US 12,303,904 B2
Sectionable cassette and embedding frame with connectors, and methods for preparing biopsy tissue samples
Warren P. Williamson, IV, Marion, MA (US)
Assigned to BIOPATH AUTOMATION, LLC, Marion, MA (US)
Filed by BioPath Automation, L.L.C., Marion, MA (US)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/967,485.
Application 17/967,485 is a continuation of application No. 16/680,601, filed on Nov. 12, 2019, granted, now 11,498,077.
Prior Publication US 2023/0035804 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B01L 9/00 (2006.01); B29C 45/00 (2006.01); G01N 1/06 (2006.01); G01N 1/36 (2006.01); G01N 33/483 (2006.01)
CPC B01L 9/52 (2013.01) [B29C 45/00 (2013.01); G01N 1/06 (2013.01); G01N 1/36 (2013.01); G01N 33/4833 (2013.01)] 33 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A histologic tissue sample support device comprising:
a tissue cassette having a recess including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, the tissue cassette formed of a first material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue;
a frame including a bottom edge, the frame formed of a second material different from the first material and more rigid than the first material;
a lid coupled to the frame; and
a frame-cassette connector including:
a first retaining structure formed integrally with the frame from the second material, and
a second retaining structure formed integrally with the cassette from the first material;
wherein the first retaining structure extends through the second retaining structure,
the tissue cassette is coupled to the frame by the frame-cassette connector,
the tissue cassette is capable of being decoupled from the frame by separating the frame-cassette connector,
the lid and the tissue cassette are capable of moving from a first position to a second position with respect to the frame, and in the second position, the bottom wall and at least a portion of the side wall extend downwardly beyond the bottom edge of the frame for sectioning in the microtome,
the first retaining structure comprises a pin formed integrally with the frame and the second retaining structure comprises a flange formed integrally with the cassette,
the frame comprises a plurality of outer walls extending generally upward from the bottom edge, and
the pin formed integrally with the frame is disposed on a flexible tab extending generally laterally inwardly from one of the plurality of outer walls.