In the case of a microtome, a pivotable control lever that is designed like a joystick is provided. The functions of the microtome are actuated and regulated by pivoting the control lever and by actuating buttons, which are arranged on the control lever.

A clamping device includes: an operating member; a wedge having a first inclined surface; a clamping member having a second inclined surface movable relative to the first inclined surface, the first and second inclined surfaces being provided in a face-to-face arrangement; and a housing having a first guiding part, a second guiding part and a chamber. The operating member is mounted in the first guiding part, the clamping member is mounted in the second guiding part, and the wedge is disposed in the chamber; the operating member is operated to move towards the wedge, such that the operating member contacts and pushes the wedge to move, and further the first inclined surface contacts and moves along the second inclined surface; whereby a pushing force of the operating member in a first direction is converted into a clamping force of the clamping member in a second direction.

Methods, apparatuses and systems for facilitating automated or semi-automated collection of tissue samples cut by a microtome. In one example, a collection apparatus may be moved back and forth between respective positions at which the collection apparatus is operatively coupled to a microtome so as to collect cut tissue samples, or routine access to the microtome is provided. Relatively easy movement and positioning of the collection apparatus is facilitated, while at the same time ensuring structural stability and appropriate alignment and/or isolation between the collection apparatus and the microtome. A fluid reservoir receives samples cut by the microtome, and the collection apparatus may collect samples via a conveyor-like substrate disposed near/in the reservoir. A linear movement of the substrate may be controlled based on a cutting rate of the microtome, and the fluid level in the reservoir may be automatically maintained to facilitate effective sample collection.

A microtomy method, blade holder and microtomy apparatus is described in which the microtomy blade or sample block is agitated ultrasonically. The sample block and/or cutting blade may be ultrasonically agitated and the invention provides a device for use in microtomy comprising a blade holder adapted to be agitated ultrasonically and to receive a sample sectioning blade and an ultrasonic source arranged to in use to cause the blade to vibrate in one or more directions within the plane of the blade.

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.

A rotary microtome and a control method therefore are provided. The rotary microtome includes: a specimen holder, configured to hold a specimen; a handwheel drive system, including a handwheel and a handwheel axis, and configured to receive a user operation via the handwheel and to move the specimen holder up and down via the handwheel axis based on the user operation; a damping component, connected to the handwheel axis, and configured to generate damping for rotation of the handwheel axis; a knife; a section motor, connected to the knife and configured to drive the knife to cut the specimen; and a control device, connected to the damping component and the section motor respectively, and configured to obtain an operation parameter of the section motor, and to adjust the damping generated by the damping component according to the operation parameter, such that the user feels a material hardness of the specimen.

A blade moving device includes: a support base; a linear bushing arranged in the support base; a moving block received in the support base and movably fitted over the linear bushing; a touch connector connected to the moving block and configured to move along with the moving block; and a blade box connected to the support base and configured to receive a blade therein. The touch connector is further configured to touch and push the blade to move out of the blade box when moving along with the moving block.

The invention relates to a microtome, in particular a rotary microtome (1), comprising a micrometer mechanism (3) having a drive (2) for producing a relative movement between an object holder (4) and a blade and a positioning device acting on the micrometer mechanism (3) to influence the relative movement, the positioning device comprising an advancing device (6) and a trimming device (7) interacting with the advancing device (6), said microtome being designed and modified with regard to a simple and reliable adjustment of the trimming device (7) as well as activation/deactivation of a retraction by structurally simple means in such a way that the positioning device has a combined actuating device (8) for both an adjustment of the trimming device (7) and also an activation/deactivation of a retraction which can be carried out by means of the advancing device (6).

A microtome comprises a support assembly; an actuator, mounted to the support assembly; a pair of oscillating flexure assemblies, held by the support assembly and each of which being located on one side of the actuator and oscillated by the actuator; and a blade assembly, mounted to each of the oscillating flexure assemblies so as to move in a direction same as the oscillating flexure assemblies.

A microtome comprises a support assembly; an actuator, mounted to the support assembly; a pair of oscillating flexure assemblies, held by the support assembly and each of which being located on one side of the actuator and oscillated by the actuator; and a blade assembly, mounted to each of the oscillating flexure assemblies so as to move in a direction same as the oscillating flexure assemblies.