Patent ID: 12196655

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and used to generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure. The same or similar elements and the elements having same or similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals throughout the descriptions.

In the specification, Unless specified or limited otherwise, relative terms such as “central”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “front”, “rear”, “right”, “left”, “inner”, “outer”, “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “top”, “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the present disclosure be constructed or operated in a particular orientation.

Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected”, refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “central,” “upper,” “lower,” “front.” “rear.” and the like) are only used to simplify description of the present disclosure, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation.

In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cassette100for a tissue4, as shown inFIGS.1-4. The cassette100includes a frame1, a first holder2and a second holder3. The frame1includes an accommodating member14configured to accommodate the tissue4, and the accommodating member14has a first opening141and a second opening142opposite to each other. The tissue4may be placed into the accommodating member14through the first opening141, and pushed out of the accommodating member14through the second opening142. The first holder2is connected to the frame1, and configured to rotate relative to the frame1to open or close the first opening141of the accommodating member14. For example, the first holder2may be rotated to open the first opening141of the accommodating member14, so that the tissue4can be placed into the accommodating member14through the first opening141. Further, the first holder2may be rotated to close the first opening141of the accommodating member14after the tissue4is placed into the accommodating member14, so as to hold the tissue4in the accommodating member14. The second holder3is connected to the frame1, and configured to rotate relative to the frame1to open or close the second opening142of the accommodating member14. For example, the second holder3may be rotated to open the second opening142of the accommodating member14, so that the tissue4in the accommodating member14can be pushed out of the accommodating member14through the second opening142. Further, the second holder3may be rotated to close the second opening142of the accommodating member14, so as to hold the tissue4in the accommodating member14.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first holder2may be configured as a cover part of the cassette100, and the second holder3may be configured as a bottom part of the cassette100.

In the cassette100according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, since both the first holder2and the second holder3are rotatable with respect to the frame1, they can be rotated to open or close the openings of the accommodating member14during embedding of the tissue4, so that the tissue4does not need to be taken out of the cassette100and further transferred to a mold, and a paraffin block including the tissue4can be obtained without the second holder3(i.e. the bottom part of the cassette100). That is, the bottom part of the cassette100does not need to be cut, and no cassette material remains around the tissue4. Thus, the lifetime of a blade of a microtome is improved, and the slides quality and the slides viewing and diagnosing are improved. Further, it is easy and convenient to embed the tissue4with the cassette100, thus enhancing the working efficiency of a user.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as further shown inFIGS.5and6, the frame1includes a peripheral wall11and a bearing plate12, the bearing plate12is surround by the peripheral wall11and connected to the peripheral wall11, and the bearing plate12includes a first side and a second side facing away from each other. For example, the bearing plate12may be integral with the peripheral wall11so as to increase the structural strength of the frame1. The accommodating member14is arranged on the first side of the bearing plate12, the bearing plate12has a first hole121aligned with the second opening142of the accommodating member14, the first holder2is arranged on the first side of the bearing plate12and configured to rotate relative to the bearing plate12to open or close the first opening141of the accommodating member14, and the second holder3is arranged on the second side of the bearing plate12and configured to rotate relative to the bearing plate12to open or close the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first side of the bearing plate2may be an upper side of the bearing plate2, and the second side of the bearing plate2may be a lower side of the bearing plate2. In this case, the first holder2is located above the bearing plate12, and the second holder3is located below the bearing plate12. Also, both the first holder2and the second holder3are rotatably connected to the bearing plate12.

Further, the bearing plate12is provided with a plurality of openings123, the plurality of openings123are arranged in an array, i.e. in columns and rows, and each opening123runs through the bearing plate12in a thickness of the bearing plate12. Thus, reagents for processing and embedding of the tissue4, such as a dehydration reagent and paraffin, can pass through the bearing plate12via the plurality of openings123. Moreover, the plurality of openings123are distributed uniformly, so that the reagents can flow through the bearing plate12evenly and smoothly.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first hole121of the bearing plate12may overlap some of the plurality of openings123. That is, a part of the bearing plate12which includes some of the plurality of openings123may be removed to form the first hole121of the bearing plate12.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the frame1further includes a connecting column13arranged on the first side of the bearing plate12and spaced apart from the accommodating member14. For example, the connecting column13is arranged on a center of the bearing plate12, and the accommodating member14is arranged off the center of the bearing plate12by a certain distance. The connecting column13has a through hole133along its axis, and the bearing plate12has a second hole122aligned with the through hole133of the connecting column13. The first holder2is fitted over the connecting column13and configured to rotate around the axis of the connecting column13, and the second holder3is fitted in the second hole122of the bearing plate12and the through hole133of the connecting column13, and configured to rotate around the axis of the connecting column13.

Further, the through hole133matches with the second hole122in shape and size, so that the second holder3can be rotatably fitted in the second hole122of the bearing plate12and the through hole133of the connecting column13.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second hole122of the bearing plate12may overlap some of the plurality of openings123. That is, a part of the bearing plate12which includes some of the plurality of openings123may be removed to form the second hole122of the bearing plate12.

Moreover, a gap or a hole may be formed in a joint of the bearing plate12and the peripheral wall11, so that the reagents can pass through the bearing plate12easily and smoothly, thus facilitating the processing and embedding of the tissue4. Further, this gap or hole improves the stability of the paraffin block and facilitates the removal of the paraffin block.

In addition, the joint of the bearing plate12and the peripheral wall11may have a larger thickness than a rest part of the bearing plate12, so that the strength of the connection between the bearing plate12and the peripheral wall11can be enhanced, thus further improving the structural strength of the frame1.

Further, the peripheral wall11has an upper end and a lower end in a vertical direction, and the bearing plate12is surrounded by the peripheral wall11and arranged adjacent to the lower end of the peripheral wall11, that is, the frame1has a concave shape as a whole, so that the bearing plate12can be submerged in the paraffin during the embedding of the tissue4. Thus, the stability of the paraffin block can be improved.

In addition, a part of an outer surface of the peripheral wall11may be inclined outwards from the upper end of the peripheral wall11to the lower end of the peripheral wall11, and a label may be adhered on the part of the outer surface of the peripheral wall11. The label may contain information associated with a patient.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first holder2includes a sleeve21and a first arm22, the sleeve21is fitted over the connecting column13, and the first arm22extends outwards from an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve21. The sleeve21is configured to rotate around the connecting column13to drive the first arm22to open or close the first opening141of the accommodating member14.

Further, the sleeve21has an upper end and a lower end in the vertical direction, and the first arm22is arranged at the upper end of the sleeve21. Thus, when the sleeve21is arranged on the bearing plate12and fitted over the connecting column13, the first arm22is located at a height larger than a height of the accommodating member14, so that the first arm22can open or close the first opening141of the accommodating member14when the sleeve21rotates around the connecting column13.

Furthermore, the first arm22is located at a height slightly larger than a height of the accommodating member14. Thus, the first arm22can be closely fitted with an upper end of the accommodating member14and tightly close the first opening141of the accommodating member14, thereby preventing the tissue4from falling out of the accommodating member14through the first opening141.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sleeve21includes first grooves211in its inner peripheral surface, and the first grooves211are spaced apart from one another along a circumferential direction of the sleeve21. The connecting column13includes two first protrusions132on its outer peripheral surface. The two first protrusions132face away from each other in a diameter direction of the connecting column13, and are configured to be fitted in two of the first grooves211when the first arm22opens or closes the first opening141of the accommodating member14.

The first protrusion132matches with the first groove211in shape and size, so that the first protrusion132can be fitted in the first groove211stably, so as to keep the first holder2in a state of opening or closing the first opening141of the accommodating member14.

It should be noted that the first protrusion132can be switched from one first groove211to another first groove211, when an external force is applied to the first holder2, so as to change the state of the first holder2of opening or closing the first opening141of the accommodating member14. For example, the first holder2may have a shape which facilitates the first holder2to be grasped, so that the first holder2can be rotated by hands. Of course, the first holder2may also be rotated automatically by a corresponding machine, which is not limited herein.

Moreover, more than two first protrusions132may be provided, the number of the first protrusions132is the same with the number of the first grooves211, and the first protrusions132may correspond with the first protrusions132one to one. Thus, the first holder2can be kept in the state of opening or closing the first opening141of the accommodating member14more stably.

In some embodiments, the first groove211extends along the axis of the connecting column13and terminates at a position between a top (i.e. the upper end) and a bottom (i.e. the lower end) of the sleeve21. That is, the first groove211does not run through the whole inner peripheral surface of the sleeve21along the axis of the connecting column13, and at least part of the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve21is complete, so that the sleeve21can be stably fitted over the connecting column13through the least part of the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve21.

Accordingly, the first protrusion132is arranged at an upper end of the connecting column13, so that it is convenient for the first protrusion132to be fitted in the first groove211.

Further, the first groove211may have a chamfer at its edge, for example two vertical side edges and a lower edge, so that it is easy and convenient for the first protrusion132to be fitted into and separated from the first groove211, and thus to be switched between the first grooves211smoothly.

In some embodiments, a free end of the first arm22has a shape matching with a shape of the first opening141of the accommodating member14, and is provided with third holes221. For example, both the free end of the first arm22and the first opening141of the accommodating member14have a circular shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and other shapes may be adopted, as long as the free end of the first arm22matches with the first opening141of the accommodating member14in shape and size.

Thus, the free end of the first arm22can be closely fitted with the first opening141of the accommodating member14, and tightly closes the first opening141of the accommodating member14to prevent the tissue4from falling out of the accommodating member14through the first opening141. Further, the third holes221in the free end of the first arm22allow the reagents to flow through the first arm22, even if the first arm22closes the first opening141of the accommodating member14.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown inFIGS.1-8, four accommodating members14are provided, surround the connecting column13, and spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, the first holder2includes four first arms22surrounding the sleeve21and spaced apart from one another. The four first arms22correspond with the four accommodating members14one to one, and each first arm22is configured to open or close the first opening141of the corresponding accommodating member14. Further, the four accommodating members14and the four first arms22are distributed uniformly.

Thus, four tissues4can be processed and embedded at the same time, so that the processing and embedding efficiency of the tissue4can be improved. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and less than four tissues4or more than four tissues4can be processed and embedded. That is, less than four accommodating members14or more than four accommodating members14as well as less than four first arms22or more than four first arms22can be provided, as long as the first arms22have a one to one correspondence with the accommodating members14.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as further shown inFIG.9, the second holder3includes a base plate31, a connecting shaft32and a second arm33. The connecting shaft32is arranged on the base plate31and fitted in the through hole133of the connecting column13. For example, the connecting shaft32is arranged on a center of the base plate31. The second arm33extends outwards from an outer peripheral surface of the base plate31. The base plate31and the second arm33are attached to the second side of the bearing plate12, and the connecting shaft32is configured to rotate in the through hole133of the connecting column13around the axis of the connecting column13to drive the second arm33to open or close the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14. That is, when the connecting shaft32rotates, the base plate31is driven to rotate, and thus the second arm33is also driven by the base plate31to rotate, so as to open or close the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

Further, the connecting column13includes two groups of second grooves131in its inner peripheral surface, the two groups of second grooves131are opposite to each other in a diameter direction of the connecting column13, and each group of second grooves131includes two adjacent second grooves131. Accordingly, the connecting shaft32includes two second protrusions321on its outer peripheral surface, the two second protrusions321face away from each other in a diameter direction of the connecting shaft32, and are configured to be fitted in the two groups of second grooves131when the second arm33opens or closes the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

For example, when the second arm33closes the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14, one second protrusion321is fitted in one of one group of second grooves131, and the other second protrusion321is fitted in one of the other group of second grooves131; when the connecting shaft32is rotated so that the second arm33opens the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14, the one second protrusion321is fitted in the other one of the one group of second grooves131, and the other second protrusion321is fitted in the other one of the other group of second grooves131.

Further, the second protrusion321matches with the second groove131in shape and size, so that the second protrusion321can be fitted in the second groove131stably, so as to keep the second holder3in a state of opening or closing the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

It should be noted that each second protrusion321can be switched between the two adjacent second grooves131in the corresponding group of second grooves131, when an external force is applied to the second holder3, so as to change the state of the second holder3of opening or closing the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

In some embodiments, the second groove131extends along the axis of the connecting column13and terminates at a position between an upper end and a lower end of the connecting column13. That is, the second groove131does not run through the whole inner peripheral surface of the connecting column13along the axis of the connecting column13, and at least part of the inner peripheral surface of the connecting column13is complete, so that the connecting shaft32can be stably fitted in the connecting column13through the least part of the inner peripheral surface of the connecting column13.

Accordingly, the second protrusion321is arranged at an upper end of the connecting shaft32, so that it is convenient for the second protrusion321to be fitted in the second groove131.

Further, the second groove131may have a chamfer at its edge, for example two vertical side edges and a lower edge, so that it is easy and convenient for the second protrusion321to be fitted into and separated from the second groove131, and thus to be switched between the two adjacent second grooves131smoothly.

In some embodiments, the connecting shaft32includes a notch322in middle, and the two second protrusions321are arranged on two sides of the notch322and symmetrical with respect to the notch322. Thus, a tool can be fitted in the notch322to apply a force to the second holder3so as to drive the second holder3to rotate. For example, the tool may be a wrench, a spanner, and so on.

Further, the notch322extends from the upper end of the connecting shaft32towards a lower end of the connecting shaft32, and terminates at a position from the lower end of the connecting shaft32by a certain distance.

In this case, it is convenient to rotate the second holder3so as to open or close the second opening142of the accommodating member14. For example, when the tissue4needs to be held in the accommodating member14, the second holder3is rotated to close the second opening142of the accommodating member14; when the tissue4in the accommodating member14needs to be pushed into the mold, the second holder3is rotated to open the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown inFIGS.1-6and9, four accommodating members14are provided, surround the connecting column13, and spaced apart from one another. Further, the bearing plate12has four first holes121aligned with the second openings142of the four accommodating members14, respectively. Accordingly, the second holder3includes four second arms33surrounding the base plate31and spaced apart from one another. The four second arms33correspond with the four accommodating members14one to one, and each second arm33is configured to open or close the corresponding first hole121and the second opening142of the corresponding accommodating member14. Further, the four accommodating members14and the four second arms33are distributed uniformly.

Thus, four tissues4can be processed and embedded at the same time, so that the processing and embedding efficiency of the tissue4can be improved. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and less than four tissues4or more than four tissues4can be processed and embedded. That is, less than four accommodating members14or more than four accommodating members14as well as less than four second arms33or more than four second arms33can be provided, as long as the second arms33have a one to one correspondence with the accommodating members14.

It should be noted that the numbers of the accommodating members14, the first arms22and the second arms33are the same, but not limited herein, as long as the accommodating members14, the first arms22and the second arms33have a one to one correspondence with one another.

Further, a free end of the second arm33has a shape matching with a cross-sectional shape of the first hole121of the bearing plate12and a shape of the second opening142of the accommodating member14, and is provided with fourth holes331. For example, the free end of the second arm33, a cross section of the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14have a circular shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and other shapes may be adopted, as long as the free end of the second arm33matches with the cross section of the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14in shape and size.

Thus, the free end of the second arm33can be closely fitted with the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14, and tightly closes the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14to prevent the tissue4from falling out of the accommodating member14. Further, the fourth holes331in the free end of the second arm33allow the reagents to flow through the second arm33, even if the second arm33closes the first hole121of the bearing plate12and the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

In some embodiments, as shown inFIG.6, the second side of the bearing plate12includes a recessed part15, the base plate31and the second arm33of the second holder3are received in the recessed part15, and configured to rotate in the recessed part15under the drive of the connecting shaft32.

It can be understood that the recessed part15has a shape corresponding to and larger than a whole shape of the base plate31and the second arm33, so that the base plate31and the second arm33can be fitted in the recessed part15and also rotated in the recessed part15.

Further, bottom surfaces of the base plate31and the second arm33of the second holder3are flush with the second side of the bearing plate12. That is, the base plate31and the second arm33do not protrude out of the recessed part15.

Thus, the paraffin block which is finally obtained has a regular shape, so that it is convenient to remove the paraffin block and the stability of the paraffin block can be further improved.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown inFIGS.1,2and5, the accommodating member14includes a plurality of vertical parts143surrounding the first hole121of the bearing plate12and spaced apart from one another. Each vertical part143has an arc cross section, and the arc cross sections of the plurality of vertical parts143cooperate with one another to form a shape (for example, a substantially circle shape) matching with the cross-sectional shape of the first hole121of the bearing plate12. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the arc cross sections of the plurality of vertical parts143may cooperate with one another to form another shape, as long as this shape matches with the cross-sectional shape of the first hole121of the bearing plate12.

In this case, a gap is defined between adjacent two vertical parts143, so that the reagents can flow through the gaps among the vertical parts143while being dispensed into the cassette100. Thus, the reagents can flow through the cassette100smoothly.

Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an embedding method1000, which uses the cassette100according to the above embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown inFIGS.10-13. The embedding method1000includes following steps shown inFIG.11.

At step1001, the cassette100with the tissue4is placed on a mold200, in which the first holder2closes the first opening141of the accommodating member14and the second holder3closes the second opening142of the accommodating member14, as shown inFIG.10A. In this case, the tissue4is held in the accommodating member14by the first holder2and the second holder3.

At step1002, the first holder2is rotated to open the first opening141of the accommodating member14, as shown inFIG.10B. Thus, bubbles can be prevented from be generated during following dispensing.

At step1003, liquid paraffin is dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200, and the liquid paraffin is cooled in the mold200to a semi-molten state, as shown inFIG.10C. That is, the liquid paraffin is pre-dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200. Thus, the paraffin in the semi-molten state can support the tissue4when the second holder3opens the second opening142of the accommodating member14.

At step1004, the second holder3is rotated to open the second opening142of the accommodating member14, as shown inFIG.10D. In this case, the tissue4will not fall into the mold200due to the support of the paraffin in the semi-molten state in the mold200.

At step1005, the tissue4is pushed into the mold200, as shown inFIG.10E. When an enough external force is applied to the tissue4, the tissue4can be pushed into the mold200against the support of the paraffin in the semi-molten state.

At step1006, further liquid paraffin is dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200, as shown inFIG.10F. That is, additional liquid paraffin is further dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200for final-dispensing.

At step1007, the liquid paraffin is cooled in the cassette100and the mold200to a solid state, as shown inFIG.10H.

In the embedding method1000according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first holder2and the second holder3are rotated to open or close the openings of the accommodating member14in corresponding steps, so that the tissue4can be pushed into the mold200without being taken out of the cassette100, and the paraffin block including the tissue4can be obtained without the second holder3(i.e. the bottom part of the cassette100). That is, the bottom part of the cassette100does not need to be cut, and no cassette material remains around the tissue4. Thus, the lifetime of a blade of a microtome is improved, and the slides quality and the slides viewing and diagnosing are improved. Further, it is easy and convenient to embed the tissue4with the embedding method1000, thus enhancing the working efficiency of a user.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tissue4is pushed into the mold200by a pusher300, as shown inFIGS.10E and10F. The pusher300is known in the related art. For example, the pusher300may include a plate and a rod arranged on the plate, so that the user may grasp the plate and forward the rod into the accommodating member14, so as to push the tissue4out of the accommodating member14and into the mold200.

In this case, the embedding method1000further includes step1008. At step1008, the pusher300is withdrawn, as shown inFIG.10G. Specifically, the pusher300may be withdrawn after or before further liquid paraffin is dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200, as shown inFIGS.12and13.

FIG.10illustrates that the pusher300is withdrawn after further liquid paraffin is dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200.

When the pusher300is withdrawn before further liquid paraffin is dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200, the embedding method1000further includes step1009. At step1009, the second holder3is rotated to close the second opening142of the accommodating member14after the pusher300is withdrawn and before further liquid paraffin is dispensed into the cassette100and the mold200, as shown inFIG.13.

It should be noted that steps1001-1004should also be included in the embedding methods1000shown inFIGS.12and13, but are omitted for simplification herein.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment”, “another example,” “an example,” “a specific examples,” or “some examples,” means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “in another example, “in an example,” “in a specific examples,” or “in some examples,” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments cannot be construed to limit the present disclosure, and changes, alternatives, and modifications can be made in the embodiments without departing from spirit, principles and scope of the present disclosure.