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: 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 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: The device (1) for fast tissue processing for histological examination consists of a housing (2) that is covered by a transparent hood (70). A baseplate (3) divides the device (1) into an upper part (4a) and a lower part (4b). Several process chambers that are served by a transport mechanism (6) with holders (40) for tissue specimens are provided for on the baseplate (3). At least one reservoir (74) is provided for in the lower part (4b) of the device, which has a flow connection to at least one process chamber. An operating panel (76) allows the user to enter the appropriate data.

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: 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 means of 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: 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: An apparatus (1) for tissue preparation for the tissue embedding, having a transport plate (15) that is surrounded by a housing (5). The housing defines an inner upper side (8a), a heating and cooling device (3), that is provided on the inner upper side (8a) of the housing (5) and a mechanic module (24) for turning the transport plate (15) and for raising and lowering the transport plate (15). The mechanic module (24) comprises a first motor (42) exclusively for turning the transport plate (15) around an axle (18) and a second motor (44) exclusively for raising and lowering the transport plate (15) in the direction of the axle (18).

Abstract: A device (1) for sectioning specimens comprises a microtome or an ultramicrotome (3) for generating thin specimen pieces. A table (5) for placement of the microtome or ultramicrotome (3) is provided, a cold chamber (30) being provided that surrounds a region of the microtome or ultramicrotome (3) for generating thin specimen pieces. A glovebox (42) surrounds the microtome or ultramicrotome (3) and the cold chamber (30). The glovebox (30) stands on the table (5), and a coolant hose (37) connects a reservoir vessel (35) with coolant to the cold chamber (30). The coolant evaporating out of the cold chamber (30) fills the glovebox (42).

Abstract: A cooling chamber 10 for a microtome 1 is disclosed. A knife 2 having a cutting edge 16 is arranged in the cooling chamber 10 opposite a sample holder 4 having a sample 4a retained therein. The microtome 1 further possesses a stereomicroscope 12 having an optical system 14, the optical system 14 defining an optical axis 11. The region of the sample 4a and of the cutting edge 16 of the knife 2 is observable with the stereomicroscope 12. There is mounted in the cooling chamber 10 an illumination system 20 that emits light 20a and is directed onto a surface 2a of the knife 2 in such a way that the light 20a reflects from the surface 2a parallel to the optical axis 11.

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: A heating and cooling device (3) for an apparatus (1) for tissue preparation for the tissue embedding is disclosed. The apparatus (1) has a free space (13) for the accommodation of a transport plate (15). The apparatus (1) is surrounded by a housing (5) which defines an upper side (8) and a heating and cooling device (3) that is provided on the upper side (8) of the housing (5), and the heating and cooling device (3) has a reception (23) with at least one chamber (32) for the accommodation of at least one processing container (17). The heating and cooling device (3) is pivotable with respect to the upper side (8) of the housing (5).

Abstract: The device (1) for fast tissue processing for histological examination consists of a housing (2) that is covered by a transparent hood (70). A baseplate (3) divides the device (1) into an upper part (4a) and a lower part (4b). Several process chambers that are served by a transport mechanism (6) with holders (40) for tissue specimens are provided for on the baseplate (3). At least one reservoir (74) is provided for in the lower part (4b) of the device, which has a flow connection to at least one process chamber. An operating panel (76) allows the user to enter the appropriate data.

Abstract: A cooling chamber 10 for a microtome 1 is disclosed. A knife 2 having a cutting edge 16 is arranged in the cooling chamber 10 opposite a sample holder 4 having a sample 4a retained therein. The microtome 1 further possesses a stereomicroscope 12 having an optical system 14, the optical system 14 defining an optical axis 11. The region of the sample 4a and of the cutting edge 16 of the knife 2 is observable with the stereomicroscope 12. There is mounted in the cooling chamber 10 an illumination system 20 that emits light 20a and is directed onto a surface 2a of the knife 2 in such a way that the light 20a reflects from the surface 2a parallel to the optical axis 11.

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: In cutting devices (10), in particular microtomes or ultramicrotomes, it is necessary to preset the specimen (14) onto the knife (16). To simplify this presetting operation, which is intended to ensure the quickest and most accurate possible positioning of the knife (16) relative to the specimen (14), a stereomicroscope (12) is provided that can be adjusted in many ways using operating elements (15, 17, 19, 27). To improve the unit's ergonomics and additionally eliminate collisions during pivoting, the unit base (22) of the cutting device (10) is modified. Since the modification of the unit base must result in a lowering, this modification can be achieved by lowering the knife holder (26), the mounting surface for the linear guide being milled directly onto the unit base (22).

Abstract: In cutting devices (10), in particular microtomes or ultramicrotomes (24), it is necessary to preset the specimen onto the knife (14). To improve the accuracy and reproducibility of this presetting operation, which is intended to ensure the quickest and most accurate possible positioning of the knife (14) relative to the specimen, a pivotable observation device (10), in particular a stereomicroscope, is provided. The observation device (10) is coupled to a pivoting device (28) that comprises a positioning device (29). The positioning device (29) is embodied in such a way that a positioning of the observation device (10) at a defined angle is possible.