Ultramicrotome device

Abstract

In a process for cutting sections from a probe for microscopic analysis, an ultramicrotome device is used having a blade with a cutting edge, the cutting edge extending at least approximately in a first direction. The process includes the steps of: vibrating said blade in the first direction; and moving the blade relative to the probe to be cut in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. This eliminates, or at least strongly reduces, compression of the cut sections.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for cutting sections from a probe for microscopic analysis, by using an ultramicrotome device having a blade with a cutting edge, the cutting edge in a non-vibrated position extending at least approximately in a first direction, the process comprising the steps of: vibrating the blade in the first direction; and moving the blade relative to the probe to be cut in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.  
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe is cut in sections having a thickness of about 10 to about 100 nm.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade is vibrated with a maximum amplitude of the vibration of the blade of about 1 μm.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein force is applied to a block of the ultramicrotome device, the block holding the blade.  
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe is vibrated in a third direction perpendicular to the first and the second direction.  
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 5 , wherein the blade is vibrated in a first frequency and the probe is vibrated in a second frequency, the second frequency being twice the first frequency.  
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe is vibrated in a third direction at least approximately parallel to the first direction.  
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the probe and the blade are vibrated, such that when the blade reaches its reversal points, the probe is still moving and vice versa.  
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 8 , wherein the probe and the blade are vibrated at the same frequency, but in a different phase.  
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the blade is moved relative to the probe in the second direction with a substantially constant cutting speed over a distance larger than a cross-sectional dimension of the probe in the third direction.  
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein in the third direction, an amplitude b o  of vibration is used with 
         b   o   ≧v   c /2ω, 
       wherein ω is the frequency in radians of the first vibrator and v c  is the cutting speed in the third direction.  
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein in the first direction, an amplitude a o  of vibration is used with 
         a   o ≧10  v   c /ω, 
       wherein ω is the frequency in radians of the first vibrator and v c  is the cutting speed in the third direction.  
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein a diamond blade is used.  
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade is moved relative to the probe in the second direction with a substantially constant cutting speed.