Patent US4580416A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4580416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for the cryofixation of specimens
Assignee: C Reichert Optische Werke AG
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Filing: 1985-05-06
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Granted: 1986-04-08
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Expires: 2005-05-06
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the cryofixation of biological, medical or technical specimens having a high water content or fluid content by immersion in a cooling bath or on a metal mirror surface, comprises a container for coolant within which is disposed in a tank for specimen cooling medium. An injector is provided for holding a specimen and moving it along a delivery path. A member having a mirror surface is provided for mirror surface cryofixation, said member being adapted to be removably disposed at a position located in the injection path. A highly thermally conductive contact is provided between the tank and the member.
Inventors
- 👤 Hellmuth Sitte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for the mirror cryofixation by movement of a specimen along a delivery path of a liquid cryofixation device which comprises: a container for a cryogen; a tank, having an open top end for holding a cryofixation liquid, said tank being supported by said container on the delivery path for cooling by the cryogen; and a hollow, metallic member having a mirror surface on one end and sidewalls extending perpendicular to said one end, said metallic member being removably positionable on said open top end with a portion of said sidewalls being immersed in said cryogen; whereby a specimen may be cryofixed by contact with said mirror surface when said metallic member is positioned on said open end of said tank or, alternatively, cryofixed by immersion in the cryofixation liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for the mirror cryofixation by movement of a specimen along a delivery path of a liquid cryofixation device which comprises: a container for a cryogen; a tank, having an open top end for holding a cryofixation liquid, said tank being supported by said container on the delivery path for cooling by the cryogen; and a hollow, metallic member having a mirror surface on one end and sidewalls extending perpendicular to said one end, said metallic member being removably positionable on said open top end with a portion of said sidewalls being immersed in said cryogen; whereby a specimen may be cryofixed by contact with said mirror surface when said metallic member is positioned on said open end of said tank or, alternatively, cryofixed by immersion in the cryofixation liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including means to vary the level of cryogen in said container, whereby the level of liquid cryogen may be raised to contact said sidewalls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tank and said hollow metallic member are cylindrical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the mirror surface is rotatable about an axis parallel to, and spaced from, said delivery path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said metallic member is rotatable, whereby a fresh portion of said mirror surface may be presented to a subsequent specimen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the tank is adapted to be cooled to a temperature below -100° C. by the cryogenic refrigerant medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the mirror surface is substantially perpendicular to the delivery path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for the mirror cryofixation by movement of a specimen along a delivery path of a liquid cryofixation device, which comprises: a container for a cryogen; a tank having vertical sidewalls and an open top end for holding a cryofixation liquid, said tank being supported by said container on the delivery path for cooling by the cryogen; an elongated metallic member having sidewalls, said sidewalls being adapted to be in thermally conductive engagement with said vertical sidewall, when said metallic member is placed in said tank; and a mirror surface on the top end of said metallic member; whereby the cryofixation liquid may be replaced by said metallic member for mirror cryofixation of a specimen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for the mirror cryofixation by movement of a specimen along a delivery path of a liquid cryofixation device, which comprises: a container for a cryogen; a tank having vertical sidewalls and an open top end for holding a cryofixation liquid, said tank being supported by said container on the delivery path for cooling by the cryogen; an elongated metallic member having sidewalls, said sidewalls being adapted to be in thermally conductive engagement with said vertical sidewall, when said metallic member is placed in said tank; and a mirror surface on the top end of said metallic member; whereby the cryofixation liquid may be replaced by said metallic member for mirror cryofixation of a specimen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 further including receptacle means for removing the cryofixation liquid from said tank, said receptacle means being adapted to be in thermally conductive engagement with said vertical sidewalls when said receptacle means is positioned in said tank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said metallic member, said tank and said receptacle means are cylindrical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 further including an end element, said end element having said mirror surface on one end thereof and a pin extending from the other end thereof, a bore in the top of said metallic member adapted to receive said pin, whereby said element provides interchangeable mirror surfaces for said metallic member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said bore is displaced from the center of said metallic member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said mirror surface is removable from said metallic member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 further including an end element, said end element having said mirror surface on one end thereof and a pin extending from the other end thereof, a bore in the top of said metallic member adapted to receive said pin, whereby said element provides interchangeable mirror surfaces for said metallic member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said bore is displaced from the center of said metallic member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4332532A
Cited
US4302950A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-07 | 1989-10-07 | 1990-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-07 | 1993-10-07 | 1994-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-07 | 1997-10-07 | 1998-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |