Abstract: A method including one or more steps of a procedure for preparing a microscopic sample for a high-pressure freezing process is provided, wherein the sample is provided using an arrangement comprising a middle plate of a high-pressure freezing cartridge and an incubation chamber, wherein the middle plate is attached to a lower surface of a bottom of the incubation chamber by an adhesive and detachable from the incubation chamber by effecting a relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber, wherein the sample is provided on an enclosing element which is fitted into an opening of the middle plate, and wherein, when the sample is to be subjected to the high-pressure freezing process, the relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber is effected, thereby detaching the middle plate with the sample from the incubation chamber. Means to implement the method are also part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A sample holder includes a main component comprising a first surface area, and a retaining mechanism comprising a holding component. The retaining mechanism is configured to retain a sample between the holding component of the retaining mechanism and the first surface area in a closed state of the retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism is further configured to enter an opened state upon mechanical actuation of the retaining mechanism. The opened state allows insertion and removal of the sample. The retaining mechanism is further configured to revert to the closed state once the mechanical actuation is removed.

Abstract: A device for preparing a microscopic sample for a high-pressure freezing process in which the sample is provided using an arrangement having a middle plate of a high-pressure freezing cartridge and an incubation chamber, the middle plate being attached to and detachable from the incubation chamber by effecting a relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber, and the sample being provided on an enclosing element which is fitted into an opening of the middle plate, wherein the device includes an engagement structure adapted to engage with the middle plate and to restrict a movement of the middle plate while the incubation chamber is moved, such as to effect the relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber and to thereby detach the middle plate from the incubation chamber.

Abstract: A high pressure freezing cartridge (300, 400, 500) for use in vitrification of a biological sample (10) is provided, the cartridge (300, 400, 500) being adapted to fixedly hold a sample chamber (216, 218, 220) at a sample chamber position (320, 420, 520) in the cartridge (300, 400, 500), a refrigerant channel arrangement comprising at least one refrigerant channel (208, 308, 408, 462, 464, 466, 468, 508, 562, 564, 566, 569) being provided in the cartridge (300, 400, 500) and extending from a surface of the cartridge (300, 400, 500) to the sample chamber position, and the cartridge (300, 400, 500) comprising a baffle structure (350, 450, 550, 571) at a baffle position being adapted to interact with a refrigerant stream in the refrigerant channel arrangement before the refrigerant of the refrigerant stream reaches the sample chamber position in the cartridge (300, 400, 500). A corresponding method in which the high pressure freezing cartridge (300, 400, 500) is used is also part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device (10) for preparing a microscopic sample (1) for a high-pressure freezing process in which the sample (1) is provided using an arrangement comprising a middle plate (33) of a high-pressure freezing cartridge (30) and an incubation chamber (100, 200), the middle plate (33) being attached to the incubation chamber (100, 200) and being detachable from the incubation chamber (100, 200) by effecting a relative movement between the middle plate (33) and the incubation chamber (100, 200), and the sample (1) being provided on an enclosing element (37) which is fitted into an opening (36) of the middle plate (33), wherein the device (10) comprises an engagement structure (11, 21) adapted to engage with the middle plate (33) and to restrict a movement of the middle plate (33) while the incubation chamber (100, 200) is moved, such as to effect said relative movement between the middle plate (33) and the incubation chamber (100, 200) and to thereby detach the middle plate (33) fr

Abstract: A method including one or more steps of a procedure for preparing a microscopic sample (1) for a high-pressure freezing process is provided, wherein the sample (1) is provided using an arrangement comprising a middle plate (33) of a high-pressure freezing cartridge (30) and an incubation chamber (100), wherein the middle plate (33) is attached to a lower surface of a bottom (120) of the incubation chamber (100) by an adhesive and detachable from the incubation chamber (100) by effecting a relative movement between the middle plate (33) and the incubation chamber (100), wherein the sample (1) is provided on an enclosing element (37) which is fitted into an opening (36) of the middle plate (33), and wherein, when the sample (1) is to be subjected to the high-pressure freezing process, the relative movement between the middle plate (33) and the incubation chamber (100) is effected, thereby detaching the middle plate (33) with the sample (1) from the incubation chamber (100).

Abstract: A high pressure freezing cartridge (300, 400, 500) for use in vitrification of a biological sample (10) is provided, the cartridge (300,400, 500) being adapted to fixedly hold a sample chamber (216, 218, 220) at a sample chamber position (320, 420, 520) in the cartridge (300, 400, 500), a refrigerant channel arrangement comprising at least one refrigerant channel (208, 308, 408, 462, 464, 466, 468, 508, 562, 564, 566, 569) being provided in the cartridge (300, 400, 500) and extending from a surface of the cartridge (300, 400, 500) to the sample chamber position, and the cartridge (300, 400, 500) comprising a baffle structure (350, 450, 550, 571) at a baffle position being adapted to interact with a refrigerant stream in the refrigerant channel arrangement before the refrigerant of the refrigerant stream reaches the sample chamber position in the cartridge (300, 400, 500). A corresponding method in which the high pressure freezing cartridge (300, 400, 500) is used is also part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A modular specimen holder (10?) for high pressure freezing and/or X-ray crystallography of a specimen has a specimen holding element (100?) and an extension element (200?) connectable with and separable from each other; the specimen holding element (100?) including a tubule (120?) adapted to hold the specimen and a base element (110?) adapted to hold the tubule (120?), wherein a distance from a bottom of the base element (110?) to a top of the tubule (120?) is a first distance (d1); the extension element (200?) being connectable with the base element (110?), wherein, when the extension element (200?) and the base element (110?) are connected with each other, a second distance (d2) from a bottom of the extension element (200?) to the top of the tubule (120?) is larger than the first distance (d1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to modular specimen holder (10?) for high pressure freezing and/or X-ray crystallography of a specimen comprising a specimen holding element (100?) and an extension element (200?) connectable with each other and separable from each other; the specimen holding element (100?) comprising a tubule (120?) and a base element (110?), wherein the tubule (120?) is adapted to hold the specimen, the base element (110?) is adapted to hold the tubule (120?), wherein a distance from a bottom of the base element (110?) to a top of the tubule (120?) is a distance d1; the extension element (200?) being adapted to be connected with the base element (110?), wherein, when the extension element (200?) and the base element (110?) are connected with each other, a distance from a bottom of the extension element (200?) to the top of the tubule (120?) is a second distance d2; wherein the second distance d2 is larger than the first distance d1.

Abstract: In a device (1) for rapid pressure-freezing an aqueous sample (3), such as a biological specimen, a pressurized cooling medium can be fed into a high-pressure chamber (11) into which a sample holder (30) containing a sample (3) is inserted and which is sealed with a pressure-tight seal, to the location of the sample holder (30) held therein. The high-pressure chamber (11) comprises a viewing window structure (2) with a pressure-tight window (20), through which light can be directed from the outside onto the sample (3) located in the sample holder (30). The window (20) can comprise a transparent window element made of a high-pressure-resistant material, wherein the window element (20) is held by a pressure- and temperature-resistant window bearing provided in the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus (101) for a sample in an ion beam etching process, including, a sample stage (102) for arranging the sample, a coolant receptacle (120) containing a coolant, at least one thermal conduction element (106a, 106b) that connects the sample stage (102) to the coolant, a cooling finger (105) connected to the thermal conduction element (106a, 106b), the cooling finger (105) comprising a conduit (130, 131) through which coolant can flow and which is connectable to the coolant receptacle (120). The invention further relates to a method of adjusting the temperature of a sample in an ion beam etching process, including mounting a sample on a coolable sample stage (102), aligning the sample on the sample stage (102), and cooling the sample by coolant directed through a conduit (130, 131) of a cooling finger.

Abstract: In a device (1) for rapid pressure-freezing an aqueous sample (3), such as a biological specimen, a pressurized cooling medium can be fed into a high-pressure chamber (11) into which a sample holder (30) containing a sample (3) is inserted and which is sealed with a pressure-tight seal, to the location of the sample holder (30) held therein. The high-pressure chamber (11) comprises a viewing window structure (2) with a pressure-tight window (20), through which light can be directed from the outside onto the sample (3) located in the sample holder (30). The window (20) can comprise a transparent window element made of a high-pressure-resistant material, wherein the window element (20) is held by a pressure- and temperature-resistant window bearing provided in the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus (101) for a sample in an ion beam etching process, including, a sample stage (102) for arranging the sample, a coolant receptacle (120) containing a coolant, at least one thermal conduction element (106a, 106b) that connects the sample stage (102) to the coolant, a cooling finger (105) connected to the thermal conduction element (106a, 106b), the cooling finger (105) comprising a conduit (130, 131) through which coolant can flow and which is connectable to the coolant receptacle (120). The invention further relates to a method of adjusting the temperature of a sample in an ion beam etching process, including mounting a sample on a coolable sample stage (102), aligning the sample on the sample stage (102), and cooling the sample by coolant directed through a conduit (130, 131) of a cooling finger.

Abstract: In an apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens with a microwave generator (1), a microwave chamber for receiving specimens (5) to be processed, and a container arrangement (11) for a number of containers (9) for liquids, the microwave chamber is realized as a waveguide (2) that includes a first opening (7a) for introduction of a specimen (5) and a second opening (8a), preferably arranged at the bottom, through which a liquid container (9) is reversibly introduced into the microwave chamber while the specimen (5) is held stationary, until the liquid container thus introduced into the microwave chamber, and the liquid contained therein, surround the specimen (5).

Abstract: A specimen holder (10) is proposed in order to create a capability for preparing, in a cutting device, in particular a microtome or ultramicrotome, a specimen that is to examined in an AFM. The specimen holder (10) is embodied in several parts. It comprises an insert (12) in which the specimen is secured. Also provided is a receiving ring (14) in which the insert (12) can be received. The insert together with the receiving ring (14) is mounted, in particular thread-joined, on a base element (16). As a result of the mounting of the receiving ring (14) on the base element (16), the insert together with the specimen is fixed in its position.

Abstract: In an apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens with a microwave generator (1), a microwave chamber for receiving specimens (5) to be processed, and a container arrangement (11) for a number of containers (9) for liquids, the microwave chamber is realized as a waveguide (2) that comprises a first opening (7a) for introduction of a specimen (5) and a second opening (8a), preferably arranged at the bottom, through which a liquid container (9) is reversibly introduced into the microwave chamber while the specimen (5) is held stationary, until the liquid container thus introduced into the microwave chamber, and the liquid contained therein, surround the specimen (5).

Abstract: A container (2) for tissue preparation for the tissue embedding, having a base body (4), that is formed out cylindrical shaped side wall (5), a floor (6) and several bridges (50). The bridges (50) subdivide the container (2) in several sub-containers (52). The side wall (5) has a plurality of slit shaped openings (12), that extend essentially over the total height of the side wall (5).

Abstract: A container (50) for an apparatus for automated cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The container is embodied as a cup (51) open at the top. The container (50) is subdivided into a first sector (52) and a second sector (53), at least one specimen holder (2) being arranged in the first sector (52) and at least one reservoir holder (20) in the second sector (53); and the container is arranged in the neck of a Dewar vessel (1).

Abstract: A device for sectioning samples, which encompasses a sectioning apparatus for generating thin sample pieces and a table for placement of the sectioning apparatus thereon. Displaceable arm supports, which are adjustable to a user's ergonomics and to a configuration of the device, are provided on the table opposite the knife holder and sample holder of the sectioning apparatus.

Abstract: A coolant hose for the transport of coolant from a reservoir vessel to a cooling chamber is disclosed. The coolant hose is constructed from a transport hose and an insulating casing. The first and the second end of the coolant hose are respectively provided with a rotatable and thermally insulated connecting element that coacts with a corresponding connecting element on the cooling chamber and on the reservoir vessel.