Patent ID: 8166855
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A thin section preparing method of slicing an embedded block having a biological sample embedded therein by a cutter to prepare a thin section and carrying the thin section to a subsequent process step, the method comprising the steps of: cutting wherein the embedded block and the cutter are relatively moved along an approaching and separating direction in which the embedded block and the cutter approach and separate from each other, and the thin section is sliced off from the embedded block at a predetermined pull angle; and carrying wherein the thin section sliced in the cutting step is placed on a top surface of a carrying body that is arranged as one end side thereof is near a nose of the cutter and is moved in a transport direction, the transport direction being substantially in parallel with a nose direction, and the thin section is carried from one end side of the carrying body toward the other end side thereof along the transport direction, wherein in conducting the cutting step and the carrying step, control is conducted in such a way that the embedded block and the carrying body are relatively moved at a predetermined rate of travel in a moving direction which is substantially vertical to the transport direction, the carrying body is moved at a predetermined transport velocity, and a combined velocity vector that combines a relative travel velocity vector of the embedded block to the carrying body with a transport velocity vector of the carrying body becomes nearly equal to a block velocity vector of the embedded block with respect to the cutter along the approaching and separating direction.