US 12,270,739 B2
Microtome sectionable gel support structure and methods
Warren P. Williamson, IV, Marion, MA (US); Richard W. Dapson, Richland, MI (US); and Amit D. Shah, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US)
Assigned to BIOPATH AUTOMATION, LLC, Marion, MA (US); and SAKURA FINETEK U.S.A., INC., Torrance, CA (US)
Filed by BioPath Automation, L.L.C., Marion, MA (US); and Sakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc., Torrance, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/372,842.
Application 17/015,813 is a division of application No. 14/011,809, filed on Aug. 28, 2013, granted, now 10,794,804, issued on Oct. 6, 2020.
Application 18/372,842 is a continuation of application No. 17/015,813, filed on Sep. 9, 2020, granted, now 11,796,429.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/700,062, filed on Sep. 12, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2024/0011875 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 1/31 (2006.01); G01N 1/06 (2006.01); G01N 1/36 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/31 (2013.01) [G01N 1/36 (2013.01); G01N 1/06 (2013.01); G01N 2001/368 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Apparatus comprising:
a three dimensional, self-supporting and preformed gel block having a predetermined geometric shape defined by an outer boundary for retention and orientation of at least one tissue sample during a histopathology process including processing, embedding and microtome slicing of the tissue sample, the gel block being sectionable by a microtome to form sections of the gel block and tissue sample;
preformed tissue retaining structure comprising a tissue sample receiving space formed in a portion of the three dimensional, self-supporting and preformed gel block, the preformed tissue sample receiving space formed by the gel block and configured to retain and orient the tissue sample, and
a package enclosing the gel block under clean, moisture-proof conditions.