Abstract: A sensor module (38, 40, 42) for a tissue processor (20) has a thermal sensor (66) for measuring a temperature of a container (30, 32, 34) of the tissue processor (20), and further has a position sensor for detecting a working position of the container (30, 32, 34).

Abstract: A tissue processor is described that comprises a retort for processing histological samples using various reagents, a plurality of exchangeable reagent supply containers that each comprise at least one container opening, a system of conduits, a control device for conveying reagents out of the reagent supply containers through at least one reagent conduit into the retort, and system bottles. The reagent supply containers and the system bottles are connected via the pertinent reagent conduits to at least one valve. The valve is electrically connected to the control device such that at least one of filling and emptying of the system bottles with reagents from the reagent supply containers is controlled. This design allows differently dimensioned reagent supply containers while at the same time minimizing the space requirement for the reagent containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing flat thin sections of a specimen (3) comprises a blade edge (7), a specimen carrier (4), a drive device (14) for producing a relative motion between the blade edge (7) and the specimen carrier (4) in a sectioning plane (5), and a light light-ribbon micrometer (8) arranged between the blade edge (7) and the specimen (3), wherein the light-ribbon micrometer (8) is arranged at a fixed distance (d) relative to the blade edge (7) and generates a light-ribbon in a plane perpendicular to the sectioning plane. A coding device (13) may be associated with the drive device (14) for controlling an alternating drive as a function of the distance (d) and of signals generated by the light-ribbon micrometer (8).

Abstract: A microtome for producing thin sections for microscopy is suggested that has a high level of automation and can be operated ergonomically. The microtome has a sectioning knife, a specimen holder, a first and a second motor unit operating the knife, a control system and an operating unit comprising a first and a second operating element. The first operating element controls the relative displacement between the sectioning knife and specimen holder, while the second operating element adjusts the advance rate of the displacement. The first operating element is a rotating ring and the second element is a rotary knob, concentrically within the rotating ring.

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). A liquid having a definable property is introducible into a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that with it, at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) 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) of the tissue infiltration apparatus (1) is definable.

Abstract: A device for cooling a tissue sample on a microtome includes a cooling element (44), a first air channel (32), and a ventilation device (22). The cooling element (44) has a cold region facing the tissue sample and a hot region which faces away from the tissue sample and dissipates the heat generated in the cooling element (44) to the ambient environment. The first air channel (32) is provided for dissipating the heat released by the cooling element (44). The ventilation device (22) generates an air flow through the first air channel (32), said air flow absorbing and removing the heat released via the hot region of the cooling element (44).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filtering sectioning wastes of a microtome that are present in an air stream is suggested. The apparatus encompasses an aspiration device. With the aspiration device, sectioning waste can be aspirated from a blade region of the microtome with an air stream. The aspiration device comprises a main filter in which the sectioning wastes can be filtered from the air. In order to allow inadvertently aspirated histological sections to be retrieved again without mix-up, the apparatus according to the present invention has an aspiration device comprising a prefilter that is arranged between the blade region and the main filter and prefilters the sectioning wastes. The present invention further relates to a microtome.

Abstract: A knife holder (1) for microtome blades (2) has a body (3) for reception of the blade (2) against an abutment edge (4) and a pressure plate (5) for retention of the blade, such that in the retained state, only the blade cutting edge (6) protrudes from the body (3), and an ejection apparatus (8), associated with one side edge (7) of the blade cutting edge (6), is connected to the body (3).

Abstract: A method for controlling a tissue processor and a tissue processor for processing tissue samples is described. A retort is provided including a cover that can be opened and closed by an operator. The retort cover is closed prior to tissue processing. The actuation state of a first and a second operating element can be determined. An operator is prompted to confirm unlocking of the closed retort cover by actuating a second operating element. The tissue processing is interrupted when an actuation of the second operating element is determined and the closed retort cover is unlocked and is continued after the retort cover is once again locked. After having completed tissue processing the retort cover is unlocked. By means of the described method and tissue processor improper intervention during ongoing tissue processing is prevented.

Abstract: In a vibrating microtome (1), a knife (6) is caused to vibrate during a sectioning operation in a direction parallel to a section plane and substantially parallel to the knife's edge, during which a transverse offset can occur as a consequence of a potentially present inclination of the cutting edge with respect to the section plane. A measuring device (3) for measuring the transverse offset comprises a light barrier (9) into which the cutting edge is placeable so as to partially cover the light of the light barrier. The vibrating microtome (1) generates, from the motion of the knife, a control application signal (pklo, pkhi) that describes the time course of the vibration of the knife (6), and the electronic measurement system of the measuring device (3) measures the coverage of the light barrier as a consequence of the vibration of the knife as an oscillating signal (tpm), and determines the transverse offset from the signal values at points in time that are defined by the control application signal.

Abstract: A lever arrangement for a microtome including a first and second lever. The first lever mounted rotatably about a first axis. The second lever is mounted rotatably about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. One lever comprises two guidance surfaces. The other lever comprises a guidance segment. The guidance segment coacts with the two guidance surfaces such that a rotation of the first lever in a first direction rotates the second lever in a target direction, and a rotation of the first lever in a direction opposite to the first direction rotates the second lever in the target direction.

Abstract: A vibrating microtome and measuring device for measuring the transverse offset of a vibrating knife comprises a light barrier into which the knife is placeable and a control application signal (pklo, pkhi) that describes the time course of the vibration of the knife and an electronic measurement system of the measuring device measures the coverage of the light barrier as an oscillating signal (tpm), and determines the transverse offset from the signal values at points in time that are defined by the control application signal.

Abstract: A system (100) and a method for the unequivocal allocation of histological cassettes (30) and specimen slides (60) is described. The system encompasses a microtome (1) and at least one reading unit (80). The data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) of the at least one specimen slide (60) are read by means of the reading unit (80). The reading unit (80) is provided with at least one indicating element (83) that outputs a signal in accordance with the degree of correspondence between the data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) on the specimen slide (60).

Abstract: A tissue processor for treating tissue samples comprises a process chamber (10) in which the tissue samples can be treated with at least one liquid. The process chamber (10) is formed as a vessel of a magnetic stirrer. In the process chamber, a stirring body (16) for stirring the liquid is arranged, wherein the stirring body (16) comprises at least one magnet (40a, 40b) with the aid of which the stirring body (16) can be set in rotation by a drive unit (20) of the magnetic stirrer, and at least one vane (28a to 28f) by which the liquid to be stirred is stirred when the stirring body (16) rotates. According to a first aspect of the invention, the stirring body (16) has at least three vanes (28a to 28f), according to a second aspect of the invention, the stirring body (16) has at least one further magnet (40b). The north pole (46) of the one magnet (40a) and the south pole (50) of the further magnet (40b) face the drive unit (20).

Abstract: A device (20) for processing tissue samples has a processing room (22) for introducing and processing the tissue samples (20). A chamber (34) communicates with the processing room (22). At least one filling level sensor (28, 30, 32) detects a measurement value which is representative of a filling level of a liquid in the chamber (34). A calculating unit determines a filling level of the liquid in the processing room (22) depending on the filling level of the liquid in the chamber (34).

Abstract: An apparatus is described for treating prepared specimens. The apparatus comprises at least two container rows arranged in parallel to each other, each comprising a plurality of reagent containers and a transport mechanism for transporting at least one transport container that receives at least one carrier holding at least one prepared specimen. The transport mechanism is movable along an X and Z axis. A rotation unit is provided comprising holding arms and at least one holding element. The container rows are received rotatably at the ends of the holding arms of the at least one holding element that is connected to a rotation shaft such that it co-rotates with the rotation shaft that extends parallel to the X axis. The rotation unit is adapted to assume at least one working position allowing the transport mechanism to have access to the reagent container.

Abstract: A crank drive system (10) of a shaft (11) of a microtome (1) encompasses a first and a second shaft (11, 12). The first shaft (11) is rotatable with a crank (13) and comprises a first transfer gear (14). The second shaft (12) comprises a second transfer gear (15). A rotation of the first shaft (11) is transferable from the first transfer gear (14) to the second transfer gear (15) to cause the second shaft (12) to rotate. To make possible, with a microtome (1), an advance or a lowering of the specimen (2) in two respective oppositely directed rotation directions with the same crank drive system (10), the crank drive system (10) is characterized in that a third transfer gear (16) is provided. The first transfer gear (14) is selectably engageable with the second transfer gear (15) or with the third transfer gear (16) so that as a result, while the rotation direction of the second shaft (12) is maintained, the rotation direction of the first shaft (11) is reversible.

Abstract: A method for operating a tissue processor is described. During the operation of a tissue processor a reagent is fed from a container into a retort of the tissue processor, which retort does not contain any tissue samples. Thereafter, the reagent is returned into the container. During feeding, returning and/or in between feeding and returning a measured value is detected by a sensor of the tissue processor. This value is representative of a concentration of the reagent. During this feeding, this returning and/or in between no tissue sample is placed in the retort.

Abstract: A tissue infiltration apparatus, system and method are described, allowing accelerating infiltration of the tissue sample with a variety of reagents fluids. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber adapted to receive a tissue sample and a dielectric fluid to be infiltrated into a tissue sample. The reaction chamber comprises a bottom and a circumferential wall with a window section that is transparent for microwave irradiation. A holding element holds the tissue sample over a predetermined time period at a distance of 3PD of the dielectric fluid from the window section is provided. PD is the penetration depth of the microwaves into the dielectric fluid and defined as the depth where the initial microwave field intensity has been reduced to 1/e. A microwave system irradiates microwave irradiation through the window section into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A system (100) and a method for the unequivocal allocation of histological cassettes (30) and specimen slides (60) is described. The system encompasses a microtome (1) and at least one reading unit (80). The data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) of the at least one specimen slide (60) are read by means of the reading unit (80). The reading unit (80) is provided with at least one indicating element (83) that outputs a signal in accordance with the degree of correspondence between the data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) on the specimen slide (60).