Patent ID: 8839700

Claim:
A microtome apparatus comprising: a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut; a first flexure configured to support and guide the blade, said first flexure configured to be compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction; a second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion thereof with the first flexure, the second flexure configured for being stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction; a rotating actuator; an eccentric driven by the actuator; the second flexure being rotatably engaged at another end portion thereof with the eccentric, wherein operation of the actuator serves to oscillate the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade; and the second flexure being configured to move independently of any stationary objects during said oscillation; wherein the blade is configured for oscillation at a frequency within a range of 15 to at least 400 Hz, an amplitude of movement in the transverse direction within a range of 0.1 to at least 2 mm, and an amplitude of parasitic movement in the out of plane direction of no more than 1.0 to 3.0 micron.