Microtome chuck with light source
Inventors
Bui, Xuan S. • Rios, Alyicia Marie • von Bueren, Erico
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10012567-B2
Publication Date
2018-07-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A microtome chuck including a mounting portion having a mating surface operable to removably attach the mounting portion to a sample sectioning device, and an electrical contact operable to electrically connect the mounting portion to a power source. The chuck further including a sample receiving portion coupled to the mounting portion, the sample receiving portion having a sample receiving surface dimensioned to receive a sample, a light source coupled to the sample receiving portion, the light source operable to emit a light from the sample receiving surface and through a sample positioned along the sample receiving surface, and circuitry electrically connecting the light source to the electrical contact of the mounting portion.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a microtome chuck including a mounting portion with a mating surface for removably attaching to a sample sectioning device and an electrical contact for electrically connecting to a power source. A sample receiving portion is coupled to the mounting portion and includes a sample receiving surface dimensioned to receive a sample. A light source is coupled to the sample receiving portion and is operable to emit a light from the sample receiving surface and through a sample positioned along the sample receiving surface.
The chuck includes circuitry electrically connecting the light source to the electrical contact of the mounting portion. In described implementations, the light source includes a light emitting diode and may be located in a cavity of the sample receiving portion with a cavity depth substantially the same as a thickness of the light source. A controller modifies at least one of brightness or wavelength of the light emitted by the light source, including modifying the brightness and/or wavelength based on a characteristic of the sample.
The invention also covers a microtome where a cutting mechanism cuts sections from a sample and a sample holder holds the sample and moves relative to the cutting mechanism. A light source comprises an LED chip operable to emit a light from a first side of the sample holder and through a sample positioned on the first side. Further disclosed aspects include controlling light output by determining a characteristic of a sample held by the microtome chuck and controlling a characteristic of a light output from the light source based on the sample characteristic.
Claims Coverage
The provided set contains three independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive features center on integrating a light source into the chuck or sample holder so light is emitted through a positioned sample, electrically coupling the light source to a power source through mounting electrical contacts and circuitry, and controlling brightness and/or wavelength based on a sample characteristic.
Microtome chuck with through-sample light source and electrical coupling
A microtome chuck including a mounting portion having a mating surface operable to removably attach the mounting portion to a sample sectioning device and an electrical contact operable to electrically connect the mounting portion to a power source, a sample receiving portion coupled to the mounting portion and having a sample receiving surface dimensioned to receive a sample, a light source coupled to the sample receiving portion operable to emit a light from the sample receiving surface and through a sample positioned along the sample receiving surface, and circuitry electrically connecting the light source to the electrical contact of the mounting portion.
Microtome with LED chip emitting light from a sample holder side through a sample
A microtome comprising a cutting mechanism operable to cut sections from a sample, a sample holder operable to hold a sample and move relative to the cutting mechanism with a first side and a second side where the first side faces the cutting mechanism and is dimensioned to receive a sample, and a light source coupled to the sample holder wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) chip operable to emit a light from the first side of the sample holder and through a sample positioned on the first side.
Method of controlling microtome chuck light source based on sample characteristic
A method of controlling a microtome chuck light source comprising determining a characteristic of a sample held by a microtome chuck; and controlling a characteristic of a light output from a light source of the microtome chuck based on the characteristic of the sample.
Overall, the independent claim set is directed to microtome chuck and sample-holder illumination configured to emit light through a positioned sample, with electrical coupling through mounting electrical contacts and circuitry, and with controlling light output based on one or more characteristics of the held sample.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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