US3761709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for observing biological specimens using a scanning electron microscope
Assignee: Jeol Ltd
•
Filing: 1972-03-07
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1992-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A biological specimen is prepared for electron scanning by plunging it into liquid nitrogen or liquid Freon. The frozen specimen together with its holder is transferred into the preevacuation chamber of a scanning electron microscope and treated according to the purpose of observation. When this is completed, the specimen is transferred to the specimen stage in the specimen chamber, the stage being maintained cold. The scanning electron beam is applied and the specimen image is observed.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Hasegawa
- 👤 Y Nagasawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/02; H01J37/20; H01J37/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for treating a frozen biological specimen or the like in a scanning electron microscope having a specimen chamber and a specimen stage therein comprising a pre-evacuation chamber partitioned from the specimen chamber of the microscope, an interim stage disposed within said pre-evacuation chamber, a specimen holder for holding the specimen, said holder being mounted on said interim stage, means for maintaining the interim stage and the holder sufficiently cold to maintain the sample frozen, a cutting tool attached to the pre-evacuation chamber for cutting the frozen specimen, a heating means for defrosting a surface of the frozen specimen, and means for transferring the treated specimen from the interim stage to the specimen stage of the specimen chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for treating a frozen biological specimen or the like in a scanning electron microscope having a specimen chamber and a specimen stage therein comprising a pre-evacuation chamber partitioned from the specimen chamber of the microscope, an interim stage disposed within said pre-evacuation chamber, a specimen holder for holding the specimen, said holder being mounted on said interim stage, means for maintaining the interim stage and the holder sufficiently cold to maintain the sample frozen, a cutting tool attached to the pre-evacuation chamber for cutting the frozen specimen, a heating means for defrosting a surface of the frozen specimen, and means for transferring the treated specimen from the interim stage to the specimen stage of the specimen chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said heating means comprises a heating coil arranged around the frozen specimen mounted on the interim stage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said heating means comprises an infrared ray irradiating device equipped with focusing means for selectively defrosting a given area of the surface of the frozen specimen mounted on the interim stage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including means for keeping said cutting tool sufficiently cold so as not to unfreeze the sample surface on contact.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for treating a frozen biological specimen or the like in a scanning electron microscope having a specimen chamber and a specimen stage therein comprising a pre-evacuation chamber partitioned from the specimen chamber of the microscope, an interim stage housed in said pre-evacuation chamber, a specimen holder holding the specimen, said holder being mounted on said interim stage, means for maintaining the interim stage and the holder sufficiently cold to maintain the sample frozen, a cutting tool attached to the pre-evacuation chamber for cutting the frozen specimen, a heating means for defrosting a surface of the frozen specimen, an optical microscope mounted in the wall of the pre-evacuation chamber for observing the specimen from outside the chamber, and means for transferring the treated specimen from the interim stage to the specimen stage of the specimen chamber.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for treating a frozen biological specimen or the like in a scanning electron microscope having a specimen chamber and a specimen stage therein comprising a pre-evacuation chamber partitioned from the specimen chamber of the microscope, an interim stage housed in said pre-evacuation chamber, a specimen holder holding the specimen, said holder being mounted on said interim stage, means for maintaining the interim stage and the holder sufficiently cold to maintain the sample frozen, a cutting tool attached to the pre-evacuation chamber for cutting the frozen specimen, a heating means for defrosting a surface of the frozen specimen, an optical microscope mounted in the wall of the pre-evacuation chamber for observing the specimen from outside the chamber, and means for transferring the treated specimen from the interim stage to the specimen stage of the specimen chamber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for treating a frozen biological specimen or the like in a scanning electron microscope having a specimen chamber and a specimen stage therein comprising a pre-evacuation chamber partitioned from the specimen chamber of the microscope, an interim stage housed in said pre-evacuation chamber, a specimen holder for holding the specimen, said holder being mounted on said interim stage, means for maintaining the interim stage and the holder sufficiently cold to maintain the sample frozen, means for treating the frozen specimen, means for transferring the treated specimen from the interim stage to the specimen stage of the specimen chamber, and a means for supplying the pre-evacuation chamber of the microscope with dry gas during specimen exchange.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for treating a frozen biological specimen or the like in a scanning electron microscope having a specimen chamber and a specimen stage therein comprising a pre-evacuation chamber partitioned from the specimen chamber of the microscope, an interim stage housed in said pre-evacuation chamber, a specimen holder for holding the specimen, said holder being mounted on said interim stage, means for maintaining the interim stage and the holder sufficiently cold to maintain the sample frozen, means for treating the frozen specimen, means for transferring the treated specimen from the interim stage to the specimen stage of the specimen chamber, and a means for supplying the pre-evacuation chamber of the microscope with dry gas during specimen exchange.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |