Abstract: A system for optical interrogation of tissue samples, the system including: a microtome configured to section one or more tissue sections from a tissue block, the one or more tissue sections including one or more tissue samples; a transfer medium configured to gather the one or more tissue sections and to transfer the one or more tissue sections to one or more slides; and an optical interrogation system including an illumination system configured to illuminate the one or more tissue sections and an imaging system configured to perform an imaging analysis on the one or more tissue sections illuminated with the illumination system.

Abstract: There is provided an automated system for preparing tissue samples that comprises one or more microtomes, a hydration system, and a processor, the processor being programmed to initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a first tissue block comprising a first tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the first tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a first predetermined time, and initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a second tissue block while the first tissue block is being hydrated, the second tissue block comprising a second tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the second tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a second predetermined time, and to initiate the one or more microtomes to begin sectioning of the first tissue block while the second tissue block is being hydrated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for tracking and printing within a histology system. In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes an information reader configured to read identifying data associated with a tissue block, a microtome configured to cut one or more tissue sections from the tissue block, one or more slides for receiving the one or more tissue sections, and a printer configured to receive the identifying data and print, after the one or more tissue sections are cut from the tissue block, one or more labels for the one or more slides, the one or more labels comprising information associating the one more tissue sections on the one or more slides with the tissue block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically transferring sections from a sample block to a tape and for transferring select sections to a slide. A tissue storage system for storing cut sections on the tape and digital storage system for storing photos and other information during the transfer of the sections can also be provided, thereby creating a tissue repository and data repository for future use.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for facing a tissue block. In some embodiments, a method is provided for facing a tissue block that includes imaging a tissue block to generate imaging data of the tissue block, the tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, estimating, based on the imaging data, a depth profile of the tissue block, wherein the depth profile comprises a thickness of the embedding material to be removed to expose the tissue sample to a pre-determined criteria, and removing the thickness of the embedding material to expose the tissue to the pre-determined criteria.

Abstract: There is provided a histology system that comprises a microtome configured to expose a face of a tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material and remove one or more tissue sections from the sample, a hydration system configured to hydrate the tissue block by depositing a hydrating liquid on the face of the tissue block, and a transfer system configured to transfer the one or more tissue sections from the microtome to one or more slides. In some embodiments, the hydration system is configured to produce droplet condensation of the hydrating liquid and deposit the condensation on the face of the tissue block.

Abstract: A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

Abstract: A sectioning system includes a chuck assembly configured to receive a tissue block, a cutting assembly configured to remove a tissue section from the tissue block, at least one sensor configured to sense data regarding dynamics of one or more components of at least one of the chuck assembly or the cutting assembly, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive data from the at least one sensor, determine whether the data from the at least one sensor shows normal behavior of the one or more components of at least one of the chuck assembly or the cutting assembly, and output a signal if it is determined the data from the at least one sensor does not show normal behavior of the one or more components.

Abstract: A microtomy system includes a tissue chuck configured to accept a tissue block and a microtome blade configured to remove one or more tissue sections from the tissue block, the microtome blade being axially offset from the tissue chuck along a horizontal axis, where the microtome blade and the tissue chuck are axially displaceable relative to one another along the horizontal axis. The system also includes a control system configured to receive information indicative of a relative axial location of the microtome blade to the tissue chuck along the horizontal axis, and to use a control loop to control the relative axial location of the microtome blade to the tissue chuck such that the one or more tissue sections have a desired thickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure also relates to systems and methods for quality control in histology systems. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes receiving a tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, imaging the tissue block to create a first imaging data of the tissue sample in a tissue section on the tissue block, removing the tissue section from the tissue block, the tissue section comprising a part of the tissue sample, imaging the tissue section to create a second imaging data of the tissue sample in the tissue section, and comparing the first imaging data to the second imaging data to confirm correspondence in the tissue sample in the first imaging data and the second imaging data based on one or more quality control parameters.

Abstract: There is provided a histology system that comprises a microtome configured to expose a face of a tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material and remove one or more tissue sections from the sample, a hydration system configured to hydrate the tissue block by depositing a hydrating liquid on the face of the tissue block, and a transfer system configured to transfer the one or more tissue sections from the microtome to one or more slides. In some embodiments, the hydration system is configured to produce droplet condensation of the hydrating liquid and deposit the condensation on the face of the tissue block.

Abstract: A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

Abstract: A composition of the present disclosure includes an aqueous dispersion of epoxy resin particles. The epoxy resin particles include at least two 1,2-epoxide groups. The composition further includes one or more anti-adhesive agents, one or more anti-microbial agents, or a combination of one or more anti-adhesive agents and one or more anti-microbial agents.

Abstract: The present disclosure also relates to systems and methods for quality control in histology systems. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes receiving a tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, imaging the tissue block to create a first imaging data of the tissue sample in a tissue section on the tissue block, removing the tissue section from the tissue block, the tissue section comprising a part of the tissue sample, imaging the tissue section to create a second imaging data of the tissue sample in the tissue section, and comparing the first imaging data to the second imaging data to confirm correspondence in the tissue sample in the first imaging data and the second imaging data based on one or more quality control parameters.

Abstract: An automated tape transfer apparatus including a tape feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus and a tape applicator applying the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein a section of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape after cutting of the section from the sample block. A slide station transfers the cut section from the adhesive tape to a slide.

Abstract: There is provided an automated system for preparing tissue samples that comprises one or more microtomes, a hydration system, and a processor, the processor being programmed to initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a first tissue block comprising a first tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the first tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a first predetermined time, and initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a second tissue block while the first tissue block is being hydrated, the second tissue block comprising a second tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the second tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a second predetermined time, and to initiate the one or more microtomes to begin sectioning of the first tissue block while the second tissue block is being hydrated.

Abstract: An integrated pathology system includes a tissue embedding module configured to embed a tissue sample into an embedding material to prepare a tissue block, a sectioning and slide creating module configured to remove one or more tissue sections from the tissue block and place the one or more tissue sections onto one or more slides, a staining module configured to stain the one or more tissue sections on the slides, and a cover-slipper module configured to place a cover onto the one or more stained tissue sections. The system further includes one or more transfer devices configured to integrate the modules and a processor in communication with the modules for controlling one or more processes performed by the modules and the one or more transfer devices for controlling the integration of the modules.

Abstract: An automated tape transfer apparatus including a tape feed mechanism feeding a continuous length of an adhesive tape through the automated tape transfer apparatus and a tape applicator applying the adhesive tape to a cutting face of a sample block, wherein a section of the sample block is adhered to the adhesive tape after cutting of the section from the sample block. A slide station transfers the cut section from the adhesive tape to a slide.

Abstract: Provided here are systems and methods for microtomy, including a microtome and a transfer tape system. The microtome can be used for sectioning a tissue section from a tissue block. The transfer tape system can include a transfer tape configured to adhere to a front face of the tissue block and collect one or more tissue sections sectioned by the microtome and to transfer the one or more tissue sections to one or more slides; and at least one tension device for controlling tension and an angle of the transfer tape relative the tissue block or the one or more slides. The at least one tension device can be configured to maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined tension or maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined angle relative to the tissue block or the one or more slides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for facing a tissue block. In some embodiments, a method is provided for facing a tissue block that includes imaging a tissue block to generate imaging data of the tissue block, the tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, estimating, based on the imaging data, a depth profile of the tissue block, wherein the depth profile comprises a thickness of the embedding material to be removed to expose the tissue sample to a pre-determined criteria, and removing the thickness of the embedding material to expose the tissue to the pre-determined criteria.