Microtome Section Ribbon Production with Retraction and Pusher Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing section ribbons in microscopy, such as ssSEM and ssTEM, face challenges in reliability and user-friendliness, particularly in forming continuous section ribbons on a liquid surface, leading to issues like section adhesion, positioning, and sample material loss during the sectioning process.

Innovation Solution

A method using a microtome to produce section ribbons from a sample block with disjoint surface regions, where the first part ribbon is created from one surface region and the second part ribbon from another, allowing for the inclusion of 'pusher' sections to extend the ribbon and improve positioning, using an embedding mould with separate compartments to ensure precise sample placement and reduce manual trimming needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous section ribbons are formed on a liquid surface, then section adhesion and positioning are improved, but reliability and user-friendliness deteriorate due to section loss and handling difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesection ribbon production reliabilityVSAvoiduser-friendliness in section ribbon formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sample block is divided into multiple surface regions (first surface region and second surface region) that can be processed independently. The microtome blade can selectively cut from different surface regions, allowing the formation of section ribbons with pusher sections that improve handling while maintaining reliability. This segmentation enables arbitrary section order and number without compromising ribbon continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Pusher sections are introduced as intermediary elements within the section ribbon. These pusher sections act as mediators that extend the ribbon and improve positioning on the liquid surface, making the ribbon easier to handle while maintaining its continuity and reliability for 3D reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual trimming is used to prepare sample blocks, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample placement precisionVSAvoidtime for manual trimming

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The embedding mould is designed with separate compartments that pre-position the sample block with precise geometry before sectioning. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual trimming while maintaining manufacturing precision. The mould compartments are configured to produce sample blocks ready for immediate sectioning with accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The embedding mould with separate compartments performs the trimming and positioning function automatically during the embedding process. The mould structure itself provides the precise geometry needed for sectioning, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate manual trimming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If sample blocks are processed without retracting between cuts, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases due to sample material loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesection ribbon production speedVSAvoidsample material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sample block is segmented into multiple surface regions that can be processed independently. By retracting the sample block between cuts from different surface regions, the microtome can efficiently produce section ribbons with pusher sections without losing sample material. This segmentation allows high productivity while minimizing substance loss through targeted cutting from specific regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240328904A1Method for producing a section ribbon from a sample block using a microtome, method for preparing a microscopic sample for examination in an electron microscope, microtome and embedding mould for use therein

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 LEICA MIKROSYSTEME GMBH

AI summary

A method for producing a section ribbon from a sample block includes producing a first part ribbon of the section ribbon from a first surface region of the sample block using a microtome comprising a blade. The first part ribbon has one or more first sections of the sample block. The method further includes producing a second part ribbon of the section ribbon from a second surface region of the sample block using the microtome comprising the blade. The second part ribbon has one or more second sections of the sample block. The second surface region is different from the first surface region. The method further includes retracting the sample block from the blade between the producing of the first part ribbon and the producing of the second part ribbon.