Systems and methods for section transfer
Provided here are systems and methods for microtomy, including a microtome and a transfer tape system. The microtome can be used for sectioning a tissue section from a tissue block. The transfer tape system can include a transfer tape configured to adhere to a front face of the tissue block and collect one or more tissue sections sectioned by the microtome and to transfer the one or more tissue sections to one or more slides; and at least one tension device for controlling tension and an angle of the transfer tape relative the tissue block or the one or more slides. The at least one tension device can be configured to maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined tension or maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined angle relative to the tissue block or the one or more slides.
1 . A microtomy system comprising:
a microtome for sectioning a tissue section from a tissue block; and
a transfer tape system comprising:
a transfer tape configured to adhere to a front face of the tissue block and collect one or more tissue sections sectioned by the microtome and to transfer the one or more tissue sections to one or more slides; and
at least one tension device for controlling tension and an angle of the transfer tape relative the tissue block or the one or more slides, wherein:
the at least one tension device comprises:
a dancer, comprising a rotatable dancer arm;
at least one sensor attached to the dancer to determine at least one of a position of the dancer arm, a tension of the transfer tape, or a relative angle of the transfer tape; and
at least one actuator configured to move the dancer arm;
the at least one actuator is configured to move the dancer arm to maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined tension or maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined angle relative to the tissue block or the one or more slides; and
the microtomy system is configured to determine the tension of the transfer tape at a plurality of locations.
2 . The microtomy system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of locations include at least two of a location upstream of the microtome, at the microtome, and downstream of the microtome.
3 . The microtomy system of claim 1 , further comprising, a block holder configured to hold and retain tissue block, wherein the block holder is movable relative to the microtome.
4 . The microtomy system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to actively control the tension of the transfer tape.
5 . The microtomy system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tension device is a passive tension device.
6 . The microtomy system of claim 1 , further comprising a slide station configured to receive the tissue section onto the one or more slides.
7 . The microtomy system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an absolute encoder.
8 . The microtomy system of claim 1 , wherein the transfer tape system further comprises a stepper motor configured to dictate a rate at which the transfer tape is introduced or withdrawn from the microtomy system, wherein the rate is based on the position of the dancer arm determined by the at least one sensor.
9 . A microtomy system comprising:
a microtome for sectioning a tissue section from a tissue block;
a transfer tape system comprising:
a transfer tape configured to adhere to a front face of the tissue block and collect one or more tissue sections sectioned by the microtome and to transfer the one or more tissue sections to one or more slides;
one or more rollers positioned along a length of the transfer tape; and
a plurality of tension devices for controlling tension and an angle of the transfer tape relative the tissue block or the one or more slides, wherein each of the plurality of tension devices is configured to maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined tension or maintain the transfer tape at a predetermined angle relative to the tissue block or the one or more slides, wherein the plurality of tension devices comprises a first tension device positioned upstream of the microtome and a second tension device positioned downstream of the microtome; and
a slide station configured to receive the tissue section onto the one or more slides.
10 . The microtomy system of claim 9 , wherein the tension of the transfer tape is maintained at different tensions at locations upstream and downstream of the slide station.
11 . The microtomy system of claim 9 , wherein an angle of the transfer tape relative to the slide station is maintained at locations upstream and downstream of the slide station.
12 . The microtomy system of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of tension devices includes at least one actuator and at least one sensor.
13 . The microtomy system of claim 9 , further comprising, a block holder configured to hold and retain tissue block, wherein the block holder is movable relative to the microtome.
14 . The microtomy system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of tension devices comprises a third tension device positioned upstream of the slide station and a fourth tension device positioned downstream of the slide station.