Abstract: An automated embedding machine includes at least a conveyor, a pouring station, and a cooling station. The conveyor is embodied and arranged to receive casting molds each having at least one histological sample arranged therein, and to transport them to the pouring station which fills each casting mold with an embedding medium heated to above its melting point, and then to the cooling station which cools the embedding medium of each casting mold to below its melting point. The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for embedding a histological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for handling slides, including a first and at least a second module-receiving area (24 through 28) for receiving at least one module (30, 34) for handling slides each. The first module-receiving area (24) accommodates a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping thin sections on slides with a mounting medium and a cover slip (48).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a processor for processing histological samples. The processor comprises an inlet for insertion of a closed fixing container having the samples present therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microtome (10) for cutting thin sections, including a sample holder (12), a cutting unit (16), and a drive unit (16) for producing a feed movement between the sample holder (12) and the cutting unit (16) for setting the thickness of the sample sections. The drive unit (22) includes a piezoelectric linear actuator (50) for producing the feed movement.

Abstract: The invention relates, in accordance with one aspect, to a portable device for transporting at least one histological sample or at least one cassette containing a histological sample. The device is attachable to a processing station for processing 5 histological samples. In the attached state, energy for cooling the histological sample is transferred from the processing station to the device or vice versa. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a processing station for processing a histological sample is provided, which station is embodied for releasable attachment of a portable device. The processing station is further embodied to transfer energy 10 for cooling to, or receive it from, an attached device.

Abstract: The invention relates inter alia to an automated stainer for staining, in particular for hemalum-eosin (HE) staining, of a histological sample, the automated stainer exposing the sample to the action of at least one stain using at least one staining parameter. The automated stainer is notable for the fact that the automated stainer comprises an input means with which a staining parameter is definable, in particular is inputtable or is selectable from a plurality of possible staining parameters; and that a control apparatus is present which, upon application of the defined staining parameter, ascertains the prospectively expectable outcome of an action and displays it to the user with a display apparatus, before the automated stainer actually stains the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a tissue sample including a retaining member having a first tissue engaging surface and at least one biasing element, the first tissue engaging surface being moveably attached to the retaining member by said biasing element; and a base having a second tissue engaging surface and configured to engage the retaining member to form an interior area with the first and second tissue engaging surfaces facing each other, wherein the at least one biasing element urges the first tissue engaging surface toward the second tissue engaging surface to retain the tissue sample therebetween in the interior area.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a tissue sample including a retaining member having a first tissue engaging surface and at least one biasing element, the first tissue engaging surface being moveably attached to the retaining member by said biasing element; and a base having a second tissue engaging surface and configured to engage the retaining member to form an interior area with the first and second tissue engaging surfaces facing each other, wherein the at least one biasing element urges the first tissue engaging surface toward the second tissue engaging surface to retain the tissue sample therebetween in the interior area.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detaching and/or isolating a histological sample that is adhering to another sample and/or to the inside of a cassette, for example as a result of solidification of an embedding medium within a cassette. The sample is immobilized in a sample receiving chamber above a first fill level of a liquid that is suitable for counteracting the adhesion; and that the fill level of the liquid is then elevated at least until said level reaches the sample. An apparatus according to the present invention that can be used for carrying out the method comprises a sample receiving chamber and an adjusting chamber, the adjusting chamber being connected to the sample receiving chamber in such a way that a change in the fill level height of the liquid in the sample receiving chamber is producible by changing the pressure existing in the adjusting chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding apparatus (10) for receiving specimen slides (1), having a holder (3, 4, 5) for handling the holding apparatus (10) and having at least two identification units (2a, 2b) that make available different information items to enable characterization of the orientation of the holding apparatus (10) in a stainer or coverslipper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a knife holder (100) having a blade changing apparatus (102). The knife holder has a first blade receptacle (111) defining a cutting position, a securing device (130, 141, 142) for securing a blade (201) received in the first blade receptacle (111), a second blade receptacle (112) defining an output position, and an ejection device (141, 143, 144a) for ejecting a blade (201) received in the first blade receptacle (111) out of the first blade receptacle (111). The first and the second blade receptacles are arranged in the knife holder in such a way that a blade ejected from the first blade receptacle (111) can travel by gravity into the second blade receptacle (112).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treatment of histological samples. The apparatus includes at least a working station, in which the sample gets into contact with a liquid reagent. Further, the apparatus includes a purification device, which blows off at least a part of the reagent adhering to the sample and/or the sample holding arrangement by means of a gas flow, or which sucks off at least a part of the reagent adhering to the sample and/or a sample holding arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing apparatus (100) for processing tissue samples, having a control unit (140) configured to control at least one apparatus function of the processing apparatus (100); and a communication device (130, 135) configured to read at least one information item from a user identification unit (151, 152, 153) and convey the at least one information item to the control unit (140). The control unit (140) is configured to control the at least one apparatus function of the processing apparatus (100) based on the at least one information item conveyed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processor for working on histological samples. The processor has an inlet for the insertion of a fixing container, particularly a closed fixing container, with the samples located in the latter.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling specimen slides comprises a first module receiving region (18) in which a coverslipping module (100, 200), for coverslipping thin sections arranged on the specimen slides with a coverslipping medium and a coverslipping element, is receivable. A first electrical interface is provided in the first module receiving region (18) for attachment of a coverslipping module (100, 200), this interface being embodied so that by way of it, both a glass coverslipping module (100) for coverslipping with glass wafers and a tape coverslipping module (200) for coverslipping with tapes is attachable. The first module receiving region (18) is furthermore embodied in such a way that a tape coverslipping module (200) or a glass coverslipping module (100) is selectably receivable in it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coverslipping machine (1) including: a hollow needle (2) for applying mounting medium onto a specimen slide (5); a transparent container (103) to be filled with a liquid; a light source (101) for radiating measurement light in a principal radiating direction (A) into the container (103); and a light sensor (102, 102?) for detecting the measurement light, the light source (101) being arranged with respect to the container (103) in such a way that the radiated measurement light is refracted by a liquid in the container whose fill level exceeds a fill level limit, the light sensor (102, 102?) being arranged with respect to the container (103) in such a way that only measurement light refracted by the liquid or only measurement light not refracted by the liquid is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for execution upon processing of at least one histological sample that is arranged, in particular after an infiltration process, in a closed cassette (2). The method is characterized in that prior to opening of the cassette (2), the sample is detached from the cover of the cassette (2) and/or isolated.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a tissue sample having a retaining member with a first tissue engaging surface and at least one biasing element. The first tissue engaging surface is moveably attached to the retaining member. The apparatus also has a base comprising a second tissue engaging surface which is configured to engage the retaining member to form an interior area with the first and second tissue engaging surfaces facing each other. The apparatus also has a retracting member connected to the retaining member which is configured to retract the first tissue engaging surface and compress the biasing element to form a gap between the tissue sample and one of the first tissue engaging surface and the second tissue engaging surface.

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 present invention relates to a system (10, 100) for handling slides, including an input compartment (14) for inputting racks (16) and the slides held therein, and a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping slides. The system (10, 100) further includes an output compartment (22) for outputting racks (16), a transport unit (20) for transporting the racks (16), and a control unit (52) for controlling the transport unit (20). The transport unit (20) is designed to be capable of transporting the racks (16) between the input compartment (14), the coverslipper module (30, 32) and the output compartment (22).