Lossless cryo-grid preparation stage for high-resolution electron microscopy

US11422074B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University Of Basel · CH

Inventors

• Stefan Arnold · Munster, DE
• Thomas Braun · Rheinbach, DE
• Henning Stahlberg · Binningen, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 6, 2015
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2022
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01J2237/002
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a preparation system and method for preparing a sample for electron microscopy, the preparation system comprising: a liquid handling system (0) comprising a dispensing head (1), wherein said liquid handling system (0) is configured to aspirate and dispense a volume of a sample via the dispensing head (1), a support structure (2) that is configured to accommodate the sample, a temperature-controlled stage (4) that is configured to keep said support structure (2) at a pre-defined temperature, a first adapter (3) configured to hold said support structure (2), and a transfer mechanism (60) that is configured to be connected to the first adapter (3) holding the support structure (2) and to move said support structure (2) into a container (8) containing a liquid cryogen (80) so that the sample on the support structure (2) contacts the cryogen (80).