US4890997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photopolymerization irradiation apparatus
Assignee: Kulzer GmbH
•
Filing: 1988-03-03
•
Granted: 1990-01-02
•
Expires: 2008-03-03
Abstract
Abstract The irradiation apparatus for the photopolymerization of plastic embedding masses for histological preparations has a preparation support located in a housing and a plurality of irradiation lamps, with one lamp above and one lamp below the preparation support forming one lamp pair. In order to cure photopolymerizable embedding masses in a manner that does not harm the embedded preparations or specimens, and in particular to avoid an abrupt rise in the reaction heat, and so that a small number of irradiation lamps is sufficient, the preparation support is a rotary support plate having a plurality of light pervious preparation holding means located about its outer circumference, and the lamps are positioned such that in operation, the holding means sequentially pass in between the lamps of each lamp pair, and the centers of the holding means are located on a circle that is concentric with the axis of rotation of the support plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Beins
- 👤 Helmut Rohrig
- 👤 Ulrich Salz
- 👤 Lutz Gwinner
- 👤 Steffen Oppawsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/36; G01N1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
Photopolymerization irradiation apparatus for plastic-embedding masses, especially for histological specimens and preparations in a holding dish (11) comprising a rotary support plate (5) defining an axis of rotation (7); light-pervious preparation holding means (6) for retaining a plurality of holding dishes (11) on circumferential regions of the support plate, with the centers of the holding dishes being located substantially on a circle concentric with said axis of rotation (7) of the rotary plate; and a plurality of radiation-generating lamp pairs (21, 25) in which the lamps of the pairs are positioned at circumferential intervals above and below said rotary plate and adapted to at least partially polymerize an embedding preparation, in each holding dish, which surrounds a specimen, and wherein said lamp pairs are located, with respect to the holding means (6) on the rotary support plate (5), such that, upon rotation of the support plate, the holding dishes (11) located on the holding mans sequentially pass alternately between the lamps of respective circumferentially positioned irradiation lamp pairs and through less-irradiated spaces in the circumferential intervals between lamps pairs, thereby enjoying a recovery period before further polymerization by a subsequent one of said lamp pairs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
Photopolymerization irradiation apparatus for plastic-embedding masses, especially for histological specimens and preparations in a holding dish (11) comprising a rotary support plate (5) defining an axis of rotation (7); light-pervious preparation holding means (6) for retaining a plurality of holding dishes (11) on circumferential regions of the support plate, with the centers of the holding dishes being located substantially on a circle concentric with said axis of rotation (7) of the rotary plate; and a plurality of radiation-generating lamp pairs (21, 25) in which the lamps of the pairs are positioned at circumferential intervals above and below said rotary plate and adapted to at least partially polymerize an embedding preparation, in each holding dish, which surrounds a specimen, and wherein said lamp pairs are located, with respect to the holding means (6) on the rotary support plate (5), such that, upon rotation of the support plate, the holding dishes (11) located on the holding mans sequentially pass alternately between the lamps of respective circumferentially positioned irradiation lamp pairs and through less-irradiated spaces in the circumferential intervals between lamps pairs, thereby enjoying a recovery period before further polymerization by a subsequent one of said lamp pairs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lamps are elongated and the longitudinal axes (29) of said lamp pairs (21, 25) form parallels to the tangents of the circle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lamps are elongated and the longitudinal axis (29) of some of said lamp pairs (21, 25) extends obliquely to the radius (30) of the circle that intersects this axis (29) of each lamp (21, 25) at the middle of its longitudinal extension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lamps are elongated and at least three pairs of lamps (21, 25) are provided, the longitudinal axes (29) of which describe a polygon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the lamps are elongated and at least three pairs of lamps (21, 25) are provided, the longitudinal axes (29) of which describe a portion of a polygon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lamps are elongated and the longitudinal axes (29) of each lamp pair (21, 25) extend coincidentally in the projection in the direction of the axis of rotation (7).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support plate (5) is guided in the vicinity of its outer circumference on at least two and preferably four rollers (26) located on a housing (1) surrounding said plate the at least two rollers (26) being positioned on two opposed sides of the support plate (5).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said rollers (26) engage an annular groove (27) encompassing the outer circumference of the support plate (5) on its underside.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, comprising means for supporting the support plate (5) on a drive shaft (15), a free end of which is formed as an interengaging centering stub (35).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the centering stub (35) is a polygon, which engages a centering depression (10) in the underside of the support plate (5).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least one reflector (19, 23) associated with the lamps (21, 25).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said reflector (19, 23) is formed as a flat plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the reflector or reflectors (19, 23) form the inside of a hinged lid (2).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
176 words
Photopolymerization irradiation apparatus for plastic-embedding masses, especially for histological specimens and preparations in a holding dish (11) comprising a rotary support plate (5) defining an axis of rotation (7); light-pervious preparation holding means (6) for retaining a plurality of holding dishes (11) on circumferential regions of the support plate, with the centers of the holding dishes being located substantially on a circle concentric with said axis of rotation (7) of the rotary plate; and a plurality of radiation-generating lamp pairs (21, 25) in which the lamps of the pairs are positioned above and below said rotary plate and wherein said preparation holding means are recesses (6) in the support plate (5), into each of which a cup-shaped holding dish (11) of material pervious to light is inserted and wherein said lamp pairs are located, with respect to the holding means (6) on the rotary support plate (5), such that, upon rotation of the support plate, the holding dishes (11) located on the holding means sequentially pass between the lamps of respective circumferentially positioned irradiation lap pairs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
176 words
Photopolymerization irradiation apparatus for plastic-embedding masses, especially for histological specimens and preparations in a holding dish (11) comprising a rotary support plate (5) defining an axis of rotation (7); light-pervious preparation holding means (6) for retaining a plurality of holding dishes (11) on circumferential regions of the support plate, with the centers of the holding dishes being located substantially on a circle concentric with said axis of rotation (7) of the rotary plate; and a plurality of radiation-generating lamp pairs (21, 25) in which the lamps of the pairs are positioned above and below said rotary plate and wherein said preparation holding means are recesses (6) in the support plate (5), into each of which a cup-shaped holding dish (11) of material pervious to light is inserted and wherein said lamp pairs are located, with respect to the holding means (6) on the rotary support plate (5), such that, upon rotation of the support plate, the holding dishes (11) located on the holding means sequentially pass between the lamps of respective circumferentially positioned irradiation lap pairs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the recesses (6) in the support plate (5) have a round or oval outer contour.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein a rim (28) of the recesses (6) protrudes beyond the top of the support plate (5).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each holding dish (11) has a rim (43, 47) folded over toward its underside, said rim overlapping the protruding rim (28) of the recess (6).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a channel (44) adjoins the rim of the holding dish (11).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein an outer rim (46) of said channel (44) protrudes beyond an inner rim (47) of said channel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said holding dish (11) has a wall thickness (51), at least in the vicinity of the bottom (40), of about 0.5 to 1 mm
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said holding dish (11) has a height (52) of about 5 to 15 mm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said holding dish (11) has side faces (41) adjoining its bottom (40) that are slanted outward.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the angle of inclination (42) of the side faces (41) to the vertical to the bottom (40) of the holding dish (11) is about 5° to 30°.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the thickness (53) of the support plate (5), at least in the vicinity of the recesses (6), is about 3 to 5 mm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said holding dish (11) is mounted via an adapter (54) on the rim (28) of the recesses (6) of the support plate (5).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said holding dish (11) is of acrylic glass or polyvinyl chloride and has a separation layer (49') on at least the inside of its bottom (40).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said separation layer (49') is formed by a thin film, preferable a polyethylene film.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said film has a thickness of about 5 to 50 micrometers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2060121A
Cited
US2300495A
Cited
US3054141A
Cited
US3965277A
Cited
US4120991A
Cited
US4320157A
Cited
US4510169A
Cited
US4576796A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-01 | 1993-07-03 | 1994-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-01 | 1997-07-03 | 1998-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-01 | 2001-07-03 | 2002-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |