each specimen slicing guide, wherein the specimen slicing guides are slidable relative to each other along the at least one link while maintaining longitudinal axes of the needles of the first specimen slicing guide in a parallel relationship with longitudinal axes of the needles of the second specimen slicing guide and
• wherein the specimen slicing apparatus further comprises at least one visual reference selected from the group consisting of a plurality of gap identification markers provided on at least one of the bases, a plurality of needle identification markers provided on at least one of the bases, and needle identification markers provided on two or more needles of at least one of the bases.