Patent US5080869A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5080869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for preparing tissue samples for histological examination
Assignee: Leica Biosystems Richmond Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-14
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Granted: 1992-01-14
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Expires: 2010-08-14
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a stackable cassette and apparatus for preparation of multiple tissue specimens for histological examination. The cassettes include a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall which define a cavity. The bottom wall has a plurality of apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through the cassette in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the bottom wall. At least two walls selected from the back wall, two side walls and front wall have a plurality of apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through the cassette in the direction parallel to the plane of the bottom wall. In one embodiment of the invention, the cassette further includes a web of porous material disposed over the apertures in the bottom wall and side walls. When the cassettes are placed in stacked relationship the bottom wall of an overlying cassette provides a cover for the underlying cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 James B. McCormick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/30; G01N1/31; G01N1/312; A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/0096
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A stackable cassette for use in the preparation of specimens for histological examination, said cassette comprising an open top container having a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall; said bottom wall having a plurality of first apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette in a direction orthogonal to the plane of said bottom wall, at least two of said back wall, side walls and front wall having a plurality of second apertures which are elongated vertically disposed slots disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette in a direction parallel to the plane of said bottom wall, and at least some of said slots being disposed at an angle to the place of said walls to impart a swirled motion to said fluid during passage of fluid through said cassette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A stackable cassette for use in the preparation of specimens for histological examination, said cassette comprising an open top container having a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall; said bottom wall having a plurality of first apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette in a direction orthogonal to the plane of said bottom wall, at least two of said back wall, side walls and front wall having a plurality of second apertures which are elongated vertically disposed slots disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette in a direction parallel to the plane of said bottom wall, and at least some of said slots being disposed at an angle to the place of said walls to impart a swirled motion to said fluid during passage of fluid through said cassette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein all of said slots are disposed at an angle to the plane of the respective walls in which the slots are located.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second apertures are located in said back wall and said front wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second apertures are located in said side walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second apertures are located in all of said back walls, said front wall and said side walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 5 wherein said angled slots of said back wall and said front wall are disposed at an angle A.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 6 wherein said angle A is from about 5° to 45°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 5 wherein at least some of said second apertures in said side walls are at an angle B.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 8 wherein said angle B is from about 5° to about 45°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 1 wherein a porous material is placed over at least some of the apertures in said cassette.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 1 having a cover associated therewith, said cover having a plurality of apertures and said cover being adapted to be disposed in a locking relationship with said cassette to provide a closed cassette for individual treatment of a specimen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cassette in accordance with claim 11 wherein said cover has an offset well in a surrounding peripheral flange which permits stacking of a cassette on top of said cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for the simultaneous preparation of multiple tissue specimens for histological examination comprising a plurality of cooperating stackable cassettes, each of said cassettes including a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall, the bottom wall of each overlying cassette in a stacked array providing a top wall for each underlying cassette, said bottom wall having a plurality of first apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette, at least two of said back walls, side walls and front wall having a plurality of second apertures which are elongated vertically disposed slots disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette in a direction parallel to the plane of said bottom wall, and at least some of said slots being disposed at an angle to the plane of said walls to impart a swirled motion to said fluid during passage of fluid through said cassette.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for the simultaneous preparation of multiple tissue specimens for histological examination comprising a plurality of cooperating stackable cassettes, each of said cassettes including a bottom wall, two side walls, a front wall and a back wall, the bottom wall of each overlying cassette in a stacked array providing a top wall for each underlying cassette, said bottom wall having a plurality of first apertures disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette, at least two of said back walls, side walls and front wall having a plurality of second apertures which are elongated vertically disposed slots disposed therein for passage of fluid through said cassette in a direction parallel to the plane of said bottom wall, and at least some of said slots being disposed at an angle to the plane of said walls to impart a swirled motion to said fluid during passage of fluid through said cassette.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said second apertures are located in at least said back wall and said front wall.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said second apertures are located in at least said side walls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said angled slots are disposed in at least the back wall and the front wall and said angled slots on the left side of said back wall and said front wall, viewed from the top, being disposed at an angle A which faces to the right side of said cassette and said angled slots on the right side of said back wall and said front wall, viewed from the top, being disposed at an angle A which faces toward the left side of said cassette.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said angle A is from about 5° to 45°.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein at least some of said second apertures in said side wall are elongated vertical slots which are at an angle B.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said angle B is from about 5° to about 45°.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 13 having a stacking frame for holding said plurality of stackable cassettes in a stacked and locked array.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 having a cover for the topmost of said stack of cassettes, said cover having a plurality of apertures.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein at least one of the intermediate cassettes of said stack of cassettes is provided with a locking cover.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-13 | 1995-07-15 | 1996-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-13 | 1999-07-15 | 2000-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-13 | 2003-07-15 | 2004-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |