SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLDING AN INSTRUMENT IN A PETRI DISH

1 . A restraint device for retaining a slide instrument in a petri dish, comprising:

a spring bias component having one or more arms, each arm having one or more elbows; and

a housing connected to the spring bias component, the housing having a base that defines a recess to releasably mate with at least a portion of a slide instrument;

wherein the one or more arms of spring bias component are shaped to elastically deform in response to engagement with a wall of a petri dish so that the spring bias component generates a retainer force applied from the base and toward the recess.

2 . The restraint device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the spring bias component is integrated in the base of the housing.

3 . The restraint device of claim 2 , wherein the base of the housing defines a slot that receives a portion of the spring bias component to connect the spring bias component to the housing.

4 . The restraint device of claim 1 , wherein the recess of the base extends longitudinally away from a rear face of the base and is configured to slidably receive the slide instrument at a front face of the base.

5 . The restraint device of claim 4 , wherein the retainer force applied from the base is longitudinally toward the slide instrument when the slide instrument is releasably mated with the base.

6 . The restraint device of claim 1 , wherein the spring bias component has one or more handles that extend from a free end of each arm.

7 . The restraint device of claim 1 , wherein the spring bias component comprises a spring wire.

8 . The restraint device of claim 1 , wherein the spring bias component comprises an elastic material.

9 . A system comprising:

a microslide having a major surface extending between a first end and second end and one or more electrodes;

a petri dish having a base and a curved sidewall that defines a cavity to receive the microslide; and

a restraint device comprising:

a spring bias component having one or more arms, each arm having one or more elbows; and

an housing connected to the spring bias component, the housing having a base that is releasably matable with a first end of the microslide;

wherein in response to contact between each elbow and a wall of the petri dish, the spring bias component generates a retainer force at the base to urge the microslide against the curved sidewall of the petri dish.

10 . The restraint device of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the spring bias component is integrated in the base of the housing.

11 . The restraint device of claim 9 , wherein the base of the housing defines a recess to releasably mate with the first end of the microslide.

12 . The restraint device of claim 11 , wherein the recess of the base extends longitudinally away from a rear face of the base and is configured to slidably receive the microslide at a front face of the base.

13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the base of the housing has a slot that receives a portion of the spring bias component to connect the spring bias component to the housing.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the restraint device is symmetric about a longitudinal plane that extends along a recess of the base.

15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the spring bias component has one or more handles that extend from an end of each arm.

16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the spring bias component comprises a spring wire.

17 . The restraint device of claim 9 , wherein the spring bias component comprises an elastic material.

18 . A method for securing a microslide in a petri dish, the method comprising:

inserting a microslide in a petri dish;

elastically deforming a spring bias component of a restraint device to fit in the petri dish;

slidably mating a housing base of the restraint device with the microslide;

urging one or more arms of the spring bias component against a wall of the petri dish; and

in response to said urging, applying a retainer force from the housing base to the microslide to releasably secure the microslide in an operative position within the petri dish.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the spring bias component comprises an elastic material.

20 . The method of claim 18 , a portion of the spring bias component is integrated in the housing base.