Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Multi-color CL images of nanoparticle samples may be generated, by irradiating with a scanning electron beam a nanoparticle sample that containing a plurality of spectrally distinct optical emitters configured to generate CL light at respective different color channels, then detecting the CL light from the nanoparticles to generate multi-color NP-CL images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, SE (secondary electron) images of the sample may be acquire, substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of the CL images, so as to generate correlative NP-CL and SE images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may be surface-functionalized so that the nanoparticles selectively bind only to particular structures of interest.

Abstract: Multi-color CL images of nanoparticle samples may be generated, by irradiating with a scanning electron beam a nanoparticle sample that containing a plurality of spectrally distinct optical emitters configured to generate CL light at respective different color channels, then detecting the CL light from the nanoparticles to generate multi-color NP-CL images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, SE (secondary electron) images of the sample may be acquire, substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of the CL images, so as to generate correlative NP-CL and SE images of the nanoparticle sample. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may be surface-functionalized so that the nanoparticles selectively bind only to particular structures of interest.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing and processing serial tissue sections. In one example, an “automatic tape collecting lathe ultramicrotome” (ATLUM) slices a block of tissue sample having various geometries into a continuous ribbon of thin tissue, or multiple thin tissue sections, and disposes the sliced thin tissue on an appropriate substrate to facilitate subsequent imaging of the sliced thin tissue. Closed-loop control of section thickness of the sliced thin tissue sections or ribbons is implemented to produce thinner sliced tissue sections or ribbons and tightly regulate thickness. Thin tissue sections or ribbons may be particularly processed/prepared to facilitate imaging with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Collected thin tissue sections or ribbons may be used to create UltraThin Section Libraries (UTSLs) that allow for fully automated, time-efficient imaging in the SEM to facilitate expansive tissue studies.