US4317401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for microtomy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-10-27
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Granted: 1982-03-02
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Expires: 2000-10-27
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for microtomy utilizing a vitreous carbon knife element having particular properties. The knife element may desirably be rendered hydrophilic along at least one surface to facilitate cleaved sample processing, and provides for economical, high quality cleaving of multiple tissue samples.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale R. Disharoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:25
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P15/00; B23P15/28; B23P15/40; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/04; G01N1/06; G01N2001/061; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T225/00; Y10T225/10; Y10T225/12; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/929; Y10T83/9493; Y10T83/97
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for manufacturing a microtome knife element comprising the steps of providing a body of vitreous carbon and forming two smooth absolutely flat, intersecting planar surfaces of said vitreous carbon which intersect at an angle in the range of from about 35° to about 60° along a substantially linear edge having a radius of curvature of less than about 5μ.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for manufacturing a microtome knife element comprising the steps of providing a body of vitreous carbon and forming two smooth absolutely flat, intersecting planar surfaces of said vitreous carbon which intersect at an angle in the range of from about 35° to about 60° along a substantially linear edge having a radius of curvature of less than about 5μ.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method for manufacturing a microtome knife element in accordance with claim 1 wherein said surfaces are formed by providing a vitreous carbon sheet having absolutely flat parallel surfaces, scoring said sheet along a first line, fracturing said sheet along said first line orthagonally to said surfaces to form a first substantially flat cleaved surface, scoring said sheet along a second line intersecting said first line and fracturing said sheet along said second line to form a second substantially flat cleaved surface orthagonally to said sheet surfaces and intersecting said first cleaved surface to form a microtome knife edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of treating at least one of said planar surfaces adjacent said cleaved plane intersection to render said surface hydrophilic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said treatment comprises deionizing said surface under conditions which do not substantially impair the sharpness of said edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said intersecting planar surfaces are formed by grinding and polishing of said vitreous carbon body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vitreous carbon body is reacted with a carbide forming element subsequent to formation of said edge, and yielding a material hardness in excess of 7 and less than 10 on the mohs scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A microtome knife element comprising a vitreous carbon body having at least two intersecting substantially plane surfaces forming a substantially linear knife edge having a length of at least about 2 millimeters and having a radius of curvature of less than about 5μ.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A microtome knife element comprising a vitreous carbon body having at least two intersecting substantially plane surfaces forming a substantially linear knife edge having a length of at least about 2 millimeters and having a radius of curvature of less than about 5μ.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vitreous carbon microtome knife element in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least one of said intersecting plane surfaces forming said edge is hydrophilic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vitreous carbon microtome knife element in accordance with claim 7 wherein said plane surfaces intersect at an angle in the range of from about 45° to about 55°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
A vitreous carbon microtome knife in accordance with claim 7 wherein said vitreous carbon has a density of at least about 1.35 grams per cm/sq, a permeability of less than 2.5×10 11 , a porosity of less than about 0.05%, a compressive strength of at least about 90,000 psi, a tensile strength of at least about 25,000 psi, and a hardness of at least about mohs 7.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3803958A
Cited
US4051755A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-01 | 1985-08-31 | 1986-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-01 | 1989-08-31 | 1990-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-01 | 1993-08-31 | 1994-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |