JP4697707B2 - Thin section transport mechanism, thin section manufacturing apparatus, and thin section transport method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes a thin section transport mechanism for transporting a thin section produced by slicing an embedded block in which a biological sample taken out from a human body or a laboratory animal is embedded, and a thin section transport mechanism, The present invention relates to a thin-slice manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a thin-section and a method for transporting a thin-section.

  Conventionally, as one method for inspecting and observing a biological sample taken from a human body or a laboratory animal, an embedding block in which the biological sample is embedded with an embedding agent is formed into an ultrathin thin section having a thickness of several μm. A method of observing a sample in which an embedding agent is dissolved after slicing is known. As the details of the process for producing a thin slice, an embedded block is fixed to a sample stage, and a thin slice having a thickness of about 3 to 5 μm is produced by moving the cutter at a predetermined moving speed. And the thin slice produced in this way was taken out by hooking a thin thread or the like and transported to the next process such as the extension process and the drying process. Conventionally, the process of taking out and transporting the prepared thin section has been performed manually because the thin section is extremely thin and easily damaged such as curling, wrinkling, and tearing. On the other hand, for example, in animal experiments, several hundred embedded blocks are prepared per test, and several thin sections are prepared per embedded block. For this reason, an operator needs to prepare a huge number of thin sections and transport them to the next process, and automation of these processes has been attempted.

  For example, after the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape is pressed against the cut surface of the embedding block and bonded, the cutter is moved from the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the adhesive tape, the embedded block is sliced, and the adhesive tape is sent. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And it is supposed that the thin piece fixed to the adhesive tape can be sequentially conveyed by repeating the feeding of the adhesive tape and the movement of the cutter.

Further, the thin-cut auxiliary member made of a conductive layer and an insulating layer and the embedded block are charged with different polar charges, and the thin-cut auxiliary member is pressed against the embedded block by the actuator to perform the thin cut. And the method of pulling up a thin section with the electrostatic force which acts between a thin cutting auxiliary member and an embedding block, and conveying is proposed (for example, refer patent document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 3634917 Japanese Patent No. 3606673

  However, in the method according to Patent Document 1, the produced thin slice is observed in a state of being adhered to the adhesive tape, but the adhesive tape cannot obtain flatness as compared with the slide glass. For this reason, when observation with an optical microscope is performed with the adhesive tape adhered, there is a problem in that the observation of the optical microscope becomes out of focus due to slight distortion or warping of the adhesive tape. It was. In addition, GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) requires a storage period for samples such as preparations on the order of ten years. However, when thin sections are fixed to such an adhesive tape, there has been a problem that the stability of the tape body and the adhesive of the adhesive tape has not been proven for a long time.

  On the other hand, in the method according to Patent Document 2, the thin slice can be pulled up to the thin-cut auxiliary member by electrostatic force, and the thin slice can be separated from the thin-cut auxiliary member by discharging. For this reason, the above-described problems can be solved because charging can be performed to take out the prepared thin section and discharge it so that the thin section can be transferred to a slide glass or the like. However, when slicing a thin section from an embedded block, it is common to perform appropriate humidification in order to prevent the thin section from becoming wrinkled. When humidification is performed in this manner, the thin section becomes wet and becomes difficult to be charged, so that the thin section cannot be lifted stably and the thin section S cannot be conveyed. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and automatically and reliably receives and transports it to the next process without damaging a thin section produced by slicing an embedded block. Provided are a thin-section transport mechanism, a thin-section preparation apparatus provided with a thin-section transport mechanism, and a thin-section transport method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The thin section transport mechanism of the present invention includes a roller group composed of at least two rollers, a first roller disposed on a thin section receiving side and a second roller disposed on the thin section delivery side, A plurality of ventilation holes formed, and a belt wound between the rollers, and a driving unit that rotates any one of the rollers to drive the belt, the first roller Is a hollow, substantially cylindrical member having a large number of air intake holes penetrating from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface, and inside the first roller via the belt circumscribing the first roller Suction means is provided for sucking the thin section and adsorbing the thin section on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. The suction means includes an intake pipe having a tip end connected to the inside of the first roller, and the intake pipe. Vacuum pump connected to the proximal end of An intake chamber that is provided inside the first roller, supports the first roller, is connected to the intake pipe, and opens to the outer peripheral side only in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction for sucking the thin slice. Comprises a roller shaft formed inside, and adsorbs the cut thin section in the predetermined range .

  According to the thin-section conveying mechanism according to the present invention, since the belt has a large number of air holes, the thin section is sucked through the belt by the suction means provided in the first roller. It is possible to adsorb a thin slice on the outer peripheral surface of the plate. For this reason, the prepared thin section is adsorbed to the belt at the position where the belt circumscribes the first roller on the receiving side, and the roller section is rotated by the driving unit so that the belt travels. Be transported. In addition, after passing through the range sucked by the suction means, there is only a slight interaction between the thin slice and the belt such as surface tension, adhesive force, frictional force, etc. due to the liquid component. It will be in the state mounted on the outer peripheral surface of a belt. For this reason, a thin section can be easily taken out from the outer peripheral surface of the belt on the delivery side.

Further , by suctioning with the vacuum pump, the inside of the first roller connected to the vacuum pump and the intake pipe can be exhausted. And since the inside of the 1st roller is connected with the outer peripheral surface side by many inhalation holes, a thin slice can be attracted | sucked through the belt circumscribed by the 1st roller.

Further, the first roller rotates with the running of the belt around a roller shaft which is JikuSo therein. If suction is performed by the vacuum pump in this state, the inside of the suction chamber of the roller shaft connected by the suction pipe is exhausted. Since the intake chamber is open to the outer peripheral side, the thin slice can be sucked through the belt and the first roller and the thin slice can be adsorbed to the belt in the open range. At this time, since the opening of the intake chamber is limited only to a predetermined range in the circumferential direction for adsorbing the thin slice, it is possible to efficiently and reliably suck even a small exhaust amount with a small vacuum pump.

In the thin-section conveying mechanism, the roller group includes a third roller between the first roller and the second roller, and the driving unit is connected to the third roller. It is said that it is more preferable.
According to the thin-section conveying mechanism according to the present invention, the third roller and the driving unit are provided between the first roller and the second roller, so that the driving is performed regardless of the installation conditions on the receiving side and the delivery side. The part can be arranged and the belt can be run.

In the thin-section conveying mechanism, the outer peripheral surface of the belt is more preferably formed of a hydrophilic material.
According to the thin-section conveying mechanism according to the present invention, since the outer peripheral surface of the belt is formed of a hydrophilic material, the thin-section or belt is interposed between the thin section sucked by the suction means and the belt. Surface tension works effectively by moisture adhering to the surface. For this reason, even if the suction by the suction means is released, the thin slice is kept placed on the outer peripheral surface of the belt and is more reliably conveyed to the delivery side.

  Further, a thin-slice preparation device of the present invention is a thin-slice preparation device that includes the thin-section transport mechanism described above, and that prepares the thin-section from an embedding block in which a biological sample is embedded and transports it to the next process. A sample table for fixing the embedding block, a cutter for slicing the embedding block fixed to the sample table, and either the sample table or the cutter and the thin section transport mechanism, A feed mechanism that moves relative to each other and slices the embedded block by the cutter, and the first roller of the thin-section transport mechanism cuts the embedded block fixed to the sample stage. The moving speed by the feed mechanism and the running speed of the belt by the driving unit of the thin-section transport mechanism are set to be approximately equal to each other with a predetermined gap from the surface. Have

  According to the thin-section preparation apparatus according to the present invention, either the sample stage or the cutter and the thin-section transport mechanism are moved by the feeding mechanism, so that the embedding block fixed to the sample stage is thinned by the cutter. It is cut. And the thin section produced by moving the cutter relative to the embedding block was provided on the first roller arranged with a predetermined gap from the cut surface of the embedding block. It is sucked by the suction means and sucked on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. At this time, since the moving speed by the feeding mechanism and the running speed of the belt are set to be substantially equal, the thin slice adsorbed on the belt is pulled by the belt and cut or is produced. Will not be wrinkled without being transported. When the thin slice is completely cut off from the embedding block, the thin slice is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the belt and conveyed to the delivery side.

  In the thin-section preparation apparatus, a liquid tank for extending the thin-section transported by the thin-section transport mechanism is provided on a delivery side of the thin-section transport mechanism, and the second section of the thin-section transport mechanism is provided. More preferably, at least a part of the roller is immersed in a liquid filled in the liquid tank.

  According to the thin section manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the thin section cut from the embedding block by the cutter and the feeding mechanism is transported to the liquid tank provided on the delivery side by the running of the belt. And since the 2nd roller of the delivery side is immersed in the liquid of the liquid tank, the thin slice on the outer peripheral surface of a belt floats on the liquid of a liquid tank, and detaches | leaves from the belt to the liquid surface. Furthermore, since the belt is always kept wet because the belt is immersed in the liquid in the liquid tank on the delivery side, the surface tension is effectively reduced between the thin section sucked on the delivery side. The thin section can be conveyed more reliably from the delivery side to the delivery side by the belt.

Further, the present invention is a method for transporting a thin section, which receives a thin section produced by slicing an embedding block in which a biological sample is embedded, and transports it to the next process, wherein the cutter includes the embedding section. By moving relative to the block, the thin section that is produced by the cutter, by an intake chamber in which an opening is formed only in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on which the thin section is first placed, A substantially cylindrical roller having a large number of air intake holes around it, a suction step that adsorbs to the belt by adsorbing it through a belt that circumscribes the roller and that has a large number of air holes, and adsorbs to the belt The thin section is transported by traveling of the belt, the delivery side of the belt is immersed in a liquid filled in a liquid tank, the thin section is detached from the belt, and the liquid section is placed in the liquid tank. The delivery process It is characterized in that it comprises.

  According to the method for transporting a thin section according to the present invention, the thin section produced by moving the cutter relative to the embedding block in the suction step is at a speed substantially equal to the thin section production speed. It is sucked through a belt having a large number of running air holes and adsorbed on the belt. Next, in the transporting process, the thin slice adsorbed on the belt is transported to the liquid tank on the delivery side as the belt travels. Then, in the delivery step, the thin slice floats in the liquid in the liquid tank together with the belt, so that it is detached from the belt and delivered to the liquid surface filled in the liquid tank.

According to the thin-section transport mechanism and the thin-section transport method of the present invention, the thin section can be sucked and sucked by the belt formed with a large number of air holes and the suction means, so that the thin section is damaged. Without being done, it can be received automatically and reliably and conveyed by a belt. In addition, since the thin slice is transported while being placed on the belt with only a slight interaction between the thin slice and the belt, the thin slice can be easily taken out on the take-off side and transferred to the next process. it can.
In addition, according to the thin-slice manufacturing apparatus provided with such a thin-section transport mechanism, the thin-section transport is performed simultaneously with the preparation of the thin-section by setting the moving speed of the feeding mechanism and the traveling speed of the belt to be substantially equal. Without damaging the thin section by the mechanism, it can be automatically and reliably received and transported to the next process.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment according to the present invention. The thin-section preparation apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 prepares an ultrathin thin section having a thickness of about 3 to 5 μm from an embedding block B in which a biological sample A is embedded, and the biological sample included in the thin section In the process of inspecting and observing A, the thin section S is automatically sliced from the embedding block B and conveyed to the next process. As shown in FIG. 3, the biological sample A is, for example, a tissue such as an organ taken out from a human body, a laboratory animal, or the like, and is selected in a timely manner in the medical field, the pharmaceutical field, the food field, the biological field, and the like. The embedding block B is obtained by embedding the biological sample A as described above with the embedding agent B1, that is, covering and solidifying the periphery. In more detail, such an embedding block B is produced as follows. First, the mass of the biological sample A is immersed in formalin to fix the protein constituting the biological sample A. And after making a structure | tissue solid, it cut | disconnects to a suitable magnitude | size. Finally, it is produced by embedding and solidifying a material in which the moisture in the cut biological sample A is replaced by the embedding agent B1 in the embedding agent B1. Here, the embedding agent B1 is a material that can be easily liquefied and cooled and solidified as described above, and is dissolved by being immersed in xylene, such as resin or paraffin. Hereinafter, the configuration of the thin-slice manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thin-section preparation apparatus 1 includes a sample stage 2 for fixing a cassette C on which an embedding block B is placed, a cutter 3 for slicing the embedding block B, and a cutter 3. And a thin slice transport mechanism 20 for transporting the thin slice S sliced from the embedding block B. The sample stage 2 can position and fix the cassette C on which the embedding block B is placed. Further, a feed mechanism 6 having an X stage 4 and a Z stage 5 is provided below the sample stage 2, and a feed direction X and a height direction Z for slicing the embedded block B fixed to the sample stage 2. In addition, the position can be adjusted and the feed direction X can be sent at a predetermined moving speed. Further, in the frame 21 of the thin-section transport mechanism 20, the holder 7 is fixed to the distal end portion 21 a on the receiving side. The cutter 3 is fixed by the holder 7 so as to face the embedding block B and the thin-section transport mechanism 20 fixed to the sample stage 2.

  The thin-section conveying mechanism 20 is provided between the first roller 22 provided on the receiving side, the second roller 23 provided on the delivery side, and the first roller 22 and the second roller 23. A roller group 25 composed of a third roller 24 and an endless belt 26 wound around the roller group 25 are provided. The endless belt 26 is formed with a large number of air holes 26a, and more specifically is formed of a mesh-like sheet. The endless belt 26 is made of a hydrophilic material. The second roller 23 and the third roller 24 are pivotally attached to the frame 21 so as to be rotatable. The third roller 24 is connected to a motor 27 that is a driving unit. The third roller 24 is rotated by the motor 27, and the wound endless belt 26 can run. The rotational speed of the motor 27 is set so that the traveling speed of the endless belt 26 is substantially equal to the moving speed of the X stage 4 of the feed mechanism 6. The feed mechanism 6 and the motor 27 are connected by a control unit, and the control unit controls the motor 27 with respect to the moving speed of the X stage 4 to synchronize the traveling speed of the endless belt 26. good.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first roller 22 is a member having a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape and a plurality of intake holes 22c penetrating from the outer peripheral surface 22a to the inner peripheral surface 22b. Is provided with a roller shaft 28. The roller shaft 28 is fixed to the frame 21, and the first roller 22 is slightly different from the cut surface B 2 of the embedded block B fixed to the sample stage 2 when the embedded block B is sliced with the cutter 3. And can be rotated about the roller shaft 28. Further, the first roller 22 is provided with a suction means 29 for sucking the thin slice S and sucking it on the endless belt 26. The suction means 29 includes the roller shaft 28, an intake pipe 30 whose front end side is connected to the inside of the first roller 22, and a vacuum pump 31 connected to the proximal end side of the intake pipe 30. As shown in FIG. 3, an intake chamber 32 is formed inside the roller shaft 28 and is connected to the distal end side of the intake pipe 30. The intake chamber 32 opens to the outer peripheral side within a predetermined range in the circumferential direction of the roller shaft 28. More specifically, the intake chamber 32 opens at a position and a range facing the thin slice S sliced from the embedding block B by the cutter 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thin-slice manufacturing device 1 includes a liquid tank 8 filled with water W on the delivery side of the thin-section transport mechanism 20. The second roller 23 is positioned below the third roller 24, so that a part of the second roller 23 is disposed in a state of being immersed in the water W of the liquid tank 8. A pinch roller 33 is provided below the third roller 24, and an endless belt 26 is sandwiched between the third roller 24 and the endless belt 26 is smoothly moved by the rotation of the third roller 24. It is possible to run.

  Next, the details of the operation of the thin-section manufacturing apparatus 1 and the thin-cut conveyance mechanism 20 and the method of conveying the thin-section S will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, first, the position of the embedding block B in the height direction Z is adjusted by the Z stage 5 of the feeding mechanism 6, and a predetermined thickness (about 3 to 5 μm) is obtained by the cutter 3. The relative position of the cutter 3 and the embedding block B is determined so that it can be sliced. Then, the X stage 4 of the feed mechanism 6 is driven to move the embedded block B fixed to the sample stage 2 at a predetermined moving speed in the feed direction X, and the motor 27 is driven to run the endless belt 26. In addition, the vacuum pump 31 of the suction means 29 is operated. Further, since the cutter 3 is fixed to the frame 21 of the thin-section conveying mechanism 20 by the holder 7, the embedded block B moves relative to the cutter 3 and the first roller 22. And as shown in FIG. 3, while the cutter 3 cuts the embedding block B, the thin slice S is produced, and the thin slice S is rolled up by the cutter 3, Proximity to an endless belt 26 circumscribing the roller 22.

  Since the vacuum pump 31 is connected to the intake chamber 32 via the intake pipe 30, the inside of the intake chamber 32 is exhausted by the vacuum pump 31. The intake chamber 32 is open to the outer peripheral side of the roller shaft 28, the intake hole 22 c is formed in the first roller 22, and the vent hole 26 a is formed in the endless belt 26. That is, as a suction process, the sliced piece S that is sliced and produced by the cutter 3 is sucked by the vacuum pump 31 through the endless belt 26 and the first roller 22 in the range where the intake chamber 32 is open. And adsorbed to the endless belt 26. Then, the adsorbed thin slice S moves as the endless belt 26 travels. At this time, the moving speed of the feed mechanism 6 by the X stage 4, that is, the production speed of the thin slice S and the traveling speed of the endless belt 26 are set to be approximately equal. For this reason, the thin section S adsorbed on the endless belt 26 is pulled by the endless belt 26 and cut, or the thin section S to be produced is not transported and wrinkled. The thin slice S is adsorbed by the endless belt 26 and moves upward of the first roller 22 together with the endless belt 26.

  Here, a slight amount of moisture is attached to the surface of the thin slice S due to atmospheric moisture or humidification performed when slicing. In addition, the endless belt 26 travels infinitely from the first roller 22 to the second roller 23 on the receiving side and is immersed in the water W of the liquid tank 8 at a position circumscribing the second roller 23. The belt 26 is kept wet. For this reason, slight surface tension due to such moisture acts between the thin slice S and the endless belt 26. In the present embodiment, since the endless belt 26 is formed of a hydrophilic material, this surface tension acts more effectively. Further, between the thin slice S and the endless belt 26, the adhesive force and frictional force of the thin slice S also act. That is, when the thin section S moves outside the range in which the intake chamber 32 is opened, the suction action by the vacuum pump 31 does not work on the thin section S, but between the thin section S and the endless belt 26. However, these interactions are working slightly. For this reason, as a conveyance process, the thin slice S is conveyed while maintaining the state of being placed on the outer peripheral surface 26b of the endless belt 26. When the sliced piece S is completely separated from the embedding block B, the sliced piece S is placed on the outer peripheral surface 26b of the endless belt 26 and conveyed to the liquid tank 8 on the delivery side.

  Then, as a delivery step, the second roller 23 on the delivery side is immersed in the water W of the liquid tank 8, so that the thin slice S on the outer peripheral surface 26 b of the endless belt 26 is immersed in the water W of the liquid tank 8. Then, it is detached from the endless belt 26 into the underwater W. The thin slice S delivered to the liquid tank 8 floats in the water W, and the warp, wrinkles, distortion, etc. of the thin slice S are corrected by the surface tension of the water. After this, the thin slice S moves to the next process, for example, it is scooped up from a state suspended in water W onto a slide glass, and after passing through steps such as hot water extension, hot plate extension, and drying operation, a thin slice specimen is obtained. It will be stored on a slide glass. For this reason, the thin slice S is observed with an optical microscope without disturbing the observation due to deformation such as warping, and is stored in a stable state for a long time.

  As described above, the thin-section transport mechanism 20 can suck the thin section S by the endless belt 26 in which a large number of air holes 26 a are formed and the suction means 29 and suck the thin section S on the endless belt 26. For this reason, according to the thin-section transport mechanism 20 and the thin-section S transport method as described above, a slight mutual action between the thin-section S and the endless belt 26 is automatically and reliably performed without damaging the thin-section S. Only by the action, the state of being placed on the endless belt 26 can be maintained and conveyed. Furthermore, on the take-out side, the thin slice S can be easily taken out and delivered to the next process.

  Further, since the opening of the intake chamber 32 is limited only to a predetermined range in the circumferential direction for adsorbing the thin slice S, the small vacuum pump 31 can efficiently and reliably suck even a small displacement. it can. Further, as described above, the endless belt 26 is formed of a hydrophilic material and is always kept wet by the water W of the liquid tank 8, so that the thin film sucked by the suction means 29 is used. The section S can be more reliably adsorbed and transported on the outer peripheral surface 26b of the endless belt 26. In addition, by providing the third roller and the drive unit between the first roller and the second roller, the drive unit can be arranged and the belt can travel without being limited by the installation conditions on the receiving side and the delivery side. Can do.

  In addition, according to the thin-slice manufacturing apparatus provided with such a thin-section transport mechanism, the thin-section transport is performed simultaneously with the preparation of the thin-section by setting the moving speed of the feeding mechanism and the traveling speed of the belt to be substantially equal. Without damaging the thin section by the mechanism, it can be automatically and reliably received and transported to the next process.

  In the thin-section conveying mechanism 20, the roller group 25 includes three rollers, a first roller 22, a second roller 23, and a third roller 24, and a motor 27 is provided on the third roller 24. However, it is not limited to this. It is sufficient that at least two rollers, that is, the first roller 22 on the receiving side and the second roller 23 on the delivery side are provided, and any one of the rollers may be provided with a drive unit such as the motor 27. The thin section transport mechanism 20 has an endless belt 26 and can travel infinitely. However, the thin-section transport mechanism 20 has two rollers on the supply side and the winding side, and winds from the supply side roller to the winding roller. It is good also as a structure to take. Further, the endless belt 26 is formed of a hydrophilic material, but the outer peripheral surface 26b may be coated with a hydrophilic material. Furthermore, since the thin slice S sucked by the suction means 29 is adsorbed by at least surface tension, adhesive force and frictional force due to moisture adhering to the thin slice S, the endless belt 26 is not made of a material or liquid having no hydrophilicity. Even if the tank 8 is not kept in a wet state, the thin slice S is adsorbed to the endless belt 26 and conveyed. The endless belt 26 is a mesh sheet, but is not limited to this. The endless belt 26 only needs to have a large number of air holes 26a that can be sucked by the suction means 29, and a plurality of perforations are formed. But it can be a cloth or something like that. Furthermore, non-woven fabrics and porous materials are also included.

  Further, the feeding mechanism 6 of the thin-section preparation apparatus 1 enables the sample stage 2 to be moved. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sample stage 2 is fixed and the cutter 3 and the thin-section transport mechanism 20 are moved simultaneously. It is good also as a structure. It suffices that at least the sample table 2 fixing the embedding block B can be moved relative to the cutter 3 and the thin-section transport mechanism 20. Further, although the moving speed of the feeding mechanism 6 and the traveling speed of the endless belt 26 are set to be substantially equal, in the range where the endless belt 26 is attracted and transported so as not to damage the thin slice S to be produced, These speeds are coordinated with each other. In addition, the liquid tank 8 is provided on the take-off side of the thin-section transport mechanism 20, but the thin-section S is only placed on the outer peripheral surface 26b of the endless belt 26, so that other configurations are possible. Can be easily taken out. Although the liquid tank 8 is filled with the water W, it may be a liquid mainly composed of water, and various liquids can be selected as long as the liquid does not dissolve the embedding agent B1 of the thin slice S. is there.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

It is a top view of the thin slice production apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the thin slice production apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the thin section production apparatus of an embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thin section preparation apparatus 2 Sample stand 3 Cutter 6 Feeding mechanism 8 Liquid tank 20 Thin section conveyance mechanism 22 First roller 22a Outer peripheral surface 22b Inner peripheral surface 22c Intake hole 23 Second roller 24 Third roller 25 Roller group 26 Endless belt (belt)
26a Ventilation hole 26b Outer peripheral surface 27 Motor (drive unit)
28 Roller shaft 29 Suction means 30 Inspiratory pipe 31 Vacuum pump 32 Inspiratory chamber A Biological sample B Embedding block B1 Embedding agent B2 Cut surface S Thin section X Feeding direction W Water (liquid)

Claims (6)

A roller group composed of at least two rollers, a first roller disposed on the thin-section receiving side and a second roller disposed on the thin-section delivery side;
A plurality of ventilation holes formed, a belt wound between the rollers;
A driving unit that rotates any one of the rollers and drives the belt;
The first roller is a hollow, substantially cylindrical member, and a large number of intake holes that penetrate from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface are formed.
Inside the first roller, there is provided suction means for sucking the thin section through the belt circumscribing the first roller and sucking the thin section on the outer peripheral surface of the belt ,
The suction means includes
An intake pipe having a tip connected to the inside of the first roller;
A vacuum pump connected to the proximal end of the intake pipe;
An intake chamber provided inside the first roller, pivotally supporting the first roller, connected to the intake pipe, and opened to the outer peripheral side only in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction for sucking the thin slice. A roller shaft formed inside,
A thin-section conveying mechanism that sucks the cut thin-section within the predetermined range . The thin-section transport mechanism according to claim 1 ,
The roller group includes a third roller between the first roller and the second roller,
The thin-section transport mechanism, wherein the driving unit is connected to the third roller. In the thin-section transport mechanism according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A thin-section conveying mechanism, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the belt is formed of a hydrophilic material. A thin-section preparation apparatus comprising the thin-section transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the thin section is prepared from an embedded block in which a biological sample is embedded, and is transported to the next step. ,
A sample stage for fixing the embedding block;
A cutter for slicing the embedded block fixed to the sample stage;
A feed mechanism that relatively moves one of the sample table or the cutter and the thin-section transport mechanism, and slices the embedded block by the cutter;
The first roller of the thin-section transport mechanism is disposed with a predetermined gap from the cut surface of the embedding block fixed to the sample stage,
The moving speed by the feeding mechanism and the running speed of the belt by the driving unit of the thin-section transport mechanism are set to substantially equal speeds. In the thin-slice preparation device according to claim 4 ,
A liquid tank for extending the thin section transported by the thin section transport mechanism is provided on the delivery side of the thin section transport mechanism,
At least a part of the second roller of the thin-section transport mechanism is immersed in a liquid filled in the liquid tank. A method for transporting a thin section, which receives a thin section produced by slicing an embedding block in which a biological sample is embedded, and transports it to the next process,
As the cutter moves relative to the embedding block, the thin section produced by the cutter forms an opening only in a predetermined range in the circumferential direction on which the thin section is first placed. A suction step of sucking and sucking a substantially cylindrical roller having a large number of air intake holes formed by the air intake chamber and a belt circumscribing the roller and having a large number of air holes formed therein. When,
A transporting step of transporting the thin slice adsorbed on the belt by running the belt;
A method for transporting a thin section, comprising: a step of immersing the delivery side of the belt in a liquid filled in a liquid tank, detaching the thin section from the belt, and delivering to the liquid tank.

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