Oscillating microtome with flexure drive

A microtome apparatus comprising:

• a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut;
• a first flexure configured to support and guide the blade, said first flexure configured to be compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction;
• a second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion thereof with the first flexure, the second flexure configured for being stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction;
• a rotating actuator;
• an eccentric driven by the actuator;
• the second flexure being rotatably engaged at another end portion thereof with the eccentric, wherein operation of the actuator serves to oscillate the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade;
• the second flexure being configured to move independently of any stationary objects during said oscillation;
• and
• wherein the second flexure comprises a plurality of flexible beams spaced from one another in the cut direction.

A microtome apparatus comprising:

• a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut;
• a first flexure configured to support and guide the blade, said first flexure configured to be compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction;
• a second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion thereof with the first flexure, the second flexure configured for being stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction;
• a rotating actuator;
• an eccentric driven by the actuator;
• the second flexure being rotatably engaged at another end portion thereof with the eccentric, wherein operation of the actuator serves to oscillate the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade;
• the second flexure being configured to move independently of any stationary objects during said oscillation;
• and
• wherein the first flexure has ratio of length (L) in the cut direction to width (W) in the transverse direction, within the range of about 1.5 to 3.

A microtome apparatus comprising:

• a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut;
• a first flexure configured to support and guide the blade, said first flexure configured to be compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction;
• a second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion thereof with the first flexure, the second flexure configured for being stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction;
• a rotating actuator;
• an eccentric driven by the actuator;
• the second flexure being rotatably engaged at another end portion thereof with the eccentric, wherein operation of the actuator serves to oscillate the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade;
• the second flexure being configured to move independently of any stationary objects during said oscillation;
• wherein the blade is disposed on a blade holder including a magnetic mount configured to retain the blade thereon, said blade holder extending in a cantilevered manner from the first flexure, the blade holder having a center of rotation about an axis parallel to the cut direction, said center of rotation being disposed on a transverse axis passing through said first and second flexures.