A METHOD OF AND AN APPARATUS FOR SECTIONING A SPECIMEN

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sectioning a specimen (9) by means of a microtome. The microtome has at least one optical and one further sensor (35-37) used for generating signals, the value of which is a measure of the sectioning function. At least one essential sectioning parameter, such as the clearance angle of the knife and/or the sectioning speed, is varied. On the basis of the signal values received, the sectioning parameters concerned are set for optimising the sectioning function. The optical sensor (37) senses greyness and/or surface structure of the sections produced. The other sensors are used e.g. for sensing sound (sensor 35) dependent on the sectioning force or work, or stresses in the knife of the microtome (sensor 36) that are dependent on the sectioning force or work.

Description: A METHOD OF AND AN APPARATUS FOR SECTIONING A SPECIMEN Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for sec- tioning a specimen by means of a microtome, at least some of the essential sectioning parameters, such as clearance angle, sectioning speed (or force), type of knife, knife angle and specimen pretreatment, being systematically varied for achieving a sectioning-parameter choice provid- ing an optimised sectioning function. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method. Description of the Prior Art In biological and medical investigations and mate¬ rials testing, use is generally made of microtomes for cutting thin sections of the specimens involved, these sections being examined by light- or electron microscopy. Specimens that are not immediately sectionable are embedded in suitable media or frozen before sectioning. In the microtomes, the specimen, which is fixed to one end of a vertically movable arm, is generally engaged with a sta¬ tionary knife. The feed, determining the section thick¬ ness, is applied to either the specimen arm or the knife holder. Detailed information on microtomy and on how a micro- tome can be designed is given, e.g. in Science Tools, The LKB Instrument Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, August 1960, pp 10-16, "The Ultrome Ultramicrotome - Basic Principles and Summarized Description of Construction". Present-day microtomes are handled manually by the operator who tries to evaluate the section quality achieved and intervenes if it is not satisfactory. This evaluation is made with the aid of low-magnifying specimen microscopes. The researcher then makes the conclusive eva¬ luation in his high-resolution light- or electron micro- scope prior to the actual task of analysing the section contents morphologically and/or analytically. If this latter evaluation shows that the sections are not satis- factory, which is not unusual, sectioning must be repeated with adjusted sectioning parameters. This, of course, means extra work, waste of time and increased costs. Fur¬ ther, particular problems arise if the specimen is not readily available for resectioning. It has been suggested to vary the knife-angle para¬ meter on the basis of a signal received from a sensor in the form of a load sensor or strain gauge arranged on the knife or the specimen holder. In this manner, the section- ing force can be minimised and so-called chatter elimi¬ nated without any examination of the section in an elec¬ tron microscrope. This, however, provides no overall opti¬ misation of the sectioning function as a whole. Object of the Invention The object of the present invention is to provide improvements in microtomy so as to obviate the above-men¬ tioned problems to a considerable extent while also con¬ ferring other advantages. Summary of the Invention According to the invention, the object stated above is achieved by a method and an apparatus having the fea¬ tures stated in the accompanying claims. The invention is thus based on the insight that, by using a number of sensors associated with the specially interference-protected microtome for detecting a number of selected variables dependent on the sectioning function, it is possible to generate signals the value of which, in a broad sense, is a measure of the sectioning function, i.e. a measure of how free from artefacts or distortions a resulting section is. The variation of the respective sig¬ nal, when varying one or more sectioning parameters between successive cuts (without any examination of the respective section in a high-resolution microscope), is used as the basis of an optimising sectioning-parameter choice providing the optimum value of the respective signal and, hence, optimised sectioning function, within the limits of the conditions given. When varying the sec- tioning parameters, the operator may of course consider any preset sectioning-parameter limit values or reference values, like any knowledge gained from experience about suitable or unsuitable relationships between different sectioning-parameter values and signal values. The varia¬ tion of the sectioning parameter or parameters can be carried out manually, in which case the operator is guided by a presentation of the respective signal values, or automatically by means of a device for evaluating the respective signal values and the means associated there¬ with for control-signal-dependent variation of the sec¬ tioning parameter concerned, the control signals being generated on the basis of the evaluation of the signal- values. Particularly in the latter case, it may be advan- tageous for the evaluation to use e.g. a microcomputer, especially if signals from several sensors should be weighed together for optimisation purposes. According to the invention, it is advantageous to use the optical detection as a basis for a primary optimising sectioning-parameter variation and thereafter the further detection as a basis for a secondary optimising section¬ ing-parameter variation, this procedure being repeated, if required, until the desired optimisation of the sectioning function has been achieved. In the optical detection, photometric or ellipso- metric sensors are advantageously used, which are suitably applied in association with the microtome means collecting the sections produced. The optical sensors used can be associated with a microscope of conventional type for exa- mining the sections collected. As to the further detection, there are several options available. Within the scope of the invention, dif¬ ferent types of sensors can thus be used, as will appear from the following examples. Acoustic sensors can be used for detecting sound typical of or dependent on the sec¬ tioning force, work or function. An acoustic sensor can e.g. be easily applied to the microtome knife, the knife holder or the specimen holder, preferably integrated in the specimen holder adjacent the specimen held. Load- or vibration-sensitive sensors (basically piezoelectric-type transducers or strain gauges or developments thereof) can easily be applied to the knife, knife holder, specimen or specimen holder, preferably to the knife adjacent its edge. Time-metering sensors can be used for measuring the time required for performing sectioning with a set sec¬ tioning force. Acceleration-metering sensors can be used for detecting acceleration changes during the sectioning motion, this making it possible to calculate a measure of the sectioning work. Of course, it is possible to use several of these different types of sensors in one and the same microtome. According to the invention, it has been found advan¬ tageous, as stated above, to set out from the optical detection and thus initially vary the sectioning para¬ meters for optimising the optical detection. A further sectioning-parameter variation is thereafter carried out, using one or more further detecting functions, while ensuring that the optimised optical detection is not lost. Thus, total optimisation is attained. Within the scope of this optimisation, different aspects can be seen. According to a first aspect, a signal is generated having a value which is a measure of the sectioning force or work. On the basis hereof, one or more sectioning para¬ meters are set, such that the signal value indicates the minimum sectioning force or work. In fact, it has been found that sectioning involving minimum sectioning force or work generally yields the highest sectioning quality. According to another aspect, a signal is generated having a value which is a measure of disturbances, such as vibrations or variations of the sectioning speed, appear¬ ing during the sectioning operation. Vibrations may occur, e.g. when using a knife having too small a knife angle or too weak an edge. It has been found that an optimal sec¬ tioning function generally also means a minimum of distur¬ bance. According to yet another aspect, a signal is gene- rated having a value which is a measure of thickness variations of the section produced or, alternatively, a measure of a thickness deviation of the section produced with respect to a thickness reference value. This aspect of the invention makes it possible to cope with complex problems of the type referred to as "chatter" and "com¬ pression". According to a further aspect, a signal is generated having a value which can be used as a basis for sectioning parameter changes leading to an optimisation or a desired final result of a particular variable, such as section thickness, or a combination of variables, such as section- surface smoothness with regard to sectioning temperature. It should be emphasised that the invention need not be directed to optimising the sectioning function for obtaining a maximum of information from the sections pro¬ duced, but may also be directed to optimising the sec¬ tioning conditions, such as knife functions and specimen treatment. In this context, it should be pointed out that many of the knives currently used, e.g. glass knives, which are sharper and thus less resistant, often have a relatively limited life, which makes it important to obtain "correct" sectioning as soon as possible, i.e. after as few test cuts as possible. Besides, exchanging the knife (for the same type or another type) is a com- plicated procedure as compared with changing other sec¬ tioning parameters of the microtome itself. One possibi¬ lity of rapidly optimising the pretreat ent of a specimen also is of great importance in many cases. Since the "processes" to be recorded by the sensors often give rise to very small signals, it is essential when using the invention to ensure that the microtome employed has very small background interference or "back- ground noise". Such disturbances may be caused by the pre¬ sence of friction surfaces, motion-limiting mechanical guides and abutments etc. This can be avoided if use is made of a microtome with a spring-suspended arm, moving- coil-controlled arm motion, thermal feed and electromag- netically-operated resilient retraction of the knife in connection with the return movement of the arm. According to the invention, one or more sectioning parameters are varied, as earlier mentioned. To this end, use is made of conventional adjusting options in micro¬ tomes, e.g. in respect of knife holder, specimen holder and arm drive. However, it is often essential in section¬ ing that the first contact between the knife and the spe¬ cimen (so-called approach) is achieved optimally. A step- wise change of one sectioning parameter, e.g. clearance angle, may result in the change of other essential condi¬ tions, e.g. the position of the knife edge in relation to the specimen as seen in the direction of feed. This makes it desirable to carry out a new "approach" to ensure e.g. that an excessive amount of specimen material is not cut off in the subsequent sectioning operation. In an apparatus according to the invention, it is thus preferred to provide special adjusting systems (in addition to the conventional ones) which allow highly reproducible, limited stepwise optimising adjustments of the sectioning parameters concerned in opposite direc¬ tions. These adjustments should not give rise to any reci¬ procal influence, i.e. should not necessitate a new "approach". Such adjusting systems may be based e.g. on magnetostrictive, piezoelectric or similar components. These components can be made very robust, so that no weak elements are integrated in the microtome. The invention will be described in more detail here¬ inafter in an embodiment with reference to the accompany- ing drawing. Brief Description of the Drawing The schematic Figure illustrates the basic design of an apparatus according to the invention including a micro¬ tome, the main components of which are seen from the side. Description of an Inventive Embodiment The apparatus as shown in the drawing is designed setting out from an ultramicrotome known per se, compris¬ ing a foundation 1; a specimen arm 3 which is suspended at its rear end from the foundation 1 by means of leaf springs 5 so as to be pivotable downwards and up again in the plane of the drawing, and which has at its front end a specimen holder 7 for a specimen 9 to be cut; an elec¬ tronically controlled moving-coil unit 11 with associated control-signal lines 13 and a connecting string 15 con- nected to the specimen arm for controlling the downward- upward motion of the specimen arm 3; a knife holder 19 provided with a knife 21 and arranged on a platform 17 projecting freely from the foundation 1, the position of the knife being adjustable for setting, inter alia, the desired clearance angle; an electromagnet 23 arranged on the foundation 1 underneath the platform 17 and provided with control-signal lines 25 for controlled excitation of the electromagnet in order to attract the platform 17, thus retracting the knife 21 in a controlled manner in connection with the upward return stroke of the specimen arm after a downward cutting motion; spring-biased, manually operable link means 27, 28, 29 for manually act¬ ing on the platform 17 and hence the position of the knife 21; and a heating coil 31 with associated thermal-feed lines 33 for the specimen arm 3. According to the invention, the microtome is provided with three sensors, namely a sound-detecting sensor 35, a force- or stress-detecting sensor 36 and an optical sensor 37. The sound-detecting sensor 35 is disposed on the spe¬ cimen holder 7 as close to the specimen 9 as possible, and its connecting lines 39 pass through the specimen arm 3 and on to an evaluation unit 41. As is readily understood, the sensor 35 may simply consist of a miniature microphone and, in the simplest case, can detect the intensity of the sound dependent on the sectioning work. The stress-detecting sensor 36 may be of the strain gauge- ype and be fixed on one side face of the knife 21, suitably with its main axis substantially vertical. Thus, this sensor can detect e.g. flexions appearing in the knife on account of the sectioning work performed (at 7). The sensor can also detect vibrations in the knife. The connecting lines 43 of the sensor 36 are also connected to the unit 41. The optical sensor 37 is disposed above the conven¬ tional liquid bath (not shown) provided on the knife hol- der 19 for receiving the sections produced. Advantageous¬ ly, the sensor 37 is arranged on optical equipment, such as a microscope of conventional type, which is normally used in connection with a microtome for initially checking the sections produced. The sensor 37 may be e.g. a so- called array sensor or CCD sensor for greyness detection. The sensor is also connected through lines 45 to the eva¬ luation unit 41. The evaluation unit 41 is thus supplied with the sig¬ nals generated by the sensors 35, 36 and 37, evaluates these signals and emits a signal, representing the result of the evaluation, to a display unit 47 where the value or values of the last-mentioned signal is presented in a suitable manner, e.g. in the form of a bar chart, in which the height of the bar or bars is a measure of the section- ing function. The sensors can be used separately or in combination. In the latter case, the evaluation unit 41 can be adapted to weigh together the two sensor signals according to pre¬ determined or empirically established rules, such that a single signal value is displayed by the unit 47. As readi¬ ly appreciated, the unit 41 may comprise e.g. a suitably programmed microcomputer. The unit 41 may, as easily understood, also be adapted to automatically vary, on the basis of the signal values received and according to a given programme, different sectioning parameters by sup¬ plying signals to the corresponding adjusting system, as previously mentioned. One example of how the apparatus described above can be used will now be given as a number of method steps: a) using a selected knife and a first selected value of the clearance angle (set by means of the knife holder 19) and a first selected value of the sectioning speed (set by means of the moving-coil unit 11), the specimen is cut at least once, a pertaining first signal value prima¬ rily based on the optical detection being recorded on the unit 47; b) the value of one of the sectioning parameters clearance angle and sectioning speed is changed one step in a first direction, whereupon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining second signal value is recorded; c) if, in terms of optimisation, the second signal value is superior to the first signal value, the value of said one sectioning parameter is changed one step in the same direction at least once more, whereupon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining third signal value is recorded; d) if, in terms of optimisation, the second signal value is inferior to the first signal value, the value of said one sectioning parameter is changed one step in the opposite direction, counting from the first selected value, whereupon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining fourth signal value is recorded; e) if, in terms of optimisation, the fourth signal value is superior to the first signal value, the value of said one sectioning parameter is optionally changed one step in said opposite direction at least once more, where upon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining fifth signal value is recorded; f) said one sectioning parameter is given the value which has been found to give the best of the above-men¬ tioned signal values; g) the value of the other of the sectioning para- meters clearance angle and sectioning speed is changed one step in a first direction, whereupon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining sixth signal value is recorded; h) if, in terms of optimisation, the sixth signal value is superior to the best previous signal value cor¬ responding to the value of said one sectioning parameter according to step f), the value of said other sectioning parameter is changed one step in the same direction at least once more, whereupon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining seventh signal value is recorded; i) if, in terms of optimisation, the sixth signal value is inferior to the best previous signal value cor¬ responding to the value of said one sectioning parameter according to step f), the value of said other sectioning parameter is changed one step in the opposite direction, counting from the first selected value, whereupon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining eighth sig¬ nal value is recorded; ) if, in terms of optimisation, the eighth signal value is superior to said best previous signal value, the value of said other sectioning parameter is optionally changed one step in said opposite direction at least once more, whereupon the specimen is cut at least once and a pertaining ninth signal value is recorded; k) said other sectioning parameter is given the value which, in terms of optimisation, has been found to give the best signal value. 1) the intended sectioning is performed, unless it is desirable to optimise also the knife angle, in which case: m) one or more knife exchanges are made, the other sectioning parameters being adjusted for each new knife angle according to step k) and, for each new knife angle, the pertaining signal value being recorded on the unit 47. For the final sectioning, that knife is of course selected which has been found to give the best signal value on the unit 47. Steps a) - 1) are preferably carried out while main¬ taining the normal sectioning interval in view of the thermal feed set. A typical sectioning interval may be 4 sec. This means that steps a) - 1) can be carried out in a very short time, generally less than 1 min. Compared with prior-art optimising methods, this is a highly time- saving technique. It will be appreciated that, to the above-mentioned end, use is advantageously made of a microtome where the knife holder 19 is so modified that also the clearance angle can be changed stepwise by an electronic control signal. As is also readily understood, the electronic control signals can be controlled entirely manually by the ope¬ rator or semi-automatically, in which case the operator merely gives an overall command based on the display on the unit 47, or fully automatically using a suitably modi¬ fied unit 41 which emits the electronic control signals concerned.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for sectioning a specimen by means of a microtome, one or more essential sectioning parameters, such as type of knife, knife angle, clearance angle, sec¬ tioning speed and specimen pretreatment, being systema¬ tically varied between successive cuts for achieving a sectioning-parameter choice providing an optimised sec- tioning function, c h a r a c t e r i s e d by the steps of using a microtome with very low background interference during sectioning, preferably a microtome having no fric¬ tion surfaces or motion-limiting mechanical abutments with respect to movable parts included therein; generating by means of two or more sensors associated with the microtome and comprising an optical sensor for optical detection of the section produced in respect of greyness and/or surface structure, and at least one further sensor for detecting the sectioning force and/or work, one or more signals which are a measure of the sectioning function; and vary¬ ing, on the basis thereof, one or more of said essential sectioning parameters so as to optimise the sectioning function, in consideration of optional preset sectioning- parameter limit values or reference values, without exa- mination of successive sections in a high-resolution microscope. 2. Method as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r ¬ i s e d in that the optical detection is used as a basis for a primary optimising sectioning-parameter variation and that said further detection is thereafter used as a basis for a secondary optimising sectioning-parameter variation, the procedure being repeated, if required, until the desired optimisation of the sectioning function has been achieved. 3. Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that said at least one further sensor is used for detecting sound dependent on the sectioning work. 4. Method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said at least one further sensor is used for detecting stresses, depen¬ dent on the sectioning work, in the microtome and/or the specimen. 5. Method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said at least one further sensor is used for detecting disturbances occurring during sectioning, such as vibrations or sec- tioning-speed variations. 6. Method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the section¬ ing-parameter variation takes place automatically accord¬ ing to a predetermined programme. 7. Method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the sectioning parameters varied are clearance angle, sectioning speed and knife angle, one of the sectioning parameters clear¬ ance angle and sectioning speed being first varied for a first optimisation of the signal value and the other of said sectioning parameters being then varied, said one sectioning parameter having been given its optimising value, for a second optimisation of the signal value, whereupon the knife angle is varied, with the first two sectioning parameters optimised, for a third optimisation of the signal value. 8. An apparatus for sectioning a specimen, comprising a microtome having means making it possible to vary a num¬ ber of essential sectioning parameters, such as clearance angle, sectioning speed, type of knife and knife angle, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that it comprises an optical sensor for detecting greyness and/or surface structure of the sections produced and at least one further sensor associated with the microtome for emitting during section- ing a signal dependent on the sectioning function, and means for receiving sensor signals emitted and providing a measure of the sectioning function on the basis thereof. 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that it comprises further sensors for detecting at least one of the variables: sound dependent on the sectioning force or work; stresses in the microtome and/or the specimen which are dependent on the sectioning force or work; disturbances appearing during sectioning, such as vibrations or sectioning-speed variations; varia¬ tions in the thickness of a section produced; and devia¬ tion of the thickness of a section produced with respect to a thickness reference value. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, c h a ¬ r a c t e r i s e d in that said means making it possible to vary at least one essential sectioning parameter com¬ prises means controllable by means of electric control signals for achieving a sectioning-parameter variation, and that means are provided for automatically generating, on the basis of said measure of the sectioning function, electric control signals for optimising the sectioning function.

Inventors: PERSSON ALGY, PERSSON, ALGY
Applicants: GLASS ULTRA MICRO TRADING, GLASS ULTRA MICRO TRADING COMPANY
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G01N1
IPC codes: G01N1