Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling a microtome ( 2 ) and a cooling chamber ( 4 ) provided therefor is disclosed. Control is accomplished by way of a single control unit ( 12, 18 ) that integrates both operating elements ( 30 ) for the microtome ( 2 ) and operating elements ( 32 ) for the cooling chamber ( 4 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority of the German patent application 102 42 712.7 which is incorporated by reference herein. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention concerns an apparatus for controlling a microtome and a cooling chamber provided therefor. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,757 describes a control apparatus for a cooling chamber into which a microtome or ultramicrotome is placed. The control apparatus encompasses a microcontroller to which a first and a second control circuit for the sample and the knife are connected. An adjusting element is provided for adjusting and also correspondingly monitoring the desired temperature for the knife and sample. 
   Control of a system that comprises a microtome and a cooling chamber is described in the brochure for the Leica Ultracut S/FCS. There are two separate control units for the overall system. A first control unit is used for control purposes and for the input of cutting parameters for the microtome. The second control device serves exclusively for adjustment and temperature regulation of the cooling chamber around the region of the knife and the sample holder. Since the space available on laboratory benches is usually limited, a plurality of control units is not necessarily especially suitable. 
   In order to solve the problem of insufficient space, the RCM company proposes, in its company brochure, the variant of a small cooling chamber control unit. This control unit can be placed on the ultramicrotome control unit. Nevertheless, two separate control units are still provided, and the power supply and power electronics for the cooling chamber control unit are additionally housed in a “black box.” This additional black box need not be placed on the laboratory bench, since it contains no operating elements. An additional part of a system is created, however, which is not conducive to user-friendliness. 
   The Leica CM 3600 discloses a sectioning device for large biological tissues. There is a programmable logic unit controller provided which allows input of study related data. The Leica CM 3600 does not disclose two separate units which are controlled by one control device. 
   The Leica CM 3050 S shows a cryostat system which can produce slices at low temperatures. The difference to the present invention is that the whole system is covered with a temperature shielding housing and the housing itself includes control buttons. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore the object of the invention to create a unified, space-saving, and user-friendly control system for a system made up of a microtome and a separate cooling chamber. 
   The object is achieved, according to the present invention, with an apparatus for controlling a microtome and a cooling chamber, which is positioned on the microtome, comprising:
         a single control unit that integrates both operating elements for the microtome and operating elements for the cooling chamber; and   a single display is associated with the control unit, wherein the single display is, dependent from the specific configuration of microtome and cooling chamber, a user interface for the microtome and/or the cooling chamber.       

   The apparatus for controlling a microtome and a cooling chamber provided therefor has the critical advantage that a single control unit is provided that integrates both operating elements for the microtome and operating elements for the cooling chamber. Associated with the control unit is a user interface that is embodied in the form of a display or screen. The operating elements can be presented to a user on the display. The control unit is configured in such a way that a cooling chamber connected to the microtome can be detected. The control unit modifies or adds to the operating elements presented on the display in accordance with the operating elements for the cooling chamber. 
   It is particularly advantageous that the invention results not only in space reduction on a laboratory bench, but also in simpler handling for the user. It is likewise advantageous and conceivable for functions that are not often used to be presented only in a submenu on the display. The result of this is that the control unit is arranged and/or organized better. 
   The power electronics and/or power supplies, which are not housed in this control unit, can be assigned to the devices (microtome or cooling chamber). A black box or an external power supply is also conceivable. It is furthermore advantageous that the invention not only achieves the space reduction, but also makes possible a cost reduction. This is important principally for customers who do not originally possess a cooling chamber, since the control unit has cooling-chamber costs associated with it. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be elucidated below with reference to the examples depicted schematically in the Figures, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of the microtome with a cooling chamber and control unit; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the microtome with cooling chamber and control unit; and 
       FIG. 3  schematically depicts a user interface for the shared control unit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  is the a schematic side view of a microtome  2  that is equipped with a cooling chamber  4 . Although only the term “microtome” is used in the foregoing description and in the description to follow, this term is also, of course, understood to mean an ultramicrotome. In the depiction of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , cooling chamber  4  is marked with dashed lines. Microtome  2  possesses a sample holder  6  that is movable up and down. Also provided on the microtome is a knife holder  8  which is arranged in such a way that it is located opposite a sample  10  mounted on sample holder  6 . In the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a shared control unit  12  is provided. Control unit  12 , microtome  2 , and cooling chamber  4  are each connected using an electrical conductor  14 . Associated with control unit  12  is a display  16  on which a user interface, for adjusting microtome  2  and cooling chamber  4 , is displayed. The user interface makes adjustment icons or buttons for microtome  2  and cooling chamber  4  available to the user. Since it often happens that customers first purchase microtome  2  and later opt for a cooling chamber  4 , control unit  12  is designed so that it detects, for example, a cooling chamber that has just been connected, and rearranges or adapts the user interface in accordance with the new configuration of the system. Operating elements that are connected to control unit  12  can assume various configurations. For example, they can be embodied as buttons, rotary encoders, or joysticks, and can have various functions. Also conceivable for display  16  is a touch screen on which, alongside the operating elements for microtome  2 , additional or different operating elements for cooling chamber  4  can be displayed. Actuation of the operating elements using external input devices such as a mouse, trackball, etc. is also possible. 
     FIG. 2  depicts a different exemplary embodiment of the invention. Identical reference characters are used for identical elements. Here control unit  12  is provided in microtome  2 , and is hereinafter labeled with the reference character  18 . A detection device  20 , which is connected to a control unit  18  via a conductor  22 , is provided between microtome  2  and cooling chamber  4 . Detection device  20  can be embodied as a plug connector, a transponder, a scanner, a barcode reader, etc. In the case of a scanner or barcode reader, a label or a barcode (not depicted) is advantageously provided on cooling chamber  4 . The label or barcode are applied on cooling chamber  4  in such a way that when a cooling chamber  4  is placed on a microtome  2 , it is located opposite detection device  20 . A trackball  24 , for example, with which multiple actuation elements for microtome  2  and/or for cooling chamber  4  can be operated on display  16  by the user, is connected to control unit  18 . Display  16  itself is connected via a conductor  24  to control unit  18 . A wireless connection between display  16  and control unit  18  is also conceivable. 
     FIG. 3  is a schematic depiction of a user interface for the shared control unit  12  or  18 . The description below refers to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , but it is self-evident that this is not to be construed as a limitation. Multiple operating elements  30  for microtome  2 , and multiple operating elements  32  for cooling chamber  4  if applicable, are displayed on display  16 .  FIG. 3  depicts the situation in which a cooling chamber  4  is connected to microtome  2 . Control unit  12  or  18  detects the cooling chamber, so that display  16  is divided by means of a software program into a first part  16   a  and a second part  16   b . Operating elements  32  for cooling chamber  4  are displayed in first part  16   a , and operating elements  30  for microtome  2  in second part  16   b . Operating elements  32  for cooling chamber  4  can encompass, for example, setpoint temperature, actual temperature, cooling rate, etc. Operating elements  30  for microtome  2  can encompass, for example, cutting speed, sample feed, etc. Operating elements  30  and  32  can be equipped with a pull-down menu  34  with which the user can select defined parameter increments or also make user-defined inputs.