Switching device adaptive to freezing microtome and embedding box direct connection adaptive assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a switching device adaptive to a freezing microtome and an embedding box direct connection adaptive assembly, and the switching device comprises a device body, a locking assembly and a fixed circular truncated cone; a dovetail groove is transversely formed in the front side of the device body and can be quickly matched and mounted with a sample clamp, and one end of the dovetail groove is an inlet while the other end is a stopper; the locking assembly is vertically arranged on the lower portion of the device body and communicates with the bottom of the dovetail groove. The fixed circular truncated cone is integrally formed on the rear side of the device body and can be detachably mounted on the sample head of the freezing microtome. When the sample clamp is used, the sample clamp slides in from the inlet end of the dovetail groove until the sample clamp abuts against the stop end; then the sample clamp is locked in the dovetail groove through the locking assembly; finally, the fixed circular truncated cone is inserted into a sample head of the freezing slicer, and detachable installation of the switching device and the equipment is completed. According to the whole structure, the sample clamp can be conveniently installed and reliably locked, the switching device and the equipment can be rapidly positioned and installed, the operation process is simplified, and the assembly reliability and the use convenience in the freezing and slicing process are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cryostat technology, and more specifically to an adapter device and embedding cassette direct connection adapter for cryostats. Background Technology

[0002] In pathological diagnosis, cryostats are crucial equipment for rapid intraoperative pathological diagnosis. They rapidly freeze tissue samples and then section them, providing timely diagnostic information for clinical surgery. However, three major problems currently exist in the industry: First, there is poor equipment compatibility. The interface specifications of the "sample head" and "sample holder" of cryostats produced by different manufacturers lack a unified standard. This means that when the same specimen is transferred between different devices or processed by multiple devices, the sample holder cannot be used interchangeably. This requires frequent replacement of adapter parts or transfer of tissue samples, which not only increases the complexity of operation and the time spent, but also easily causes tissue damage during the transfer process, increasing the risk of errors.

[0003] Second, specimen labeling is not standardized. During the frozen sectioning process, traditional sample holders lack a unified and stable labeling medium. Pathological numbering is often done by handwriting or pasting labels, which easily leads to problems such as missing, blurred, or detached numbers. This results in specimen confusion or incorrect archiving, seriously affecting the accuracy of subsequent diagnoses and the traceability of specimens, and posing a great threat to pathological quality control.

[0004] Third, the sample storage and archiving process is cumbersome. After freezing and sectioning, the remaining samples on the sample holder are difficult to store directly for archiving. In the current operation, after freezing and sectioning, the remaining samples must be removed from the sample holder, thawed and air-dried, and then transferred to a plastic embedding box for paraffin embedding before long-term preservation and archiving can be completed. The whole process involves many steps and is cumbersome, which not only increases the workload of staff, but also increases the risk of tissue damage and specimen confusion during multiple sample transfers, and reduces the efficiency of pathology slide preparation.

[0005] Therefore, how to systematically solve the above three major technical problems in order to simplify workflows and improve work efficiency is a technical challenge that needs to be addressed in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an adapter for cryostats that systematically solves the above three major technical problems by using it in conjunction with existing universal sample clips and embedding cassettes.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to provide a set of embedding cassette direct-connect adapter components adapted to cryostats, which can be used directly with cryostats, thereby systematically solving the above three major technical problems.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides an adapter for a cryostat slicer, comprising: The device body has a dovetail groove horizontally opened on its front side, which is suitable for matching and installing with a sample clip; one end of the dovetail groove is the inlet end, and the other end is the stop end. A locking assembly is vertically disposed at the lower part of the device body and communicates with the bottom of the dovetail groove, which is suitable for locking the sample clip in the dovetail groove; A fixed frustum is integrally formed on the rear side of the device body and is suitable for detachable installation on the sample head of a cryostat.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the locking assembly includes: The mounting cavity is vertically formed on the device body, located below the dovetail groove, and communicates with the bottom of the dovetail groove; A first threaded hole is formed through the bottom of the mounting cavity; A locking bolt is threaded into the first threaded hole, with its tip extending into the mounting cavity. The movable locking block is movably disposed within the mounting cavity, with a wedge-shaped inclined surface at its top and a rotatable connection at its bottom to the top of the locking bolt via a rotatable structure; Rotating the locking bolt can cause the movable locking block to rise or fall, thereby locking or releasing the sample clip.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the rotatable structure includes: A fixing hole is provided at the bottom of the movable block; The shaft head section is integrally formed on the top of the locking bolt and can be rotatably inserted into the fixing hole; An annular groove is formed on the outer wall of the shaft head section; There are two second threaded holes, which are opened laterally through the front side of the movable block and communicate with the fixing hole. A set screw is inserted into the second threaded hole, with its end embedded in the annular groove, thereby rotatably connecting the locking bolt to the bottom of the movable block.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, it also includes a limiting component, which is disposed at the stop end within the dovetail groove to limit the position of the sample clip; The limiting component includes: A positioning screw hole is formed in the dovetail groove on the inner side wall of the stop end; The positioning screw has its threaded section inserted into the positioning screw hole and tightened for fixation. The head of the screw has no exposed protrusion and is located in the dovetail groove, thereby limiting the position of the sample clip.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the mounting cavity has a side opening, and integrally formed limiting baffles are disposed on the outer walls on both sides of the side opening. The limiting baffles are used to limit the movable block within the mounting cavity.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, a strip bubble level is fixedly installed on the top of the device body via an installation structure. The strip bubble level is used to monitor whether the device body is installed in a horizontal state.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the mounting structure includes: The mounting slot is horizontally opened on the top surface of the device body; A fixed cover fits over the opening of the mounting slot, with a receiving groove at the bottom and an elongated opening at the top that communicates with the receiving groove and is smaller in size than the receiving groove; the strip-shaped bubble level is fixed and limited within the receiving groove. A countersunk screw is passed through the countersunk hole on the fixing cover and screwed into the third threaded hole at the bottom of the mounting groove to press and fix the fixing cover.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, an annular positioning groove is provided on the circumferential outer wall of the fixed frustum, which is suitable for docking and installing the fixed frustum with the sample head of the cryostat.

[0016] The present invention also provides a direct-connect adapter component for an embedding cassette adapted to a cryostat, characterized in that it comprises: A universal sample holder with a mounting slot on the front; A plastic embedding cassette is fixedly installed in the mounting slot of the universal sample holder to hold tissue samples; An adapter is detachably mounted on the universal sample holder at the front and detachably mounted on the sample head of a cryostat at the rear; the adapter is the adapter described above.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment, the rear side of the universal sample holder is integrally formed with a dovetail fixing block; the front side of the adapter is provided with a dovetail groove; the dovetail fixing block can be matched and installed with the dovetail groove, thereby detachably installing the universal sample holder and the adapter together.

[0018] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following advantages: 1. The adapter for a cryostat of the present invention includes a device body, a locking assembly, and a fixed frustum; the device body has a dovetail groove laterally formed on its front side, the dovetail groove being suitable for matching and installing with a sample clip; one end of the dovetail groove is an inlet end, and the other end is a stop end; the locking assembly is vertically disposed at the lower part of the device body and communicates with the bottom of the dovetail groove, suitable for locking the sample clip in the dovetail groove; the fixed frustum is integrally formed on the rear side of the device body and is suitable for detachably installing on the sample head of the cryostat.

[0019] In use, slide the sample clip into the inlet end of the dovetail groove until it reaches the stop end; then lock the sample clip in the dovetail groove using the locking assembly; finally, insert the fixed frustum into the sample head of the cryostat to complete the detachable installation of the adapter and the equipment.

[0020] The adapter for a cryostat of the present invention features a dovetail groove with an inlet and a stop end on the front side of the device body, facilitating the quick sliding and positioning of a universal sample clip. A locking assembly securely locks the sample clip within the dovetail groove, preventing loosening. An integrally formed fixing circle on the rear side allows for quick, precise, and detachable docking with the cryostat sample head, improving installation efficiency and connection stability. The overall structure enables convenient insertion and reliable locking of the sample clip, as well as rapid positioning and installation of the adapter and equipment, simplifying the operation process and improving assembly reliability and ease of use during cryostating.

[0021] 2. The present invention also provides a direct-connect adapter component for an embedding cassette adapted to a cryostat, characterized in that it includes: a universal sample clip, a plastic embedding cassette, and an adapter; the universal sample clip has a mounting groove on its front side; the plastic embedding cassette is fixedly installed in the mounting groove of the universal sample clip for carrying tissue samples; the adapter is detachably mounted on the universal sample clip on its front side and is adapted to be detachably mounted on the sample head of the cryostat on its rear side.

[0022] In use, first connect the front of the adapter to the universal sample holder, then install the rear of the adapter onto the sample head of the cryostat, so that the universal sample holder is fixed to the equipment along with the adapter; finally, fix the plastic embedding cassette in the mounting slot on the front of the universal sample holder to hold the tissue sample, thus completing the assembly of the entire embedding cassette direct connection adapter component.

[0023] The embedding cassette direct-connect adapter component for cryostats in this embodiment integrates a standard plastic embedding cassette, a universal sample clip, and a dedicated adapter, truly achieving "one-time cassette loading, universal compatibility throughout" operation. This component uses a standard plastic embedding cassette as the sole carrier for frozen sections of tissue samples. It features an identification area for direct coding, ensuring permanent, clear, and traceable pathology numbers. This effectively solves the problems of unclear numbers, detachment, and specimen confusion caused by traditional sample holders that rely on handwritten or pasted labels. Simultaneously, the adapter connects detachably to a universal sample clip and a cryostat sample head on both sides, allowing the entire component to quickly adapt to different brands of equipment. This significantly improves compatibility and avoids the time and operational risks associated with frequent replacement of adapter parts or sample transfers due to inconsistent interfaces. More importantly, tissue samples remain fixed within the same plastic embedding cassette throughout the entire process, from freezing to subsequent thawing, air drying, paraffin embedding, and archiving, eliminating the need for transfer. This greatly simplifies the workflow, reduces human intervention, lowers the risk of tissue damage and specimen misalignment, and improves the efficiency and quality control of pathology slide preparation. It systematically solves the three major problems currently existing in frozen sectioning technology: poor equipment compatibility, unreliable labeling, and cumbersome archiving processes. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the prior art or specific embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the prior art or specific embodiments are briefly introduced below.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an adapter device for a cryostat slicer according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another stereoscopic view.

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the explosion structure.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Exploded view of section A.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A magnified view of the sliding block.

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram of section B.

[0031] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 An enlarged view of the fixed cover.

[0032] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 The right view.

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embedding cassette direct-connection adapter component adapted to a cryostat, which is another invention.

[0034] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 An explosion diagram.

[0035] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Another stereoscopic view of it.

[0036] Reference numerals: 1. General sample holder; 11. Mounting groove; 2. Dovetail fixing block; 4. Fixed truncated cone; 31. Device body; 32. Dovetail groove; 33. Positioning screw hole; 34. Positioning screw; 35. Mounting cavity; 36. First threaded hole; 37. Locking bolt; 38. Movable locking block; 351. Side opening; 352. Limiting stop; 371. Shaft end section; 372. Annular groove; 381. Fixing hole; 382. Second threaded hole; 383. Set screw; 39. Embedding groove; 310. Strip bubble level; 311. Fixing cover; 3111. Receiving groove; 3112. Long strip opening; 3113. Countersunk hole; 3114. Countersunk screw; 391. Third threaded hole; 41. Annular positioning groove; 5. Plastic embedding box. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand this solution, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the claims and specification of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such as a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units, not limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may also include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0039] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for better description of this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to indicate other meanings besides orientation or positional relationship; for example, the term "upper" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. In addition, the term "multiple" should mean two or more. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0040] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Example 1

[0041] This embodiment provides an adapter for a cryostat slicer, such as... Figure 1-8 As shown, the device includes: a device body 31, a locking assembly, and a fixed frustum 4; wherein, the device body 31 has a dovetail groove 32 laterally opened on its front side, the dovetail groove 32 being adapted to be matched and installed with a sample clip; one end of the dovetail groove 32 is an inlet end, and the other end is a stop end; the locking assembly is vertically arranged at the lower part of the device body 31 and communicates with the bottom of the dovetail groove 32, adapted to lock the sample clip in the dovetail groove 32; the fixed frustum 4 is integrally formed on the rear side of the device body 31 and is adapted to be detachably installed on the sample head of the cryostat.

[0042] In use, slide the sample clip into the inlet end of the dovetail groove 32 until it abuts against the stop end; then lock the sample clip in the dovetail groove 32 using the locking assembly; finally, insert the fixed frustum 4 into the sample head of the cryostat to complete the detachable installation of the adapter and the equipment.

[0043] The adapter for the cryostat in this embodiment features a dovetail groove 32 with an inlet and a stop on the front of the device body 31, facilitating the quick sliding and positioning of a universal sample clip. A locking assembly securely locks the sample clip within the dovetail groove 32, preventing loosening. The integrated fixed frustum 4 at the rear allows for quick, precise, and detachable docking with the cryostat sample head, improving installation efficiency and connection stability. The overall structure enables convenient sample clip insertion, reliable locking, and rapid positioning and installation of the adapter and equipment, simplifying the operation process and improving assembly reliability and ease of use during cryostating.

[0044] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the locking assembly includes: a mounting cavity 35, a first threaded hole 36, a locking bolt 37, and a movable locking block 38; wherein, the mounting cavity 35 is vertically formed on the device body 31, located below the dovetail groove 32, and communicating with the bottom of the dovetail groove 32; the first threaded hole 36 is formed through the bottom of the mounting cavity 35; the locking bolt 37 is threaded into the first threaded hole 36, with its top end extending into the interior of the mounting cavity 35; the movable locking block 38 is movably disposed within the mounting cavity 35, with a wedge-shaped inclined surface at its top, and its bottom is rotatably connected to the top end of the locking bolt 37 through a rotatable structure; rotating the locking bolt 37 can drive the movable locking block 38 to rise and fall, thereby locking or releasing the sample clamp. The locking assembly adopts a mechanical transmission method of "bolt drive + movable block lifting", which converts the rotational motion into vertical linear motion. The operation only requires turning the bolt to lock or release the sample clip. The wedge-shaped inclined surface at the top of the movable block automatically presses against the bottom side wall of the sample clip during the rising process, forming a self-locking effect to ensure that there is no loosening or vibration during the slicing process, which significantly improves the stability of the slicing and the repeatability of the positioning accuracy.

[0045] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the rotatable structure includes: a fixing hole 381, a shaft end section 371, an annular groove 372, a second threaded hole 382, ​​and a set screw 383; wherein, the fixing hole 381 is formed at the bottom of the movable block 38; the shaft end section 371 is integrally formed on the top of the locking bolt 37 and is rotatably inserted into the fixing hole 381; the annular groove 372 is formed on the outer wall of the shaft end section 371; there are two second threaded holes 382, ​​which are transversely formed on the front side of the movable block 38 and communicate with the fixing hole 381; the set screw 383 passes through the second threaded hole 382, ​​and its end is embedded in the annular groove 372, thereby rotatably connecting the locking bolt 37 to the bottom of the movable block 38. The rotatable structure achieves rotational freedom through the engagement of the shaft end and the fixed hole. At the same time, the axial limit is formed by the insertion of the end of the set screw into the annular groove. This ensures that the movable block can move smoothly up and down when the locking bolt rotates, and also prevents the two from separating in the vertical direction. This structure does not require bearings or pins, is simple to manufacture, reliable to assemble, and is not easily worn after long-term use, effectively ensuring the durability and consistency of the locking mechanism.

[0046] like Figure 3As shown, it also includes a limiting component, which is disposed at the stop end within the dovetail groove 32 to limit the position of the sample clip. The limiting component includes a positioning screw hole 33 and a positioning screw 34. The positioning screw hole 33 is located on the inner sidewall of the stop end within the dovetail groove 32. The positioning screw 34 has a threaded section that passes through the positioning screw hole 33 and is tightened, with its head not protruding from the dovetail groove 32, thereby limiting the position of the sample clip. The limiting component provides lateral stopping of the sample clip through the embedded positioning screw, providing precise positioning of the installation endpoint, ensuring consistent clamping position each time, and improving the repeatability of the slicing plane and equipment compatibility.

[0047] like Figure 3 As shown, the mounting cavity 35 has a side opening 351. Two integrally formed limiting baffles 352 are disposed on the outer walls of both sides of the side opening 351. The limiting baffles 352 are used to limit the movable locking block 38 within the mounting cavity 35. The inner surface of the limiting baffle 352 is parallel to and clearance-fitted with the outer surface of the movable locking block 38, forming a sliding guide surface along the lifting direction. This allows the movable locking block 38 to move smoothly up and down under the drive of the locking bolt, while effectively limiting its swaying or deflection in the horizontal direction.

[0048] like Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, a strip bubble level 310 is fixedly installed on the top of the device body 31 through an installation structure. The strip bubble level 310 is used to monitor whether the device body 31 is installed in a horizontal state.

[0049] like Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the mounting structure includes an insert groove 39, a fixing cover 311, and a countersunk screw 3114. The insert groove 39 is horizontally opened on the top surface of the device body 31. The fixing cover 311 covers the opening of the insert groove 39, has a receiving groove 3111 at the bottom, and a long opening 3112 at the top that communicates with the receiving groove 3111 and is smaller than the receiving groove 3111. The strip-shaped bubble level 310 is fixedly positioned within the receiving groove 3111. The countersunk screw 3114 passes through the countersunk hole 3113 on the fixing cover 311 and screws into the third threaded hole 391 at the bottom of the insert groove 39, pressing and fixing the fixing cover 3111. The mounting structure seals and fixes the bubble level within the insert groove 39 using the fixing cover and countersunk screw. The long opening 3112 both limits and protects the level from impact and allows clear observation of the bubble position. like Figure 8As shown, an annular positioning groove 41 is provided on the circumferential outer wall of the fixed frustum 4. The annular positioning groove 41 is suitable for docking and installing the fixed frustum 4 with the sample head of the cryostat. The annular positioning groove 41 and the positioning protrusion inside the sample head of the cryostat form a circumferential limiting fit, which not only achieves rapid alignment, but also effectively prevents the adapter from rotating and loosening during high-speed slicing, ensuring the installation stability and angular consistency of the entire assembly under dynamic load.

[0050] The adapter for a cryostat slicer in this invention is used as follows: First, slide the universal sample clip into the inlet end of the dovetail groove 32 on the front side of the device body 31, and smoothly advance it along the groove until its rear end abuts against the stop end. During this process, the limiting component set on the inner side wall of the dovetail groove stop end—that is, the positioning screw 34 tightened in the positioning screw hole 33—has an exposed protrusion at its head to form a precise lateral limit for the sample clip, ensuring that the clamping position is consistent each time. After the sample clip is in place, the operator screws the locking bolt 37 located in the first threaded hole 36 at the bottom of the device body. Through the linkage between its top end and the rotatable structure at the bottom of the movable locking block 38, the movable locking block is driven to rise vertically in the mounting cavity 35. The wedge-shaped inclined surface at the top of the movable locking block then presses against the bottom side wall of the sample clip, thereby firmly locking the sample clip in the dovetail groove. The locking mechanism employs a simple transmission method of "bolt rotation → block lifting and lowering." Its internal rotatable structure consists of a shaft end section 371, a fixing hole 381, an annular groove 372, and set screws 383 on both sides. This ensures that the movable block can freely rise and fall when the locking bolt rotates, while the set screws embedded in the annular groove provide axial limitation to prevent disengagement. The structure is compact and durable. Simultaneously, integrated limiting baffles 352 are provided at the side openings 351 on both sides of the mounting cavity 35, effectively constraining the lateral displacement of the movable block, preventing swaying or jamming during lifting and lowering, ensuring that the wedge-shaped inclined surface always faces the force-bearing surface, and improving the efficiency of locking force transmission. After the sample clip is locked, the integrated fixed frustum 4 on the rear side of the device body is inserted into the sample head interface of the cryostat. The annular positioning groove 41 on its circumferential outer wall engages with the positioning protrusion inside the device to achieve rapid circumferential alignment and prevent rotational loosening, ensuring dynamic stability and angular consistency during high-speed slicing. In addition, throughout the installation process, the operator can monitor the installation level in real time through the strip bubble level 310 integrated on the top of the device body. The level is sealed and fixed in the bottom receiving groove 311 of the fixing cover 311 in the mounting groove 39, and is only exposed in the observation area through the top long strip opening 3112. This not only prevents collisions but also facilitates clear readings, ensuring that the reference plane of the slice is level and improving the quality of the slice. Example 2

[0051] This invention provides a direct-connect adapter component for embedding cassettes used in cryostats, such as... Figure 9-11As shown, it includes: a universal sample holder 1, a plastic embedding cassette 5, and an adapter; wherein, the universal sample holder 1 has a mounting groove 11 on its front side; the plastic embedding cassette 5 is fixedly installed in the mounting groove 11 of the universal sample holder 1 for carrying tissue samples; the adapter is detachably installed on the universal sample holder 1 on its front side and is adapted to be detachably installed on the sample head of a cryostat; the adapter is the adapter described in Example 1.

[0052] In use, first align the dovetail fixing block 2, which is integrally formed on the rear side of the universal sample clip 1, with the inlet end of the dovetail groove 32 on the front side of the adapter, and slide it in horizontally until the dovetail fixing block 2 abuts against the stop end of the dovetail groove 32. At this time, the positioning screw 34 (tightened in the positioning screw hole 33 and with a protruding head) located on the inner side wall of the stop end forms a precise lateral limit for the dovetail fixing block 2, ensuring that the clamping position is consistent each time. Next, tighten the locking bolt 37 at the bottom of the adapter, which pushes upward through the first threaded hole 36, causing the movable locking block 38 to rise vertically in the mounting cavity 35. The wedge-shaped inclined surface at the top of the movable locking block 38 then presses against the bottom side wall of the dovetail fixing block 2, thereby firmly locking the sample clip in the dovetail groove. After assembling the universal sample holder 1 and the adapter, insert the fixed frustum 4 on the rear side of the entire assembly into the sample head interface of the cryostat and fix it; so that the universal sample holder 1 is fixed on the equipment together with the adapter; finally, fix the plastic embedding box 5 in the mounting groove 11 on the front side of the universal sample holder to carry the tissue sample, and complete the assembly of the entire embedding box direct connection adapter assembly.

[0053] The embedding cassette direct-connect adapter component for cryostats in this embodiment integrates a standard plastic embedding cassette, a universal sample clip, and a dedicated adapter, truly achieving "one-time cassette loading, universal compatibility throughout" operation. This component uses a standard plastic embedding cassette as the sole carrier for frozen sections of tissue samples. It features an identification area for direct coding, ensuring permanent, clear, and traceable pathology numbers. This effectively solves the problems of unclear numbers, detachment, and specimen confusion caused by traditional sample holders that rely on handwritten or pasted labels. Simultaneously, the adapter connects detachably to a universal sample clip and a cryostat sample head on both sides, allowing the entire component to quickly adapt to different brands of equipment. This significantly improves compatibility and avoids the time and operational risks associated with frequent replacement of adapter parts or sample transfers due to inconsistent interfaces. More importantly, tissue samples remain fixed within the same plastic embedding cassette throughout the entire process, from freezing to subsequent thawing, air drying, paraffin embedding, and archiving, eliminating the need for transfer. This greatly simplifies the workflow, reduces human intervention, lowers the risk of tissue damage and specimen misalignment, and improves the efficiency and quality control of pathology slide preparation. It systematically solves the three major problems currently existing in frozen sectioning technology: poor equipment compatibility, unreliable labeling, and cumbersome archiving processes.

[0054] like Figure 9-11 As shown, the universal sample holder 1 has a dovetail fixing block 2 integrally formed on its rear side; the adapter has a dovetail groove 32 on its front side; the dovetail fixing block 2 can be matched and installed with the dovetail groove 32, thereby detachably installing the universal sample holder 1 and the adapter together. The dovetail fixing block 2 and the dovetail groove 32 adopt a standard dovetail fit structure, combined with the vertical pressing action of the locking component, to form a dual constraint mechanism of "horizontal guidance + vertical locking", ensuring that the universal sample holder will not fall out or undergo slight displacement during the slicing process, providing a reliable mechanical basis for high-quality slicing.

[0055] In this embodiment, the embedding cassette for the cryostat is directly connected to the adapter component, and the usage method is as follows: First, during the intraoperative rapid pathological diagnosis preparation stage, the operator places the tissue sample to be examined into a special metal mold box (not a component of this patent, but a conventional auxiliary tool). Then, an appropriate amount of OCT embedding adhesive is injected into the mold box. This adhesive rapidly solidifies at low temperatures to support and fix the tissue morphology. Before the OCT adhesive solidifies, the plastic embedding box 5 (i.e., a conventional 24×24mm square embedding box used for paraffin sectioning) is pressed steadily into the OCT adhesive solution with its bottom facing down, ensuring full contact between its bottom surface and the tissue. At this point, the entire metal mold box is placed on the cooling stage of the cryostat, utilizing the low temperature to rapidly freeze the OCT adhesive, thereby firmly embedding and adhering the tissue to the bottom surface of the plastic embedding box 5. After complete freeze-curing, the plastic embedding box 5 is removed. The tissue is now stably attached to it, and the pre-reserved marking area on the outer wall of the embedding box can be directly laser-coded or printed with a low-temperature resistant label, achieving permanent marking of the pathology number.

[0056] The equipment assembly stage then begins: First, the universal sample holder 1 is combined with the adapter. Specifically, the dovetail fixing block 2, integrally formed on the rear side of the universal sample holder 1, is aligned with the inlet end of the dovetail groove 32 on the front side of the adapter and slid in horizontally until the dovetail fixing block 2 abuts against the stop end of the dovetail groove 32. At this time, the positioning screw 34 (tightened in the positioning screw hole 33 with a protruding head) located on the inner wall of the stop end forms a precise lateral limit for the dovetail fixing block 2, ensuring consistent clamping position each time. Next, the locking bolt 37 at the bottom of the adapter is tightened, which pushes upward through the first threaded hole 36, causing the movable locking block 38 to rise vertically within the mounting cavity 35. The wedge-shaped inclined surface at the top of the movable locking block then presses against the bottom side wall of the sample holder, thereby firmly locking the sample holder within the dovetail groove. During this process, the movable block 38 is rotatably connected to the shaft head section 371 at the top of the locking bolt 37 through its bottom fixing hole 381, while the set screw 383 passes through the second threaded hole 382 and is embedded in the annular groove 372, which allows rotation and prevents axial disengagement; at the same time, the limiting baffle 352 (located on both sides of the side opening 351) restricts the lateral displacement of the movable block 38, ensuring smooth lifting and orthogonal force.

[0057] After assembling the universal sample holder 1 and the adapter, insert the fixed frustum 4 on the rear of the entire assembly into the sample head interface of the cryostat. The annular positioning groove 41 on the outer circumferential wall of the fixed frustum 4 engages with the positioning protrusion inside the device to achieve circumferential anti-rotation and rapid alignment, preventing the slide from loosening due to vibration. During installation, the operator can monitor the level of the device in real time using the strip bubble level 310 on the top of the adapter (embedded in the receiving groove 3111 at the bottom of the fixed cover 311, visible through the elongated opening 3112). If the bubble is centered, it indicates that the slide reference plane is in an ideal level state, ensuring the uniformity of slide thickness. At this point, although the plastic embedding cassette 5 carrying the tissue has not yet been inserted, the universal sample holder 1 has been securely mounted on the cryostat along with the adapter. The final step is to insert the plastic embedding cassette 5, which has undergone OCT cryoemulation, into the mounting slot 11 on the front of the universal sample holder 1 and clamp it in place, ensuring the tissue sample is aligned with the microtome blade. Start the cryostat to perform rapid intraoperative sectioning.

[0058] After sectioning, there is no need to remove the remaining tissue from any temporary tray—since the tissue remains attached to the same plastic embedding cassette 5, it can be directly removed from the universal sample holder 1. The OCT gel will dissolve naturally at room temperature, and the tissue will be allowed to soften and the surface moisture dried. Subsequently, the plastic embedding cassette 5 is directly sent to the standard paraffin embedding process: after dehydration, clearing, and paraffin impregnation, it is placed in the embedding machine to replenish paraffin, forming a standard paraffin block. Since the embedding cassette itself is a universal carrier for paraffin slide preparation, this paraffin block can be directly used for subsequent sectioning, staining, and long-term archiving, with no tissue transfer occurring throughout the process.

[0059] In summary, this embedding cassette direct-connect adapter component drives a restructuring of the operational process through hardware structural innovation (adapter + universal sample holder + standard embedding cassette): using a standard plastic embedding cassette as the sole carrier, it connects the entire chain of "OCT cryo-embedding → cryosectioning → paraffin embedding → archiving," completely eliminating the traditional multi-step handover mode of "cryogenic metal tray → transfer → paraffin embedding cassette." This not only solves the compatibility issues caused by inconsistent device interfaces but also achieves permanent traceability through the embedded cassette's built-in identification, significantly simplifies the archiving process, and significantly reduces the risks of tissue damage, specimen confusion, and human error, truly realizing a highly efficient, reliable, and standardized pathology operation system of "one-time packaging, universal applicability."

[0060] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this innovative technical solution.

Claims

1. An adapter for a cryostat slicer, characterized in that, include: The device body (31) has a dovetail groove (32) laterally opened on its front side. The dovetail groove (32) is suitable for matching and installing with the sample clip. One end of the dovetail groove (32) is the inlet end, and the other end is the stop end. The locking component is vertically disposed at the lower part of the device body (31) and communicates with the bottom of the dovetail groove (32), and is suitable for locking the sample clip in the dovetail groove (32); The fixed frustum (4) is integrally formed on the rear side of the device body (31) and is suitable for detachable installation on the sample head of the cryostat.

2. The adapter for a cryostat slicer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking assembly includes: The mounting cavity (35) is vertically opened on the device body (31), located below the dovetail groove (32), and communicates with the bottom of the dovetail groove (32); A first threaded hole (36) is formed through the bottom of the mounting cavity (35); The locking bolt (37) is threaded into the first threaded hole (36), and its top end extends into the mounting cavity (35); The movable locking block (38) is movably disposed in the mounting cavity (35), with a wedge-shaped inclined surface on its top and a bottom rotatably connected to the top of the locking bolt (37) through a rotatable structure; Rotating the locking bolt (37) can cause the movable latch (38) to rise or fall, thereby locking or releasing the sample clip.

3. The adapter for a cryostat slicer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotatable structure includes: A fixing hole (381) is provided at the bottom of the movable card block (38); The shaft head section (371) is integrally formed on the top of the locking bolt (37) and can be rotatably inserted into the fixing hole (381); An annular groove (372) is formed on the outer wall of the shaft head section (371); There are two second threaded holes (382), which are opened laterally through the front side of the movable block (38) and communicate with the fixed hole (381); A set screw (383) is inserted into the second threaded hole (382), and its end is embedded in the annular groove (372), thereby rotatably connecting the locking bolt (37) to the bottom of the movable block (38).

4. The adapter for a cryostat slicer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a limiting component, which is provided in the dovetail groove (32) at the stop end to limit the position of the sample clip; The limiting component includes: The positioning screw hole (33) is opened in the dovetail groove (32) on the inner side wall of the stop end; The positioning screw (34) has its threaded section inserted into the positioning screw hole (33) and tightened. Its head protrudes into the dovetail groove (32), thereby limiting the position of the sample clip.

5. The adapter for a cryostat slicer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting cavity (35) has a side opening (351), and integrally formed limiting baffles (352) are provided on the outer walls on both sides of the side opening (351). The limiting baffles (352) are used to limit the movable block (38) in the mounting cavity (35).

6. The adapter for a cryostat as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A strip bubble level (310) is fixedly installed on the top of the device body (31) through an installation structure. The strip bubble level (310) is used to monitor whether the device body (31) is installed in a horizontal state.

7. The adapter for a cryostat slicer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mounting structure includes: The mounting slot (39) is horizontally opened on the top surface of the device body (31); A fixed cover (311) is fitted onto the opening of the mounting groove (39), with a receiving groove (3111) at the bottom and a long strip opening (3112) at the top that communicates with the receiving groove (3111) and is smaller in size than the receiving groove (3111); the strip bubble level (310) is fixedly positioned within the receiving groove (3111); The countersunk screw (3114) passes through the countersunk hole (3113) on the fixing cover (311) and is screwed into the third threaded hole (391) at the bottom of the mounting groove (39) to press and fix the fixing cover (311).

8. The adapter for a cryostat slicer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed frustum (4) has an annular positioning groove (41) on its circumferential outer wall. The annular positioning groove (41) is suitable for docking and installing the fixed frustum (4) with the sample head of the cryostat.

9. A direct-connect adapter component for a cryostat embedding cassette, characterized in that, include: A universal sample holder (1) has a mounting slot (11) on its front side; A plastic embedding cassette (5) is fixedly installed in the mounting slot (11) of the universal sample holder (1) to carry tissue samples; An adapter, the front side of which is detachably mounted on the universal sample holder (1), and the rear side adapted to be detachably mounted on the sample head of a cryostat; the adapter is the adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The embedding cassette direct-connect adapter component for a cryostat as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The universal sample holder (1) has a dovetail fixing block (2) integrally formed on the rear side; the adapter has a dovetail groove (32) on the front side; the dovetail fixing block (2) can be matched and installed with the dovetail groove (32), so that the universal sample holder (1) and the adapter can be detachably installed together.

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