Patent Publication Number: US-2022221381-A1

Title: Assembly for use with Biological Sample Material, Method for Forming Same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/426,195 filed Nov. 23, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to microarray blocks and, more particularly, to high yield microarray blocks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A current microarray block typically contains a body formed from a material and having one or more “cores” arranged in a predetermined pattern in a body. Current materials for forming the body include paraffin wax, an agarose gel and a polymeric medium. The cores contain material to be analyzed, for example biological or chemical species. The cores may also contain a solid matrix material in which the material to be analyzed is contained. 
     Prior art methods for the production of cell microarray blocks consist mainly of directly punching a donor block or processing cells in agarose pellets and placing them directly into a recipient block (see  FIG. 1 ). See, for example, Kononen J, Bubendorf L, Kallioniemi A, Barlund M, Schraml P, Leighton S, Torhorst J, Mihatsch M J, Sauter G, Kallioniemi O P. “Tissue microarrays for high-throughput molecular profiling of tumor specimens.” Nature Medicine, July 1998, 4(7): 844-847 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,518. An instrument that embodies such technique is commonly used to produce such cell microarray blocks. See, for example, Montgomery K, Zhao S, van de Rijn M, and Natkunam Y. “A Novel Method for Making ‘Tissue’ Microarrays from Small Numbers of Suspension Cells.” Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol, March 2005; 13(1): 80-84 and Waterworth A, Hanby A, Speirs V. “A novel cell array technique for high-throughput, cell-based analysis.” In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim, 2005, 41: 185-187. Material to be analyzed that is located in the interstitial spaces between punches is commonly wasted. Further, the overall yield of the block is often limited by the depth of the minimum-thickness sample that has been punched. 
     Prior art methods of the production of microarray blocks also include high-yield approaches. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,682, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of one step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein sample material is embedded in an embedding medium. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein a coring needle is inserted into the combined materials of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein a coring needle, now containing a core, has been retracted from the materials of  FIG. 1A  leaving a hole in the materials of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1D  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein a recipient block with wells is shown. 
         FIG. 1E  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein the core of  FIG. 1C  has been placed in one of the wells of the recipient well of  FIG. 1D . 
         FIG. 1F  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein a separate sample material is embedded in a medium. 
         FIG. 1G  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein a coring needle has been inserted into the combined materials of  FIG. 1F . 
         FIG. 1H  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein a coring needle, now containing a core, has been retracted from the materials of  FIG. 1F  leaving a hole in the materials of  FIG. 1F . 
         FIG. 1I  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein the core of  FIG. 1H  has been placed in another one of the wells of the recipient well of  FIG. 1D . 
         FIG. 1J  is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of another step of a prior art method of microarray construction wherein the recipient block of  FIG. 1D  has been filled with further cores of sample material. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for creating of high-yield cores for a microarray block, more specifically a perspective view of one embodiment of a casting element and a container element of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of the casting element and container element of  FIG. 2A  shown prior to insertion of the casting element into an end of the container element. 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of the casting element and container element of  FIG. 2A  shown after insertion of the casting element into the end of the container element, with no sealing element at the mating location of the casting element with the container element. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for creating of high-yield cores for a microarray block, more specifically a perspective view of one embodiment of a casting element and a container element of the present invention, with one embodiment of a sealing element at one end of the casting element. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of the casting element and container element of  FIG. 3A  shown prior to insertion of the casting element into an end of the container element. 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of the casting element and container element of  FIG. 3A  shown after insertion of the casting element into the end of the container element, the sealing element positioned at the interface of the casting element and the container element. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for creating of high-yield cores for a microarray block, more specifically a side view of one embodiment of a casting element and a container element of the present invention shown prior to insertion of the casting element into an end of the container element. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of the casting element and container element  FIG. 4A  shown after insertion of the casting element into the end of the container element, with no sealing element at the mating location of the casting element with the container element. One embodiment of a plunger is attached to one embodiment of a plunger rod, which passes through an aperture of the container element. 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for creating of high-yield cores for a microarray block, more specifically a side view of one embodiment of a casting element and a container element of the present invention shown prior to insertion of the casting element into an end of the container element. 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, of the casting element and container element  FIG. 5A  shown after insertion of the casting element into the end of the container, with one embodiment of a sealing element positioned at the interface of casting the element and the container element. One embodiment of a plunger is attached to one embodiment of a plunger rod, which passes through an aperture of the container element. 
         FIG. 6A  a perspective, top view of one embodiment of a long-aspect-ratio straightening element of the present invention having a groove in the top surface thereof. A lid may optionally be attached to the top surface to contain a core placed in the groove, for example during the processes illustrated in  FIG. 7 or 8 . 
         FIG. 6B  a top view of the long-aspect-ratio straightening element of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 6C  an end view of the long-aspect-ratio straightening element of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a liquid form of matrix material is dispensed from a pipette into a container to mix with cells in the container. 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the liquid form of matrix material is mixed with the cells to form a mixture in the container. 
         FIG. 7C  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a casting member is contracted relative to the container, for example the casting member is inserted into the container. 
         FIG. 7D  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the casting member and the container are further relatively contracted. 
         FIG. 7E  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein casting member and the container are further relatively contracted, for example the casting member is further inserted into the container in order to propel or move the mixture from the container into a lumenal volume of the casting member to form a column of the mixture in the casting member. 
         FIG. 7F  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the casting member containing the column of the mixture has been removed from the container. The matrix material contained in mixture may become solid or semi-solid during or between the steps of  FIGS. 7E and 7F . 
         FIG. 7G  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the column of mixture is being transferred from the casting member to a straightening element, for example the straightening element of  FIGS. 6A-6C . 
         FIG. 7H  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the column of mixture is made compatible with a subsequent embedding and/or sectioning process, for example while disposed in the straightening element. 
         FIG. 7I  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a segment of a solidified core is inserted into a well of a recipient block. 
         FIG. 7J  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a microarray block has been completed by filling all of the desired wells of the recipient block with solidified cores of the mixture. 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a liquid form of matrix material is dispensed from a pipette into a container to mix with cells in the container. 
         FIG. 8B  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the liquid form of matrix material is mixed with the cells to form a mixture in the container. 
         FIG. 8C  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a casting member is contracted relative to the container, for example the casting member is inserted into the container 
         FIG. 8D  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a plunger is advanced with respect to the container to move the mixture in the container closer to the casting member. 
         FIG. 8E  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the plunger is further advanced with respect to the container in order to propel or move the mixture from the container into the lumenal volume of the casting member to form a column of the mixture in the casting member. 
         FIG. 8F  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the casting member containing the column of the mixture has been removed from the container. The matrix material contained in mixture may become solid or semi-solid during or between the steps of  FIGS. 8E and 8F . 
         FIG. 8G  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the column of mixture is being transferred from the casting member to a straightening element, for example the straightening element of  FIGS. 6A-6C . 
         FIG. 8H  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein the column of mixture is made compatible with a subsequent embedding and/or sectioning process, for example while disposed in the straightening element. 
         FIG. 8I  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a segment of a solidified core is inserted into a well of a recipient block. 
         FIG. 8J  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for creating high-yield cores for a microarray block wherein a microarray block has been completed by filling all of the desired wells of the recipient block with solidified cores of the mixture. 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein an end of the casting element has been inserted into an end of the container element, with no sealing element at the interface between the casting element and the container element. 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the casting element has been advanced to the point of contact with the mixture in the container element. 
         FIG. 9C  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the casting element has been advanced to a position where the mixture in the container element has been partially transferred from a reservoir in the container element to a duct of the casting member. 
         FIG. 9D  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the casting element has been advanced to a position where the mixture has been fully or nearly fully transferred from the reservoir in the container element to the duct of casting member. 
         FIG. 10A  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein an end of the casting element has been inserted into an end of the container element, with a sealing element at the interface between the casting element and the container element. 
         FIG. 10B  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the casting element has been advanced to the point of contact with the mixture in the container element. 
         FIG. 10C  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the casting element has been advanced to a position where the mixture in the container element has been partially transferred from a reservoir in the container element to a duct of the casting member. 
         FIG. 10D  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the casting element has been advanced to a position where the mixture has been fully or nearly fully transferred from the reservoir in the container element to the duct of casting member. 
         FIG. 11A  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein an end of the casting element has been inserted into an end of the container element, with no sealing element at the interface between the casting element and the container element. 
         FIG. 11B  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein a plunger of the invention, for example carried by the container element, has been advanced so that the mixture in the container element is in contact with an end of the casting element. 
         FIG. 11C  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the plunger has been advanced to a position where the mixture in the container element has been partially transferred from a reservoir in the container element to a duct of the casting member. 
         FIG. 11D  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the plunger has been advanced to a position where the mixture has been fully or nearly fully transferred from the reservoir in the container element to the duct of the casting member. 
         FIG. 12A  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein an end of the casting element has been inserted into an end of the container element, with a sealing element at the interface between the casting element and the container element. 
         FIG. 12B  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein a plunger of the invention, for example carried by the container element, has been advanced so that the mixture in the container element is in contact with an end of the casting element. 
         FIG. 12C  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the plunger has been advanced to a position where the mixture in the container element has been partially transferred from a reservoir in the container element to a duct of the casting member. 
         FIG. 12D  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for transferring a mixture from one embodiment of a container element of the present invention to the lumenal volume of one embodiment of a casting element of the present invention wherein the plunger has been advanced to a position where the mixture has been fully or nearly fully transferred from the reservoir in the container element to the duct of the casting member. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a microarray recipient block of the present invention, with wells formed therein, together with a histologic cassette. 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the microarray recipient block and histologic cassette of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view, from an opposite angle, of the microarray recipient block and histologic cassette of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a front view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the microarray recipient block and histologic cassette of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a side view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the microarray recipient block and histologic cassette of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 16 , of the microarray recipient and histologic cassette block of  FIG. 15 , showing the wells of the recipient block, the interlocked connection of the recipient block with the histologic cassette, and the optional through-holes of the recipient block. 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged side cross-sectional view, similar to the side cross-sectional view of  FIG. 18 , of the microarray recipient block and histologic cassette of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a casting-mold system for creating a recipient block and histologic cassette assembly, for example similar to the microarray recipient block and histologic cassette assembly of  FIG. 13 , and includes a mold, the histologic cassette and an optional mold insert. 
         FIG. 21  is a front view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the casting-mold system of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a side view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the casting-mold system of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line  23 - 23  of  FIG. 21 , of the casting mold system of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is an assembled perspective view of the casting mold system of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 25  is a top plan view of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line  26 - 26  of  FIG. 27 , of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 27  is a side view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 28  is a rear view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line  29 - 29  of  FIG. 28 , of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 30  is a top plan view of another embodiment of an assembled casting-mold system for creating a recipient block and histologic cassette assembly, for example similar to the microarray recipient block and histologic cassette assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 31  is a side view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 32  is front view, with hidden lines shown dashed, of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line  33 - 33  of  FIG. 31 , of the assembled casting mold system of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 34  is a schematic illustration of one step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for creating a recipient block and histologic cassette assembly of the present invention, for example the recipient block and histologic cassette assembly of  FIG. 13 , by for example pouring a liquid into the casting mold system of  FIG. 24  or  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 35  is a schematic illustration of another step of one embodiment of a method of the present invention, with internal hidden lines shown as dashed, for creating a recipient block and histologic cassette assembly of the present invention, for example the recipient block and histologic cassette assembly of  FIG. 13 , wherein a liquid has been poured into the casting mold system of  FIG. 24  or  FIG. 30 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In any embodiment of the invention, an apparatus and method can be provided for forming cores containing a sample material, for example for use in a microarray block. In any embodiment, the apparatus can include a container for holding the sample material and a liquid matrix material and a tubular casting member for cooperatively engaging the container and receiving the sample material and the liquid matrix material from the container and forming a core of the sample material and matrix material. In any embodiment, the core can be a high-density core of the same material and the matrix material. In any embodiment, the sample material can be a biological material, for example tissue sample or cell cultures. 
     Any suitable ratio of sample material to liquid matrix material can be utilized. Ratios of sample material to liquid matrix material ranging from 1:100 to 100:1 can be utilized and provided. Ratios of sample material to liquid matrix material ranging from 1:3 to 3:1 can be utilized and provided. In this regard, where relatively few cells are required for a diagnosis, a corresponding low ratio of sample material to liquid matrix material can be utilized. For example, ratios in the range of approximating 1:100, for example in the case of disaggregated cells, may generate cell counts on the order of 100 in sections of a core diameter of two millimeters, which may be sufficient for some immune-histochemical diagnosis, for example. In certain instances, very dense sample material may be required. For example, a ratio of sample material to liquid matrix material of 100:1 could yield a nearly fully dense core of sample. 
     The embodiments of the invention set forth below are examples of the invention, and may in some instances be broader than the foregoing embodiment of the invention but are not intended to limit the breadth of the foregoing embodiment or the breadth of the invention. Additional features of the invention set forth in such embodiments are optional. A feature of any embodiment set forth below can be combined with the foregoing embodiment, with or without any other feature of any embodiment set forth below. All characteristics, steps, parameters and features of any method, process, apparatus, device or system described below are not limited to any specific embodiments set forth below, but instead are equally applicable to the foregoing embodiment of the invention and to all embodiments of the invention. Broad terms and descriptors are replaced in some instances with more specific terms and descriptors, not to limit a disclosure to a specific term or descriptor but merely for ease of discussion and understanding. 
     The apparatus or assembly of the invention can be of any suitable type, and in any embodiment, for example as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , the container, for example container  14  or  20 , can be a container member or element  13 . The container element can have a cylindrical exterior or an exterior surface of any other suitable shape. The container element can be a cylindrical element  13 . The container element  13  can have a reservoir therein, for example reservoir  15 , for holding the mixture of sample material and the matrix material, for example matrix material  16 . The container can be of any suitable solid material such as glass, plastic, metal, ceramic, or elastomer. The container element  13  can be tubular and be provided with opposite first and second ends  31 ,  32 . In any embodiment, for example container  14 , the first end  31  of the tubular container can be open, that can be provided with an opening  33 , and the opposite second end  32  of the container can be closed. The reservoir can be of any suitable size or shape and in any embodiment can be a cylindrical bore  15  extending between the first and second ends of the tubular container. The opening  33  in the first end of the container can have a cross section that can be the same as the cross section of the cylindrical bore  15 . In any embodiment, the bore  15  can have a circular cross section. In any embodiment, the container, for example container  14  or  20 , can be capable of withstanding centrifugation. 
     In any embodiment, for example container  20 , the second end  32  of the container or cylindrical member or element, for example container element  13 , can have an opening or aperture  26  therein, for example a central aperture. In any embodiment, the container can include a plunging element or plunger  22  for moving the sample material and matrix material towards the opening  33  in the first end  31  of the container element  13 . The plunging element can have a cross section approximating the internal cross section of the reservoir or cylindrical bore  15  of the container, for example to minimize sample material or matrix material extending between the plunger  22  and the internal surface  36  of the container. An urging or propulsion means or an urging or propulsion mechanism can be coupled to or carried by the container for exerting a force on the plunger so as to advance the plunger towards the opening in the first end of the container. The urging means or mechanism can be of any suitable type, such as a source of pressurized fluid coupled to the aperture  26  in the second end  32  of the container or a rod or post  24  coupled to the plunger  22  and extending through the aperture  26 . 
     The tubular casting member  10  of the apparatus or assembly of the invention can be referred to as a second container or mold for forming the high-density core, which can be a high density cylindrical core. The tubular casting member can be referred to or described as a tubular casting element, an elongate member, a cylindrical member, a tubular member or a tube, and can be provided with opposite first and second ends  41 ,  42 . The tubular casting member can be of any suitable solid material such as glass, plastic, metal, ceramic, or elastomer. In any embodiment, both the first end  41  and the second end  42  of the tubular casting member can be open. The tubular casting member can be of any suitable size or shape and in any embodiment can be a cylinder having an external cross section approximating the internal cross section of the container element  13  of the container. For example, the tubular casting member can have an external circular cross section. In any embodiment, the tubular casting member can have an external transverse dimension, such as an external diameter, that can be slightly less than the internal transverse dimension, such as internal diameter, of the container. In any embodiment, the first end  41  of the tubular casting member can slidably extend through the opening  33  in the first end  31  of the container element  13  of the container and through the cylindrical bore  15  of the container. For example, the outside or external surface  43  of the tubular casting member can slidably and sealably engage the inside or internal surface  36  of the bore  15  of the container. In this manner, the tubular casting member  10  and the container can move longitudinally relative to each other from an extended configuration to a contracted configuration. Certain extended configurations of the assembly or apparatus of the invention are illustrated in the first side views of  FIGS. 2-5  and certain contracted configurations of the assembly or apparatus of the invention are illustrated in the second side views of  FIGS. 2-5 . 
     In any embodiment, a suitable sealing element or seal, for example seal  18 , can be provided around the first end  41  of the tubular casting member  10 , within the tubular bore  15  of the container element  13  of the container for example at the first end  31  of the container or both for enhancing a fluid-tight seal between the outside of the tubular casting member  10  and the inside of the bore of the container, including during slidable movement of the tubular casting member relative to the container (see  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The seal can be made from any suitable material, such as a silicone or other elastomeric material. 
     In any embodiment, the seal between casting element  10  and container element  13  need not involve insertion. For example, such a seal may be achieved via contact between the faces at the tips of end  41  of casting element and end  31  of container element, respectively, with or without a sealing element such as a gasket at the interface. 
     The internal surface of the casting member  10  can form a channel or duct  12  with a given size and shape. The cross-sectional size and shape of the internal surface may be constant throughout the length of the casting member, for example a cylinder, and in any embodiment can be a circular cylinder. The duct or bore  12  within the casting member can communicate with a first opening  51  at the first end  41  of the casting member and a second opening  52  at the second end  42  of the casting member. 
     Another structure of the present invention is a long-aspect-ratio cassette or other straightening element (see  FIG. 6 ) that contains and supports the core after it is removed from the casting member. The straightening element can be of any suitable type. In any embodiment, a straightening element or device  101  can be provided formed from an elongate support structure  102  made from any suitable material such as a rigid or flexible plastic, ceramic, metal or elastomer. The straightening element can be referred to as a cassette. The structure  102  can have a bottom surface  103 , that can be planar, and a top surface  104  provided with an elongate groove or channel  106  formed therein. In any embodiment, the channel  106  can have a length at least equal to the core of the sample material and a transverse dimension at least equal to the width or transverse dimension of the core. 
     One method of forming a microarray block of the invention, for example a cell microarray block, is illustrated schematically in  FIGS. 7-8 . The method of  FIG. 7  can utilize any suitable container and casting member, such as container  14  and casting member  10 . The method of  FIG. 8  can utilize any suitable container and casting member, such as container  20  and casting member  10 . In step  300 , pipette(s) or other suitable dispenser(s)  304  can be used to place a combination of cells  306  and the liquid form of a suitable matrix material  307  into the container  302 , for example containers  14  or  20 . In any embodiment, the cells and liquid can form of the matrix material may be mixed prior to placing it into the container. In the method of  FIG. 8 , a plunging element  308  exists within the container, for example plunging element  22 . Step  310  depicts the mixture  312  of cells and liquid form of the matrix material in the container. In step  320 , the casting member  322 , for example casting member  10 , is shown upon insertion into an open end of the container. In these diagrams, a sealing element  324 , for example seal  18 , can be provided to facilitate a fluid-tight seal between the casting element and the container. In any embodiment, a sufficient seal may be achieved without the use of such a sealing element. In step  330 , one element can be advanced toward another in such a way as to bring the surface of the fluid mixture  312  into contact with the casting element  322 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , said contact can be achieved by advancing the casting element with respect to the container. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , said contact can be achieved by advancing the plunging element  308  with respect to the casting element. In step  340 , the respective relative contraction of the container and casting member, for example the insertion of the casting member into the container, are continued to such an extent as to propel or transfer the mixture  312  into the lumen of the casting element, resulting in a column  342  of the mixture of cells and liquid matrix, which can be referred to as a cylinder, assuming the shape of the lumen, channel, duct or bore of the casting element. Subsequently, column  342  can be allowed to solidify, for example by means of cooling or other mechanism, causing solidification of the matrix material. Subsequent to solidification of column  342 , the casting element may be removed from contact with the container as depicted in step  350 . This step is optional, as the system may be designed to enable step  360  and/or  370  without said removal of contact between casting element and container. In step  360 , the solid core can be removed from the casting element after solidification. As depicted, depending upon the mechanical properties of the solidified matrix material, the core may be highly flexible. In any embodiment, a specialized straightening element  362 , for example straightening element  101  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , can receive the solidified core in step  360 . The use of said straightening element is optional in the method. 
     In step  370 , the solidified core can be made compatible with the embedding material, for example item or recipient block  386  in step  380 , of the final microarray block. The recipient block can be made from any suitable material including paraffin wax, an agarose gel and a polymeric medium. As used herein, the term made compatible can represent the establishment of properties in a material pair (core and embedding material) between which a bond may be formed with sufficient strength to enable sections of the block to be cut which have physical integrity. In any embodiment where the embedding material of the block  386  can be paraffin and the core&#39;s matrix material can be agarose gel, step  370  may involve dehydration followed by paraffin infiltration of the agarose gel. The device represented by item  372  in step  370  may be a standard “tissue processing” instrument from the histology industry. The result of step  370  can be the core  382  having been made compatible with the embedding material of block  386 . 
     Step  380  shows, in sectional side view, a segment from the core  382  being placed into an existing recipient block  386  mounted on a histologic cassette  388 . The segment created by parting the core along the line  384 , can be formed by any suitable means, for example using a scalpel or other blade. The segment can be formed either before or after its placement in the respective bore of the recipient block. Step  390  shows, in top view, a resulting microarray block. A suitable bonding step, for example a heating step, may be incorporated after step  380  in order to enhance the bond between the recipient block and the cores placed therein. In any embodiment, other steps such as polymerization of the embedding medium may be incorporated after step  380  in order to enhance the bond between the recipient block and the cores. A polymerization step may be desirable, for example, where the recipient block can be formed from a polymeric medium. Other methods may be used for embedding or disposing the cores within the embedding material, for example molding or otherwise forming a block around the cores. In any embodiment, for example, the cores may be held in a desired configuration within a mold and a liquid form of the embedding material can be introduced into the mold and allowed to solidify. 
     The progression of steps  320  through  340  in  FIG. 7  are depicted in one method of the invention utilizing container  14  and casting member  10  in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively for the embodiments without and with a sealing element between the casting element and the container. The progression of steps  320  through  340  in  FIG. 8  are depicted in one method of the invention utilizing container  20  and casting member  10  in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , respectively for the embodiments without and with a sealing element between the casting element and the container.  FIGS. 11 and 12  depict an embodiment in which the plunger element can be advanced by means of a rod, for example rod  24 , passing through an aperture, for example aperture  26 , provided at the second end  32  of the container element  13 . It is appreciated that other means may be used to apply force to advance the plunger element, for example plunger  22 . For example, pressurized gas or liquid may be introduced through the aperture  22  shown so as to urge the plunger from a first or home position located nearby end  32  to a second or actuated position away from end  32 , for example closer to end  31 . In any embodiment, a ferromagnetic material, or a magnetized material, may be coupled by direct or indirect contact with the plunger element  22 . In this case, for example, an urging force may be applied to the plunger element via the application of a magnetic field, with or without the necessity of an aperture  26 . In any embodiment, a magnetic element providing such urging force can be disposed outside of chamber or reservoir  15 , that is outside of container element  13 . 
       FIGS. 13-19  depict an embodiment of a recipient block for use in constructing a microarray block. The recipient block  201  can be bonded to a histologic cassette of any suitable type, for example cassette  388 . Any embodiment of a suitable histologic cassette  202  can be formed from a body  203  made from any suitable material, such as rigid plastic. Body  203  can include a planar support layer  204  having opposite first and second surfaces  206 ,  207 , each of which can be planar. The body  203  can be provided with a cavity  205 , having a base formed by second surface  207  of the planar support layer  204 . The planar support layer can be provided with a plurality of openings  208  extending between the first and second surfaces  206 ,  207  for forming a plurality of support elements  209  in the planar support layer  204 . In any embodiment, each of the openings  208  can be a slot, and in any embodiment each of the slots can extend parallel to each other. The recipient block  201  can be carried by the cassette  202  in any suitable manner, for example supported by planar support layer  204 . In any embodiment, the recipient block  201  can rest on first surface  206  of the cassette  202 . The recipient block  201  can be secured to the cassette, for example planar support layer  204  of the cassette  202 , in any suitable manner. In any embodiment, a portion of the recipient block  201  can be embedded in at least a portion of the planar support layer  204  so as to be carried by and secured to the planar support layer  204  thereby. 
     Recipient block  201  can be formed from any suitable material, including any of the materials disclosed herein. In any embodiment, the recipient block can be formed from an agarose gel. In any embodiment, for example where a portion of the recipient block can be embedded in the planar support layer  204 , the recipient block  201  can have a first portion  211  extending from the first surface  206  of the planar support layer  204  and a second portion  212  extending from the second surface  207  of the planar support layer  204 . In any embodiment, the second portion  212  can be disposed in cavity  205  of the cassette body  203 . The recipient block  201  can extend through at least some of the openings  208  in the planar support layer  204  so as to embed at least some of the support elements  209  of the support layer  204  between the first and second portions  211 ,  212  of the recipient block  201 . The first portion  211  of the recipient block  201  can have a surface  216 , for example a top or front surface, spaced from the first surface  206  of the planar support layer  204 . In any embodiment, the surface  216  of the first portion  211  can be planar and parallel to the planar support layer  204 . The first portion  211  of the recipient block can be provided with at least one bore or well  221  extending into the first portion from the surface  216  that is adapted to receive the biological sample material, for example a core of the biological sample material and medium. In any embodiment, the first portion  211  can include a plurality of parallel bores or wells  221  extending from surface  216  into the first portion. The plurality of bores  221  can be parallel to each other, and spaced in an array on surface  216  with rows and columns of bores  221 . One or more of the bores  221  in the recipient block  201  can extend through the first portion  211  and through one of the openings  208  in the planar support layer  204  and through the second portion  212 . One or more of the bores  221  can have a first section  222  in the first portion  211  with a transverse dimension and a second section  223  in the second portion  211  with a transverse dimension that can be smaller than the transverse dimension of the first section  222  of the bore  221 . The first section  222  of the bore  221  can be referred to as a well and the second section  223  of the bore  221  can be referred to as a duct. The second portion  212  of the recipient block  201  can have a surface  226 , for example a top or front surface, spaced from the second surface  207  of the planar support layer  204 . In any embodiment, the surface  226  of the second portion  212  can be planar and parallel to the planar support layer  204 . 
       FIGS. 20-33  depict an embodiment of a suitable casting system  499  for producing recipient microarray blocks, for example recipient block  201 . Item  500  is an optional component and can be a frame to occupy part of the hollow cavity  205  at the back of histologic cassette  510 , for example cassette  202 . In any embodiment, item  500  can include a mold  502  to form the second portion  212  of the recipient block  201 . Item  520  can include a mold with an internal cavity  501  of the overall shape desired for the recipient block  201 , for example the shape of the first portion  211  of the recipient block  201 . In any embodiment, item  520  can include a recess  503  for receiving cassette  510 , which can include item  500  disposed in the cavity  205  of the cassette  510 . 
       FIG. 34  illustrates the pouring of a liquid into such a casting system, for example casting system  499 . As indicated in  FIG. 35 , the poured liquid can flow through the openings  208  in the histologic cassette  510  and fills the volume on both sides of the cassette not occupied by items  500  nor  520 , for example cavity  501  in item  520  and cavity  502  in item  500 . The liquid material subsequently solidifies in any suitable manner, for example due to cooling or another mechanism such as a polymerization reaction. The solid block material in  FIG. 35 , for example the solidified material, can then be removed from the casting system, resulting in a recipient block  201  such as shown in  FIGS. 13-19  but possibly without bores yet formed in the block. The recipient block  201  can be attached to the cassette  510  by interlocking through the openings  208  in the cassette and around support elements  209  of the planar support layer  204  of the cassette. 
     One or more bores  221  of the recipient block  201 , for example shown in  FIGS. 13-19 , can be formed in any embodiment by a material removal process such as drilling, punching, coring, or milling of the recipient block  201 . Alternatively, the one or more bores  221  can be formed in the casting process, for example by using pins  530  as shown in  FIGS. 32-33 . Pins  530  may have additional protrusions (not shown in  FIGS. 32-33 ) of smaller dimension that extend through openings  208  in the cassette  510  in order to produce through-ducts in a portion of the recipient block  201 , for example ducts  223  in the second portion  212  of the recipient block  201 . Such ducts  223  can facilitate placement of the cores of biological material and medium within first section  222  of the one or more bores  221  of the recipient block  201 . 
     The wells in the recipient block, for example wells  222 , and correspondingly the cores of the microarray, may be of any suitable size. For example, such wells and cores may be cylindrical shapes having a diameter ranging from 0.5 to 5 millimeters and a length ranging from one to twenty millimeters. 
     In any embodiment, the material of the recipient block can be an agarose gel material, composed for example of 2% by volume agarose. During the casting process, for example the process depicted in  FIGS. 34-35 , the liquid material may be the aqueous form of this agarose gel material, in which the remaining volume can be largely composed of water. In this embodiment, after removal from the casting system  499  the block  201  with attached cassette  510  or  202  may be dehydrated and paraffin infiltrated, for the purpose of making it wettable by, and bondable with, paraffin-containing microarray cores. 
     In any embodiment of constructing a microarray block using recipient block  201 , step  380  from  FIGS. 7-8  can be performed. In this step, cores  382  can be placed in the wells  222  of the recipient block  201 . A further step may be performed to enhance the bonding of the cores to the recipient block. This step may comprise heating the combination of recipient block and cores to a temperature at which some fusing of these materials occurs, for example by softening or partial melting of paraffin contained within one or more of these materials. In any embodiment, the bonding step may include the addition of further liquid paraffin or other material. In any embodiment, the entire recipient block  201  may be embedded in such a material by casting the liquid form of the material into another mold of volume larger equal to or larger than the recipient block  201 , then allowing the combination of all materials to become solid by cooling or another solidification mechanism such as a polymerization reaction. 
     In any embodiment, the recipient block  201  can be composed of a material which remains solid or semi-solid when subjected to a temperature at which another substance, capable of bonding the cores to the recipient block, exists in the liquid state. This property of such material of the recipient block  201  enables the liquid form of such other substance to be added to the assembly of recipient block and cores while the relative positions of the recipient block, cores, and histologic cassette are maintained. In any embodiment, the material of the recipient block  201  may be agarose gel that has been dehydrated and paraffin infiltrated, and the material used for bonding the cores to the recipient block may be paraffin. In such embodiment, the agarose gel remains solid at the temperature at which paraffin is liquid. 
     As used herein, a cylinder is intended to mean a surface traced by a straight line moving parallel to a fixed straight line and intersecting a fixed planar closed curve, a solid or surface bounded by a cylinder and two parallel planes cutting all its elements, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a method for making a microarray block can be provided and can include providing a recipient block with at least one bore therein, the at least one bore having a cross sectional shape, providing a mold having a cylindrical bore with a cross sectional shape approximating the cross sectional shape of the at least one bore of the recipient block, the mold having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the mold having an opening that communicates with the cylindrical bore of the mold, introducing a biological sample and a liquid carrier medium through the opening, solidifying the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium in the mold to form a core, removing the core from the mold and inserting at least a portion of the core into the at least one bore of the recipient block. 
     The biological sample can be selected from the group consisting of a tissue sample, cell cultures, disaggregated tissue, derivative biological materials and a combination of the foregoing. The liquid carrier medium can be selected from the group consisting of paraffin wax, agarose gel and a polymeric medium. The method can further include the step of mixing the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium within the cylindrical bore of the mold. The method can further include the step of mixing the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium before the introducing step. The solidifying step can include heating the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium in the mold. The at least one bore in the recipient block can have a length and the core can have a length independent of the length of the at least one bore. The core can have a length longer than the length of the at least one bore. The recipient block can be formed from a material, further comprising the step of making the core compatible with the material of the recipient block. The recipient block can be formed from paraffin and the making the core compatible step can include dehydrating the core and infiltrating the core with paraffin. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a method for making a microarray block can be provided and can include providing a mold having a cylindrical bore, the mold having opposite first and second ends, the first end of the mold having an opening that communicates with the cylindrical bore, introducing a biological sample and a liquid carrier medium through the opening in the mold, solidifying the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium in the mold to form a core, removing the core from the mold and disposing the core in a recipient block. 
     The disposing step can include forming a recipient block around at least a portion of the length of the core. The disposing step can include providing a recipient block with at least one bore therein and inserting at least a portion of the core into the at least one bore of the recipient block. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a method for making a microarray block can be provided and can include providing a recipient block formed of a material and having at least one bore therein, the at least one bore having a cross sectional shape, providing a core of a biological sample and a carrier medium having a cross sectional shape approximating the cross sectional shape of the at least one bore of the recipient block, making the core compatible with the material of the recipient block and inserting at least a portion of the core into the at least one bore of the recipient block. 
     The recipient block can be formed from paraffin and the making the core compatible step can include dehydrating the core and infiltrating the core with paraffin. The at least one bore in the recipient block can have a length and the core can have a length independent of the length of the at least one bore. The core can have a length longer than the length of the at least one bore. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a method for making a microarray block can be provided and can include providing a cylindrical core of a biological sample and a carrier medium, disposing the core in a recipient block formed from a material and making the core compatible with the material of the recipient block before the disposing step. 
     The disposing step can include forming a recipient block around at least a portion of the length of the cylindrical core. The disposing step can include providing a recipient block with at least one bore therein, the cylindrical core having a cross sectional shape approximating the cross-sectional shape of the at least one bore of the recipient block, and inserting at least a portion of the core into the at least one bore of the recipient block. 
     In one aspect of the invention, an assembly for forming a core of a biological sample for use in a recipient block having at least one bore with a cross sectional shape can be provided and can include a container having a reservoir adapted to receive the biological sample and a liquid carrier medium, the container being provided with an opening that communicates with the reservoir, a mold having an end and being provided with a cylindrical bore with a cross sectional shape approximating the cross sectional shape of the at least one bore of the recipient block and opening at the end of the mold, wherein the end of the mold can sealably engage the opening in the container for permitting the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium to be transferred from the reservoir to the cylindrical bore for forming the core. 
     The opening in the container can have a cross sectional shape and the mold can have an end provided with an outer surface having a cross sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the opening in the container. The mold can be configured to slidably and sealably extend into the opening in the container so as to urge the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium from the reservoir into the cylindrical bore of the mold. The outer surface of the mold can have a length and the reservoir can have a depth at least equal to the length of the outer surface for permitting the end of the mold to slidably and sealably extend into the opening in the container for urging the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium from the reservoir into the cylindrical bore of the mold. The assembly can further include a seal provided at the least one of the outer surface of the mold and the opening in the container. The reservoir of the container can be a cylindrical bore having a cross sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the opening in the container. The assembly can further include a plunger slidably disposed in the reservoir for urging the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium from the reservoir into the cylindrical bore of the mold. The assembly can further include a pressurized fluid source coupled to the container for moving the plunger from a first position to a second position for urging the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium from the reservoir into the cylindrical bore of the mold. The assembly can further include an actuation element coupled to the plunger for moving the plunger from a first position to a second position so as to urge the biological sample and the liquid carrier medium from the reservoir into the cylindrical bore of the mold. 
     In one aspect of the invention, an assembly for use with biological sample material to make a microarray block can be provided and can include a cassette having a planar support layer with opposite first and second surfaces, the planar support layer being provided with a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces and forming a plurality of support elements in the planar support layer, a recipient block formed from an agarose gel, the recipient block having a first portion extending from the first surface of the planar support layer and a second portion extending from the second surface of the planar support layer, the recipient block extending through at least some of the plurality of openings in the planar support layer so as to embed at least some of the plurality of support elements between the first and second portions of the recipient block, the first portion of the recipient block having a surface spaced from the first surface of the planar support layer and being provided with at least one bore extending from the surface into the first portion that is adapted to receive the biological sample material. 
     The at least one bore can include a plurality of parallel bores extending into the first portion. The at least one bore can extend into the first portion extends through one of the plurality of openings in the planar support layer and through the second portion. The at least one bore can have a first section in the first portion with a transverse dimension and a second section in the second portion with a transverse dimension that is smaller than the transverse dimension of the first section. The surface of the first portion can be planar and parallel to the planar support layer and the second portion can have a surface that is planar and parallel to the planar support layer. The agarose gel of the recipient block can be dehydrated and infiltrated with paraffin. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a method for forming an assembly for use with biological sample material to make a microarray block can be provided and can include providing a cassette having a planar support layer with opposite first and second surfaces, the planar support layer being provided with a plurality of openings forming a plurality of support elements in the planar support layer and forming a recipient block from an agarose gel having a first portion extending from the first surface of the planar support layer and a second portion extending from the second surface of the planar support layer, the recipient block extending through at least some of the plurality of openings in the planar support layer so as to embed at least some of the plurality of support elements between the first and second portions of the recipient block. 
     The method can further include the step of forming at least one bore extending into the first portion that is adapted to receive the biological sample material. The forming step can include providing a first mold in front of the first surface of the planar support layer and providing a second mold in front of the second surface of the planar support layer and introducing agarose gel into the first and second molds to respectively form the first and second portions of the recipient block. 
     The apparatus and methods of the present invention can offer significant advantages over the prior art, which are highly relevant to the quality and quantity of final product achievable from a fixed amount of sample material, which in certain instances can be a precious resource. For example, the apparatus and methods of the invention can increase the utilization, and thereby reduce the waste, of sample material by reducing the fraction of sample material that is not formed into the desired shape for the cores of a microarray, enabling extremely large aspect ratio, that is ratio of length to diameter, in resulting cores or a combination of the foregoing. In this regard, for example, typical values of diameter in tissue/cell microarrays are from 0.5 millimeter to 5.0 millimeter, while the apparatus and method of the invention enables this range and beyond, for example 0.1 millimeter to 25 millimeters, and with aspect ratios up to the order of 100. The apparatus and method of invention enable microarray block core lengths to be much longer than conventionally done, and more uniform in length than conventionally done. In this regard, for example, typical depths of cores, for example as shown in  FIG. 1 , are at most three to five millimeters, while the apparatus and method of the invention permit microarray blocks with core depths of 20 to 50 millimeters, thus enabling greater efficiencies upon histologic sectioning. 
     The apparatus and methods of the invention can facilitate techniques for maximizing the uniformity of the resulting cores. In this regard, a variety of mixing and/or concentrating techniques, for example vortex mixing and centrifugation, are enabled. In addition, minimization of air bubbles introduced to the sample is enabled by the ability of the apparatus and method of the invention to include the application of vacuum and/or heat for dissolution of gases, centrifugation for bubbles removal due to buoyancy, inversion of the casting element and container element assembly, for example as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , just prior to completion of the stroke, for example as shown in  FIG. 9D, 10D, 11D , or  12 D, in order to sequester air bubbles from entering the lumen of the casting element, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     The apparatus and methods of the invention can facilitate maintaining sterility and purity of the core since the components, for example the casting element and container element for example as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , can be simple, disposable components.