Abstract: A system (100) for loading a sample into and/or manipulating a sample in a sample transfer device (180) at cryogenic temperatures, comprising the sample transfer device (180) being configured to receive a sample through a receiving opening (182) of the sample transfer device (180) and configured to transfer the sample to a processing or analysing unit, and a dry box (110) having an interface opening (112) and being configured to be coupled to the sample transfer device (180) such that the interface opening (112) of the dry box (110) is located opposite the receiving opening (182) of the sample transfer device (180).

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding apparatus (100) for sample carriers (200) for use in cryomicroscopy, encompassing: a body having at least one sample carrier receptacle that comprises at least one sample carrier support surface against which at least one sample carrier (200) is abuttable; at least one first sample carrier holding means (121); and at least one second sample carrier holding means (131) that is configured to impinge upon the sample carrier (200) with force against the first sample carrier holding means (121); and to an arrangement having a manipulation container and such a holding apparatus (100), and to methods for introducing and withdrawing a sample carrier (200).

Abstract: In a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopy, encompassing at least an objective (2) and a sample stage (3) having a cutout (7) for a coolable holder (8) for a sample carrier mount, the cutout (7) being covered by a cover (6), the sample stage (3) is displaceable in two horizontal directions (4). The cover (6) rests floatingly on the sample stage (3), and the objective (2) passes through a cutout (12), corresponding to the objective (2), in the cover (6). The method for cooling a holder (8) for a sample carrier mount in a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopes, by means of a flow of liquid nitrogen through a cooling conduit (15), open at at least one end, in the holder (8), is notable for the fact that the quantity of liquid nitrogen is dimensioned so that all of the nitrogen is present in gaseous form at at least one open end (16) of the cooling conduit (15).

Abstract: A microtome system has a cryomicrotome with a sectioning device in which is provided a preparation holder and a knife edge that are guided past one another inside a working space during a sectioning operation, in order to produce thin sections of a preparation retained in the preparation holder. A micromanipulator is operable outside the working space. With the micromanipulator, a tool for retention of a specimen support is positioned proximate the knife edge during a sectioning operation in order to receive the sections that are produced, preferably for substantially stationary retention of the specimen support.

Abstract: A loading station (100, 200) for translocating a frozen sample for electron microscopy, encompassing a chamber (104, 204), open toward the top, that is fillable at least partly with a coolant, the chamber (104, 204) comprising in its side wall at least two ports (101a, 102a, 103a) each for different sample transfer devices (101, 102, 103), the ports (101a, 102a, 103a) permitting introduction of a frozen sample into the chamber (104, 204) via a selected sample transfer device and withdrawal of a frozen sample from the chamber via a respective different sample transfer device; and wherein a receptacle (108, 208) for at least two differently configured sample holders (109, 110) is arranged in the chamber (104, 204), the at least two sample holders (109, 110) being detachably fastenable to at least one of the sample transfer devices (101) for introduction of the frozen sample into the chamber (104, 204) and for withdrawal of the frozen sample from the chamber (104, 204).

Abstract: In a manipulation container (1) for cryomicroscopy, having at least one holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) and at least one manipulation opening (2) for manipulating sample carriers or sample carrier mounts (7), the holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) is movable into a displacement path (11), passing completely through the manipulation container (1), of a displacement apparatus (3) for the sample carrier mount (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding apparatus (100) for sample carriers (200) for use in cryomicroscopy, encompassing: a body having at least one sample carrier receptacle that comprises at least one sample carrier support surface against which at least one sample carrier (200) is abuttable; at least one first sample carrier holding means (121); and at least one second sample carrier holding means (131) that is configured to impinge upon the sample carrier (200) with force against the first sample carrier holding means (121); and to an arrangement having a manipulation container and such a holding apparatus (100), and to methods for introducing and withdrawing a sample carrier (200).

Abstract: A freeze fracture machine (100) comprises a vacuum chamber (110); a sample receptacle (160) for receiving a sample to be processed and a knife receptacle (150) for receiving a knife (110) for processing of the sample arranged in the vacuum chamber (155); a transfer lock (130) on the vacuum chamber (110) through which a sample and a knife (155) are introducible into the vacuum chamber (155) and positionable in the vacuum chamber (110) by means of a positioning apparatus (135); the sample and the sample receptacle (160) being positionable with respect to one another such that the sample is mountable on the sample receptacle (160) by means of the positioning apparatus (135); and the knife (155) and the knife receptacle (150) being positionable with respect to one another such that the knife (155) is mountable on the knife receptacle (150) by means of the positioning apparatus (135).

Abstract: In a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopy, encompassing at least an objective (2) and a sample stage (3) having a cutout (7) for a coolable holder (8) for a sample carrier mount, the cutout (7) being covered by a cover (6), the sample stage (3) is displaceable in two horizontal directions (4). The cover (6) rests floatingly on the sample stage (3), and the objective (2) passes through a cutout (12), corresponding to the objective (2), in the cover (6). The method for cooling a holder (8) for a sample carrier mount in a light microscope (1) for cryomicroscopes, by means of a flow of liquid nitrogen through a cooling conduit (15), open at at least one end, in the holder (8), is notable for the fact that the quantity of liquid nitrogen is dimensioned so that all of the nitrogen is present in gaseous form at at least one open end (16) of the cooling conduit (15).

Abstract: A loading station (100, 200) for translocating a frozen sample for electron microscopy, encompassing a chamber (104, 204), open toward the top, that is fillable at least partly with a coolant, the chamber (104, 204) comprising in its side wall at least two ports (101a, 102a, 103a) each for different sample transfer devices (101, 102, 103), the ports (101a, 102a, 103a) permitting introduction of a frozen sample into the chamber (104, 204) via a selected sample transfer device and withdrawal of a frozen sample from the chamber via a respective different sample transfer device; and wherein a receptacle (108, 208) for at least two differently configured sample holders (109, 110) is arranged in the chamber (104, 204), the at least two sample holders (109, 110) being detachably fastenable to at least one of the sample transfer devices (101) for introduction of the frozen sample into the chamber (104, 204) and for withdrawal of the frozen sample from the chamber (104, 204).

Abstract: A freeze fracture machine (100) comprises a vacuum chamber (110); a sample receptacle (160) for receiving a sample to be processed and a knife receptacle (150) for receiving a knife (110) for processing of the sample arranged in the vacuum chamber (155); a transfer lock (130) on the vacuum chamber (110) through which a sample and a knife (155) are introducible into the vacuum chamber (155) and positionable in the vacuum chamber (110) by means of a positioning apparatus (135); the sample and the sample receptacle (160) being positionable with respect to one another such that the sample is mountable on the sample receptacle (160) by means of the positioning apparatus (135); and the knife (155) and the knife receptacle (150) being positionable with respect to one another such that the knife (155) is mountable on the knife receptacle (150) by means of the positioning apparatus (135).

Abstract: A microtome system has a cryomicrotome with a sectioning device in which is provided a preparation holder and a knife edge that are guided past one another inside a working space during a sectioning operation, in order to produce thin sections of a preparation retained in the preparation holder. A micromanipulator is operable outside the working space. With the micromanipulator, a tool for retention of a specimen support is positioned proximate the knife edge during a sectioning operation in order to receive the sections that are produced, preferably for substantially stationary retention of the specimen support.

Abstract: In a manipulation container (1) for cryomicroscopy, having at least one holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) and at least one manipulation opening (2) for manipulating sample carriers or sample carrier mounts (7), the holder (9) for a sample carrier mount (7) is movable into a displacement path (11), passing completely through the manipulation container (1), of a displacement apparatus (3) for the sample carrier mount (7).

Abstract: In a device (1) for rapid pressure-freezing an aqueous sample (3), such as a biological specimen, a pressurized cooling medium can be fed into a high-pressure chamber (11) into which a sample holder (30) containing a sample (3) is inserted and which is sealed with a pressure-tight seal, to the location of the sample holder (30) held therein. The high-pressure chamber (11) comprises a viewing window structure (2) with a pressure-tight window (20), through which light can be directed from the outside onto the sample (3) located in the sample holder (30). The window (20) can comprise a transparent window element made of a high-pressure-resistant material, wherein the window element (20) is held by a pressure- and temperature-resistant window bearing provided in the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for staining sample sections, comprising: a chamber that is adapted for fastening sample sections therein; and a pump that is adapted for pumping liquids through the chamber. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet can be connected to at least one reservoir of a staining liquid via inlet lines that are controllable by valves. The inlet lines are formed at least in the region of the associated valves by means of elastic hose lines, and the valves are formed as hose pinch valves. This apparatus minimizes or eliminates contaminations arising from staining processes for thin sections that are in particular prepared for examination in an electron microscope.

Abstract: In a device (1) for rapid pressure-freezing an aqueous sample (3), such as a biological specimen, a pressurized cooling medium can be fed into a high-pressure chamber (11) into which a sample holder (30) containing a sample (3) is inserted and which is sealed with a pressure-tight seal, to the location of the sample holder (30) held therein. The high-pressure chamber (11) comprises a viewing window structure (2) with a pressure-tight window (20), through which light can be directed from the outside onto the sample (3) located in the sample holder (30). The window (20) can comprise a transparent window element made of a high-pressure-resistant material, wherein the window element (20) is held by a pressure- and temperature-resistant window bearing provided in the high-pressure chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cryopreparation chamber (100) for preparing and manipulating a sample for electron microscopy, the cryopreparation chamber (100) being cooled by a primary cryogen, the cryopreparation chamber (100) including a first and a second chamber portion (101,102), the second chamber portion (102) being detachably placeable (101) on the first chamber portion (101), and moreover, the second chamber portion (102) being provided, in its outer wall (106), with an access port (107) through which a specimen holder (108) for an electron microscope can be inserted into the cryopreparation chamber (100). The present invention also relates to a cryopreparation device (200) which is suitable for cryopreparing a sample for an electron microscope and includes such a cryopreparation chamber (100).

Abstract: A method and a device for preparing specimens for a cryo-electron microscope are described. A carrier is fixed to a holder, sample liquid is applied to the carrier, and a blotting device for removing excess sample liquid from the carrier by means of the absorbing medium is applied. The absorbing medium is illuminated with light and a change in the optical properties of the absorbing medium is detected by means of an optical sensor device. A control moves the blotting away from the carrier depending on a change in the detected optical properties.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for processing specimens (15), comprising an observation device (2), a specimen holder (3) for receiving the specimen (15) to be processed, and a tool holder (6), the tool holder (6) being pivotable in a plane normal to its longitudinal axis (L?) by a pivot arm (22), and being rotatable about its longitudinal axis (L?); furthermore a drive system for selectable execution of the pivoting of the pivot arm (22) is provided.

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).