Patent US3768914A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3768914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electron microscopy tissue grid staining and storing rack and method
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-09-18
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-09-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for staining, washing and storing a plurality of grid mounted electron microscopy tissue specimens are based upon placing the grids having the mounted tissue in a rack which isolates and provides an identifying file indicia and fluid passages for staining and washing each of a plurality of grids. The same rack also receives a protective cover for grid storage thereby eliminating much individual grid handling and the requirement for separate staining and storage apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 T Kinney
- 👤 J Pickett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/30; G01N1/31; B; B01; B01L; B01L3/00; B01L3/50; B01L3/508; B01L3/5085; G01N2001/315
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
An assembly of cooperative laboratory components adapted to facilitate staining, washing and storage of grid mounted electron microscopy tissue specimens comprising, in combination: a. a generally rectangular base container having a central plate portion providing a plurality of individual wells each adapted to receive in one open end thereof an electron microscopy specimen grid and to hold the grid by its peripheral edge whereby the specimen itself remains out of contact with well surfaces; b. a first cover adapted to be removably secured to said base container, said base container and first cover being constructed for operational cooperation such that when said first cover is so secured said grids are retained in their respective wells by said first cover and each well is provided with at least one fluid exchange path having external communication for exchanging staining and washing fluids; c. a fluid container adapted to hold a selected fluid and to slidably receive and maintain said base container and first cover in a vertical position during exchanges of fluids with said grids; and d. a second cover means adapted to be secured to said base container in place of said first cover and being adapted in cooperation with said base container to enclose each said well to provide an enclosed storage void for each said grid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
An assembly of cooperative laboratory components adapted to facilitate staining, washing and storage of grid mounted electron microscopy tissue specimens comprising, in combination: a. a generally rectangular base container having a central plate portion providing a plurality of individual wells each adapted to receive in one open end thereof an electron microscopy specimen grid and to hold the grid by its peripheral edge whereby the specimen itself remains out of contact with well surfaces; b. a first cover adapted to be removably secured to said base container, said base container and first cover being constructed for operational cooperation such that when said first cover is so secured said grids are retained in their respective wells by said first cover and each well is provided with at least one fluid exchange path having external communication for exchanging staining and washing fluids; c. a fluid container adapted to hold a selected fluid and to slidably receive and maintain said base container and first cover in a vertical position during exchanges of fluids with said grids; and d. a second cover means adapted to be secured to said base container in place of said first cover and being adapted in cooperation with said base container to enclose each said well to provide an enclosed storage void for each said grid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base container includes on said plate portion opposite the side thereof having the grid receiving ends of said wells an attached porous pad, said pad serving to provide a porous closed end for each said well and thereby establishing said fluid exchange path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pad is fixedly secured to said plate portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pad is slidably secured to said base container adjacent said plate portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first cover is provided with a plurality of holes of substantially smaller size than and mating with respective said wells to facilitate passage of fluids therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second cover means has integral portions adapted during storage to cover both said pad and the grid receiving side of said base container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first cover is imperforate and including a further imperforate cover, said pair of imperforate covers being adapted to be slidably secured to said base container on opposite sides of said plate portion during storage of said grids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first cover comprises a perforate cover having holes mating with said wells, wherein each said well on the end opposite the grid receiving end thereof is closed and provided with a fluid passage adapted to communicate with fluid sources externally thereof, and wherein said second cover means comprises a pair of imperforate covers adapted to be slidably secured to said base container during storage of said grids.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first cover is imperforate and said base container wells are closed at the ends opposite said open grid receiving ends and in such closed ends are provided with holes which provide for each respective well a said fluid exchange path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first cover is provided with a plurality of holes of substantially smaller size than and mating with respective said wells to facilitate passage of fluids therethrough and wherein said base container wells are closed at the ends opposite said open grid receiving ends and in such closed ends are provided with holes which provide for each respective well a said fluid exchange path.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
128 words
The method of staining, washing and storing electron microscopy grids having tissue specimens mounted thereon, comprising the steps: a. mounting a plurality of said grids in a base container having a plurality of open ended grid receiving wells shaped to engage the grid peripheries and hold the tissue specimens out of contact with the well surfaces; b. securing the grids in place by installing a cover on said base container over the wells open ends; c. treating the plurality of said grids simultaneously with appropriate staining and washing fluids in sequence while confined in said base container; d. drying and selectively examining said grids as required; and e. covering said wells and the grids contained therein for storage by detachably securing imperforate covering means to said base container.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
128 words
The method of staining, washing and storing electron microscopy grids having tissue specimens mounted thereon, comprising the steps: a. mounting a plurality of said grids in a base container having a plurality of open ended grid receiving wells shaped to engage the grid peripheries and hold the tissue specimens out of contact with the well surfaces; b. securing the grids in place by installing a cover on said base container over the wells open ends; c. treating the plurality of said grids simultaneously with appropriate staining and washing fluids in sequence while confined in said base container; d. drying and selectively examining said grids as required; and e. covering said wells and the grids contained therein for storage by detachably securing imperforate covering means to said base container.
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) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |