Abstract: A cryogenic seal, and a cryogenic ultramicrotome using the seal are presented. The seal allows a microtome arm to pass through an aperture in the wall of a cryogenic microtome chamber providing thermal insulation while allowing manipulation of the microtome arm within the chamber. The seal includes a thermally conductive seal container having a number of thermally insulating baffle inserts therein. The baffle inserts are placed within the seal container to form a plurality of baffle chambers, and each baffle insert includes an aperture which is larger in circumference than the external circumference of the microtome arm. Within each baffle chamber is a baffle membrane, each membrane having an aperture through which the microtome arm passes in sliding contact.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in securing a specimen (S) in a folding specimen holder (58) having an arm blade (12). A spring clip (26) releasably secures the grid (58) to the arm blade (12) so that one or more specimens may be loaded into the holder (58). A slider (22) mounted on the arm blade (12) operates to fold the holder (58) upon itself in order to secure the specimens (S) in the holder (58). The spring clip (26) is thereafter operated to release the holder (58) after the holder (58) has been transferred from a first workstation (48) to a second workstation (62).