Patents Assigned to Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
  • SYSTEM FOR HANDLING SLIDES HAVING A LINEAR TRANSPORT MECHANISM FOR TRANSPORTING THE RACKS
    Publication number: 20120290127
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • SYSTEM FOR HANDLING SLIDES HAVING TWO COVERSLIPPER MODULES
    Publication number: 20120287261
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • GRIPPER DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING RACKS
    Publication number: 20120286531
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device for transporting a rack (3) for microscope slides (4), in particular in systems for preparing tissue samples for histological examinations, the gripper device having a gripping mechanism including a pair of gripping arms (2), whose ends are configured as gripping sections (7) for gripping the rack. In order to provide a gripper device which can be used in a versatile manner in automated stainers and coverslippers and contributes to reducing the cost of manufacture, it is proposed that the gripping sections (7) be provided with first profiles (17) for gripping the rack (3) in a vertical position and second profiles (18) for gripping the rack (3) in a horizontal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Midhat Hajrovic
  • Device with which a histological section generated on a blade of a microtome can be applied to a slide
    Patent number: 8309038
    Abstract: A device for applying a histological section to a slide is described. The histological section is generated by a cutting action performed by a blade of a microtome. The device comprises a positioning device having a component that is rotatably mounted to a bearing and has a receptacle for receiving and holding the slide, wherein the positioning device is designed such that the slide received in the receptacle can be rotated about an axis of rotation of the rotatably mounted component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Walter, Andreas Laudat, Christoph Schmitt
  • Method and apparatus for processing tissue samples using a sensor
    Patent number: 8309037
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing tissue samples are described. The apparatus comprises: at least one retort for accommodating tissue samples; at least one container for storing alcohol or xylene; a valve adapted to connect the at least one retort with the at least one container depending on an operating position of the valve; and at least a first sensor that is arranged in flow direction between the container and the retort for measuring a value of a parameter that represents a purity level of the alcohol or xylene; wherein the first sensor and the valve are configured to replace the alcohol or xylene depending on the value of the parameter that represents the purity level. The method comprises for the alcohol or xylene conducting between the container and the retort; automatically measuring the purity level and replacing depending on the purity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Erben, Nils Jakob, Claus Haberkorn, Frank Meder, Michael Rapp, Joachim Hoffmann
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETACHING AND/OR ISOLATING A HISTOLOGICAL SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20120266696
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Arne BURISCH, Christian LÖCHTE, Annika RAATZ, Hermann ULBRICH, Karl-Heinrich WESTERHOFF
  • METHOD FOR EXECUTION UPON PROCESSING OF AT LEAST ONE HISTOLOGICAL SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20120269605
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Arne BURISCH, Christian LÖCHTE, Annika RAATZ, Hermann ULBRICH, Karl-Heinrich WESTERHOFF
  • TISSUE SAMPLE HANDLING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120271450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue sample handling apparatus, in particular for grasping histological samples after infiltration of an embedding medium such as, for example, paraffin, which is characterized in that a sample is immobilizable on the handling apparatus, in particular in a sample holding position, by means of negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Arne BURISCH, Christian LÖCHTE, Annika RAATZ, Hermann ULBRICH, Karl-Heinrich WESTERHOFF
  • TISSUE SAMPLE HANDLING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20120271451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue sample handling apparatus, in particular for grasping histological samples after infiltration of an embedding medium such as, for example, paraffin, which is characterized in that a sample is immobilizable on the handling apparatus, in particular in a sample holding position, by means of negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Arne BURISCH, Christian LÖCHTE, Annika RAATZ, Hermann ULBRICH, Karl-Heinrich WESTERHOFF
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETACHING AND/OR ISOLATING A HISTOLOGICAL SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20120266697
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating histological samples, in particular for detaching and/or isolating a histological sample that, in particular after an infiltration operation, is adhering to another sample and/or to the inside of a cassette (1), having a sample receiving chamber (2) which is embodied and intended to be filled at least partly with a liquid (3), in particular with liquid paraffin. The apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a displacement means (5) is provided that is introducible into the liquid (3), in particular under open- and/or closed-loop control, in order to elevate the fill level height (6) of the liquid (3), and/or that a displacement means (5) is provided whose volume is increasable, in particular under open- and/or closed-loop control, in order to elevate the fill level height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Arne BURISCH, Christian LÖCHTE, Annika RAATZ, Hermann ULBRICH, Karl-Heinrich WESTERHOFF
  • DEVICE FOR MANIPULATING AT LEAST ONE SPECIMEN SLIDE
    Publication number: 20120265339
    Abstract: A device for manipulating at least one specimen slide includes a first sensor unit operable to sense a first rotation of a first component of the device about at least one first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. A second sensor unit is operable to sense a second rotation of a second component of the device about the at least one first axis of the coordinate system, the coordinate system being independent of a position of the first component and of a position of the second component. A positioning unit is operable to position the second component relative to the first component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Simon Keimer, Juergen Tenhaef
  • Method for operating a tissue processor, and tissue processor
    Patent number: 8288086
    Abstract: A method for operating a tissue processor and a respective tissue processor for performing this method are described for the processing tissue samples. The tissue processor comprises at least one retort for receiving the tissue samples and at least one container for receiving a process medium. The process medium is transferred at least one of from the container into the retort and from the retort into the container. A value is automatically measured in the course of transferring the process medium, the value representing a characteristic property of the process medium. The process medium is identified based on the value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Metzner, Udo Herrmann, Hermann Ulbrich, Eva Goedecke
  • Tissue infiltration method
    Patent number: 8277730
    Abstract: A tissue infiltration apparatus (1) for specimens present in cassettes (5) comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to, and/or movable away from, a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) with the transport apparatus (6). An execution sequence (21) in which the transport baskets (4) pass through the liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) is definable. To enable accelerated or preferred processing of a transport basket (4) with the tissue infiltration apparatus (1), at least one means (8) is provided with which the order of two transport baskets (4) is definably modifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Stefan Künkel, Janet Minshew
  • Apparatus for cooling cassette magazines containing tissue samples
    Patent number: 8272225
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling cassette magazines containing tissue samples is described. The apparatus comprises a housing, a cooling device, and a transport apparatus for transporting one or more cassette magazines within the housing. The cassette magazines are introduced into the apparatus via an input chute and can be removed via an output chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Walter
  • Method for automatically feeding a specimen to be thinly cut to the knife of a microtome
    Patent number: 8256332
    Abstract: A method for the automatic and contact-free relative approach between a specimen (6) and a knife (7) of a microtome (1). A first light beam bundle (9?) forms a detector-side zero point and a last light beam bundle (9?) forms a detector-side end point of a light band (8), the light band (8) being arranged perpendicular to the second spatial direction (Y) and in the direction thereof spaced from the knife, a zero point (X0) being assigned to a reference position of the knife blade (XBlade). The specimen (6) is guided through the light band (8) by way of a cutting movement. The position of the highest point of the specimen (XSpecimen) in the first spatial direction (X) is determined from the number of shaded light beam bundles (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Walter
  • AUTOMATED PROCESSING MACHINE USED FOR PROCESSING SAMPLES PLACED ON SLIDES AND HAVING AN OUTPUT DEVICE
    Publication number: 20120192660
    Abstract: An automated processing machine, in particular an automated coverslipper or an automated stainer used for processing samples placed on slides and having an output device for outputting slides that have been processed by the automated processing machine. The output device includes an extensible and retractable drawer unit. The drawer unit includes at least one receiving channel for receiving a plurality of holders for slides. Holders received in any position in the receiving channel can be removed therefrom when the output device is in the open position. The automated processing machine is designed such that holders intended for output are inserted into the at least one receiving channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Midhat Hajrovic, Bernhard Neef, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Simon Keimer
  • DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR HANDLING COVERSLIPS FOR MICROSCOPE SLIDES
    Publication number: 20120195731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslip handling device (100) comprising a pick-up component (200) for picking up a coverslip (800) and a sensor device (203, 204) for checking the state of the coverslip (800) picked up, the coverslip handling device (100) being arranged to pick up a coverslip (800) automatically by means of the pick-up component (200), to check the state of the coverslip (800) picked up by means of the sensor device (203, 204) so that unusable coverslips are detected, and to set down a coverslip (800) that has been detected as being usable, automatically by means of the pick-up component (200) on a slide (500) provided for this purpose, wherein the coverslip handling device (100) is configured to automatically discard a coverslip found to be unusable by means of the pick-up component (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim HOFFMANN
  • Device for manipulating at least one specimen slide
    Patent number: 8231829
    Abstract: A device for manipulating at least one specimen slide. The device includes a first sensor unit operable to sense a first rotation of a first component of the device about at least one first axis of a three-dimensional coordinate system. A second sensor unit is operable to sense a second rotation of a second component of the device about the at least one first axis of the coordinate system, the coordinate system being independent of a position of the first component and of a position of the second component. A positioning unit is operable to position the second component relative to the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Keimer, Juergen Tenhaef
  • COVERSLIPPING MODULE FOR MOUNTING COVERSLIPS ONTO SPECIMEN SLIDES
    Publication number: 20120189412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides (12) for microscopic investigations, having a transport apparatus (9) for transporting a specimen slide (12) out of a rack (3) or a specimen slide holder to a coverslipping position (13) in which the specimen slide (12) is equipped with a coverslip, and having alignment means for aligning the specimen slide (12) in the coverslipping position (13) for mounting the coverslip. In order to allow the specimen slide (12) to be reliably and quickly aligned for mounting of the coverslips, thereby ensuring a high level of process dependability with a short processing time, the alignment means are constituted by multiple movable orientation jaws (18) which are arranged so that by closure of the orientation jaws (18), the specimen slide (12) becomes aligned in the coverslipping position (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim HOFFMANN, Bernhard NEEF, Simon KEIMER, Karl-Heinz WESTERHOFF
  • Microtome
    Patent number: D668347
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Hoelbl