Sectionable cassette and embedding frame with connectors, and methods for preparing biopsy tissue samples
A method for manufacturing a histologic tissue sample support device includes molding a tissue cassette, molding a frame, and coupling the tissue cassette to the frame by assembling a frame-cassette connector. The tissue cassette has a recess including at least one side wall and a bottom wall. The tissue cassette is 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. The frame includes a bottom edge and is formed of a second material different from the first material and more rigid than the first material. The frame-cassette connector includes a first retaining structure formed integrally with the frame extending through a second retaining structure formed integrally with the cassette. The frame is capable of being decoupled from the cassette by separating the frame-cassette connector.
1 . 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 and is resistant to degradation from solvents and chemicals used to fix, process and stain tissue;
molding a frame including a bottom edge, the frame being formed of a second material different from the first material and more rigid than the first material;
coupling the tissue cassette to the frame using a frame-cassette connector comprising a first retaining structure formed integrally with the frame extending through a second retaining structure formed integrally with the cassette, the first retaining structure formed from the second material and the second retaining structure formed from the first material, wherein the frame is capable of being decoupled from the cassette by separating the frame-cassette connector;
molding a lid;
coupling the lid to the frame by assembling a lid-frame connector comprising a third retaining structure formed integrally with a peripheral portion of the frame extending at least partway through a fourth retaining structure formed integrally with the lid, wherein the lid is capable of being decoupled from the peripheral portion of the frame by separating the lid-frame connector; and
wherein assembling the lid-frame connector comprises co-molding the lid and the frame.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein 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.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein assembling the frame-cassette connector comprises forming a mushroom head shaped tip on the pin formed integrally with the frame to secure the flange formed integrally with the cassette on the pin formed integrally with the frame.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein forming the mushroom head shaped tip on the pin comprises deforming the pin to form the mushroom head shaped tip.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein deforming the pin to form the mushroom head shaped tip comprises using a tool to form the mushroom head shaped tip when the pin is at a temperature above room temperature and below a melting temperature of the second material.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling the frame-cassette connector comprises assembling separately molded components.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling the frame-cassette connector comprises co-molding the frame and the cassette.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling the frame-cassette connector comprises insert molding the frame and the cassette.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the third retaining structure comprises a pin formed integrally with the peripheral portion of the frame and the fourth retaining structure comprises a flange formed integrally with the lid.