US5817032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means and method for harvesting and handling tissue samples for biopsy analysis
Assignee: Biopath Automation LLC
•
Filing: 1996-05-14
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Granted: 1998-10-06
•
Expires: 2016-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A tissue biopsy sample is placed on a tissue trapping and supporting material that can withstand tissue preparation procedures and which can be cut with a microtome. The tissue is immobilized on the material and the material and the tissue are subjected to a process for replacing tissue fluids with wax, and then the tissue and the supporting material are sliced for mounting on slides using a microtome. Harvesting devices and containers using the filter material are disclosed. An automated process is also disclosed. One form of the invention has the tissue trapping and supporting material porous and another form of the invention includes a tissue supporting material that is not easily microtomed.
Inventors
- 👤 Warren P. Williamson, IV
- 👤 Stephen P. Whitlach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/36; A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0096; G01N1/02; G01N1/04; G01N1/06; G01N1/30; G01N1/31; G01N1/312; G01N2001/315
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A means for supporting histologic tissue biopsy samples comprising: a microtome sectionable tissue supporting means for supporting tissue samples during tissue processing, embedding and microtomy including (1) means for permitting said tissue supporting means to be successfully sectioned in a microtome, (2) means for resisting histological stains, (3) means for resisting degredation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain the tissue and (4) means for maintaining said tissue supporting means non-distracting during tissue processing and slide preparation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A means for supporting histologic tissue biopsy samples comprising: a microtome sectionable tissue supporting means for supporting tissue samples during tissue processing, embedding and microtomy including (1) means for permitting said tissue supporting means to be successfully sectioned in a microtome, (2) means for resisting histological stains, (3) means for resisting degredation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain the tissue and (4) means for maintaining said tissue supporting means non-distracting during tissue processing and slide preparation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein said tissue supporting means further includes means for resisting chemicals used in replacing tissue fluids with wax.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The means defined in claim 2 wherein said tissue supporting means further includes means for resisting molten wax used to embed the tissue sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The means defined in claim 3 wherein said tissue supporting means includes a low density thermoplastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The means defined in claim 3 wherein said tissue supporting means is porous and has a pore size of about 1 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The means defined in claim 3 wherein said tissue supporting means is porous and has a pore size of about 1/4 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The means defined in claim 1 further including a collar surrounding said tissue supporting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The means defined in claim 7 further including a frame and means for connecting said tissue supporting means to said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The means defined in claim 8 wherein said support further includes projections on said collar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The means defined in claim 9 wherein said frame further includes a first groove defined therein for accommodating said projections.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means defined in claim 10 wherein said frame further includes a second groove spaced from said first groove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The means defined in claim 7 wherein said collar is microtome sectionable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein said tissue supporting means is porous.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein said tissue supporting means is adapted to support tissue during grossing in.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein said tissue supporting means includes a tissue-immobilizing medium thereon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The means defined in claim 1 further including means for improving the wettability of said tissue supporting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the means for maintaining said tissue supporting means non-distracting includes means for making the supporting means readily identifiable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the tissue supporting means further includes means for trapping a tissue sample.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting tissue samples includes means for maintaining tissue samples in an orientation whereby all supported tissue samples are located in a common sectioning surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting tissue samples includes means for engaging an automatic picking device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting tissue samples includes machine readable code thereon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the tissue supporting means further includes a cover.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means defined in claim 1 wherein the tissue supporting means further includes means for immobilizing a tissue sample.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
90 words
A means for supporting histologic tissue biopsy samples including a microtome sectionable tissue supporting means for supporting tissue samples during tissue processing, embedding and microtomy including (a) means for permitting said tissue supporting means to be successfully sectioned in a microtome, (b) means for resisting histological stains, (c) means for resisting degredation from solvents and chemicals used to process and stain the tissue, and (d) means for maintaining said tissue supporting means non-distracting during tissue preparation and slide preparation; and a supporting means for supporting the sample for microscopic examination.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
90 words
A means for supporting histologic tissue biopsy samples including a microtome sectionable tissue supporting means for supporting tissue samples during tissue processing, embedding and microtomy including (a) means for permitting said tissue supporting means to be successfully sectioned in a microtome, (b) means for resisting histological stains, (c) means for resisting degredation from solvents and chemicals used to process and stain the tissue, and (d) means for maintaining said tissue supporting means non-distracting during tissue preparation and slide preparation; and a supporting means for supporting the sample for microscopic examination.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein said supporting surface is a microscope slide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein said tissue supporting means is adapted to support tissue during grossing in.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein said tissue supporting means includes a tissue-immobilizing medium thereon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
78 words
A means for supporting histologic biopsy samples comprising: a microtome sectionable tissue supporting means for supporting tissue samples during tissue processing, embedding and microtomy wherein said tissue supporting means is formed of a material which can be microtomed without significantly dulling the microtome blade and which resists histological stains and which resists degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue samples and which is non-distracting with respect to the tissue samples during microscopic examination.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
78 words
A means for supporting histologic biopsy samples comprising: a microtome sectionable tissue supporting means for supporting tissue samples during tissue processing, embedding and microtomy wherein said tissue supporting means is formed of a material which can be microtomed without significantly dulling the microtome blade and which resists histological stains and which resists degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue samples and which is non-distracting with respect to the tissue samples during microscopic examination.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein the means for maintaining said tissue supporting means non-distracting includes means for making the tissue readily identifiable.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein the tissue supporting means further includes means for trapping a tissue sample.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein the means for supporting tissue samples includes means for supporting tissue samples in an orientation whereby all supported tissue samples can be cut by the microtome in a single pass.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein the means for supporting tissue samples includes means for engaging an automatic picking device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein the means for supporting tissue samples includes machine readable code thereon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein the tissue supporting means further includes a cover.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The means defined in claim 24 wherein the tissue supporting means further includes means for immobilizing a tissue sample.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |