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Publication Number
US-10054519-B2
Publication Date
2018-08-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A microtome method and apparatus includes a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut, and a first flexure to support and guide the blade. The first flexure is compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, is stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction. The other end portion of the second flexure is rotatably engaged by an eccentric driven by a rotatable actuator, which oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any guides or other stationary objects during oscillation.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a microtome apparatus in which a microtome blade is configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut. A first flexure supports and guides the blade, with the first flexure configured to be compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure is operatively engaged with the first flexure, with the second flexure configured to be stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction.
A rotating actuator drives an eccentric, where the second flexure is rotatably engaged at another end portion with the eccentric. Operation of the actuator oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any stationary objects during the oscillation.
The disclosed architecture uses orthogonally stiff/compliant flexures to constrain blade motion so that parasitic non-transverse motion is isolated, including out-of-plane z-axis motion. The eccentric-driven second flexure arrangement is described as helping avoid non-transverse parasitic motion by isolating parasitic motion from the blade, and is integrated with an oscillating transverse blade and an advancing cut with sample advancement to remove sections, optionally with imaging.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim, which contains the core inventive concept of a transverse-oscillating microtome blade using a two-flexure stiffness/compliance arrangement and an eccentric-driven rotating actuator that isolates non-transverse motion. The claim further specifies that the second flexure moves independently of stationary objects during oscillation.
Transverse blade oscillation relative to advancing cut direction
A microtome blade is configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut.
First flexure with transverse compliance and cut-direction stiffness
A first flexure supports and guides the blade, the first flexure configured to be compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction.
Second flexure with transverse stiffness and cut-direction compliance
A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, the second flexure configured for being stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction.
Rotating actuator with eccentric rotatably engaging the second flexure
A rotating actuator includes an eccentric driven by the actuator, with the second flexure rotatably engaged at another end portion with the eccentric.
Isolation of non-transverse motion using actuator-driven eccentric engagement
Operation of the actuator oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade.
Second flexure moving independently of stationary objects
The second flexure is configured to move independently of any stationary objects during the oscillation.
Across the provided material, the claim coverage centers on the combination of transverse oscillation, orthogonal stiff/compliant flexure support (transverse-compliant/cut-stiff for the first flexure and transverse-stiff/cut-compliant for the second flexure), and an eccentric-driven rotating actuator that isolates non-transverse motion, with the second flexure moving independently of stationary objects during oscillation.
Stated Advantages
Effectively isolates non-transverse motion from the blade.
Oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while enabling isolation of non-transverse motion during oscillation.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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