Conventional expanded microscopy (ExM) is improved upon to show reliable and reproducible 4-fold and 12-fold modified expansion microscopy (mExM). Kits and methods are disclosed to achieve these improvements. The kits can include a sealable mold and instructions for using it in the improved methods. The kits can include a protein digestion buffer including sodium dodecyl sulfate and instructions for using the buffer in the improved methods. The improved methods can include a simplified approach to executing oxygen-sensitive reactions within the methods. The improved methods can include improved protein digestion chemistries, which can facilitate the improvements in reliability and reproducibility.

There is provided an automated system for preparing tissue samples that comprises one or more microtomes, a hydration system, and a processor, the processor being programmed to initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a first tissue block comprising a first tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the first tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a first predetermined time, and initiate facing, by one or more microtomes, of a second tissue block while the first tissue block is being hydrated, the second tissue block comprising a second tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, and cause the second tissue block to be hydrated by the hydration system for a second predetermined time, and to initiate the one or more microtomes to begin sectioning of the first tissue block while the second tissue block is being hydrated.

There is provided a histology system that comprises a microtome configured to expose a face of a tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material and remove one or more tissue sections from the sample, a hydration system configured to hydrate the tissue block by depositing a hydrating liquid on the face of the tissue block, and a transfer system configured to transfer the one or more tissue sections from the microtome to one or more slides. In some embodiments, the hydration system is configured to produce droplet condensation of the hydrating liquid and deposit the condensation on the face of the tissue block.

An article comprising:

a planar base having a first surface and an opposing second surface and an outer peripheral edge, wherein the second surface includes an area comprising a plurality of protuberances and configured to attach and maintain orientation of a frozen tissue specimen block; and

a removable lid having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side defines a continuous planar surface and the second side defines a recessed portion configured to cover a frozen tissue specimen block and an outer rim configured to engage with the outer peripheral edge of the base, wherein the outer rim does not form part of the recessed portion,

wherein the area of the base and the recessed portion of the lid are aligned.

A method and device for preparing karst caves based on 3D printing technology. The method includes the following steps: determining size of a sample according to test requirements, constructing a 3D karst cave digital model based on three-dimensional karst cave scanning result, and carrying out 3D printing by using alloy to form primary karst cave sample; preparing rock similar material mixture according to proportioning scheme; pouring mixture into sample mold while burying karst cave model into mixture according to position of a karst cave; curing sample together with mold at room temperature until rock similar materials get hardened, removing mold, curing formed karst cave rock sample at constant temperature and constant humidity and then baking or heating same by electrifying heating wire in alloy to form rock sample with hollow karst cave; and filling hollow karst cave with different fillings to form different type of karst cave sample.

A sample preparation mould and a sample preparation method for the triaxial test of MSW are provided. In the present invention, the cylindrical main mould comprises two curved steel pieces, and the two sides of each curved steel piece have a stretched connection part; the two curved steel pieces are connected with each other and clamped by two steel clamps; porous stones are arranged at two ends of the cylindrical main mould and fixed separately by a top limiting lantern ring and a bottom lantern ring; the top limiting lantern ring is detachably connected to the top hopper, from which MSW materials are input; the cylindrical main mould is radially constrained in four positions, and the two ends thereof are axially constrained, thereby significantly improving stability during compacting and hence ensuring the axial and radial sizes of the MSW sample.

A method for producing a sample slice includes providing a disk, providing a jig on the disk for supporting side portions of a material, providing the material inside the jig, providing a pillar assembly on the jig, the pillar assembly that includes a first base member having a plurality of through holes, a second base member detachably mounted to said first base member, and a plurality of pillars supported between said first and second base members and arranged to be exposed through the plurality of holes, inserting the plurality of pillars into the material, solidifying the material, separating the jig and the pillar assembly to remove the material from the jig, and cutting a sample slice from the material with a cutter.

An apparatus is provided for scanning and decoding barcodes in a tray or other container containing multiple items, such as tissue samples, that are identified with discrete barcodes. The apparatus includes an imager, a lighting system, and a processor. The imager is configured to capture images within a selectable field of view. At least a portion of a bulk sample container, which is configured to carry a plurality of sample/tissue containers, is positioned within the field of view. The lighting system is configured to evenly light the field of view. The processor is configured to receive the captured images from the imager. The processor is further configured to analyze a first image of the captured images and to detect and decode the barcodes present in the first image.

The present invention describes a flag, or marker for identifying the locations of a plurality of FFPE tissue blocks once removed from their storage locations within a tissue cassette/block storage system. The invention comprises a molded polymer rectangular cuboid body member with rectangular front, rear, top, left, right, and bottom surface, which follows the shape of a tissue cassette with an attached paraffin embedded medical tissue sample. The flag body member has a recessed groove to accept one tissue block index marker card for recording the patient's case information, or other relevant information, and offers hard surfaces for recording additional identification modalities, which additionally provides a support structure for the neighboring tissue blocks contained within said storage location.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for tissue processing and analysis. Tissue chambers are configured to allow single-container chemical processing, imaging, and wax embedding of tissue samples in a single container without manipulation between steps. Tissue chambers with features to support the tissue sample and allow fluid flow between the tissue sample and the tissue chamber surface are disclosed. The features may be index matched to sample structures of interest or dissolvable in clearing solution to allow for in-chamber imaging with minimal distortion. Specialized tissue processing and wax removal apparatuses are also disclosed including for use with tissue chambers having frangible portions to permit ease of wax removal.