US4551992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cooling a biological or medical specimen
Assignee: C Reichert Optische Werke AG
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Filing: 1984-09-17
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Granted: 1985-11-12
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Expires: 2004-09-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for cooling a biological or medical specimen comprises a cooling bath, an injection device for injecting a specimen into cooling liquid in the bath at a velocity of between 5 and 15 m/sec, and a sleeve. The sleeve is movable between a lower position in the bath and an upper position for limiting the effects of splashing as a specimen enters the bath. The injection device comprises a closure plate for co-operating with the sleeve to further limit the effects of splashing. The sleeve is operatively associated with the injection device in a manner such that movement of a specimen carrier of the device towards the bath to immerse a specimen is initiated when the sleeve is moved from the lower position to the upper position.
Inventors
- 👤 Hellmuth Sitte
- 👤 Heinrich Kleber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:30
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/10; G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for cooling a biological specimen comprising: (1) an insulated containment vessel for containing a cryogenic fluid; (2) a bath for containing a cooling liquid positioned within said vessel, said bath having an open top; (3) means for cooling the cooling liquid utilizing the cryogenic fluid; (4) an injection rod positioned above said bath, said injection rod having a specimen carrier rigidly mounted thereon; (5) means for injecting said injection rod axially into said bath from a first upper position above the bath to a second lower position within the liquid; and (6) guard means to contain liquid splashed by the injection of the specimen carrier into the liquid whereby cooling liquid is substantially prevented from being thrown out of the cooling bath as a result of said splashing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for cooling a biological specimen comprising: (1) an insulated containment vessel for containing a cryogenic fluid; (2) a bath for containing a cooling liquid positioned within said vessel, said bath having an open top; (3) means for cooling the cooling liquid utilizing the cryogenic fluid; (4) an injection rod positioned above said bath, said injection rod having a specimen carrier rigidly mounted thereon; (5) means for injecting said injection rod axially into said bath from a first upper position above the bath to a second lower position within the liquid; and (6) guard means to contain liquid splashed by the injection of the specimen carrier into the liquid whereby cooling liquid is substantially prevented from being thrown out of the cooling bath as a result of said splashing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bath includes an open-ended sleeve inserted within said bath.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said sleeve is cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said sleeve is close fitting and slideably mounted within said bath for movement between a first position substantially within said bath and a second position, said second position being in close proximity to said injection rod when said rod is in its first upper position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve is spring biased toward said second position, a releasably engaged catch means holding said sleeve in said first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve is adapted with an outwardly extended flange rigidly mounted to the top of said sleeve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a tool-receiving member is mounted on or integral with the sleeve, whereby a tool can be used to manually effect movement of the sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the injection means comprises trigger means which, when activated, triggers movement of the injection rod towards the cooling bath, and wherein the sleeve or a member mounted thereon is adapted to activate the trigger means during the course of or at the completion of movement of the sleeve from its lower position to its upper position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said sleeve is electromechanically moved from its first lower position to its second upper position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the sleeve comprises upper and lower portions of reduced outer diameter whereby annular spaces are defined between the upper and lower portions and the inwardly facing surface of the bath when the sleeve is in its lower position, said sleeve having at least one groove extending axially between the upper and lower portions, the lower portion defing an outlet from the lower annular space to the space defined by the sleeve, whereby cooling liquid can enter the space defined by the sleeve via the upper annular space, the groove, the lower annular space and the outlet.
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) | 1988-11-11 | 1989-05-13 | 1989-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-11 | 1993-05-13 | 1993-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-11 | 1997-05-13 | 1997-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |