Abstract: A drive device for generating oscillations, especially for the blade of a microtome, with a power generator and a power transmission element, which with the power generator is movable in a predetermined oscillation direction (S), whereby the power generator includes a combination of a permanent magnet part and a coil part, whereof one part is fixed stationary on a holder and the other part on the power transmission element, respectively, and the power transmission element is formed by a vibrational arm, which is fixed at one end to the holder and which is elastically bendable in the oscillation direction and still in all other directions.