Microtome sectionable gel support structure and methods
Inventors
Williamson, IV, Warren P. • Dapson, Richard W. • Shah, Amit D.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12270739-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sectionable tissue sample support structure including a gel compound formed into a self supporting geometric shape for retention and orientation of at least one tissue sample during a histopathology process including processing, embedding and microtome slicing of the tissue sample. A method of orienting, processing, embedding and microtome slicing a tissue sample using a gel compound preformed into a self supporting geometric shape. A combination including the sectionable tissue sample support structure and a package containing the sectionable tissue sample support structure.
Core Innovation
A three dimensional, self-supporting and preformed gel block with a predetermined geometric shape defined by an outer boundary is sectionable by a microtome to form sections of the gel block and tissue sample. The gel block retains and orients at least one tissue sample during a histopathology process including processing, embedding and microtome slicing.
The gel block includes a tissue sample receiving space in a portion of the gel block configured to retain and orient the tissue sample. The tissue sample receiving space is formed in the gel block and can include a slit, a hole, a recess, or combinations thereof.
The gel block is enclosed under clean, moisture-proof conditions in a package. The gel block can be porous to fluids and reagents used for processing the tissue sample, is compatible with staining/diagnosis, and does not interfere with microtome sectioning.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: an apparatus claim and a method claim. Together, they describe a predetermined-shape, self-supporting preformed gel block with a tissue sample receiving space, packaged under clean, moisture-proof conditions, used to retain and orient tissue through histopathology processing, embedding, and microtome slicing, resulting in sections of the tissue sample for diagnosis.
Predetermined-shape microtome-sectionable self-supporting gel block for retention and orientation
A three dimensional, self-supporting and preformed gel block having a predetermined geometric shape defined by an outer boundary for retention and orientation of at least one tissue sample during a histopathology process including processing, embedding and microtome slicing, the gel block being sectionable by a microtome to form sections of the gel block and tissue sample.
Tissue sample receiving space configured to retain and orient
A tissue sample receiving space formed in a portion of the three dimensional, self-supporting and preformed gel block, configured to retain and orient the tissue sample.
Clean, moisture-proof package enclosing the gel block
A package enclosing the gel block under clean, moisture-proof conditions.
Method using predetermined-shape sectionable gel block to orient through processing, embedding, and microtome slicing
A method of orienting, processing, embedding and microtome slicing a tissue sample using a gel compound preformed into a three dimensional, self-supporting and preformed gel block having a predetermined geometric shape defined by an outer boundary for retention and orientation of at least one tissue sample during a histopathology process including processing, embedding and microtome slicing of the tissue sample, the gel block being sectionable by a microtome to form sections of the gel block and tissue sample, the gel block including a tissue sample receiving space formed in a portion of the three dimensional, self-supporting and preformed gel block.
Sequenced processing with desired orientation and embedding for sectioning
Removing the preformed gel block from a package enclosing the gel block under clean, moisture-proof conditions; retaining the tissue sample in a desired orientation in the tissue sample receiving space; processing the tissue sample while in the desired orientation by subjecting the tissue sample and the preformed gel block to processing fluids and reagents; embedding the preformed gel block and the tissue sample while in the desired orientation in an embedding media to form a microtome sectionable block of the embedding media, the tissue sample and the preformed gel block; and microtome sectioning the microtome sectionable block to obtain the sections of the tissue sample for diagnosis.
Across the independent claims, the inventive core is the use of a predetermined-shape, three dimensional, self-supporting, preformed gel block with a tissue sample receiving space that retains and orients tissue through histopathology processing and embedding, followed by microtome sectioning to obtain sections of the tissue sample for diagnosis, with clean, moisture-proof packaging used in the apparatus and method.
Stated Advantages
Retains and orients at least one tissue sample during processing, embedding and microtome slicing.
Supports full cross-sectional preservation of the tissue sample via fluid and reagent permeability.
Compatible with staining/diagnosis and does not interfere with microtome sectioning.
Enclosed under clean, moisture-proof conditions.
Documented Applications
Orienting, processing, embedding and microtome slicing tissue samples in a histopathology process, with microtome sectioning to obtain sections of the tissue sample for diagnosis.
Using a package enclosing the gel block under clean, moisture-proof conditions as part of preparing tissue samples for histopathology processing, embedding and microtome slicing.
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