Abstract: A microtome system for cutting sections from a specimen includes a knife including a knife edge configured to cut a section from the specimen, a knife holder, a specimen holder, an illumination, a first actor, a detector, and a controller. The knife holder and specimen holder are configured to be relatively moveable in a cutting direction. The first actor is configured to cause a rotation of the knife holder or specimen holder about an axis. The illumination is configured to illuminate a gap between a front face of the specimen and the knife edge to generate a light gap. The detector is configured to detect a geometric feature of the light gap. The controller is configured to automatically align, or provide indications to manually align, the knife edge with the front face, by controlling the first actor depending on the detected geometric feature.

Abstract: A method (400) for microscopic examination of a sample (1) includes applying (410) the sample (1) to a sample holder (10) having a transparent carrier material, capturing (420) a first image (210, 220) of the sample (1) applied to the sample holder (10) using a first light-microscopy method, cryofixing, freeze-substituting, and subsequently infiltrating and embedding (430) the sample (1) together with the sample holder (10) with an embedding medium (20) in an embedding mold (90, 100), curing (440) the embedding medium (20), removing the sample (1) from the embedding mold (90, 100) together with the embedding medium (20) and the sample holder (10), capturing (450) a second image (230) of the sample (1) embedded in the cured embedding medium (20) using a second light-microscopy method, wherein at least partially identical regions of the sample (1) are captured in the first and second images, and identifying (460) at least one portion of the first image (210, 220) and one portion of the second image (230) which

Abstract: A method including one or more steps of a procedure for preparing a microscopic sample for a high-pressure freezing process is provided, wherein the sample is provided using an arrangement comprising a middle plate of a high-pressure freezing cartridge and an incubation chamber, wherein the middle plate is attached to a lower surface of a bottom of the incubation chamber by an adhesive and detachable from the incubation chamber by effecting a relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber, wherein the sample is provided on an enclosing element which is fitted into an opening of the middle plate, and wherein, when the sample is to be subjected to the high-pressure freezing process, the relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber is effected, thereby detaching the middle plate with the sample from the incubation chamber. Means to implement the method are also part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A device for preparing a microscopic sample for a high-pressure freezing process in which the sample is provided using an arrangement having a middle plate of a high-pressure freezing cartridge and an incubation chamber, the middle plate being attached to and detachable from the incubation chamber by effecting a relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber, and the sample being provided on an enclosing element which is fitted into an opening of the middle plate, wherein the device includes an engagement structure adapted to engage with the middle plate and to restrict a movement of the middle plate while the incubation chamber is moved, such as to effect the relative movement between the middle plate and the incubation chamber and to thereby detach the middle plate from the incubation chamber.

Abstract: A microtome system for cutting sections from a specimen includes a knife including a knife edge configured to cut a section from the specimen, a knife holder, a specimen holder, an illumination, a first actor, a detector, and a controller. The knife holder and specimen holder are configured to be relatively moveable in a cutting direction. The first actor is configured to cause a rotation of the knife holder or specimen holder about an axis. The illumination is configured to illuminate a gap between a front face of the specimen and the knife edge to generate a light gap. The detector is configured to detect a geometric feature of the light gap. The controller is configured to automatically align, or provide indications to manually align, the knife edge with the front face, by controlling the first actor depending on the detected geometric feature.

Abstract: A high pressure freezing cartridge (300, 400, 500) for use in vitrification of a biological sample (10) is provided, the cartridge (300, 400, 500) being adapted to fixedly hold a sample chamber (216, 218, 220) at a sample chamber position (320, 420, 520) in the cartridge (300, 400, 500), a refrigerant channel arrangement comprising at least one refrigerant channel (208, 308, 408, 462, 464, 466, 468, 508, 562, 564, 566, 569) being provided in the cartridge (300, 400, 500) and extending from a surface of the cartridge (300, 400, 500) to the sample chamber position, and the cartridge (300, 400, 500) comprising a baffle structure (350, 450, 550, 571) at a baffle position being adapted to interact with a refrigerant stream in the refrigerant channel arrangement before the refrigerant of the refrigerant stream reaches the sample chamber position in the cartridge (300, 400, 500). A corresponding method in which the high pressure freezing cartridge (300, 400, 500) is used is also part of the present disclosure.

Abstract: A modular specimen holder (10?) for high pressure freezing and/or X-ray crystallography of a specimen has a specimen holding element (100?) and an extension element (200?) connectable with and separable from each other; the specimen holding element (100?) including a tubule (120?) adapted to hold the specimen and a base element (110?) adapted to hold the tubule (120?), wherein a distance from a bottom of the base element (110?) to a top of the tubule (120?) is a first distance (d1); the extension element (200?) being connectable with the base element (110?), wherein, when the extension element (200?) and the base element (110?) are connected with each other, a second distance (d2) from a bottom of the extension element (200?) to the top of the tubule (120?) is larger than the first distance (d1).

Abstract: A method for preparing a hydrous, cryopreserved sample that is enclosed in a sample container (1, 1a, 1b, 1c), in the case of which, at least sample material is introduced into the sample container; this is then sealed pressure-tight and subsequently cooled by a cryogen (8) in a temporal and spatial sequence, a sacrificial region (4) of the container contents (2) initially solidifying and, only subsequently thereto, the entire container contents solidifying. A sample container (1a) that may be preferably used in this case is designed to be tubular, sealed at both ends thereof, and to essentially have a U-shaped form.

Abstract: In an apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens with a microwave generator (1), a microwave chamber for receiving specimens (5) to be processed, and a container arrangement (11) for a number of containers (9) for liquids, the microwave chamber is realized as a waveguide (2) that includes a first opening (7a) for introduction of a specimen (5) and a second opening (8a), preferably arranged at the bottom, through which a liquid container (9) is reversibly introduced into the microwave chamber while the specimen (5) is held stationary, until the liquid container thus introduced into the microwave chamber, and the liquid contained therein, surround the specimen (5).

Abstract: A knife holder (5) for a microtome for cutting samples (4a) is disclosed. The knife holder (5) encompasses several knives (2a, 2b) each of which defines a cutting edge (16). The knife holder (5) is arranged pivotably about a shaft (18); and the shaft (18) is arranged substantially perpendicularly to each cutting edge (16) of the knives (2a, 2b).

Abstract: A Dewar vessel (1) for automated cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The invention further discloses an apparatus (10) for automated liquid transfer for cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution. The apparatus (10) encompasses a container (50) that encompasses at least one specimen holder (2) and at least one reservoir holder (20); and wherein a movable transfer container (35) for automated exchange of at least one liquid (42) between the at least one specimen holder (2) and the at least one reservoir holder (20) is provided.

Abstract: In an apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens with a microwave generator (1), a microwave chamber for receiving specimens (5) to be processed, and a container arrangement (11) for a number of containers (9) for liquids, the microwave chamber is realized as a waveguide (2) that comprises a first opening (7a) for introduction of a specimen (5) and a second opening (8a), preferably arranged at the bottom, through which a liquid container (9) is reversibly introduced into the microwave chamber while the specimen (5) is held stationary, until the liquid container thus introduced into the microwave chamber, and the liquid contained therein, surround the specimen (5).

Abstract: In an apparatus for microwave-assisted preparation of specimens, the microwave chamber for reception of specimens to be processed is embodied as a waveguide (3), in particular as a monomode waveguide, and is equipped with at least one opening (3a) for introduction of the at least one specimen (11) into the waveguide. A cooling circuit comprises a cooling means (8) adapted to cool the fluid (12), which fluid surrounds the at least one specimen and is separated from the cooling liquid of the cooling circuit, in the region of the at least one specimen (11) inside the waveguide. The opening (3a) can be sealed in microwave-tight fashion, by means of a closure means (7), during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A container (50) for an apparatus for automated cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The container is embodied as a cup (51) open at the top. The container (50) is subdivided into a first sector (52) and a second sector (53), at least one specimen holder (2) being arranged in the first sector (52) and at least one reservoir holder (20) in the second sector (53); and the container is arranged in the neck of a Dewar vessel (1).

Abstract: A Dewar vessel (1) for automated cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The invention further discloses an apparatus (10) for automated liquid transfer for cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution. The apparatus (10) encompasses a container (50) that encompasses at least one specimen holder (2) and at least one reservoir holder (20); and wherein a movable transfer container (35) for automated exchange of at least one liquid (42) between the at least one specimen holder (2) and the at least one reservoir holder (20) is provided.

Abstract: In microtomes or ultramicrotomes, it is necessary to preset the specimen (14) onto the knife (16). In order to facilitate and automate this presetting operation, which is intended to guarantee the fastest and most accurate possible positioning of the knife (16) relative to the specimen (14), the spacing (13) between the trimmed surface (15) of the specimen (14) and the specimen holder (22) is ascertained and is transferred to the microtome or ultramicrotome (10). The spacing (13) is preferably ascertained in the trimming device (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for cryosubstitution or low-temperature substitution is disclosed. The apparatus encompasses a Dewar vessel (1) that is embodied with a neck. A chamber (5) for reception of at least one specimen is inserted in the neck (53). The chamber (5) is embodied with a heavy base (51) that is connected to a first thermal conduction rod (7). A platform (8) is provided at the end of the first thermal conduction rod (7) facing away from the base (51). An insulator (12) is provided above the platform (8) of the first thermal conduction rod (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for the polymerization of biological specimens in the context of cryosubstitution is disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of diodes having UV components for the polymerization of biological specimens in the context of cryosubstitution. A cooled chamber (6) is provided, in which at least one specimen carrier (2) having a biological specimen (4) is received. At least one diode (7), which emits light having UV components and is arranged in such a way that the light is directed onto the biological specimens (4), is mounted on a constituent part (9) of the cooling apparatus (5).

Abstract: A knife holder (5) for a microtome for cutting samples (4a) is disclosed. The knife holder (5) encompasses several knives (2a, 2b) each of which defines a cutting edge (16). The knife holder (5) is arranged pivotably about a shaft (18); and the shaft (18) is arranged substantially perpendicularly to each cutting edge (16) of the knives (2a, 2b).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for handling coverslips (20) for specimen slides (9) comprises a transport arm (8), a base block (3) mounted on the transport arm and having a having a notional center axis (3a), and at least two suction devices (4 and 5) carried by the base block (3), each suction device (4 and 5) having an end (4a and 5a) that comes into contact with a coverslip (2) and points away from the notional center axis (3a) of said base block (3). The base block (3) both removes a single coverslip (2) from a magazine (24), and deposits the removed coverslip (2) onto a specimen slide (9).