Method, system, and device for automating transfer of tape to microtome sections

Abstract

A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An automated tape transport apparatus comprising:
 a specimen holding unit for mounting a sample block with an exposed surface of the sample block outwardly facing therefrom;   a tape having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising an adhesive;   a tape transport unit configured to transport the tape for adhering the tape to the sample block for adherence of a cut tissue section from the sample block;   a tape application unit configured to engage with the tape to apply pressure to the first surface of the tape to press the second surface of the tape into contact with the sample block to adhere the second surface of the tape to the exposed surface after transport of the tape to a position adjacent and over the exposed surface;   a specimen sectioning unit operable to section the exposed surface of the sample block for adherence of the cut tissue section to the second surface of the tape to create a sectioned sample; and   a controller configured to receive locational information of the tape, the sample block, and the tape application unit relative to each other and to cause the tape application unit to, in a first position, apply pressure on the first surface of the tape to press the second surface of the tape into contact with the sample block and to cause the tape application unit to be away from the specimen holding unit in a second position.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the controller is further configured to align the tape with the sample block so the cut tissue section can be applied to the second surface when the second surface is pressed over the exposed surface of the sample block. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the tape application unit comprises a roller configured to roll against the first surface of the tape to press the second surface of the tape on the sample block. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the tape application unit is configured to eliminate air bubbles when the roller is rolled against the first surface of the tape to press the second surface of the tape on the sample block. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the tape application unit includes a spring-loaded roller to adhere the tape to the exposed surface of the sample block. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a tape guide axially spaced from the tape application unit, wherein:
 the tape guide is movable from an apply position to a remove position; and   the tape guide is in the apply position when the tape is advanced to align with the specimen holding unit and the tape guide remains in the apply position when tape application unit moves to the second position.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the tape transport unit comprises a supply reel at an upstream end and a take up reel at a downstream end;   when the tape guide is in the apply position, an angle formed by a first line between the specimen holding unit and the supply reel and a second line between the specimen holding unit and the tape guide is about 180 degrees; and   when the tape guide is in the remove position, the angle formed by the first line between the specimen holding unit and the supply reel and the second line between the specimen holding unit and the tape guide is at an obtuse angle.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the tape is adjacent to and aligned with the exposed surface of the sample block when the tape guide is in the apply position. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the controller comprises:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for controlling the tape transport unit to dispense the tape so that a portion of the tape is adjacent to and covers the exposed surface of the sample block.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a slide; and   a slide transfer station for transferring the sectioned sample from the tape to the slide.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the slide comprises an adhesive for adhering the sectioned sample to the slide. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the specimen sectioning unit comprises a knife-block with a blade handler for holding a changeable knife blade. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the specimen holding unit comprises a chuck head and a chuck adapter for holding the sample block. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the controller comprises:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing the tape application unit to apply pressure on the first surface of the tape in the first position and for causing the tape application unit to be away from the specimen holding unit in the second position.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the tape transport unit comprises a supply reel at an upstream end and a take up reel at a downstream end. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the tape transport unit is configured to transport the tape from the supply reel for adhering the tape to the sample block for adherence of the cut tissue section from the sample block. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a reciprocating actuator; and   a sensor configured to provide locational information of the tape, the sample block, and the tape application unit relative to each other, wherein the controller is configured:
 to control the reciprocating actuator based on the locational information to cause the tape application unit to apply pressure on the first surface of the tape in the first position and to cause the tape application unit to be away from the specimen holding unit in the second position. 
   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the controller comprises:
 a processor; and   a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions for controlling the reciprocating actuator based on the locational information to cause the tape application unit to apply pressure on the first surface of the tape in the first position and to cause the tape application unit to be away from the specimen holding unit in the second position.   
     
     
         39 . An automated tape transport apparatus comprising:
 a specimen holding unit for mounting a sample block with an exposed surface of the sample block outwardly facing therefrom;   a tape having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising an adhesive;   a tape application unit configured to engage with the tape to apply pressure to the first surface of the tape to press the second surface of the tape into contact with the sample block to adhere the second surface of the tape to the exposed surface; and   a controller configured to receive locational information of the tape, the sample block, and the tape application unit relative to each other and to cause the tape application unit to apply pressure on the first surface of the tape in a first position and to cause the tape application unit to be away from the specimen holding unit in a second position.   
     
     
         40 . An automated tape transport apparatus comprising:
 a specimen holding unit for mounting a sample block with an exposed surface of the sample block outwardly facing therefrom;   a tape having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising an adhesive;   a tape application unit configured to engage with the tape to apply pressure to the first surface of the tape to press the second surface of the tape into contact with the sample block to adhere the second surface of the tape to the exposed surface;   a specimen sectioning unit operable to section the exposed surface of the sample block for adherence of a cut tissue section to the second surface of the tape to create a sectioned sample; and   a controller configured to receive locational information of the tape, the sample block, and the tape application unit relative to each other and to cause the tape application unit to, in a first position, apply pressure on the first surface of the tape to adhere the sectioned sample to the second surface of the tape and to cause the tape application unit to be away from the specimen holding unit in a second position.