Cryogenic microtome

Abstract

This invention provides a cryomicrotome that can avoid non-uniformity of section thickness due to vibration and improve the flatness of the section. [Solution] The cryomicrotome includes a body, a cryostat 10, a sectioning device 20, and a refrigeration system 30. The cryostat is located in the body and above the body, and the containment chamber is defined by the cryostat. At least a portion of the sectioning device is located in the containment chamber. The refrigeration system is connected to the body and is used to supply a cold source to the cryomicrotome. The refrigeration system includes a variable frequency compressor 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of microtomes, and particularly to cryomicrotomes.

Background Art

[0002] Cryosectioning is a technique for rapidly hardening biological tissues under low-temperature conditions to produce thin sections, and is widely used in fields such as pathological diagnosis, scientific research analysis, and preservation of biological specimens. Its basic principle is to rapidly freeze a tissue specimen to an appropriate hardness by a freezing device, fix its internal structure, and then cut the tissue into thin slices of uniform thickness using a sectioning device, and then subject it to subsequent staining, microscopic observation, or other analysis processes. Throughout the process, the requirements for temperature control, sectioning accuracy, and equipment stability are extremely high, and the performance of the cryomicrotome directly affects the quality of the sections and the reliability of the diagnostic results.

[0003] Currently, equipment that can rapidly produce tissue specimens from frozen organs is already commercially available. The specimen is rapidly frozen and sectioned within the equipment. After the specimen is sectioned, it is fixed with a fixing solution and stained, and then observed under a microscope. In normal sections, the tissue areas have similar colors, uniform thicknesses, and no variations. However, during conventional section production, the thickness of the sections tends to be uneven, and damage may also occur. The non-uniformity of staining and thickness can only be discovered by observing under a microscope. This has an adverse effect on work efficiency. In a microtome, the overall vibration is one of the important causes affecting the uniformity of the section thickness, and its refrigeration system is the main source of vibration. Since the current refrigeration system vibrates greatly during operation, the microtome and the blade are prone to vibration, and the thickness of the sections may become uneven.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose a cryomicrotome that can avoid non-uniformity of section thickness due to vibration and improve the flatness of the section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, some embodiments of the present invention are provided. It is a cryomicrotome, The main body and A cryostat is positioned on the main body and above the main body, defining the containment chamber, A sectioning device in which at least a portion is located in the containment chamber, It includes a refrigeration system connected to the main body for supplying a cold source to the freeze microtome, We propose a freeze microtome, which includes a compressor, and the compressor is a variable frequency compressor.

[0006] In some embodiments, the refrigeration system includes two sets of refrigeration units, each set of refrigeration units including a variable frequency compressor, and / or The cryomicrotome has a bottom region and a top region that are positioned opposite each other vertically, with the compressor located in the bottom region and the sectioning device located in the top region.

[0007] In some embodiments, the cryomicrotome further includes a freezing stage, which is placed in a containment chamber and used to freeze the sample to be frozen.

[0008] In some embodiments, the sectioning device includes a specimen head, a core element, and a cutting assembly, wherein the side of the specimen head facing the cutting assembly is suitable for connecting to the specimen under study, and the core element is connected to the side of the specimen head away from the cutting assembly, thereby moving the specimen head closer to or further away from the cutting assembly.

[0009] In some embodiments, the sectioning device further includes an angle adjustment assembly, the specimen head is connected to a core element via the angle adjustment assembly, and the angle adjustment assembly is configured to adjust the orientation of the specimen head.

[0010] In some embodiments, the core element includes a drive member and a core element body, the drive member being connected to the core element body, the specimen head being connected to the core element body, and the drive member being configured to move the core element, thereby moving the specimen head closer to or further away from the cutting assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the drive member includes a rotary handwheel, which is located outside the body and / or The containment chamber has an upward-facing opening, and the depth of the containment chamber is parallel to the axis of the opening. A freezing stage and a sectioning device are arranged inside the containment chamber, with the freezing stage located to the left of the sectioning device along the depth of the containment chamber.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cryomicrotome further includes a sealing portion, which is positioned between the core element body and the cryostat and used to block out outside air.

[0013] In some embodiments, the segmentation device includes a blade holder, a cutting blade, and functional accessories, the cutting blade being mounted in the blade holder along the depth direction of the housing chamber, and the functional accessories being detachably located to the left of the blade holder and including a bend-preventing plate and / or a wrist rest.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cryomicrotome includes a freezing stage, the sectioning device includes a specimen head, the cryostat includes an evaporator, and the variable frequency compressor is configured to supply a cold source to at least the freezing stage, the specimen head, and the evaporator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the above embodiment, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0016] The cryomicrotome of the present invention includes a body, a cryostat, a sectioning device, and a refrigeration system. The cryostat is located in and above the body, and the cryostat defines the containment chamber. At least a portion of the sectioning device is located in the containment chamber. The refrigeration system is connected to the body and is used to supply a cold source to the cryomicrotome. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, which is a variable frequency compressor.

[0017] This invention fundamentally transforms the fixed-frequency start / stop mode of conventional freezing microtomes by introducing a variable-frequency compressor into the refrigeration system. By adjusting its own operating frequency, the variable-frequency compressor avoids overlapping with the vibration frequencies of the core element body and blade holder, reducing overall vibration and improving section uniformity. Furthermore, because the variable-frequency compressor can continuously adjust its rotational speed in response to real-time thermal load, the amount of refrigeration can be dynamically adjusted to actual needs, avoiding frost formation in the containment space due to excessive instantaneous temperature differences that would affect the user experience.

[0018] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention are partially described in the following description, some of which may become apparent from the following description or may be understood through the implementation of the present invention.

[0019] To more clearly describe the embodiments of the present invention or the technical concepts in the prior art, the drawings used in describing the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below. Clearly, the drawings shown below represent only some embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on the structures shown in these drawings without requiring any creative effort.

[0020] The achievement of the object, functional features, and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the drawings in combination with the embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a cryomicrotome in an embodiment of the present invention observed from a first perspective. [Figure 2] It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a cryomicrotome in an embodiment of the present invention observed from a second perspective. [Figure 3] It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a cryomicrotome in an embodiment of the present invention observed from a third perspective. [Figure 4] It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the cryomicrotome in FIG. 3 cut along the A-A plane. [Figure 5] It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a specimen head in an embodiment of the present invention observed from a fourth perspective. [Figure 6] It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the specimen head in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a specimen head in an embodiment of the present invention observed from a fifth perspective. [Figure 8] It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the specimen head in FIG. 7 cut along the B-B plane. [Figure 9] It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a seal part in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the seal part in FIG. 9 cut along the C-C plane. [Figure 11] It is a schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of a blade holder in an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, the technical proposal in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Clearly, the embodiments described are only some, and not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments that can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the embodiments of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] In the embodiments of this invention, if directional indications (for example, "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," etc.) are included, such directional indications are merely for interpreting the relative positional relationships and motion conditions between each component in a specific posture, and if that specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0024] Furthermore, where expressions such as "first," "second," etc., are used in embodiments of the present invention, these expressions are used solely for explanatory purposes and do not indicate or suggest their relative importance, nor do they implicitly suggest the number of technical features to be shown. Therefore, features limited by "first," "second," etc., should be interpreted as potentially including at least one such feature, either explicitly or implicitly. Also, where expressions such as "and / or" are used throughout the specification, these mean three parallel configurations. For example, "A and / or B" includes configuration A, configuration B, or configurations where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. In addition, while the technical proposals of each embodiment can be combined with one another, it is assumed that such combinations are feasible to those skilled in the art. If a combination of technical proposals is contradictory or unfeasible, the combination shall be deemed nonexistent and shall not be covered by the scope of the present invention.

[0025] A cryomicrotome according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 11. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the cryomicrotome of the present application includes a body, a cryostat 10, a sectioning device 20, and a refrigeration system 30. The cryostat 10 is located in and above the body, and the containment chamber is defined by the cryostat 10. At least a portion of the sectioning device 20 is located in the containment chamber. The refrigeration system 30 is connected to the body and is used to supply a cold source to the cryomicrotome. The refrigeration system 30 includes a compressor, which is a variable frequency compressor 31.

[0026] Referring to Figure 4, this invention fundamentally transforms the fixed-frequency start / stop mode of the cold source output in conventional cryogenic microtomes by introducing a variable-frequency compressor 31 into the refrigeration system 30. The variable-frequency compressor 31 can continuously adjust its rotational speed in response to the real-time heat load, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the refrigeration amount to meet actual needs. This avoids temperature overshoot and hysteresis caused by frequent starts and stops, resulting in a smoother and more stable temperature curve for the containment chamber. Furthermore, variable-frequency operation reduces the high power consumption and mechanical shock at the moment of start and stop. Because the compressor remains in a high-efficiency and low-speed range over long periods, overall noise and vibration are simultaneously reduced, improving the experimenter's operating experience, reducing the possibility of fatigue and failure of the body structure, and extending the lifespan of core components. In addition, by adjusting its own operating frequency, the variable-frequency compressor 31 can actively avoid the inherent resonant frequency bands of important components such as the body, cryostat 10, and sectioning device 20, effectively suppressing the occurrence of resonance phenomena. This frequency avoidance strategy prevents the compressor from generating periodic coupled vibrations with the surrounding structure during operation, thereby reducing the overall vibration transmission and amplification effects. This not only ensures a more stable holding of the sectioning platform, improving the continuity and surface flatness of tissue sections, but also reduces structural loosening and fatigue damage caused by vibration, thus ensuring long-term stable operation of the cryomicrotome.

[0027] In some embodiments, the main body may be a steel frame, an iron base, a composite steel plate box structure with shock-absorbing pads, etc. The main body is primarily intended to provide sufficient rigidity to support the cryostat 10, sectioning device 20, and refrigeration system 30, and also retains mounting surfaces, wiring grooves, and heat dissipation channels, thereby enabling low-resistance coupling between the frequency-variable compressor 31 and the evaporator 14 and condenser 33. This suppresses vibration transmission while facilitating future maintenance and upgrades, thereby meeting the diverse needs of various laboratories in terms of spatial layout, load class, and noise index.

[0028] In some embodiments, the cryostat 10 may be a box-shaped freezer or a horizontal freezer structure with a hollow glass observation window. The bottom of the cryostat 10 can be bolted to the crossbeam of the main body via flanges or mounting legs, thereby suspending the cryostat 10 as a whole above the main body, and the surrounding side plates and top cover enclose a semi-sealed space with an opening only on the front side, thereby defining a housing chamber for arranging the freezing stage 15 and sectioning device 20. Furthermore, a foam layer or vacuum layer is used to block heat exchange between the inside and outside, ensuring that the amount of cold is concentrated inside the chamber.

[0029] In some embodiments, the sectioning device 20 may be a motor-driven blade holder 12 or a rack-and-pinion lifting mechanism controlled by a handwheel 126. The sectioning device 20 is fixed within the housing chamber of the cryostat 10 via a cantilever or bridge structure, so that the cutting assembly and specimen head 13 maintain relative motion in a low-temperature environment and achieve continuous sectioning.

[0030] Referring to Figure 4, in some embodiments, the cryomicrotome has a bottom region and a top region positioned vertically opposite to each other, with the compressor located in the bottom region and the sectioning device 20 located in the top region. By positioning the compressor in the bottom region of the cryomicrotome and the sectioning device 20 in the top region of the cryomicrotome, on the one hand, the cold and heat sources are naturally stratified in the direction of gravity, and residual heat dissipated from the compressor is trapped downwards, preventing the rising hot airflow from directly affecting the low-temperature zone at the top, thereby reducing the adiabatic load on the cryostat 10 and making the temperature inside the containment chamber more uniform and stable. On the other hand, the center of gravity at the bottom is lowered, the tilt moment of the entire device is reduced, and minute vibrations during operation travel through the entire body structure to the section position at the top, resulting in a longer transmission path diameter and gradual energy decay, which in turn reduces the vibrations experienced by the sectioning device 20, making the relative displacement between the cutting edge and the specimen smaller, and resulting in a more natural and flat section texture. Separating the cold and hot zones also provides convenience for operation and maintenance. Specifically, the top cold zone houses only section-related components, offering ample space and good visibility, allowing operators to quickly change specimens or blades. The bottom hot zone concentrates heat-generating assemblies such as the compressor and condenser 33, forming an independent heat dissipation duct that blocks dust, grease, and noise downwards. This avoids disrupting the internal low-temperature environment by eliminating the need to enter the cryogenic chamber for cleaning or inspection. This layout improves section accuracy and surface quality, extends the lifespan of the refrigeration system 30, and creates a quieter, cleaner, and safer working environment.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in some embodiments, the cryomicrotome further includes a freezing stage 15, which is located in a containment chamber and provides a freezing platform for cutting specimens to be sectioned. The freezing stage 15 has a copper tube 32 located below it, which communicates with the refrigeration system 30. This allows for faster and more uniform freezing of specimens to be sectioned, which are placed above the freezing stage 15. Specifically, the operator can embed the tissue specimen to be cut. The addition of a separate freezing stage 15 inside the containment chamber provides a platform for rapidly and uniformly embedding and pre-cooling specimens before sectioning. Because the freezing stage 15 and sectioning device 20 are located in the same sealed freezing chamber, the specimen transport path is short, external heat and moisture are blocked to the maximum extent, the frozen state is maintained continuously, and the risk of tissue shrinkage, cracking, and antigen loss due to repeated temperature recovery is reduced. The plane support of the freezing stage 15 allows the operator to stably adjust the orientation of the specimen, quickly trim sections, and then more evenly match the subsequent section thickness and complete their surface, providing continuous and accurate histological information for pathological interpretation and scientific imaging.

[0032] Referring to Figures 4 to 8, in some embodiments, the sectioning apparatus 20 includes a specimen head 13, a core element, and a cutting assembly, wherein the side of the specimen head 13 facing the cutting assembly is suitable for connecting to the specimen, and the core element is connected to the side of the specimen head 13 away from the cutting assembly, thereby moving the specimen head 13 closer to or further away from the cutting assembly. By arranging the specimen head 13, the core element, and the cutting assembly sequentially in the same axial direction, the core element can move the specimen head 13 directly and linearly toward the cutting assembly, thereby allowing the specimen connected to the specimen head 13 to gradually approach the blade in a stable and controllable manner. If the cutting resistance fluctuates due to changes in tissue density, the core element can transmit a reverse moment in real time, keeping the specimen head 13 in a constant position. This prevents slight retraction or wobble of the specimen at the moment of cutting, thereby improving the uniformity of section thickness and making the surface texture smoother. In such a layout, the drive source is located on the back side of the specimen head 13 and is therefore naturally isolated from the low-temperature zone. Because the heat generated by the operation of the core element is rapidly dissipated through the body structure, heat conduction to the specimen is reduced, preventing tissue softening and ice crystal melting due to localized temperature increases. The overall structure is compact, and the force transmission path is shortened, which reduces vibration accumulation and improves reliability and ease of maintenance during long-term operation, providing a solid foundation for consistently obtaining high-quality frozen sections.

[0033] Referring to Figures 4-8, in some embodiments, the sectioning device 20 further includes an angle adjustment assembly, the specimen head 13 is connected to the core element via the angle adjustment assembly, and the angle adjustment assembly is configured to adjust the orientation of the specimen head 13. The introduction of the angle adjustment assembly allows the specimen head 13 and the core element to be rotatably and flexibly connected. The operator can change the orientation of the specimen relative to the cutting blade in real time in a low-temperature environment without removing a single component. If the tissue surface is uneven or a specific cross-section is required, simply fine-tuning the angle allows for optimal maintenance of the contact trajectory between the cutting blade and the target area, avoiding localized over-cutting or missed cuts and ensuring that all sections fully reveal the desired structural layer. This adjustment function also reduces the number of section trimmings. Because the specimen orientation can be adjusted during cutting, the first cut can be made very close to the target plane, reducing tissue waste, shortening the time the freezer is open, and reducing the risk of temperature fluctuations. The angle adjustment assembly is equipped with a locking mechanism, which, once the angle is fixed, resists cutting reaction forces, prevents specimen displacement during continuous feeding, and ensures consistency in section thickness and texture.

[0034] Referring to Figures 4 to 8, in some embodiments, the core element includes a drive member and a core element body 21, the drive member being connected to the core element body 21, the specimen head 13 being connected to the core element body 21, and the drive member being configured to move the core element, thereby moving the specimen head 13 closer to or further away from the cutting assembly. When the core element is divided into a drive member and a core element body 21, a modular combination of power source and execution side is realized. Since the drive member only outputs linear displacement and the core element body 21 directly transmits motion to the specimen head 13, extra links and gears are unnecessary, resulting in a faster response speed. If the hardness of the tissue changes rapidly and the cutting resistance fluctuates, the core element body 21 can immediately transmit the reaction force to the drive member. The operator can adjust the feed rate at any time using the handwheel 126 or control buttons, preventing specimen extrusion deformation and section fracture, and ensuring a stable speed and uniform thickness. In this structure, the easily worn drive components are located outside the cryogenic chamber, allowing for replacement and lubrication without opening the freezer during maintenance, thus avoiding damage to the internal low-temperature environment. Because the core element body 21 has no heat-generating motor, it maintains a temperature close to the chamber temperature even after long-term operation, preventing the transfer of additional heat to the sample side, thereby preventing localized softening and ice crystal melting. The modular design minimizes the thrust transmission path diameter, and vibrations are absorbed within the core element. The sample head 13 receives filtered and stable feeding, resulting in a smoother section surface. Furthermore, the drive components and core element body 21 can be redesigned according to load characteristics and low-temperature requirements, extending service life and providing interfaces for future upgrades of the automatic feeding module and integration of measurement modules.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, in some embodiments, the drive member includes a rotary handwheel 126, which is positioned outside the main body. By positioning the rotary handwheel 126 outside the main body, the operator can adjust the feed rate and force in real time via touch without having to enter deep into the cryogenic chamber. Since the rotation of the handwheel 126 is directly converted into a linear displacement of the core element, it avoids thermal interference caused by the arm entering the cold zone while providing the flexibility required for manual control of section thickness. Furthermore, the external layout creates a thermal barrier between the handwheel 126 and the cryogenic chamber, preventing the bearing lubricant from solidifying at low temperatures and ensuring smooth, unhindered rotation.

[0036] In some embodiments, the containment chamber has an upward-facing opening, the depth direction of the containment chamber is parallel to the axis of the opening, and a freezing stage 15 and a sectioning device 20 are arranged inside the containment chamber, with the freezing stage 15 located to the left of the sectioning device 20 along the depth direction of the containment chamber.

[0037] The depth direction of the containment chamber refers to the direction in which the operator faces the cryomicrotome during operation. The containment chamber employs a deep cavity design that opens upward, with the depth direction parallel to the axis of the opening, thereby creating a vertically extending working space. The freezing stage 15 is positioned to the left of the sectioning device 20 along the depth direction, enabling a clear work sequence of cryopreservation on the left and cutting on the right. The long-axis layout in the depth direction allows the operator to clearly observe the relative position of the specimen and the blade from above, enabling continuous section trimming and final sectioning. The rotary handwheel 126 works in conjunction with the left and right chambers of the vertically deep cavity to highly harmonize the force of manual operation, field of view, and workflow, thereby improving operational comfort and sectioning efficiency.

[0038] Referring to Figure 10, in some embodiments the cryomicrotome further includes a seal portion 22, which is positioned between the core element body 21 and the cryostat 10 and used to block out outside air. The seal portion 22 forms a flexible barrier between the core element body 21 and the cryostat 10, effectively blocking out outside air and preventing hot, humid air from entering the containment chamber during the propulsion stroke, thereby suppressing frost formation on the inner wall and ice formation on the surface of the evaporator 14, and allowing the cooling to concentrate on maintaining a stable low temperature for the specimen and the cutting edge.

[0039] In some embodiments, the sealing portion 22 may be a bellows mounted on the outer circumference of the core element, an elastic plug filled in a through hole, or an end seal consisting of a follower retaining plate and a lip ring. The sealing portion 22 utilizes its own flexibility and resilience to adhere tightly to the wall surface during the reciprocating movement of the core element, forming a dynamic barrier. This not only prevents the intrusion of hot and humid outside air, but also converts the energy of micro-vibrations into molecular frictional heat for dissipation, keeping the low-temperature chamber a dry, clean, low-noise, and stable environment.

[0040] Referring to Figures 1 and 11, in some embodiments, the sectioning apparatus 20 includes a blade holder 12, a cutting blade 121, and functional accessories, the cutting blade 121 being mounted on the blade holder 12 along the depth direction of the housing chamber, the functional accessories being detachably located to the left of the blade holder 12 and including a bend-preventing plate 125 and / or a wrist rest. A quick-replacement port is provided on the left side of the blade holder 12, allowing the bend-preventing plate 125 and wrist rest to be freely increased or decreased according to sectioning needs. The bend-preventing plate 125 is close to the blade opening and acts as a barrier wall that blocks micro-airflow, preventing the section from bending upward, allowing the cut tissue piece to naturally flatten and smoothly enter the sectioning position, and avoiding loss of diagnostic information due to overlapping wrinkles. The wrist rest provides support for the operator's suspended wrist. When performing section trimming or continuous section handling over extended periods, the need to repeatedly lift the forearm from the edge of the freezer chamber reduces muscle fatigue and hand tremors, and makes it easier to maintain a more uniform feeding force. Functional attachments are secured by sliding buckles or magnetic adsorption, allowing for quick attachment and removal without tools. Direct removal and individual cleaning for cleaning and disinfection prevents residual paraffin fragments or cryoembryos from affecting subsequent clamping accuracy. A single blade holder 12 combines multiple functions such as anti-bending, wrist protection, and quick maintenance, eliminating the need for additional fixtures and making the layout of a narrow freezer chamber simpler and more spacious. In some embodiments, the modular design of the attachments allows for future expansion, enabling the addition of illumination, magnifying glasses, or micro-suction units in the future without modifying the structure of the existing blade holder 12. This solution of removable functional attachments allows the cryomicrotome to comprehensively optimize section quality, operational comfort, and post-maintenance while stably maintaining the cutting core, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly experience in pathological diagnosis and research specimen preparation.

[0041] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in some embodiments, the cryomicrotome includes a freezing stage 15, the sectioning device 20 includes a specimen head 13, the cryostat 10 includes an evaporator 14, and the variable frequency compressor 31 is configured to supply a cold source to at least the freezing stage 15, the core element, and the evaporator 14. Specifically, in some embodiments, the refrigeration system 30 includes two sets of refrigeration devices, each set of refrigeration devices including a variable frequency compressor 31. The variable frequency compressor 31 of one set of refrigeration devices unifies and distributes the cold source, integrating the freezing stage 15 and the evaporator 14 into the same refrigeration cycle, thereby dynamically procuring the amount of cold as needed. The variable frequency compressor 31 of the other set of refrigeration devices supplies a cold source to the specimen head 13, and the variable frequency compressor 31 makes real-time adjustments on the specimen head 13 according to the temperature required for the specific specimen to be cut. Specifically, once the type of specimen to be cut is determined, the operator selects the type of specimen tissue when performing the cutting process. The two sets of freezing devices automatically match the corresponding temperature according to the sample tissue type pre-configured in the device, thereby ensuring that the storage, freezing, and sectioning temperatures are adapted to the sample type.

[0042] The cryomicrotome of this application will be systematically described below with reference to Figures 1 to 11, using specific embodiments as examples. The cryomicrotome of this application includes main components such as a body, a cryostat 10, a sectioning device 20, a refrigeration system 30, and a variable frequency compressor 31. The body employs an integrated welded steel frame structure, providing sufficient rigidity and stability to support the cryostat 10 located above and the various functional components inside. The cryostat 10 is positioned above the body and employs a structure made of double stainless steel plates bent and welded together. A thermal insulation layer is formed by filling the entire structure with foamed insulation material, and a housing chamber is defined inside for arranging components such as the sectioning device 20, a freezing stage 15, and an evaporator 14. The housing chamber has an upward-facing opening, and its depth direction is parallel to the axis of the opening. Inside the chamber, the freezing stage 15 is located on the left side in the depth direction, and the sectioning device 20 is located on the right side, resulting in a work layout where freezing is performed on the left and sectioning on the right. This allows the sample to be pre-cooled before being directly transferred to the section area, reducing cooling loss and handling time.

[0043] The sectioning device 20 includes parts such as a specimen head 13, a core element, a cutting assembly, a blade holder 12, a cutting blade 121, and functional accessories. The specimen head 13 is connected to the core element via an angle adjustment assembly, and the core element consists of a drive member and a core element body 21, the drive member may be a rotary handwheel 126, and is located outside the body, thereby facilitating the operator to control the feeding of the section outside the freezer chamber and preventing heat from entering the chamber. A seal portion 22 is provided between the core element body 21 and the cryostat 10. The seal portion 22 may be a bellows or elastic plug structure, which blocks outside air and prevents hot, humid air from entering the chamber and causing frost or affecting the quality of the section. The cutting blade 121 is mounted on a blade holder 12, and functional accessories, such as a bend-preventing plate 125 and a wrist rest, are detachably installed on the left side of the blade holder 12. The anti-bending plate 125 is used to prevent the section from bending, and the wrist rest provides support to the operator, improving operating comfort and section stability.

[0044] The refrigeration system 30 is connected to the main body and includes a variable frequency compressor 31, a condenser 33, an evaporator 14, and connecting piping. The variable frequency compressor 31 is configured to supply a cold source to at least the freezing stage 15, the core element, and the evaporator 14. By adjusting the operating frequency in response to changes in load, the variable frequency compressor 31 can avoid resonance with the body structure, reduce overall vibration and noise, improve sectioning accuracy, and extend the life of the device. The freezing stage 15 is located within the containment chamber and is used to rapidly freeze the specimen and bring it to the appropriate hardness before sectioning. The evaporator 14 is located within the cryostat 10 and is used to maintain the low-temperature environment of the chamber. The variable frequency compressor 31 centrally controls the distribution of cold to the freezing stage 15, the core element, and the evaporator 14, enabling efficient use of the cold source and stable temperature control.

[0045] Furthermore, the structural design of the cryomicrotome takes into full consideration ease of operation and maintenance efficiency. The external placement of the rotary handwheel 126 allows the operator to advance sections without having to enter the back of the freezer chamber, reducing cold loss. The upward-opening design of the chamber facilitates observation and operation, streamlines the depth layout, and clearly separates the freezing stage 15 and sectioning apparatus 20, improving operational efficiency. The removable design of functional components facilitates cleaning and replacement, meeting the needs of high-frequency laboratory use. The overall structure is compact and highly modular, facilitating future functional expansion, maintenance, and upgrades. This cryomicrotome offers advantages such as low vibration, low noise, stable temperature, and high section quality, making it suitable for applications requiring high-precision frozen sections, such as pathological diagnosis and scientific research experiments.

[0046] The specific configuration of the cryomicrotome of this application is as follows, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 11.

[0047] Referring to Figure 4, the cryostat 10 includes a box 11 and an evaporator 14, the box 11 being used for the work of preparing tissue samples, and the evaporator 14 being used to freeze the box 11. Furthermore, the cryostat 10 further includes an openable and closable sealed door, which may be transparent and can be opened and closed by pulling it out.

[0048] Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the sectioning apparatus 20 includes a core element body 21, a specimen head 13, and a cutting device. The core element body 21 is used to provide a power source to the specimen head 13 (a reciprocating mechanism for bringing the tissue specimen held by the specimen head 13 into contact with or separating the cutting blade 121 of the blade holder 12), the specimen head 13 is used to hold the tissue specimen, and the cutting device is used to section the specimen held by the specimen head 13.

[0049] Referring to Figures 5 to 8, the specimen head 13 is located within the housing 11 of the cryostat 10 and includes a clamping member 131 and a direction-changing member 132. The clamping member 131 is used to clamp the specimen so that the surface side of the specimen faces the cutting blade 121. The clamping member 131 is equipped with a freezing plate 1313, which is used to maintain the specimen's temperature at a temperature suitable for sectioning. The direction-changing member 132 is located on the back of the clamping member 131 and allows the angle of the clamping member 131 to be adjusted up, down, left, and right so that the surface side of the specimen is parallel to the cutting blade 121, and can accommodate tissue specimens of various sizes and shapes to be cut.

[0050] Referring to Figures 5 to 8, the clamping member 131 is provided with a fixed clamping section 1311, a movable clamping section 1312, a freezing plate 1313, a Peltier element 1314, and a clamping base 1315. A handle at one end of the movable clamping section 1312 applies force to clamp the specimen to the fixed clamping section 1311, preventing the specimen from moving within the section. The fixed clamping section 1311 is provided with a freezing plate 1313 for transferring cold to the specimen. A Peltier element 1314 is provided on the back side of the freezing plate 1313 to supply a cold source to the freezing plate 1313. The clamping base 1315 is connected to a direction-changing member 132, which dissipates heat from the Peltier element and stabilizes the temperature of the specimen within the section. Furthermore, it can be adjusted to the corresponding section temperature depending on the type of specimen.

[0051] Referring to Figures 5 to 8, the direction changing member 132 is provided with a retaining cap 1321, a locking eccentric shaft 1322, a joint ball 1323, a cold source cavity 1324, a turning block 1325, a pusher 1326, a knob 1327, a knob base 1328, an indicator lever 1329, a direction base 13210, and an adapter board 13211. The retaining cap 1321 is positioned on the spherical surface of the joint ball 1323, and the locking eccentric shaft 1322 is positioned on the retaining cap 1321 and used to lock the joint ball 1323. The joint ball 1323 is movably positioned on the spherical surface of the cold source cavity 1324, which is positioned on the direction base 13210 and has a cavity structure inside, and is connected to the copper pipe 32 to provide cold. The turning block 1325 has one end mounted inside the joint ball 1323 and the other end in contact with the surface of the directional base 13210. The pusher 1326 is positioned in a sliding groove of the turning block 1325, and the knob 1327 is mounted on the pusher 1326 via a screw. By rotating the knob 1327, the pusher 1326 presses the turning block 1325 against the joint ball 1323, thereby adjusting the angle of the clamping member 131 up, down, left, and right. The knob base 1328 is positioned around the knob 1327 and provides rotational reaction force. The indicator lever 1329 is positioned on the pusher 1326 and indicates the current angle of the clamping member 131. The directional base 13210 is positioned on the rear side of the turning block 1325 and provides support for changing direction. The adapter board 13211 is positioned on the rear side of the directional base 13210 and connected to the core element body 21.

[0052] Referring to Figure 4, the core element body 21 is positioned on the back side of the specimen head 13 and is a reciprocating mechanism for bringing the clamping member 131 of the specimen head 13 into contact with or separating from the cutting blade 121.

[0053] Referring to Figure 11, the cutting apparatus includes a cutting blade 121 and a blade holder 12, the cutting blade 121 being mounted on the blade holder 12. Specifically, the blade holder 12 contains the cutting blade 121, a blade clamping portion 122, a blade holder rotating base 123, and a blade holder base 124. The cutting blade 121 is positioned in the blade clamping portion 122 between the blade retaining plate 1221 and the blade receiving portion 1222 in the left-right direction, and the blade clamping portion 122 is provided with a fixed separation lever 1223 for locking or unlocking the cutting blade 121. In addition, a blade removal device is provided at one end of the blade clamping portion 122, which allows the blade to be easily removed by pushing it out from one side when replacing the cutting blade 121. The blade clamping portion 122 is provided on the blade holder rotating base 123. The blade receiving portion 1222 has a V-shaped structure at its bottom and is provided on the blade holder rotating base 123, enabling the cutting blade 121 to move left and right. The blade holder rotating base 123 has an arc-shaped T-groove structure at its bottom and is provided on the blade holder base 124. The angle of the cutting blade 121 can be adjusted by vertical rotation, making it flush with the cut surface of the specimen at the clamping member 131, thereby reducing the section trimming thickness. A fixed separation lever 1231 for locking or unlocking the blade clamping portion 122 is provided on one side of the blade holder rotating base 123. An angle scale line is provided on one side of the rotating blade base 1232 on the blade holder rotating base 123. This facilitates adjustment of the angle of the cutting blade 121 and display of the current operating angle. The blade holder base 124 is located on the inner wall of the cryostat 10's casing 11 and faces the specimen head 13. A fixed separation eccentric shaft 1241 for locking or unlocking the blade holder rotating base 123 is provided on one side of the blade holder base 124.

[0054] Referring to Figures 9 to 10, the sectioning device 20 further includes a sealing portion 22, which is positioned between the core element body 21 and the cryostat 10 and is used to block out outside air and maintain a low-temperature environment inside the enclosure 11. Specifically, the sealing portion 22 is provided with an insulating sleeve 221, a corrugated sealing member 222, and a connecting portion 223. The insulating sleeve 221 is provided in an extended tubular shape on the core element body 21, and the corrugated sealing member 222 has one end provided on the insulating sleeve 221 and the other end provided on a circular groove in the connecting portion 223, which is provided on the back side of the enclosure 11 of the cryostat 10.

[0055] Referring to Figure 4, the specimen freezing stage 15 provides a freezing platform for specimens to be cut. The freezing platform has a copper tube 32 positioned below it, which communicates with the freezing system 30, allowing specimens to be placed above the freezing platform to be frozen more quickly and uniformly. Specifically, the operator can embed the tissue specimen to be cut.

[0056] Referring to Figure 4, the refrigeration system 30 includes a variable frequency compressor 31 and a condenser 33. The variable frequency compressor 31 is located below the core element body 21 and supplies a refrigeration source to the evaporator 14 of the cryostat 10. The variable frequency compressor 31 includes copper tubing 32 for transporting the refrigeration source from the variable frequency compressor 31 to the evaporator 14, the freezing plate 1313, and the specimen freezing stage 15. The supply of the refrigeration source to the evaporator 14 is for freezing the enclosure 11 of the cryostat 10. The supply of the refrigeration source to the freezing plate 1313 is for supplying cold to the tissue specimen on the clamping member 131. The supply of the refrigeration source to the specimen freezing stage 15 is for freezing the specimen to be cut, which is placed above the freezing platform, more quickly and uniformly. Here, the condenser 33 is for converting the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigeration source produced by the variable frequency compressor 31 into a low-temperature, high-pressure refrigeration source.

[0057] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the sectioning device 20 further includes a drive member, which is connected to the core element body 21 and used to operate the core element body 21. In one embodiment, the drive member is a rotary handwheel 126, which is connected to the core element and is located outside the housing 11 of the cryostat 10.

[0058] In this cryomicrotome, when the operator stands at the operating station and operates facing the cryostat 10, the specimen freezing stage 15 is located to the left of the sectioning device 20, and the drive handwheel 126 is located to the right of the sectioning device 20. This configuration makes operation more convenient for the operator and optimizes the layout space of the device.

[0059] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the blade holder 12 is further equipped with replaceable functional accessories, which may be a bend-prevention plate 125 and a wrist rest, and are removable and located on the left side of the blade holder 12. In a specific embodiment, a screw hole (which may be an engagement groove, pin, or other structure) is provided on the left side of the blade receiving portion 1222, and the bend-prevention plate 125 and wrist rest are fastened to the blade receiving portion 1222 with bolts.

[0060] As described above, the variable frequency compressor 31 of this application can improve section quality by adjusting the operating frequency, thereby avoiding overlap with the vibration frequencies of the core element body 21 and the blade holder 12, and reducing overall vibration. The variable frequency compressor 31 has low transient vibration and smooth vibration during compressor startup and shutdown, thus reducing the impact on the section. Furthermore, its space layout is rational and easy to use.

[0061] The foregoing are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations based on the concept of the present invention, using the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or those directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are also included within the scope of protection of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 10 Cryostat 11 Box body 12 Blade Holder 121 Cutting Blades 122 Blade clamping section 1221 Blade retaining plate 1222 Blade receiving section 1223 Fixed Separation Lever 123 Blade holder rotating base 1231 Fixed Separation Lever 1232 Rotary Blade Base 124 Blade holder base 1241 Fixed separation eccentric shaft 125 Anti-bend plate 126 Handwheels 13 sample heads 131 Clamping member 1311 Fixed clamping part 1312 Movable clamping part 1313 Freezing plate 1314 Peltier element 1315 Clamping base 132 Directional change member 1321 Retaining cap 1322 Lock eccentric shaft 1323 Joint Ball 1324 Cold source cavity 1325 Rotating Block 1326 Pusher 1327 Knob 1328 Knob Base 1329 Indicator lever 13210 Directional base 13211 Adapter Board 14 Evaporator 15 Freezing Stage 20 Sectioning device 21 Core element body 22 Seal part 221 Insulated Sleeve 222 Corrugated sealing member 223 Connection part 30 Refrigeration Systems 31 Variable frequency compressor 32 Copper tube 33 Condenser

Claims

1. It is a cryomicrotome, The main body and A cryostat is positioned on the main body and above the main body, defining the containment chamber, A sectioning device in which at least a portion is located in the containment chamber, Includes a refrigeration system connected to the main body for supplying a cold source to the freezing microtome, A freeze microtome characterized in that the refrigeration system includes a compressor, and the compressor is a variable frequency compressor.

2. The refrigeration system includes two sets of refrigeration devices, each set of refrigeration devices includes a variable frequency compressor and / or The freezing microtome according to claim 1, characterized in that the freezing microtome has a bottom region and a top region arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction, the compressor is located in the bottom region, and the sectioning device is located in the top region.

3. The freezing microtome according to claim 1, further comprising a freezing stage, wherein the freezing stage is located in the containment chamber and used for freezing a target specimen.

4. The sectioning device comprises a specimen head, a core element, and a cutting assembly, wherein the side of the specimen head facing the cutting assembly is suitable for connecting to a target specimen, and the core element is connected to the side of the specimen head away from the cutting assembly, thereby moving the specimen head closer to or further away from the cutting assembly, as described in claim 1.

5. The cryomicrotome according to claim 4, wherein the sectioning device further includes an angle adjustment assembly, the specimen head is connected to the core element via the angle adjustment assembly, and the angle adjustment assembly is configured to adjust the orientation of the specimen head.

6. The freeze microtome according to claim 4, wherein the core element includes a drive member and a core element body, the drive member is connected to the core element body, the specimen head is connected to the core element body, and the drive member is configured to move the core element, thereby moving the specimen head closer to or further away from the cutting assembly.

7. The drive member includes a rotary handwheel, the rotary handwheel is located outside the body and / or The freezing microtome according to claim 6, characterized in that the containment chamber has an upward-facing opening, the depth direction of the containment chamber is parallel to the axis of the opening, a freezing stage and the sectioning device are arranged inside the containment chamber, and the freezing stage is located to the left of the sectioning device along the depth direction of the containment chamber.

8. The cryomicrotome according to claim 6, further comprising a sealing portion, the sealing portion being positioned between the core element body and the cryostat and used to block out outside air.

9. The sectioning device comprises a blade holder, a cutting blade, and a functional accessory, wherein the cutting blade is mounted on the blade holder, and the functional accessory is detachably positioned to the left of the blade holder along the depth direction of the housing chamber, and includes a bend-preventing plate and / or a wrist rest, characterized in that the freezing microtome according to claim 4.

10. The cryomicrotome according to claim 1, wherein the cryomicrotome includes a freezing stage, the sectioning device includes a sample head, the cryostat includes an evaporator, and the variable frequency compressor is configured to supply the cold source to at least the freezing stage, the sample head, and the evaporator.

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