Rotatable Microtome Knife Holder for Stable Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microtome and ultramicrotome operations are disrupted due to the need for temperature stabilization and precise alignment during knife changes, leading to operator errors and prolonged interruptions in the cutting process.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable knife holder with a shaft arranged perpendicularly to the cutting edges of the knives, allowing for easy and precise knife changes without disturbing the temperature equilibrium or illumination geometry, and enabling the knives to be removed without damaging the sample or specimen holder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire cooling chamber is displaced laterally for knife change, then the knife can be replaced, but the illumination geometry is disturbed and operator errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The knife holder is separated from the cooling chamber structure, allowing independent rotation of the knife holder while the chamber remains stationary. This segmentation enables knife changes without disturbing the illumination system's position or geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple knives are pre-mounted on the knife holder in different orientations. The knife holder can be rotated to present the appropriate knife for the current operation, eliminating the need to remove and reinstall knives and avoiding disruption of illumination geometry.
2Reliability
If the cooling chamber temperature equilibrium is maintained, then stable cutting conditions are provided, but knife replacement interrupts the process
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple knives are pre-mounted on the knife holder, allowing selection of different knives without removing the holder from the cooling chamber. This enables knife changes while maintaining temperature equilibrium and cutting process continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The knife holder is made rotatable, allowing dynamic selection of different knives during operation. This dynamic capability enables knife replacement without interrupting the cooling chamber's temperature equilibrium or the cutting process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the knife holder is displaced for knife change, then knife replacement is possible, but time is lost and alignment must be redone
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple knives are pre-mounted on the knife holder in ready-to-use positions. The knife holder can be rotated to present the required knife instantly, eliminating the time needed for knife removal, reinstallation, and realignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable knife holder provides rapid access to different knives through simple rotation, dramatically reducing the time required for knife changes compared to complete removal and reinstallation procedures.
4Manufacturing precision
If precise presetting alignment is performed, then accurate cutting is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires careful operation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple knives are pre-mounted on the knife holder with predetermined orientations. The knife holder can be rotated to present the appropriately oriented knife, eliminating or minimizing the need for time-consuming presetting alignment operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A knife holder (5) for a microtome for cutting samples (4a) is disclosed. The knife holder (5) encompasses several knives (2a, 2b) each of which defines a cutting edge (16). The knife holder (5) is arranged pivotably about a shaft (18); and the shaft (18) is arranged substantially perpendicularly to each cutting edge (16) of the knives (2a, 2b).