Abstract: A Dewar vessel (1) for automated cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The invention further discloses an apparatus (10) for automated liquid transfer for cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution. The apparatus (10) encompasses a container (50) that encompasses at least one specimen holder (2) and at least one reservoir holder (20); and wherein a movable transfer container (35) for automated exchange of at least one liquid (42) between the at least one specimen holder (2) and the at least one reservoir holder (20) is provided.

Abstract: In microtomes or ultramicrotomes, it is necessary to preset the specimen (14) onto the knife (16). In order to facilitate and automate this presetting operation, which is intended to guarantee the fastest and most accurate possible positioning of the knife (16) relative to the specimen (14), the spacing (13) between the trimmed surface (15) of the specimen (14) and the specimen holder (22) is ascertained and is transferred to the microtome or ultramicrotome (10). The spacing (13) is preferably ascertained in the trimming device (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The apparatus encompasses a Dewar vessel (1) that is embodied with a neck. A chamber (5) for reception of at least one specimen is inserted in the neck (53). The chamber (5) is embodied with a heavy base (51) that is connected to a first thermal conduction rod (7). A platform (8) is provided at the end of the first thermal conduction rod (7) facing away from the base (51). An insulator (12) is provided above the platform (8) of the first thermal conduction rod (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for the polymerization of biological specimens in the context of cryosubstitution is disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of diodes having UV components for the polymerization of biological specimens in the context of cryosubstitution. A cooled chamber (6) is provided, in which at least one specimen carrier (2) having a biological specimen (4) is received. At least one diode (7), which emits light having UV components and is arranged in such a way that the light is directed onto the biological specimens (4), is mounted on a constituent part (9) of the cooling apparatus (5).

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for handling coverslips (20) for specimen slides (9) comprises a transport arm (8), a base block (3) mounted on the transport arm and having a having a notional center axis (3a), and at least two suction devices (4 and 5) carried by the base block (3), each suction device (4 and 5) having an end (4a and 5a) that comes into contact with a coverslip (2) and points away from the notional center axis (3a) of said base block (3). The base block (3) both removes a single coverslip (2) from a magazine (24), and deposits the removed coverslip (2) onto a specimen slide (9).

Abstract: In microtomes or ultramicrotomes, it is necessary to preset the specimen (14) onto the knife (16). In order to facilitate and automate this presetting operation, which is intended to guarantee the fastest and most accurate possible positioning of the knife (16) relative to the specimen (14), the spacing (13) between the trimmed surface (15) of the specimen (14) and the specimen holder (22) is ascertained and is transferred to the microtome or ultramicrotome (10). The spacing (13) is preferably ascertained in the trimming device (12).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for handling coverslips (20) for specimen slides (9) comprises a transport arm (8), a base block (3) mounted on the transport arm and having a having a notional center axis (3a), and at least two suction devices (4 and 5) carried by the base block (3), each suction device (4 and 5) having an end (4a and 5a) that comes into contact with a coverslip (2) and points away from the notional center axis (3a) of said base block (3). The base block (3) both removes a single coverslip (2) from a magazine (24), and deposits the removed coverslip (2) onto a specimen slide (9).

Abstract: A specimen holder (1) for water-containing specimens for high-pressure freezing is described, the specimen holder (1) comprising at least two shaped parts (2, 3) detachably joinable to one another, and the joined shaped parts (2, 3) forming a receptacle (6) for the specimen. At least one of the shaped parts (2; 3) comprises a diamond.