Abstract: A system having a first automatic machine (1) for processing or investigating biological samples and a second automatic machine (16) for processing or investigating biological samples. The first machine (1) and the second machine (16) are electrically connected to an electrical power grid in order to be supplied with electrical energy as an electrical load. The first machine (1) has a first control apparatus (13) and the second machine (16) has a second control apparatus (19), which detect disruptions in the supply of electrical energy from the power grid and, in the event of a disruption, switch over to a withdrawal of electrical energy from a first energy reservoir (12) or a second energy reservoir (18). The first machine (1) and the second machine (16) are also electrically connected to each other, such that the electrical energy is transferrable from an energy store of one of the automatic machines to the other automatic machine.

Abstract: A printer for printing on histology-laboratory consumable articles (16) includes an optical reading device (13), which reads an image pattern of a histology-laboratory consumable article (16) to be printed on by means of the printing device (4), generates analog or digital image-pattern image signals with regard to the read image pattern and transfers the image-pattern image signals to a control device (8) of the printer, and/or which reads an overprint (18) printed onto a histology-laboratory consumable article (16) by the printing device (4), generates analog or digital overprint image signals with regard to the read overprint (18) and transfers the overprint image signals to a control device (8) of the printer, which control device determines at least one quality parameter with regard to the overprint (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement having a specimen plate (1) for freezing on a sample for processing in a microtome, which has an upper side (4) for freezing on the sample and a lower side (5), and having a transparent marking frame (6), having opaque regions forming a marking, which is arranged on the specimen plate (1); and to a method for assigning a sample after freezing onto that specimen plate; and to a method for identifying a sample that is frozen onto that specimen plate (1), the marking frame being arranged on the lower side (5) of the specimen plate (1) or so as to fit around the specimen plate (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in the preparation of samples for microscopic examination onto which a coverslip is applied. The method is notable for the fact that the coverslipping quality is checked automatically and at least partly optically. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, and to an apparatus for checking the coverslipping quality of samples onto which a coverslip is applied.

Abstract: A microtome has a sectioning apparatus that comprises a microtome blade, for sectioning histological samples into thin prepared sections. The microtome is characterized in that an optical reading apparatus is present which reads an optically readable image pattern on the microtome blade, generates analog or digital image signals corresponding to the read image pattern and conveys the image signals to a control apparatus of the microtome.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an information processing apparatus (401) for a tissue processor (402). The tissue processor includes one or more sample baskets (403), a plurality of cassettes are located in each sample basket. The information processing apparatus (401) includes: a scanner, configured to scan a barcode containing information to be inputted to acquire a scan result; a camera, configured to capture at least one image for the plurality of cassettes in each sample basket; and a processor, configured to parse the scan result to acquire the information to be inputted and to process the at least one image to acquire an identification of each cassette. Further, the present invention provides an information processing system and an information processing method for a tissue processor.

Abstract: A microtome, having a sectioning knife and having a specimen head (5) movable relative to the sectioning knife; having an electric drive system (16) for motorized movement of the specimen head (5); having a sensor (21) for detecting the presence of the specimen head (5) at a reference position (z1); and having a control device (18) for controlling the electric drive system (16) and for processing signals of the sensor (21), the control device (18) being configured to control the electric drive system (16) to move the specimen head (5) and to halt the specimen head (5) in reaction to detection of the presence of the specimen head (5) at the reference position (z1).

Abstract: A holder (40) for holding a stack (10) of coverslips (11) or specimen slides (11) has a bottom (20) having at least one side wall (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) connected thereto, wherein an inner side of the bottom (20) is embodied for placement of the stack (10) of coverslips (11) or specimen slides (11) and carrying that stack (10), and an outer side of the bottom (20) and/or an outer side of the at least one side wall is configured to receive an identification label, such as an RFID (30), and the holder includes such the identification label, such as an RFID (30).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a microtome having a cutting knife, an object holder mounted on a slide, the slide being movable relative to the cutting knife in a cutting direction and in a thickness defining direction, movement of the slide in the thickness defining direction being performed by a first electric motor controlled by a control unit, movement of the slide in the cutting direction being performed by a second electric motor controlled by the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the movement of the slide in the thickness defining direction and in the cutting direction.

Abstract: A coverslipping machine (1) is embodied to be connected to an electrical power grid in order to be supplied with electrical energy as an electrical load; and removes specimen slides (4), having samples present thereon, from a specimen slide magazine (5) and respectively carries out a coverslipping process in which a mounting medium (7) and then a coverslip (8) are applied onto each specimen slide (4); and deposits the coverslipped specimen slides (4) in the specimen slide magazine (5) or in a further specimen slide magazine (55). The coverslipping machine (1) has an electrical energy reservoir (12) and an electronic control apparatus (13).

Abstract: A biopsy tissue sample transport device and method of using thereof including a tissue storage assembly having a sample container, having a holding structure to hold a tissue sample, the holding structure having a sample access opening formed in a sidewall; a housing that receives the tissue storage assembly, the housing comprising an assembly insertion opening through which the tissue storage assembly is inserted into the housing; a sealing member configured to engage and substantially seal the sample access opening of the holding structure of the sample container of the tissue storage assembly; and a lid to engage and substantially seal the assembly insertion opening of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for embedding a tissue sample into an embedding medium. In a first step the tissue sample is held in an intended orientation in a container by means of a holding element that presses the tissue sample against a base of the container. In a further step a liquid embedding medium that has a temperature above 64 degrees Celsius, in particular in the range from 65 degrees Celsius to 67 degrees Celsius, or a temperature of 66 degrees Celsius, is poured into the container, and the base of the container is cooled.