Sectionable cassette and embedding frame with tissue immobilizing separable lid, and methods for preparing biopsy tissue samples

1. A method for preparing one or more biopsy tissue samples for histological examination using a histologic tissue sample support device, the support device including a microtome sectionable tissue cassette, a frame including a peripheral portion, and a lid separably coupled to the peripheral portion of the frame, comprising:

positioning a tissue sample in the tissue cassette;

closing the peripheral portion of the frame and the lid when the tissue cassette is in a first position relative to the frame;

separating the lid from the peripheral portion of the frame; and

moving the lid and the tissue cassette into a second position relative to the frame where a portion of the tissue cassette extends beyond an edge of the frame for sectioning in the microtome.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

subjecting the tissue cassette and the tissue sample to a process that replaces fluid in the tissue sample with a hardenable material before or after moving the lid and the tissue cassette into the second position;

embedding the tissue cassette and the tissue sample in an embedding material; hardening the embedding material into a block; and

slicing the block with a microtome into thin slices of the embedding material, the tissue cassette, and the tissue sample.

3. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for holding a histologic tissue sample while sectioning the tissue sample in a microtome, comprising:

molding a tissue cassette having a recess including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, the tissue cassette being formed of a first material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome, said tissue cassette further being resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix and process the tissue sample during a histologic procedure; and

molding a frame such that the frame is integrally coupled with the tissue cassette, the frame having a peripheral portion, the frame being formed from a second material different from the first material, and including a lid separably coupled to the peripheral portion.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

molding the lid from the first material.

5. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for holding a histologic tissue sample while sectioning the tissue sample in a microtome, comprising:

molding a tissue cassette having a recess including at least one side wall and a bottom wall, the tissue cassette being formed of a first material that can be successfully sectioned in a microtome, said tissue cassette further being resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix and process the tissue sample during a histologic procedure;

molding a frame such that the frame is integrally coupled with the tissue cassette, the frame being formed from the first material;

molding a peripheral portion of the frame; and

molding a lid separably coupled to the peripheral portion and surrounded by the peripheral portion, wherein the lid and the peripheral portion are formed of the first material.

6. A method for preparing one or more biopsy tissue samples for histological examination using a histologic tissue sample support device, the support device including a microtome sectionable tissue cassette, a frame, and a lid coupled to the frame, comprising:

positioning a tissue sample in the tissue cassette;

closing the lid when the tissue cassette is in a first position relative to the frame; and

moving the lid and the tissue cassette into a second position relative to the frame where a portion of the tissue cassette extends beyond an edge of the frame for sectioning in the microtome.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

subjecting the tissue cassette and the tissue sample to a process that replaces fluid in the tissue sample with a hardenable material before or after moving the lid and the tissue cassette into the second position;

embedding the tissue cassette and the tissue sample in an embedding material;

hardening the embedding material into a block; and

slicing the block with a microtome into thin slices of the embedding material, the tissue cassette, and the tissue sample.