METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING MICROTOMIC SECTIONS AND FOR MAKING THEM READY FOR EXAMINATION Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: production of histological sections for subsequent analysis. SUBSTANCE: method comprises following operations. Microtomic sections, preliminarily etched-out, are subjected to visual quality check. Good-quality microtomic sections are transported by directed laminar liquid flow, whereas rejected sections are transported by same laminar liquid flow, direction of which is changed. Once rejected sections are carried away, laminar liquid flow direction is resumed to transport good-quality sections. Proposed apparatus comprises receiving bath, inclined tray, and auxiliary bath filled with heated liquid arranged downstream of tray. Inclined tray bottom consists of two parts: stationary and movable ones. Axial end of stationary part of tray forms rear wall of receiving bath. Upper edge of rear wall of receiving bath is disposed lower than upper edge of its front wall. Movable part of tray bottom is arranged in such manner as to be able to vary its position in relation to stationary part of tray to enable liquid flow to change its direction. Movable part of tray bottom is connected with auxiliary bath. Apparatus also comprises tank which is covered by netting and adapted to collect rejected off-grade microtomic sections, collecting tank being disposed beneath tray, at junction point of stationary and movable parts of tray bottom. Finally, apparatus comprises pump associated with pipeline for putting collecting tank in communication with receiving bath. EFFECT: high-quality histological sections are produced, analysis of which yields reliable results. 3 cl, 3 dwg