Automated microtome blade changer

Abstract

An automated rotary microtome blade changing apparatus, comprising an upper stage being adapted to releasably engage a supply cartridge and a waste cartridge, the upper stage having a loading segment adapted to engage and move blades contained within the supply cartridge into a cutting position; clamping means for releasably holding the blades in place for cutting operations; power means for driving the movement of blades and clamping mechanisms; and electronic control means for integrating all of the functions of the apparatus.

1 . An automated rotary microtome blade changing apparatus, comprising an upper stage adapted to releasably engage a supply and a waste cartridge, said upper stage having a loading segment adapted to engage and move blades contained within said supply cartridge into a cutting position; 
 clamping means for releasably holding said blades in place for cutting operations;    power means for driving the movement of blades and clamping mechanisms; and    electronic control means for integrating all of the functions of the apparatus.    
   
   
       2 . An improved blade supply cartridge wherein said cartridge comprises a body, a spring, a dispensing tab, and blades, wherein said improvement comprises a toothed portion on said dispensing tab adapted to engage mating gear teeth on said blade changer.  
   
   
       3 . An improved blade supply cartridge wherein said cartridge comprises a body, a spring, a dispensing tab, and blades, wherein said improvement comprises a touch memory device in contact with said cartridge, said touch memory device programmed to contain content information relating to said cartridge.  
   
   
       4 . The blade supply cartridge of  claim 3  wherein said touch memory device comprises a Dallas Semiconductor DS1985 F5 16 Kbit add-only touch memory device.  
   
   
       5 . The blade supply cartridge of claims  2  and  3  wherein the cartridge also has an entrance for accepting spent blades.  
   
   
       6 . The blade supply cartridge of claims  2  and  3  wherein the cartridge has exterior alignment slots that engage with guides on the upper stage, thereby enabling precise and reproducible alignment.  
   
   
       7 . The blade supply cartridge of  claim 5  wherein said exterior alignment slots position the cartridge in either the supply or waste position on the upper stage.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said clamping means comprises: 
 a fixed support plate adapted to support a first side of said blade, said fixed support plate in intimate contact with the upper stage body;    a clamping plate having a clamping surface capable of engaging a second side of said blade when the clamping plate is pivoted into the clamping position;    a pivot means for supporting a midpoint region of said clamping plate, said pivot means itself being integral to or supported by said upper stage;    a clamping cam that engages said clamping plate, said clamping cam being mounted on a drive shaft and providing motion orthogonal to drive shaft axis thereby pivoting the clamping plate about said pivot point.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said power means comprises 
 an electric motor mounted proximate to said drive shaft;    a motor pulley mounted between said drive shaft and said electric motor and interconnected therebetween so that power from said motor is transferred to said drive shaft; and    a drive shaft for turning said clamping and said loading cams.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said electronic control means comprises a microcontroller in electrical communication with a switch located on a keypad, a power source, a motor, and a touch memory device located on said cartridges.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said power source is a DC battery.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said keypad contains a push-button switch for signaling the microcontroller to move a new blade into position.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said safety interlocks comprise solenoid switches mechanically coupled to latches.  
   
   
       14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)