Specimen separation method and specimen separation device

Abstract

To provide a specimen peeling method and a specimen peeling device capable of efficiently scraping and recovering a biological tissue slice without waste while suppressing contamination.SOLUTION: A specimen peeling method for scraping and recovering a biological tissue slice held on a slide 120, which includes the steps of: heating an FFPE slice 121 held on the slide 120; scraping the heated FFPE slice 121 by a blade part 110; and recovering the FFPE slice 121 remaining on the blade part 110 in a container 140.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen dissection method and specimen dissection device for scraping off and recovering a part or the whole of a biological tissue section on a slide. [Background technology]

[0002] In gene panel testing, it is necessary to manually scrape off formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections (FFPE sections) from slides holding the FFPE sections using a razor and collect the scraped FFPE sections in a container. The following Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus that scrapes off tissue in an area of ​​interest from a slide holding an FFPE section using the rotating action of a cutting blade, crushes the tissue, and then sucks it up into a tip and collects it in a container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2020-502540 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using a razor to manually scrape and collect the biological sections held on the slides, it is difficult to scrape and collect the FFPE sections efficiently without waste, and furthermore, the scraped FFPE sections may scatter and enter a container for collecting other FFPE sections, which may cause contamination. Even if an apparatus such as that described in Patent Document 1 is used, a complicated process is required to collect the FFPE sections held on the slides, which causes problems such as increased cost and time for collection.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a specimen dissection method and specimen dissection device that can efficiently scrape off and collect biological tissue slices without waste while suppressing contamination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the specimen peeling method according to the present invention, the biological tissue section (121) held on the slide (120) is heated (S13, S101), the heated biological tissue section (121) is scraped off with the blade portion (110) (S14, S102), and the biological tissue section (121) remaining on the blade portion (110) is collected in a container (140) (S15, S16, S31, S32, S106 to S109).

[0007] According to the specimen peeling method of the present invention, the biological tissue slice is heated and softened when scraped off, so that the biological tissue slice can be scraped off stably and smoothly. Therefore, the biological tissue slice can be scraped off efficiently without waste and collected. In addition, since the softened biological tissue slice is scraped off by the blade, the scraped biological tissue slice is likely to adhere to the blade and remain. Therefore, scattering of the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade can be suppressed, and contamination due to scattering can be suppressed.

[0008] The specimen peeling device (1) according to the present invention includes a slide mounting section (51) on which a slide (120) holding a biological tissue section (121) is mounted, a heating section (61) that heats the biological tissue section (121) on the slide (120) mounted on the slide mounting section (51), and a moving mechanism (230) that scrapes off the heated biological tissue section (121) with a blade section (110).

[0009] The specimen dissection device according to the present invention has the same effects as the specimen dissection method according to the present invention, and further, can collect biological tissue slices with reduced burden on the user. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, biological tissue slices can be efficiently scraped off and collected without waste while suppressing contamination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a specimen peeling device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section and the guide section installation section according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3(a) and (b) are side views each showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section and the guide section installation section according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Fig. 4(a) is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration of the tip of the blade according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4(b) is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section and the guide installation section according to embodiment 1. [Diagram 5] 5(a) and (b) are side views each showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section and the guide section installation section according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the specimen peeling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specimen separation method using the specimen separation device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 8(a) and (b) are front views each showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section and the guide section installation section according to the first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specimen separation method using a specimen separation device according to the first modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section and the guide section installation section according to the second modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specimen separation device according to the second modified example. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a specimen separation method using a specimen separation device according to the second modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a specimen separation device according to the third modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specimen separation device according to the third modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a specimen separation method using a specimen separation device according to the third modified example. [Figure 16] Fig. 16(a) is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a specimen separation device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 16(b) is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a specimen separation device according to embodiment 2. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specimen dissection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process of the specimen peeling device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] Fig. 19(a) is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration according to embodiment 3. Fig. 19(b) is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration according to a modified example of embodiment 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The following embodiment shows a specimen dissection method and specimen dissection device for scraping off and recovering a part of a biological tissue section held on a slide. In the following embodiment, the biological tissue section is a section of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE tissue) (hereinafter referred to as "FFPE section").

[0013] In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components, and the description of the same or similar components is omitted. For convenience, each drawing is appropriately labeled with mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes, and the directions of the X, Y, and Z axes correspond to the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, respectively.

[0014] <Embodiment 1> In the first embodiment, a user manually operates the moving mechanism of the specimen dissection device 1 to dissect and collect the FFPE sections.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the specimen peeling device 1. Fig. 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide setting section 51 and the guide section setting section 52.

[0016] 1, the specimen peeling device 1 includes a housing 10, a pair of guide rails 21, a pulley 22, a belt 23, a vertical movement section 30, a horizontal movement section 40, a slide installation section 51, a guide section installation section 52, a fastener 53, a heating section 61, and a cooling section 62. The guide rails 21, the pulley 22, the belt 23, the vertical movement section 30, and the horizontal movement section 40 form a movement mechanism that moves the blade section 110 relative to the slide 120.

[0017] The housing 10 (11-13) comprises a base member 11, a wall member 12, and a container mounting member 13. The wall member 12 is supported by the base member 11. The wall member 12 comprises a flat plate 12a. The container mounting member 13 comprises a flat plate 13a on the XY plane (horizontal plane). The wall member 12 and the container mounting member 13 are arranged such that the flat plate 12a is perpendicular to the flat plate 13a. A container rack 150 for holding containers 140, which will be described later, is placed on the upper surface of the flat plate 13a of the container mounting member 13.

[0018] A pair of parallel guide rails 21 are installed so as to extend in the vertical direction at the right and left ends of the front side of the wall member 12. The pulley 22 is installed at the upper end of the wall member 12, and a belt 23 is wound around the pulley 22. The belt 23 is made of metal.

[0019] The vertical movement section 30 (31-37) includes a pair of vertical movement members 31, a vertical movement lever 32, a plate member 33, a front-rear movement member 34, a pair of springs 35, a guide rail 36, and a switching lever 37. The pair of vertical movement members 31 are respectively installed on the left and right guide rails 21 so as to be movable up and down along the guide rails 21. One end of the belt 23 is installed on the right vertical movement member 31. The vertical movement lever 32 is a rod-shaped member extending forward, and is installed on the right vertical movement member 31.

[0020] The plate member 33 is installed on the pair of vertically movable members 31 so as to straddle the pair of vertically movable members 31. A pin 34a extending in the front-rear direction is installed on the left and right ends of the front-rear moving member 34, respectively. The pin 34a is passed through holes provided on the left and right ends of the plate member 33, respectively, so that the front-rear moving member 34 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the plate member 33. The right spring 35 connects the right end of the front-rear moving member 34 to the right-side vertically movable member 31, and the left spring 35 connects the left end of the front-rear moving member 34 to the left-side vertically movable member 31. The guide rail 36 is installed on the front of the front-rear moving member 34 so as to extend in the left-right direction. The switching lever 37 is installed on the plate member 33 and determines the distance between the plate member 33 and the front-rear moving member 34.

[0021] The left-right moving part 40 (41 to 43) includes a left-right moving member 41, a left-right moving lever 42, and a blade mounting part 43. The left-right moving member 41 is mounted on the guide rail 36 so as to be movable left-right along the guide rail 36. The left-right moving lever 42 is a rod-shaped member extending forward, and is mounted on the left-right moving member 41. The blade mounting part 43 is mounted on the lower part of the left-right moving member 41, and is configured to be able to hold a blade 110. The blade 110 is used to scrape off the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120, and is replaced every time the slide 120 is changed. For example, an Art Knife Pro Spare Blade Flat Blade XB157H (manufactured by Olfa Corporation), a razor replacement blade carbon steel (manufactured by Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd.), or the like can be used as the blade 110.

[0022] When the user moves the vertical movement lever 32 in the vertical direction, the vertical movement unit 30, the horizontal movement unit 40, and the blade unit 110 move vertically along the guide rail 21. The right-side vertical movement member 31 is connected to the pulley 22 via a metal belt 23, which has a rigidity that does not deform due to a downward force caused by the weight of the vertical movement unit 30, the horizontal movement unit 40, and the blade unit 110. Therefore, even if the user releases the vertical movement lever 32, the vertical movement unit 30, the horizontal movement unit 40, and the blade unit 110 will stop at that position. When the user moves the horizontal movement lever 42 in the horizontal direction, the horizontal movement unit 40 and the blade unit 110 move horizontally along the guide rail 36.

[0023] In addition, by the user operating the switching lever 37, a state in which the front-rear moving member 34 is spaced a predetermined distance from the plate member 33 against the bias of the spring 35 and a state in which the front-rear moving member 34 contacts the plate member 33 in accordance with the bias of the spring 35 is switched. This causes the blade portion 110 to be switched between a state in which it is spaced forward from the slide 120 and a state in which it is pressed backward from the slide 120.

[0024] The slide installation section 51 and the guide unit installation section 52 are plate-shaped members made of a material having high thermal conductivity. The slide installation section 51 and the guide unit installation section 52 are made of a metal material such as aluminum. The front surfaces of the slide installation section 51 and the guide unit installation section 52 are flat surfaces, and are installed on the wall member 12 so as to be parallel to the flat plate 12a of the wall member 12. As a result, the front surfaces of the slide installation section 51 and the guide unit installation section 52 are perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0025] The slide 120 is an FFPE specimen slide. The slide 120 is a plate-like member made of a transparent material such as glass. The slide 120 holds an FFPE slice 121 in advance. The FFPE slice 121 is preferably made in accordance with the "Regulations for Handling Pathological Tissue Specimens for Genomic Medical Treatment" established by the Japanese Society of Pathology. The induction unit 130 has a funnel shape and is made of resin. The induction unit 130 is replaced every time the slide 120 is changed.

[0026] The fastener 53 is a plate-like member extending in the left-right direction, and screw holes are provided on the left and right ends of the fastener 53. With the slide 120 and the guide unit 130 sandwiched between the fastener 53 and the slide installation unit 51, screws are fastened to the slide installation unit 51 through the screw holes of the fastener 53. As a result, the slide 120 is installed on the slide installation unit 51, and the guide unit 130 is installed relative to the guide unit installation unit 52.

[0027] 2, the heating unit 61 heats the slide installation unit 51 from the rear side, and the cooling unit 62 cools the induction unit installation unit 52 from the rear side. The heating unit 61 and the cooling unit 62 have the same configuration. The heating unit 61 includes a Peltier element, a heat sink connected to the Peltier element, and a thermally conductive member 61a. The cooling unit 62 includes a Peltier element, a heat sink connected to the Peltier element, and a thermally conductive member 62a. By reversing the polarity of the current flowing through the Peltier elements of the heating unit 61 and the cooling unit 62, one becomes the heating unit 61 and the other becomes the cooling unit 62.

[0028] The container 140 has an opening 141a at the upper end of the body 141, and is a container for collecting the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121. Hereinafter, the FFPE section 121 remaining on the blade section 110 is referred to as the scraped portion. The container 140 is preferably a container that can be used in a nucleic acid extraction step performed after the processing of the specimen peeling device 1, such as a resin Eppendorf tube. The container rack 150 is a box-shaped rack that can hold the container 140 in an upright state. The container rack 150 is placed on the upper surface of the flat plate 13a of the container mounting member 13 of the housing 10 so that the container 140 is positioned below the induction section 130.

[0029] The guide section 130 includes a body 131 and a connection surface 132. The body 131 has a cylindrical shape that penetrates in the vertical direction. In the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), the left-right length (width) of an upper opening 131a located at the upper end of the body 131 is greater than the left-right length (width) of the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120. A lower opening 131b located at the lower end of the body 131 is smaller than the upper opening 131a of the body 131. The lower opening 131b of the guide section 130 is smaller than an opening 141a at the upper end of the container 140. The connection surface 132 extends upward from the rear side of the body 131, and has a surface shape parallel to the YZ plane.

[0030] The connection surface 132 and the slide 120 are installed on the upper end of the slide installation part 51 by fasteners 53 so that the connection surface 132 is located behind the slide 120. At this time, the slide 120 is positioned above the upper opening 131a of the guide part 130. The slide 120 is in close contact with the slide installation part 51 via the connection surface 132, and the rear part of the body part 131 of the guide part 130 is in close contact with the guide part installation part 52.

[0031] The heat conductive member 61a of the heating unit 61 is in close contact with the rear surface of the slide installation unit 51, and the heating unit 61 heats the slide installation unit 51 via the heat conductive member 61a. As a result, the slide 120 installed in the slide installation unit 51 is heated via the connection surface 132 of the induction unit 130, and the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120 is heated. The heat conductive member 62a of the cooling unit 62 is in close contact with the rear surface of the induction unit installation unit 52, and the cooling unit 62 cools the induction unit installation unit 52 via the heat conductive member 62a. As a result, the rear inner surface 131c (the rear part of the inner surface of the trunk unit 131) of the body unit 131 installed in the induction unit installation unit 52 is cooled.

[0032] Next, the heating, scraping, cooling and recovery of the FFPE section 121 will be described with reference to Figs. 3(a) to 5(b).

[0033] 3(a), (b) and 5(a), (b) are side views showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section 51 and the guide section installation section 52. Fig. 4(a) is an enlarged view showing a schematic configuration of the tip of the blade section 110. Fig. 4(b) is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section 51 and the guide section installation section 52.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3(a), when scraping and recovering an FFPE section 121 from a slide 120, the user first moves the vertical movement lever 32 (see FIG. 1) to the uppermost position, and operates the switching lever 37 (see FIG. 1) to set the blade section 110 in a state separated forward from the slide installation part 51. Then, the user uses the fastener 53 to install the slide 120 to be scraped and a new guide part 130 in the slide installation part 51. The user installs the new blade section 110 in the blade installation part 43, and positions the opening 141a of the new container 140 at the lower opening 131b of the guide part 130.

[0035] Next, the user activates the heating unit 61 to heat the slide setting unit 51, thereby heating the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120. According to the inventors' study, by setting the heating temperature of the FFPE section 121 to 40°C to 50°C, the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 can be softened to an extent that it can be smoothly scraped off by the blade unit 110 without becoming a complete liquid.

[0036] Next, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the user moves the vertical movement lever 32 and the horizontal movement lever 42 so that the tip of the blade portion 110 is positioned in front of the slide 120, and operates the switching lever 37 so that the blade portion 110 is urged backward, and the tip of the blade portion 110 is positioned on the surface of the slide 120 as shown by the dashed line. From this state, the user moves the vertical movement lever 32 downward, and moves the tip of the blade portion 110 downward along the surface of the slide 120. As a result, the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120 is scraped off, and the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 is held by the blade surface 111 of the blade portion 110 (see Fig. 4(a)).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the blade surface 111 is the surface on the front side of the blade portion 110, that is, the scooping surface. The back surface 112 is the surface on the rear side of the blade portion 110, that is, the clearance surface. The angle θ3 between the blade surface 111 and the slide surface 120a of the slide 120 is an angle obtained by adding the angle θ1 between the back surface 112 and the slide surface 120a to the angle θ2 (blade angle) of the tip of the blade portion 110. According to the inventors' study, by setting the angle θ3 to 38° to 51°, the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 scraped off by the blade portion 110 is likely to remain on the blade portion 110 (blade surface 111). This allows the scraped portion to be efficiently collected.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4(b), in the first embodiment, the width w1 of the blade 110 is larger than the width w2 of the slide 120 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the blade 110 scrapes the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 in a state where the center position of the blade 110 is aligned with the center position of the slide 120 in the left-right direction, so that the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 can be scraped off in one scraping step. Furthermore, the width w3 of the upper opening 131a in the left-right direction is larger than the left-right width of the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120, and is also larger than the width w2 of the slide 120. As a result, all of the FFPE section 121 scraped off by the blade 110 is guided to the guide section 130.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5(a), when scraping off of the FFPE section 121 is completed, the user moves the vertical movement lever 32 so that the tip of the blade 110 is positioned on the rear inner surface 131c of the guide 130. Then, the user starts the cooling unit 62 to cool the guide installation unit 52, thereby cooling the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 held by the blade 110. According to the inventors' study, by setting the cooling temperature of the scraped portion to 5°C to 20°C, the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110 can be solidified, and condensation can be suppressed from occurring in the scraped portion.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5(b), as time passes from the state of Fig. 5(a), the solidified FFPE section 121 falls from the blade portion 110 due to gravity. The scraped portion of the fallen FFPE section 121 is guided by the guide portion 130, passes through the opening 141a of the container 140, and is collected into the container 140. In this way, the collection of the FFPE section 121 is completed.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the specimen dissection device 1.

[0042] The specimen peeling device 1 includes a heating section 61, a cooling section 62, driving sections 201 and 202, and an operation panel 210.

[0043] Operation panel 210 includes operation buttons 211 and 212. When a user operates operation button 211, drive unit 201 drives heating unit 61 in response to the operation. Drive unit 201 controls heating unit 61 in response to feedback from heating unit 61 so that the heating temperature by heating unit 61 becomes a predetermined temperature. When a user operates operation button 212, drive unit 202 drives cooling unit 62 in response to the operation. Drive unit 202 controls cooling unit 62 in response to feedback from cooling unit 62 so that the cooling temperature by cooling unit 62 becomes a predetermined temperature.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specimen separation method using the specimen separation device 1.

[0045] In step S11, the user replaces the blade unit 110 and the container 140 with new ones, as shown in Fig. 3(a). In step S12, the user installs the slide 120 to be scraped and a new guide unit 130 on the slide installation unit 51 using the fastener 53, as shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0046] In the heating process of step S13, the user operates the operation button 211 (see FIG. 6) to drive the heating unit 61 and heat the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120. In the scraping process of step S14, the user scrapes off the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120 using the blade portion 110, as shown in FIG. 3(b), and holds it on the blade surface 111 (see FIG. 4(a)).

[0047] Next, the user executes the recovery process, which is made up of a cooling process in step S15 and a determination process in step S16.

[0048] In the cooling process of step S15, the user positions the tip of the blade portion 110 on the rear inner surface 131c as shown in Fig. 5(a). Also in step S15, the user operates the operation button 212 (see Fig. 6) to drive the cooling part 62 and cool the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade portion 110. In step S16, the user visually determines whether the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade portion 110 has been collected in the container 140 as shown in Fig. 5(b).

[0049] If the shaved portion of the FFPE section 121 has not been collected (step S16: NO), the user returns the process to step S15 and continues cooling the shaved portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110. On the other hand, if the shaved portion of the FFPE section 121 has been collected (step S16: YES), the process of FIG. 7 is completed.

[0050] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0051] In a heating step of step S13, the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120 is heated. In a scraping step of step S14, the blade 110 is moved relative to the slide 120 to scrape off the heated FFPE section 121. In a recovery step of FIG.

[0052] According to this configuration, since the FFPE section 121 is heated and softened when it is scraped off, the FFPE section 121 can be scraped off stably and smoothly. Therefore, the FFPE section 121 can be scraped off efficiently without waste and collected. Furthermore, since the softened FFPE section 121 is scraped off by the blade section 110, the scraped FFPE section 121 tends to adhere to and remain on the blade section 110. Therefore, scattering of the biological tissue section remaining on the blade section 110 can be suppressed, and contamination due to scattering can be suppressed.

[0053] In the cooling process of step S15, the shaved portion of the FFPE section 121 remaining on the blade portion 110 is cooled by the cooling unit 62. This causes the shaved portion of the FFPE section 121 to solidify and become easily detached from the blade portion 110, so that the shaved portion can be smoothly collected into the container 140.

[0054] In the cooling process of step S15, the blade section 110 is thermally coupled to the rear inner side surface 131c (cooling surface) of the guide section 130, and the shaved portion of the FFPE section 121 is cooled by the cooling section 62. This allows the shaved portion of the FFPE section 121 to be smoothly cooled.

[0055] The cooling temperature of the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 is 5° C. to 20° C. This allows the scraped portion to be solidified, and prevents condensation from forming on the scraped portion.

[0056] In the scraping process of step S14, the spring 35 (biasing portion) shown in Fig. 1 elastically presses the blade 110 against the FFPE section 121. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3(b), when the blade 110 and the FFPE section 121 move relative to each other, the blade 110 continues to be pressed against the FFPE section 121. Therefore, the thin FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 can be scraped off smoothly.

[0057] 4(a), in the scraping process of step S14, the angle θ3 between the blade surface 111 of the blade portion 110 and the slide surface 120a is 38° to 51°. This makes it easier for the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 to remain on the blade portion 110 (blade surface 111), and the scraped portion can be efficiently collected.

[0058] The heating step of step S13 includes a step of heating the slide mounting part 51 (mounting member) on which the slide 120 is mounted. In the heating step, the slide 120 is thermally coupled to the connection surface 132 (heating surface) of the induction part 130, and the slide 120 is heated by the heating part 61 via the connection surface 132. This allows the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120 to be smoothly heated.

[0059] The heating temperature of the FFPE section 121 is 40° C. to 50° C. When the heating temperature is set in this manner, the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 can be softened to an extent that it can be smoothly scraped off by the blade 110 without becoming completely liquid.

[0060] 7, the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 that has fallen from the blade portion 110 is guided to the container 140 by the guide portion 130. This makes it possible to smoothly guide the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 to the container 140.

[0061] The induction section 130 has a funnel shape. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the width of the upper opening 131a of the induction section 130 is larger than the width of the FFPE section 121 held on the slide 120. This allows the FFPE section 121 scraped off from the slide 120 to be guided into the induction section 130 without leakage. Furthermore, the lower opening 131b of the induction section 130 is smaller than the opening 141a of the container 140. This allows all of the FFPE section 121 guided into the induction section 130 to be guided into the container 140.

[0062] In step S11, the blade 110 is replaced each time the slide 120 (FFPE section 121) is changed. This makes it possible to prevent contamination of the FFPE section 121 via the blade 110. Furthermore, in step S12, the guidance part 130 is replaced each time the slide 120 (FFPE section 121) is changed. This makes it possible to prevent contamination of the FFPE section 121 via the guidance part 130 even if the blade part 110 comes into contact with the rear inner surface 131c during cooling as described above.

[0063] <Change Example 1> In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the width w1 of the blade portion 110 is wider than the width w2 of the slide 120, and one slide 120 is installed on the slide installation section 51. However, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the width w11 of the blade portion 110 may be narrower than the width w12 of the slide 120. Also, as shown in Fig. 8(b), a plurality of slides 120 may be installed on the slide installation section 51.

[0064] 8(a) and (b) are front views showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of the slide installation section 51 and the guide section installation section 52 according to the first modified example.

[0065] In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(a), the width w11 of the blade 110 is narrower than the width w12 of the slide 120 and the width of the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the user performs the process of moving the blade 110 downward to scrape off the FFPE section 121 multiple times by shifting the blade 110 in the left-right direction. In addition, the width w13 of the upper opening 131a of the guide section 130 is set to be larger than the width w12 of the slide 120. This allows all of the FFPE section 121 scraped off by the blade 110 to be guided to the guide section 130.

[0066] In the configuration shown in FIG. 8(b), the width w21 of the blade 110 is wider than the width of the slide 120, but multiple slides 120 are placed on the slide placement section 51, and the width w22 from the left end to the right end of the multiple slides 120 is wider than the width w21 of the blade 110. In this case, too, the user performs the process of moving the blade 110 downward to scrape off the FFPE sections 121 multiple times by shifting the blade 110 in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG. 8(b). In addition, the width w23 of the upper opening 131a of the guide section 130 is wider than the width w22 of the left and right ends of the multiple slides 120, so that all of the FFPE sections 121 scraped off by the blade 110 can be guided to the guide section 130.

[0067] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a specimen separation method using the specimen separation device 1 according to Modification 1. Fig. 9 is a flowchart that can be applied to both Figs. 8(a) and 8(b).

[0068] In the first modification, steps S21 and S22 are added between steps S14 and S15, compared to the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment.

[0069] When the scraping process of step S14 is completed, the user determines whether or not scraping of the FFPE sections 121 is complete. If scraping is not complete (step S21: NO), the user moves the blade 110 left and right in step S22 and performs the scraping process of step S14 again. When scraping of all the necessary FFPE sections 121 is completed in this manner (step S21: YES), the user advances the process to steps S15 and S16 to perform the recovery process.

[0070] In FIG. 9, the recovery step is performed after all of the scraping of the FFPE sections 121 is completed, but instead, a recovery step and a left-right movement step may be performed after each scraping step in step S14.

[0071] <Effects of Change Example 1> According to the first modification, the process of scraping off the FFPE sections 121 in step S14 is performed multiple times by shifting the blade 110 in a direction (left-right direction) intersecting the downward direction (scraping direction). As a result, even if the width w12 of the slide 120 is wider than the width w11 of the blade 110 as shown in Fig. 8(a), the FFPE sections 121 can be scraped off and collected evenly from the slide 120. Also, even if the widths w22 of the left and right ends of the multiple slides 120 are wider than the width w21 of the blade 110 as shown in Fig. 8(b), the FFPE sections 121 can be scraped off and collected evenly from the multiple slides 120.

[0072] <Change Example 2> In the second modification, compared to the first embodiment, the specimen peeling device 1 further includes a vibration section 70 that vibrates the induction section 130.

[0073] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the vicinity of slide installation section 51 and guide section installation section 52 according to the second modified example.

[0074] The vibration section 70 includes an oscillator 71 and a mechanism for driving the oscillator 71. The vibration section 70 is installed in the housing 10 (see FIG. 1) so that the oscillator 71 comes into contact with the side surface of the induction section 130.

[0075] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specimen separation device 1 according to the second modified example.

[0076] Compared to the configuration of the first embodiment in Fig. 6, the specimen peeling device 1 further includes a vibration unit 70 and a drive unit 203. The operation button 212 is connected to the drive units 202 and 203, and when a user operates the operation button 212, the drive unit 202 drives the cooling unit 62 and the drive unit 203 drives the vibration unit 70 in response to the operation. The drive unit 203 controls the vibration unit 70 so that the oscillator 71 vibrates at a predetermined frequency.

[0077] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a sample separation method using the sample separation device 1 according to the second modified example.

[0078] In the second modification, step S31 is added between step S15 and step S16, compared to the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment.

[0079] When the scraping step of step S14 is completed, the user executes the recovery step. The recovery step of the second modification example is composed of a cooling step of step S15, a vibration step of step S31, and a determination step of step S16. The user executes steps S15 and S31 in parallel.

[0080] Specifically, in the cooling process of step S15, the user positions the blade 110 on the rear inner surface 131c and operates the operation button 212 (see FIG. 11). This causes the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110 to be cooled (step S15), and the vibration unit 70 is driven to vibrate the guidance unit 130 (step S31). The user continues to execute steps S15 and S31 until the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110 is collected in the container 140. When the scraped portion is collected (step S16: YES), the process of FIG. 12 is completed.

[0081] <Effects of Change Example 2> 12, in the second modification, the recovery step includes a vibration step of vibrating the induction part 130. This makes it difficult for the FFPE section 121 to remain in the induction part 130, so that the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 can be guided to the container 140 more reliably.

[0082] <Change Example 3> In the third modification, compared to the first embodiment, the specimen peeling device 1 further includes an ionizer 80 that sprays ions into the inside of the induction section 130.

[0083] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a specimen separation device 1 according to the third modified example.

[0084] The ionizer 80 is mounted on the support table 14 so that the direction in which the ions are sprayed faces the inside of the induction section 130. The support table 14 is mounted on the container mounting member 13 of the housing 10.

[0085] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specimen separation device 1 according to the third modified example.

[0086] Compared to the configuration of the first embodiment in Fig. 6, the specimen peeling device 1 further includes an ionizer 80 and a driving unit 204. An operation button 212 is connected to the driving units 202 and 204, and when a user operates the operation button 212, the driving unit 202 drives the cooling unit 62 and the driving unit 204 drives the ionizer 80 in response to the operation. The driving unit 204 controls the ionizer 80 so that ions are sprayed from the ionizer 80 at a predetermined output.

[0087] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a sample separation method using the sample separation device 1 according to the third modified example.

[0088] In the third modification, step S32 is added between step S15 and step S16, compared to the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment.

[0089] After the scraping step in step S14 is completed, the user executes the recovery step. The recovery step in the third modification example is composed of a cooling step in step S15, a static electricity removing step in step S32, and a determination step in step S16. The user executes steps S15 and S32 in parallel.

[0090] Specifically, in the cooling process of step S15, the user positions the blade 110 on the rear inner surface 131c and operates the operation button 212 (see FIG. 11). This cools the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110 (step S15), and the ionizer 80 is driven to spray ions into the inside of the induction section 130, removing static electricity from the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110 and the inner surface of the induction section 130 (step S32). The user continues to execute steps S15 and S32 until the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110 is collected in the container 140. When the scraped portion is collected (step S16: YES), the process of FIG. 15 is completed.

[0091] <Effects of Change Example 3> In the third modified example, as shown in Fig. 15, the recovery step includes a static electricity removal step. In the static electricity removal step, ions are sprayed onto the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 remaining on the blade portion 110. This removes static electricity from the scraped portion remaining on the blade portion 110, allowing the scraped portion to fall from the blade portion 110 and be smoothly guided to the container 140. Furthermore, in the static electricity removal step, ions are sprayed onto the induction portion 130. This removes static electricity from the inner surface of the induction portion 130, preventing the scraped portion that has fallen from the blade portion 110 from remaining in the induction portion 130, allowing the scraped portion to be smoothly guided to the container 140.

[0092] <Embodiment 2> In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the user operates the vertical movement lever 32 to move the blade portion 110 in the vertical direction, and operates the horizontal movement lever 42 to move the blade portion 110 in the horizontal direction. In addition, the user operates the switching lever 37 to switch between a state in which the blade portion 110 is biased backward by the spring 35 and a state in which the bias is released. Furthermore, the user operates the operation buttons 211, 212 to drive the heating portion 61, the cooling portion 62, the vibration portion 70, and the ionizer 80. In contrast to this, in embodiment 2, these user operations are performed automatically.

[0093] Fig. 16(a) is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the specimen dissection device 1 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 16(b) is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the specimen dissection device 1 according to embodiment 2. For convenience, Figs. 16(a) and 16(b) show the vicinity of the vertical movement unit 30 and the horizontal movement unit 40.

[0094] 16(a) and 16(b), the specimen peeling device 1 further includes a motor 301, a pair of pulleys 302, a belt 303, a support member 304, a motor 311, a pair of pulleys 312, a belt 313, a support member 314, and a motor 321, in comparison with the configuration of the first embodiment in FIG. 1. The motors 301, 311, and 321 are configured by stepping motors. Also, in comparison with the configuration of the first embodiment in FIG. 1, the pulley 22, the belt 23, the up-down movement lever 32, the switching lever 37, and the left-right movement lever 42 are omitted.

[0095] For the sake of convenience, the motor 311, the pair of pulleys 312, the belt 313, and the support member 314 are omitted from FIG. 16(b).

[0096] The motor 301 and the pair of pulleys 302 are installed in the wall member 12 of the housing 10. The rotating shaft of the motor 301 is connected to one of the pulleys 302, and the belt 303 is hung on the pair of pulleys 302. The support member 304 connects the belt 303 to the right-side vertical movement member 31. When the motor 301 is driven, the support member 304 moves vertically along the belt 303, and the vertical movement unit 30 connected to the support member 304 moves vertically.

[0097] The motor 311 and the pair of pulleys 312 are installed on the front-rear moving member 34. The rotating shaft of the motor 311 is connected to one of the pulleys 312, and a belt 313 is hung on the pair of pulleys 312. The support member 314 connects the belt 313 to the left-right moving member 41. When the motor 311 is driven, the support member 314 moves left-right along the belt 313, and the left-right moving unit 40 connected to the support member 314 moves left-right.

[0098] The motor 321 is mounted on the plate member 33, and a rotating shaft 321a of the motor 321 extends forward to the front-rear moving member 34 through a hole provided in the plate member 33. When the motor 321 is driven, the tip of the rotating shaft 321a moves in the front-rear direction. As a result, the front-rear moving member 34, which is biased by the pair of springs 35 to approach the plate member 33, moves forward and backward while being pushed forward by the rotating shaft 321a.

[0099] FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a specimen dissection device 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0100] Compared to the configuration of embodiment 1 in Figure 6, the specimen peeling device 1 further includes a vibration section 70 and a drive section 203 of modified example 1 shown in Figure 11, an ionizer 80 and a drive section 204 of modified example 2 shown in Figure 14, a moving mechanism 230, a drive section 205, a control section 220, and a sensor group 240.

[0101] The moving mechanism 230 includes a configuration for moving the blade portion 110 relative to the slide 120. Specifically, the moving mechanism 230 includes a guide rail 21, a pulley 22, a belt 23, a vertical moving unit 30, a horizontal moving unit 40, a pair of pulleys 302, a belt 303, a support member 304, a pair of pulleys 312, a belt 313, and a support member 314 shown in Figs. 16(a) and 16(b). The driving unit 205 includes motors 301, 311, and 321 shown in Figs. 16(a) and 16(b), and the driving unit 205 drives the moving mechanism 230. The sensor group 240 includes a plurality of sensors for detecting the position of the blade portion 110. Each sensor of the sensor group 240 is, for example, a reflective optical sensor or a transmissive optical sensor.

[0102] The control unit 220 is configured with, for example, a CPU and a memory. The control unit 220 controls the driving units 201 to 205 based on the detection signals of the sensors of the sensor group 240 to drive the heating unit 61, the cooling unit 62, the vibration unit 70, the ionizer 80, and the movement mechanism 230, respectively.

[0103] The operation panel 210 includes an operation button 213 for starting the operation of the specimen peeling device 1. When a user operates the operation button 213, the control unit 220 detects the position of the blade 110 based on the detection signals of each sensor of the sensor group 240, and sequentially performs the processes performed by the user in the first embodiment.

[0104] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the process of the specimen dissection device 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0105] Prior to processing by the specimen dissection device 1, the user replaces the blade unit 110 with the container 140, and installs the slide 120 and the guide unit 130, in the same manner as in steps S11 and S12 of the first embodiment in Fig. 7. Then, the user operates the operation button 213 (see Fig. 17) to start processing by the specimen dissection device 1.

[0106] In the heating step of step S101, the control unit 220 controls the drive unit 201 to drive the heating unit 61 to heat the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 placed on the slide placement unit 51, as in FIG. 3(a). In the scraping step of step S102, the control unit 220 controls the drive unit 205 to drive the moving mechanism 230 (see FIG. 17), to move the blade unit 110 to scrape off the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120, as in FIG. 3(b). In the increment step of step S103, the control unit 220 increments the number of scrapings by 1.

[0107] In step S104, the control unit 220 determines whether the number of executions of step S102 (number of scrapings) has reached a predetermined number. If the number of scrapings has not reached the predetermined number (step S104: NO), in step S105, the control unit 220 controls the drive unit 205 to drive the movement mechanism 230 to shift the blade portion 110 to the right or left by a predetermined movement distance, and executes steps S102 and S103 again. The predetermined number of executions and the predetermined movement distance are stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 220 according to the width of the blade portion 110 and the width of the slide 120. Note that if the width of the blade portion 110 is greater than the width of the slide 120, the scraping process is performed only once, and therefore the processing of steps S103 to S105 can be omitted.

[0108] When the scraping count reaches the predetermined number (step S104: YES), the control unit 220 executes the recovery process. The recovery process includes a cooling process in step S106, a vibration process in step S107, a static electricity removing process in step S108, and a determination in step S109.

[0109] 5(a), in the cooling step of step S106, the control unit 220 controls the drive unit 205 to drive the moving mechanism 230 to position the tip of the blade unit 110 on the rear inner surface 131c, and controls the drive unit 202 to drive the cooling unit 62 to cool the scraped-off portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade unit 110. In parallel with the cooling step of step S106, the control unit 220 controls the drive unit 203 to drive the vibration unit 70 to vibrate the induction unit 130 in step S107, and controls the drive unit 204 to drive the ionizer 80 to spray ions into the inside of the induction unit 130 in step S108.

[0110] In step S109, the control unit 220 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the recovery process was started. The predetermined time is stored in advance in the memory of the control unit 220. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S109: NO), the control unit 220 continues the processes of steps S106 to S108. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S109: YES), the process of the specimen peeling device 1 ends.

[0111] <Effects of the second embodiment> According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment and the first to third modifications can be achieved.

[0112] Furthermore, because the blade 110 is moved by the movement mechanism 230, the user does not need to operate the up-down movement lever 32 to move the blade 110 up and down, and does not need to operate the left-right movement lever 42 to move the blade 110 left and right. This reduces the burden on the user and allows the FFPE sections 121 to be collected smoothly.

[0113] <Embodiment 3> When the specimen dissection device 1 is capable of automatic operation as shown in the second embodiment, a case may be disposed so as to surround the periphery of the specimen dissection device 1, and the inside of the case may be dehumidified, as described below.

[0114] FIG. 19(a) is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the third embodiment.

[0115] In the third embodiment, a case 410 is disposed so as to surround the periphery of the specimen dissection device 1, and a dehumidifier 401 is disposed inside the case 410. The operation panel 210 is disposed outside the case 410, and is connected to the specimen dissection device 1 and the dehumidifier 401.

[0116] In the third embodiment, the user 400 performs work from the outside of the case 410. The user 400 moves the door 411 provided on the case 410 upward to open the inside of the case 410. In this state, the user 400 replaces the blade section 110, the slide 120, the guide section 130, and the container 140. After the replacement is completed, the user 400 closes the door 411 to seal the inside of the case 410. Then, the user 400 operates a button on the operation panel 210 to drive the dehumidifier 401 and start the operation of the specimen peeling device 1.

[0117] Moreover, instead of using the case 410 for dehumidification, the inside of a room in which the specimen peeling device 1 is installed may be dehumidified as described below.

[0118] FIG. 19(b) is a perspective view that shows a schematic configuration in this case.

[0119] In this modified example, the specimen dissection device 1 is disposed inside a room 420, and a dehumidifier 401 is disposed inside the room 420. The operation panel 210 is disposed inside the room 420, and is connected to the specimen dissection device 1 and the dehumidifier 401.

[0120] In this modification, user 400 performs work inside room 420. User 400 enters room 420 through door 421 and closes door 421 to seal the inside of room 420. Then, user replaces blade 110, slide 120, guide 130, and container 140. After replacement, user 400 operates a button on operation panel 210 to drive dehumidifier 401 and start operation of specimen dissection device 1. Note that specimen dissection device 1 in this case may be any of the specimen dissection devices in embodiments 1 and 2 and modifications 1 to 3.

[0121] <Effects of the Third Embodiment> According to the third embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments and the first to third modifications can be achieved.

[0122] Furthermore, by driving the dehumidifier 401, the humidity inside the case 410 and the room 420 is reduced, which suppresses condensation from forming on the FFPE section 121 when the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110 is cooled. This allows the scraped portion on the blade 110 to be smoothly guided into the container 140.

[0123] <Other changes> In the heating step in the first to third embodiments and the first to third modifications, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the heating unit 61 heats the slide setting unit 51, thereby indirectly heating the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 set on the slide setting unit 51. However, instead of this, a heater or infrared lamp may be provided in front of the slide setting unit 51, and the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 may be directly heated by blowing hot air onto it.

[0124] 5(a), in the cooling step, the cooling unit 62 cools the induction unit installation unit 52, thereby indirectly cooling the scraped-off portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade unit 110 in contact with the rear inner surface 131c. However, instead of this, a cooling device may be provided in front of the induction unit installation unit 52, and cold air may be blown onto the scraped-off portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade unit 110, thereby directly cooling the scraped-off portion.

[0125] In the heating step, both heating and blowing hot air onto the slide installation part 51 may be performed. In the cooling step, both cooling and blowing cold air onto the guide part installation part 52 may be performed.

[0126] However, when hot air is blown, the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 may be scattered by the hot air, and when cold air is blown, the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade portion 110 may be scattered by the cold air. Therefore, as in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3 and modified examples 1 to 3, it is preferable that heating is performed only via the slide mounting portion 51, and it is preferable that cooling is performed only via the induction portion mounting portion 52.

[0127] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modified examples, the heating section 61 is provided with a Peltier element for heating the slide setting section 51, but instead of this, a heater may be provided.

[0128] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modifications, in the cooling step, as shown in Fig. 5(a), the tip of the blade 110 comes into contact with the rear inner surface 131c (cooling surface) of the guide 130, thereby cooling the scraped-off portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110. However, this is not limited thereto, and the blade 110 does not have to come into contact with the rear inner surface 131c, and as long as the blade 110 is thermally coupled to the rear inner surface 131c, a gap may be provided between the blade 110 and the rear inner surface 131c.

[0129] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modifications, as shown in FIG. 1, the wall member 12 is disposed perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and thus the slide installation section 51 and the guide section installation section 52 are disposed perpendicular to the horizontal plane. However, this is not limiting, and the wall member 12 may be disposed tilted from the state perpendicular to the horizontal plane in FIG. 1. In this case, the slide installation section 51 and the guide section installation section 52 are also tilted from the state perpendicular to the horizontal plane. However, in order to smoothly collect the FFPE section 121 scraped off the slide 120 into the container 140, it is preferable that the wall member 12 is disposed perpendicular to the horizontal plane as shown in FIG. 1.

[0130] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modified examples, the slide 120 is mounted on the slide mounting portion 51, and the blade portion 110 is biased backward by the spring 35. However, this is not limited thereto, and the spring 35 on the blade portion 110 side may be omitted, and a spring that biases the slide mounting portion 51 in a direction to bring the blade portion 110 closer may be provided on the slide mounting portion 51 side. Furthermore, springs that bias the blade portion 110 and the slide mounting portion 51 to bring them closer to each other may be provided on both the blade portion 110 side and the slide mounting portion 51 side.

[0131] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modified examples, the slide 120 is mounted on the slide mounting portion 51, and the blade portion 110 is moved relative to the slide 120. However, this is not limited thereto, and the blade portion 110 may be mounted on the wall member 12, and the slide mounting portion 51 may be moved, so that the blade portion 110 is moved relative to the slide 120. Furthermore, the blade portion 110 may be moved relative to the slide 120 by moving both the blade portion 110 and the slide 120.

[0132] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modified examples, the guiding portion 130 is made of resin, but may be made of SUS or aluminum. In this case, the thermal conductivity of the guiding portion 130 is higher than that of resin, so that the blade portion 110 in contact with the rear inner surface 131c can be smoothly cooled. In this case, it is preferable to sterilize or clean the guiding portion 130 in response to replacement of the slide 120.

[0133] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modified examples, the connection surface 132 is installed in the slide installation section 51, so that the guide section 130 is installed in the guide section installation section 52. However, this is not limited to the above, and the guide section 130 may be installed in the guide section installation section 52 by installing a connection surface 132 having a length in the up-down direction shorter than that in the example of FIG. 2 in the guide section installation section 52. In this case, the slide 120 is installed in the slide installation section 51 so that the rear surface of the slide 120 contacts the front surface of the slide installation section 51. In order to prevent the FFPE section 121 scraped off from the slide 120 from causing contamination via the slide installation section 51, it is preferable that the connection surface 132 of the guide section 130, which is replaced for each slide 120, is disposed between the slide 120 and the slide installation section 51.

[0134] In the second embodiment, the sensors of the sensor group 240 are used to detect the position of the blade 110, but instead, the position of the blade 110 may be detected based on a still image or a video captured by a camera. Also, the position of the blade 110 may be detected based on the number of steps of the motors 301, 311, and 321 of the movement mechanism 230.

[0135] In the second embodiment, the cooling process in step S106, the vibration process in step S107, and the static electricity removing process in step S108 do not have to be started in this order. Steps S106 to S108 may be started in any order.

[0136] In the second embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed in step S109, it is determined that the recovery of the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 has been completed, but instead, whether or not the scraped portion has been recovered may be determined based on an optical sensor, a camera, or the like. When an optical sensor is used, the control unit 220 determines whether or not the scraped portion exists in the container 140 based on a detection signal from the optical sensor. When a camera is used, the control unit 220 determines whether or not the scraped portion exists in the container 140 based on a still image or video of the container 140 captured by the camera.

[0137] In the second embodiment, the moving mechanism 230 and the drive unit 205 are shown as a configuration for moving the blade unit 110, but the configuration for moving the blade unit 110 is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, the blade unit 110, the slide 120, the guide unit 130, and the container 140 are replaced by a user, but these replacements may be performed automatically by a mechanical unit.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 19(a), when the specimen dissection apparatus 1 is enclosed by a case 410, the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 may be heated by controlling the temperature in the case 410 instead of using the heating unit 61. Also, instead of using the cooling unit 62, the temperature in the case 410 may be controlled to cool the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 19(b), when the specimen dissection apparatus 1 is enclosed by a room 420, the FFPE section 121 on the slide 120 may be heated by controlling the temperature in the room 420 instead of using the heating unit 61. Also, instead of using the cooling unit 62, the temperature in the room 420 may be controlled to cool the scraped portion of the FFPE section 121 on the blade 110.

[0139] In the first to third embodiments and the first to third modifications, the biological tissue section held on the slide 120 is the FFPE section 121, but this is not limiting. For example, the biological tissue section may be a frozen tissue section.

[0140] The embodiments of the present invention can be modified in various ways as appropriate within the scope of the technical ideas defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1. Specimen peeling device 21 Guide rail (movement mechanism) 22 Pulley (moving mechanism) 23 Belt (moving mechanism) 30 Up and down movement part (movement mechanism) 35 Spring (biasing part, moving mechanism) 40 Left and right moving part (moving mechanism) 51 Slide installation part (installation member) 61 Heating section 62 Cooling section 70 Vibration section 80 Ionizer 110 Blade 111 Blade surface 120 Slides 120a Slide surface 121 FFPE Sections (Biological Tissue Sections) 130 Guidance part 131a Top opening 131b Lower opening 131c Rear inner surface (cooling surface) 140 Container 141a aperture 205 Drive unit 230 Moving mechanism 301 Motor (drive unit) 302 Pulley (moving mechanism) 303 Belt (moving mechanism) 304 Support member (moving mechanism) 311 Motor (drive unit) 312 Pulley (moving mechanism) 313 Belt (moving mechanism) 314 Support member (moving mechanism) 321 Motor (drive unit)

Claims

1. A specimen peeling method for scraping and recovering a biological tissue section held on a slide, comprising the steps of: Heating the biological tissue section held on the slide; The heated biological tissue slice is scraped off with a blade. The biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion is collected in a container.

2. The step of recovering the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion includes a step of cooling the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion. The method for stripping a specimen according to claim 1 .

3. The blade portion is thermally coupled to a cooling surface to cool the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion. The method for stripping a specimen according to claim 2 .

4. The cooling temperature of the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion is 5°C to 20°C. The method for stripping a specimen according to claim 2 or 3.

5. In the step of scraping off the biological tissue slice, the blade portion is elastically pressed against the biological tissue slice. A specimen peeling method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The step of scraping off the biological tissue slice is performed multiple times by shifting the blade in a direction intersecting the scraping direction. A specimen peeling method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The angle between the blade surface of the blade portion and the slide surface, which is the surface of the slide, in the step of scraping off the biological tissue slice is 38° to 51°. A specimen peeling method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The step of heating the biological tissue section includes a step of heating a mounting member on which the slide is mounted. A specimen peeling method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The heating temperature of the biological tissue slice is 40° C. to 50° C. A specimen peeling method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. In the step of recovering the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion, the biological tissue slice that has fallen from the blade portion is guided to the container by a guide portion. A specimen peeling method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The induction portion has a funnel shape, The width of the upper opening of the guide portion is larger than the width of the biological tissue section held on the slide, and the lower opening of the guide portion is smaller than the opening of the container. The method for stripping a specimen according to claim 10.

12. The step of recovering the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion includes a step of vibrating the guide portion. The method for stripping a specimen according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The step of recovering the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion includes a step of blowing ions onto the induction portion. The method for stripping a specimen according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. The blade unit is replaced every time the biological tissue slice is changed. A method for stripping a specimen according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The biological tissue section is an FFPE section; A method for stripping a specimen according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A specimen dissection device for scraping and collecting a biological tissue slice held on a slide, comprising: a slide setting section on which the slide holding the biological tissue section is set; a heating unit that heats the biological tissue slice on the slide placed on the slide placement unit; A moving mechanism for scraping off the heated biological tissue slice with a blade portion. Specimen peeling device.

17. A cooling unit is provided for cooling the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion. The specimen peeling device according to claim 16.

18. The cooling unit thermally couples the blade portion to a cooling surface to cool the biological tissue slice remaining on the blade portion. The specimen peeling device according to claim 17.

19. A biasing portion is provided for elastically pressing the blade portion against the biological tissue slice.

19. A specimen peeling device according to claim 16.

20. A drive unit that drives the moving mechanism; A control unit that controls the drive unit.

20. A specimen peeling device according to claim 16,

21. The control unit controls the drive unit to perform the step of scraping off the biological tissue slice a plurality of times by shifting the blade unit in a direction intersecting a scraping direction. The specimen peeling device according to claim 20.

22. The heating unit heats the slide setting unit, thereby heating the biological tissue section on the slide set on the slide setting unit.

22. A specimen peeling device according to claim 16.

23. A guide unit is provided for guiding the biological tissue section that has fallen from the blade unit to a collection container disposed below the slide setting unit.

23. A specimen peeling device according to any one of claims 16 to 22.

24. The induction portion has a funnel shape, The width of the upper opening of the guide portion is larger than the width of the biological tissue section held on the slide, and the lower opening of the guide portion is smaller than the opening of the container. The specimen peeling device according to claim 23.

25. A vibration unit that vibrates the induction unit is provided.

25. A specimen peeling device according to claim 23 or 24.

26. An ionizer is provided to blow ions onto the induction portion.

26. A specimen peeling device according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

Images