Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion in a form of a horizontal load rail (2). A plurality of slide storage baskets (4) can be located in series on the rail (2). Each basket is “side loading” and the side loading aperture of each basket can be selectively covered by a slide retaining bar (6). When the baskets (4) are placed on the load rail (2) (e.g. by hooking or clipping the baskets onto the rail), the basket can be moved along the horizontal rail by a basket moving means. The arrangement of the rail and the basket moving means is such that the baskets can be pushed together and move as a “train”. Baskets moved to the pick-up end (12) of the rail can then be removed from the rail and processed. A vertical lift mechanism can be used to remove the basket and transport it to a processing device, for example a coverslipper.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.

Abstract: A basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion in a form of a horizontal load rail. A plurality of slide storage baskets can be located in series on the rail. Each basket is ‘side loading’ and the side loading aperture of each basket can be selectively covered by a slide retaining bar. When the baskets are placed on the load rail, the basket can be moved along the horizontal rail by a basket moving means. The arrangement of the rail and the basket moving means is such that the baskets can be pushed together and move as a ‘train’. Baskets moved to the pick-up end of the rail can then be removed from the rail and processed. A vertical lift mechanism can be used to remove the basket and transport it to a processing device, for example a coverslipper.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion in a form of a horizontal load rail (2). A plurality of slide storage baskets (4) can be located in series on the rail (2). Each basket is “side loading” and the side loading aperture of each basket can be selectively covered by a slide retaining bar (6). When the baskets (4) are placed on the load rail (2) (e.g. by hooking or clipping the baskets onto the rail), the basket can be moved along the horizontal rail by a basket moving means. The arrangement of the rail and the basket moving means is such that the baskets can be pushed together and move as a “train”. Baskets moved to the pick-up end (12) of the rail can then be removed from the rail and processed. A vertical lift mechanism can be used to remove the basket and transport it to a processing device, for example a coverslipper.

Abstract: A centrifugation device comprising a combined sample chamber and slide holder adapted to be mounted, with a microscope slide (26), in a centrifuge in a predetermined position, after placing a fluid biological sample containing cells in the sample chamber. The device comprises an integrally moulded body (10) affording a base (14) which engages the microscope slide, and also affording a back plate (14) connected with the base plate by an integral hinge (22) a latch mechanism formed integrally with the remainder of the device is arranged, when the back plate (14) is closed against the rear of a microscope slide (26) engaged with the base (14), to locate the slide between the base and the back plate and to hold the back plate in this closed position until fracture of a retaining element from the integrally moulded body. Thus the device can be used once only.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a dispensing apparatus for dispensing individual tissue cassettes from a stack of cassettes, the apparatus includes a hopper for receiving a stack of tissue cassettes, the hopper having an aperture through which cassettes are dispensable; ejection means for ejecting a cassette through the aperture; and retention means for retaining all but one of the cassettes in the stack as an individual cassette is ejected.

Abstract: A portable battery operated coverslip dispensing device 50 includes an optical sensor 64. The optical sensor detects proximity, for example the proximity of a user's hand. The optical sensor is associated with a switch that operates the dispensing mechanism 8 in response to a signal from the optical sensor. When that signal has been received, the dispensing mechanism 8 moves the blade 10 through one cycle, i.e. the blade is moved from a start position (as shown in FIG. 1) to an extended position (at which point a coverslip has been moved to the dispensed position 60) and back to the start position. The dispense mechanism then stops. In order to dispense another coverslip the user must activate the optical sensor again.

Abstract: A centrifugation device comprising a combined sample chamber and slide holder adapted to be mounted, with a microscope slide (26), in a centrifuge in a predetermined position, after placing a fluid biological sample containing cells in the sample chamber. The device comprises an integrally moulded body (10) affording a base (14) which engages the microscope slide, and also affording a back plate (14) connected with the base plate by an integral hinge (22) a latch mechanism formed integrally with the remainder of the device is arranged, when the back plate (14) is closed against the rear of a microscope slide (26) engaged with the base (14), to locate the slide between the base and the back plate and to hold the back plate in this closed position until fracture of a retaining element from the integrally moulded body. Thus the device can be used once only.

Abstract: An automatic microtome is disclosed which comprises a base, a knife-holder mounted on the base for supporting a microtome knife, a specimen holder mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the base towards and away from the knife-holder and also mounted for transverse movement relative to the knife holder for displacing a specimen held by the specimen holder relative to a knife mounted in the knife holder for cutting sections from such specimen. The knife holder is mounted directly on the base without provision for adjustment of the position of the knife holder on the base such as to vary the location of the knife edge in relation to said edge, and the specimen holder is designed to provide enhanced stability over a wide range of longitudinal positions the specimen holder.