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 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 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 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: 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 system includes a chuck configured to accept a sample block, a blade including a blade surface configured to remove a tissue section from the sample block, where the chuck is moveable relative to the blade surface of the blade, at least one sensor configured to sense a front face of the sample block, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive measurements from the at least one sensor, identify, from the measurements, a geometry of the front face, identify, based on the geometry, an alignment of the front face with respect to the blade surface of the blade, and cause the chuck or the blade to move relative to each other to align the front face relative to the blade 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: Systems and methods enable fully automated tissue processing using tissue processing components for producing tissue sections from a tissue sample block and to transfer the tissue sections to slides. A control device queries a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) with a sample identifier associated with the tissue sample block and receives tissue sample data from the LIMS. The control device generates tissue processing workflow parameters based on the tissue sample data for each tissue processing component to perform an automated tissue processing workflow. The control device automatically controls each tissue processing component according to the tissue processing workflow parameters to process the tissue sample block. The control device generates a block processing update message while the tissue sample block is processed and communicates the block processing update message to the LIMS to enable the LIMS to track the automated tissue processing workflow for the tissue sample block.

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: 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: 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 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: 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 histology system includes a microtome configured to produce a tissue section from a tissue block, where the tissue section includes a tissue sample, a transfer system including a transfer medium to transfer the tissue section to a slide, and a vision system. The vision system includes an illumination system configured to illuminate the tissue section on the transfer medium and an imaging system configured to create imaging data of the tissue section on the transfer medium illuminated by the illumination system. The histology system further includes a processor to receive the imaging data and perform one or more quality control analysis based on the imaging data, where the one or more analysis includes a comparative analysis of the tissue section on the transfer medium with at least one of the tissue section on the tissue block or the tissue section on the 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: 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: 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: 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.