Microtome

US6598507B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Günther · Neidenstein, DE
• Andreas Laudat · Meckesheim, DE
• Jürgen Vierling · Eppelheim, DE
• Roland Walter · Tiefenbronn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 13, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2003
• Expiry date: Mar 13, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T83/6492
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A microtome for producing thin sections, in which the cutting operation is performed by way of a relative movement between a cutting knife and an object. A drive system (14) having a drive motor (17), a control circuit (15), and a handwheel (8) is provided to generate the relative movement. The handwheel (8) is connected to an encoder (16) that delivers corresponding signals to the control circuit (15) upon rotation of the handwheel (8). The drive motor (17) is then activated accordingly by way of said control circuit (15). In the absence of encoder signals, the drive system (14) is locked.