US4302950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for metallic mirror-cryofixation and subsequent cryopreparation of biological materials
Assignee: C Reichert Optische Werke AG
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Filing: 1980-09-09
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Granted: 1981-12-01
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Expires: 2000-09-09
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns a device for metallic mirror-cryofixation and subsequent cryopreparation of biological materials for microscopic, in particular electron microscopic examinations, employing a highly polished metallic mirror cooled to very low temperatures by a cryogen and mounted in a metal freezing chamber, which can be flooded with a gaseous cryogen, on which an object can be placed by means of an injection mechanism or the like, wherein the freezing chamber has an adequate volume for cryopreparation and for accepting the required accessory devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Hellmuth Sitte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a device for metallic mirror-cryofixation and subsequent cryopreparation of biological materials for microscopic, in particular electron microscopic, examinations having a freezing chamber, first cooling means for cooling said chamber with a first cryogen and a mirror surface mounted in said chamber for rapidly cooling a specimen placed in contact with said surface, the improvement comprising thermal insulation means to thermally isolate a portion of said mirror surface from the remainder of said mirror surface, cover means to form a small chamber in cooperation with said portion of said mirror surface, second cooling means for cooling said portion of said mirror surface with a second cryogen and the second cryogen having a lower liquid temperature than said first cryogen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a device for metallic mirror-cryofixation and subsequent cryopreparation of biological materials for microscopic, in particular electron microscopic, examinations having a freezing chamber, first cooling means for cooling said chamber with a first cryogen and a mirror surface mounted in said chamber for rapidly cooling a specimen placed in contact with said surface, the improvement comprising thermal insulation means to thermally isolate a portion of said mirror surface from the remainder of said mirror surface, cover means to form a small chamber in cooperation with said portion of said mirror surface, second cooling means for cooling said portion of said mirror surface with a second cryogen and the second cryogen having a lower liquid temperature than said first cryogen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the portion of said mirror surface (18c) has a surface area between 1 and 10 cm 2 , can be cooled to ≦200° K., and the second cryogen is helium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement according to claim 2 characterized by the fact that the remainder of said mirror surface (18a) has a surface area of at least 50 cm 2 and can be cooled to a temperature of ≦100° K., preferably by means of liquid nitrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the cover means is a material having low heat capacity and low mass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said portion lies in the same horizontal plane as the remainder of the mirror surface.
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) | 1984-11-30 | 1985-06-01 | 1985-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-30 | 1989-06-01 | 1989-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-30 | 1993-06-01 | 1993-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |