Patent ID: 7313993
Filing Date: 2008-01-01
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A cryostat microtome comprising: a stationary microtome part; a microtome knife; a slide guide defining a linear travel path toward and away from said microtome knife to adjust thickness of cut; a slide element guided by said slide guide for movement relative to said slide guide along said linear travel path; a specimen holder mounted on said slide element for holding a specimen to be cut by said microtome knife; a drive motor; a cam driven by said drive motor and engaged by said slide element, wherein said slide element includes a roller arranged to engage an outer periphery of said cam; and at least one spring having a first end connected to said stationary microtome part and a second end connected to said slide element, said at least one spring acting to bias said slide element toward engagement with said cam to maintain a non-positive connection between said slide element and said cam; wherein said cam is located between said slide element and a location where said at least one spring is connected to said stationary microtome part.