JPH09236522A - Microtome - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microtome which makes a sample to be small in thickness by improving the accuracy of inching mechanism. SOLUTION: An X-Y axis stage 3 and a tilt stage 4 are provided on one side in an X-axis direction on a stand 2, a cutter holding base 5 for holding a cutter 6 is provided on the stage 4. In addition, an inching mechanism 7 is provided on the other side in the X-axis direction thereon, and a sample holder loading arm 12 for holding a sample 14 and a Z-axis stage 11 are provided on the mechanism 7. Then the mechanism 7 is provided with a first linear motor stage 8 and a second linear motor stage 9 with a Y axis in between at a crossing angle of 2θ. When the stages 8 and 9 are moved at the crossing angle as it is, the sample 14 moves only a minute distance in the X direction, so that an ultra-thin slice can be prepared.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microtome suitable for use in preparing a sample piece composed of an ultrathin section, for examination by an electron microscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a transmission electron microscope (hereinafter referred to as TE
M), there are sample preparation methods such as ultra-thin section method, replica method, negative staining method, shadowing method, etc., and the ultra-thin section method is used for TEM observation. It is often used as a standard technique.

Further, in order to inspect a microscopic form as a transmission image by TEM, the electron beam must pass through the sample. For this reason, it is required to make a sample with an ultrathin section of 50 to 70 nm, and the microtome is an indispensable device used for sample preparation in the TEM research department.

Here, the microtome according to the prior art is
A base, a cutter holding base fixed to one of the bases and holding a glass or diamond cutter, a sample holding base fixed to the other of the bases, and a sample holding base A cutting mechanism that cuts the sample into thin slices by moving the sample with respect to the cutter and a fine movement feed mechanism that performs fine movement to reduce the distance between the sample holding base and the cutter holding base.

The fine feed mechanism is a screw,
There are a mechanical feeding method that combines a lever and the like, and a thermal expansion feeding method that uses thermal expansion by a light bulb or the like.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-described conventional microtome, there is a limit to the feed amount regardless of whether the fine feed mechanism is a mechanical feed system or a thermal expansion feed system.

Further, in order to eliminate the limit of the feed amount, the above-mentioned mechanical feed type screw is rotated using a stepping motor, and a ball screw or the like for changing the rotary motion into a linear motion is used. For this reason, due to occurrence of backlash or backlash of the ball screw or the like, high-precision feeding cannot be performed, and positioning accuracy is inferior.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microtome capable of improving the precision of the fine feed mechanism and thinning the thickness of a sample.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a microtome according to the invention of claim 1 comprises a base,
A first holding means provided on the base and holding either one of the cutter and the sample, and provided on the base in a state of facing the first holding means in the X-axis direction, By arranging the first feeding means and the second feeding means so as to be movable at a small intersecting angle across the Y axis, a fine movement feeding mechanism capable of fine movement feeding in small increments in the X axis direction, and on the fine movement feeding mechanism. And a second holding means which is provided so as to face the first holding means and holds the other of the cutter and the sample.

With this configuration, the first feed means of the fine movement feed mechanism is moved in a small angle direction with respect to the Y axis, and the second feed means is moved in a small angle direction with respect to the Y axis. . Therefore, the second holding means provided in the fine movement feed mechanism can be fed in the X-axis direction by a minute distance with a minute feed amount corresponding to the intersection angle between the first feeding means and the second feeding means. Thereby, for example, the first
When the cutter is held by the holding means and the sample is held by the second holding means, each time the sample is finely moved, a sample piece can be created with the minute movement amount as the sample thickness.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first feeding means constituting the fine movement feeding mechanism is provided with a first fixing portion fixed on the base and at a small angle with respect to the Y axis.
A first moving portion movably provided on the fixed portion of the first moving portion, and the second feeding means includes a second fixed portion fixed on the first moving portion and a Y axis. The second moving part is movably provided on the second fixed part at a small angle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first feeding means and the second feeding means constituting the fine movement feeding mechanism are provided in the fixed portion and a guide for guiding the moving portion with respect to the fixed portion. And a coil that is provided in the moving section and that displaces the moving section by a magnetic field formed between the magnet and the moving section when energized.

As described above, by using the linear motor stage as the feeding means, it is possible to prevent the backlash and backlash for converting the rotational movement into the linear feeding movement as in the case of the ball screw, and to achieve the highly accurate positioning and the smooth movement. Can be achieved.

On the other hand, a microtome according to a fourth aspect of the present invention includes a base, a first linear stage provided on the base and movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and on the first linear stage. And a cutter holder that holds a cutter for cutting a sample, a first linear motor stage and a second linear motor stage that are provided to face the first linear stage in the X-axis direction. And the first linear motor stage has a small angle (+ θ) with respect to the Y axis.
Movably on the base, and the second linear motor stage has a small angle (-
θ) and a fine movement feed mechanism movably provided on the first linear motor stage, and a second movement of the fine movement feed mechanism.
Second linear stage movably provided on the linear motor stage in the Z-axis direction, and sample holder attachment provided on the second linear stage and having a sample holder on the tip side facing the cutter The arm may be composed of an arm and a linear stage drive means for driving the sample holder mounting arm together with the second linear stage in the Z-axis direction.

In the microtome having the above structure, the crossing angle between the first linear motor stage and the second linear motor stage is (2θ), and the sample holder mounting arm is located on the upper side in the Z-axis direction in the initial state. I shall. Here, when the first and second linear motor stages are driven and moved by the moving distance a, the second linear stage and the sample holder mounting arm arranged on the second linear motor stage face each other. It can be moved in the X-axis direction by a distance of 2a × sin θ toward the cutter holder.
Further, by moving the sample holder mounting arm downward by the linear stage driving means in the moved state, the sample mounted on the sample holder mounting arm descends from the upper side toward the cutter, and the cutter Cut thinly.
Further, after cutting, after returning each linear motor stage, the sample holder mounting arm is moved upward in the Z-axis direction by the linear stage driving means to return to the initial state.

The microtome according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a base, a first linear stage provided on the base and movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, and on the first linear stage. A first linear motor stage and a second linear motor stage, which are provided to face the first linear stage in the X-axis direction. Is provided so as to be movable on the base at a small angle (+ θ) with respect to the Y axis, and the second linear motor stage is mounted on the first linear motor stage at a small angle (−θ) with respect to the Y axis. A fine movement feed mechanism, a second linear stage movably provided in the Z axis direction on a second linear motor stage of the fine movement feed mechanism, and a second linear stage. Attached to the cutter holder mounting base, a cutter holder mounted on the tip side of the cutter holder mounting arm facing the sample holder and holding a cutter for cutting a sample, and the cutter holder mounting The arm and the cutter holder can be composed of a linear stage driving means for driving the cutter holding table together with the second linear stage in the Z-axis direction.

The microtome having the above structure is arranged on the second linear motor stage by driving the first and second linear motor stages and moving them by the moving distance a, as in the case described above. The second linear stage and the cutter holder mounting arm can be moved in the X-axis direction by a distance of 2a × sin θ toward the facing sample holder. In addition, by moving the cutter holder mounting arm from the lower side to the upper side by the linear stage driving means in the moved state, the cutter moves up, and the cutter cuts the sample held in the sample holder thinly. .

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 7 relate to the first embodiment, and in the figures, 1 indicates a microtome according to the embodiment. Reference numeral 2 denotes a rectangular base that forms the main body of the microtome 1, and the base 2 is made of a metal material such as casting. For the sake of convenience, the direction parallel to the paper surface in FIG.
The axes are the Y-axis, and the direction orthogonal to the paper surface is the Z-axis direction.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an X / Y-axis stage, which is located on the right side of the base 2 and is fixed to it, which serves as a first linear stage. The X / Y-axis stage 3 includes a fixed base 3A and a fixed base 3A. And a second moving table 3C provided on the first moving table 3B and provided on the first moving table 3B so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction. Consists of. The position of the first moving table 3B is adjusted in the X-axis direction by the adjusting knob 3B1, and the position of the second moving table 3C is adjusted in the Y-axis direction by the adjusting knob 3C1.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a tilting stage, and the tilting stage 4
Includes a fixed table 4A fixed on the second moving table 3C of the X / Y axis stage 3 and a tilt table 4B for finely moving the fixed table 4A in the tilt axis direction of the X axis. 4B
The tilt angle of the tilt table 4B is adjusted by 1.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a cutter holding base fixed on the tilting base 4B of the tilting stage 4, and the cutter 6 is held on the cutter holding base 5 by a fixing screw 5A.

Here, the cutter 6 is formed of glass, diamond, sapphire or the like into a triangular prism shape,
The cutter holder 5 is installed so that the upper side has a cleaving angle (40 ° to 60 °). Further, a sample recovery tank 6A is formed in the cutter 6, distilled water is stored in the sample recovery tank 6A, and the cut sample pieces are recovered by floating on the distilled water.

The X / Y-axis stage 3 positions the cutter 6 with respect to the sample 14 described later, and the tilt stage 4 sets the angle of the cutter 6.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a fine movement feed mechanism provided on the left side of the base 2, and the fine movement feed mechanism 7 is provided on the base 2 at an angle of + θ with respect to the Y axis. It comprises a linear motor stage 8 and a second linear motor stage 9 which is arranged so as to intersect the first linear motor stage 8 at an angle of −θ with respect to the Y axis. Therefore, the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 8
The linear motor stage 9 of FIG.
It is arranged with θ.

Numeral 10 is a spacer arranged between the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 9, and the spacer 10 is the first linear motor stage 8
The movable table 8B and the fixed table 9A of the second linear motor stage 9 are connected in a state of intersecting each other.

Here, the first linear motor stage 8
Is a fixed base 8A fixedly provided on the base 2 so as to face the X / Y-axis stage 3 in the X-axis direction, and a small angle + θ with respect to the Y-axis on the fixed base 8A as described later. It is configured as a so-called X-axis linear motor stage composed of a movable table 8B that is movable. Further, the second linear motor stage 9 is also movable on a fixed base 9A fixedly provided on the movable base 8B and on the fixed base 9A at a small angle −θ with respect to the Y axis as described later. It is configured as a so-called X-axis linear motor stage including a movable base 9B provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first linear motor stage 8 has a guide 8C for guiding the movable table 8B.
And a magnet 8D provided on the fixed base 8A side,
It comprises a coil 8E provided on the movable table 8B so as to face the magnet 8D. By energizing the coil 8E, the magnetic field generated from the coil 8E is
It attracts and repels the magnetic field of the magnet 8D. As a result, the movable table 8B moves linearly along the guide 8C with respect to the fixed table 8A. This also applies to the second linear motor stage 9 similarly to the fixed base 9A and the movable base 9A.
B, a guide 9C, a magnet 9D, and a coil 9E.

Therefore, the use of the linear motor stages 8 and 9 in the fine movement feed mechanism 7 has the following advantages.

First, since the movable portion of the motor is composed of a coil, a bobbin and the like and can be moved linearly, backlash can be eliminated by eliminating the ball screw and the like, and the inertial mass can be reduced. Second, the current and thrust are straighter than the stepping motor, and the instantaneous torque with respect to the rating can be increased. Thirdly, the coil and the inductance are small and the electrical response is excellent. 4th
Moreover, there is no magnetic pulsation such as cogging, and highly accurate and smooth control is possible.

Here, in the first linear motor stage 8, by fixing the fixed base 8A on the base 2 at an angle of + θ with respect to the Y axis, the movable base 8 on the fixed base 8A is fixed.
B moves in one movement direction having an angle of + θ with respect to the Y axis. Further, the second linear motor stage 9 fixes the fixed base 9A on the movable base 8B at an angle of −θ with respect to the Y-axis, so that the movable base 9B on the fixed base 9A moves in the Y direction.
Move in another direction of movement with an angle of -θ to the axis. The moving directions of the moving table 8B and the moving table 9B move in opposite directions.

Thus, in the fine movement feed mechanism 7, as shown in FIG. 5, the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 8 are provided.
The moving distance of the linear motor stage 9 is set to the same distance a. The moving table 8B of the first linear motor stage 8 moves forward in the OA direction on the upper left side by a distance a and moves onto the moving table 8B '. At this time, the moving table 8B moves in the X-axis direction by a × sin θ.
Just move. On the other hand, the moving table 9B of the second linear motor stage 9 moves forward in the AB direction on the lower right side by the distance a and moves to the moving table 9B ', and at this time, the moving table 9B moves in the X-axis direction by a × sin θ. To do. As a result, the moving base 9B of the second linear motor stage 9 moves in the X-axis direction by 2a × si.
This means that the linear movement is performed by nθ, and the fine movement feed mechanism 7
Then, the moving distance 2a × sin θ is the fine movement feed amount d.

Here, it is desirable that the crossing angle 2θ between the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 9 is set to a small value. For example, the intersection angle 2θ
Is 5 °, the fine feed amount d is d = 0.08.
It becomes 7 × a. Therefore, the first linear motor stage 8
And for the moving distance a of the second linear motor stage 9,
The fine feed amount d in the X-axis direction can be set to a value smaller than 1/10.

Next, 11 is a Z-axis stage which becomes a second linear stage, and the Z-axis stage 11 is erected on the moving base 9B of the second linear motor stage 9 which constitutes the fine feed mechanism 7. Fixed base 11A and the fixed base 11A
A movable table 11B provided so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction with respect to
Consists of

Reference numeral 12 denotes a sample holder mounting arm extending in the X-axis direction. The sample holder mounting arm 12 is fixed to the moving base 11B of the Z-axis stage 11 at the base end side, and the sample holder mounting arm 12 at the tip end side via the tilting stage 13. Sample holder 15 holding 14
Is fixed. Further, in the middle of the sample holder mounting arm 12 in the longitudinal direction, an oval insertion hole 1 elongated in the X-axis direction into which a transmission rod 16C of a Z-axis stage drive unit 16 described later is inserted.
2A is formed. Further, the tilt of the sample 14 is adjusted by the adjusting knob 13A of the tilt stage 13. Here, the sample holder mounting arm 12 and the tilting stage 13 constitute a sample holder.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a Z-axis stage drive section which serves as a linear stage drive means. The Z-axis stage drive section 16 includes a stand section 16A erected on the base 2 and the stand section 1
Z-axis stage drive motor 16 provided on the upper end side of 6A
B and a transmission rod 16C that moves up and down in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis stage drive motor 16B.
The tip of 6C is the insertion hole 12A of the sample holder mounting arm 12.
Has been inserted. By driving the Z-axis stage drive motor 16B, the transmission rod 16C moves up and down, so that the sample holder mounting arm 12 moves up and down together with the moving table 11B of the Z-axis stage 11. It has become.

Reference numeral 17 in FIG. 6 indicates a controller. The controller 17 is configured as a microcomputer in which an operation program as shown in FIG. 7 is incorporated, and its storage area 17A contains the fine feed amount d of the sample 14. The number of samples n is set and stored, and the initial movement distance a0 is stored in advance. Also, on the input side of the controller 17,
A keyboard 18, various sensors (not shown), switches and the like are connected, and a first linear motor stage 8, a second linear motor stage 9, a Z-axis stage drive motor 16B and the like are connected to the output side. The initial movement distance a0 sets the position where the sample 14 is first cut regardless of the fine movement feed amount d.

The microtome 1 according to this embodiment has the above-mentioned structure, and its basic operation is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on the program shown in.

First, before operating the microtome 1,
As an initial setting, setting of the cutter 6 and the sample 14 is performed. That is, the cutter 6 is positioned in the X-axis and Y-axis directions with respect to the sample 14 by the X / Y-axis stage 3, and the clearance angle of the cutter 6 is adjusted by adjusting the tilt of the tilt stage 4. On the other hand, the sample 14 is the tilt stage 1
The inclination of the sample 14 is adjusted by 3.

As the initial position, the sample 14 and the cutter 6 are separated from each other in the X-axis direction, and the sample holder mounting arm 12 is located above.

Next, when the processing by the controller 17 is started, in step 1, the fine movement feed amount d (sample thickness d) and the number of samples n are input by the keyboard 18, and in step 2, the input fine movement feed amount d. From the above, the moving distance a1 between the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 9 is calculated by a1 = d / 2 × sin ^-1 θ.

In step 3, the initial moving distance a0 is read from the storage area 17A, the initial moving distance a0 is set as the moving distance a, and the counter N is set to "0".

Next, in step 4, the moving base 8B of the first linear motor stage 8 and the moving base of the second linear motor stage 9 are moved by the moving distance a (initial moving distance a0) set in step 3. 9B are moved forward in opposite directions. As a result, the Z is placed on the second moving base 9B.
The sample 14 provided via the axis stage 11 and the sample holder mounting arm 12 moves in the X-axis direction by 2a 0 × sin θ.

Further, even when the sample holder mounting arm 12 moves in the X-axis direction, the insertion hole 12 of the sample holder mounting arm 12
Since A is formed as a long hole in the X-axis direction, Z
The transmission rod 16C of the axis stage drive unit 16 can be maintained in the inserted state, and the movement in the Z axis direction from the Z axis stage drive unit 16 is transmitted to the sample holder mounting arm 12 via the transmission rod 16C.

In step 5, the Z-axis stage drive motor 16B is operated to slowly lower the sample holder mounting arm 12. At this time, the tip of the sample 14 is applied to the cutter 6, and the sample 14 is subjected to the first cutting. At this time, the cut sample piece floats on the water surface of the sample recovery tank 6A. However, the sample piece formed by the first cutting is a sample for initial cutting and is not used for inspection.

In step 6, the first distance is equal to the moving distance a.
When the moving base 8B of the linear motor stage 8 and the moving base 9B of the second linear motor stage 9 are moved backward, the sample 14 and the cutter 6 are separated from each other, and the sample holder mounting arm 12 moves upward, The sample 14 is prevented from coming into contact with the cutter 6.

In step 7, the Z-axis stage drive motor 16B is operated to raise the sample holder mounting arm 12,
The sample holder mounting arm 12 is returned to the initial position.

Further, in step 8, it is judged whether or not the counter N has reached a preset sample number n, and "N
If it is determined to be “O”, the set number of samples has not been created yet, so the process proceeds to step 9 and the counter N
In increments of "1", and in step 10, move distance a is a =
Set to a + a1 and return to step 4.

Then, by the second and subsequent processes of step 4, in step 4, the linear motor stages 8 and 9 are moved from the tip of the sample 14 previously cut by the moving distance a1 which is the fine movement feed amount d. . As a result, the tip of the sample 14 is moved by 2a1 × sin θ from the cutter 6,
That is, the amount of fine movement is d. In step 5, Z
The sample holder mounting arm 12 is slowly lowered by the axis stage drive motor 16B, the tip of the sample 14 is applied to the cutter 6 to perform the second cutting on the sample 14, and the cut sample piece is stored in the sample collecting tank 6A. Let it float on the surface of the water. By this operation, the thin sliced sample piece created is collected in the sample collection tank 6A.

Further, at step 6, the moving table 8B of the first linear motor stage 8 and the second moving table 8B are moved by the moving distance a.
The moving base 9B of the linear motor stage 9 is moved backward in the opposite direction to the set direction, and in step 7, the Z-axis stage drive motor 16B raises the sample holder mounting arm 12 to return it to the initial position.

By repeating the processing from step 4 to step 7 in sequence, a thin sample piece having a thickness d is manufactured and collected in the sample collecting tank 6A.

On the other hand, if "YES" is determined in step 8, it means that the number of sample pieces recovered in the sample recovery tank 6A has reached the sample number n. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 11 to operate the microtome 1. To finish.

However, in the microtome 1 according to the present embodiment, the fine feed mechanism 7 is composed of the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 9, so that it can be used conventionally because of its advantages. By eliminating the ball screw or the like which has been used, the inertial mass can be reduced, backlash can be prevented from occurring, and the fine movement of the sample 14 can be accurately performed.

Further, since the linear motor stages 8 and 9 constituting the fine movement feed mechanism 7 are arranged so as to intersect each other with a small intersecting angle 2θ across the Y axis, their respective moving distances are set. Even if a is a large distance, the fine movement feed amount d can be reduced by the set intersection angle 2θ.

Here, for example, the intersection angle 2θ is 2θ = 1.
When the angle is 5 °, the relationship between the movement distance a and the fine movement feed amount d is d = 0.26a. When 2θ = 11.5 °, the relationship between the movement distance a and the fine movement feed amount d is d
= 0.2a. Further, the intersection angle 2θ is 2θ = 5 °
In that case, d = 0.087a. Furthermore, the intersection angle 2θ can be set to a minute angle of 4 ° or 3 °.

Therefore, suppose that the intersection angle 2θ is 2θ = 1.
When the angle is set to 1.5 ° and the resolution of the linear motor stage is 100 nm, the minimum fine feed amount d is about 20 n.
m, and it becomes possible to create a sample piece having a thickness of 20 nm.

On the other hand, when the crossing angle 2θ is 2θ = 11.5 ° and the resolution of the linear motor stage is 10 nm, the microtome 1 according to this embodiment theoretically comprises an ultrathin section having a thickness of 2 nm. It becomes possible to create a sample piece. As a result, by setting the intersecting angle 2θ to an appropriate angle, it is possible to easily prepare an ultra-thin sample that could not be prepared conventionally.

Further, when the intersection angle 2θ is 2θ = 5.0 °, the resolution of the linear motor stage is 100 nm.
, The minimum fine feed amount d is about 10 nm,
It becomes possible to prepare a sample piece having a thickness of 10 nm. At this time, if the resolution of the linear motor stage is 10 nm, the microtome 1 according to this embodiment theoretically has a thickness of 1 nm.
It is possible to create a sample piece composed of an ultrathin section of nm.

Further, the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 9 are crossed, and X
The second moving table 9B on which the Z-axis stage 11 is mounted is set because the setting is made so as to individually move in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the axis.
The holding power can be increased. As a result, sample 14
It is possible to prevent the sample 14 from escaping when the cutter hits the cutter 6, eliminate the deviation of the fine movement feed amount d, and set the fine movement feed amount d equal to the thickness of the sample piece.

On the other hand, the transmission rod 16C on the Z-axis stage drive section 16 side is inserted into the insertion hole 12A on the sample holder attachment arm 12 side, and the sample holder attachment arm 1 by the Z-axis stage drive section 16 is inserted.
The movement transmission of 2 in the Z-axis direction is performed by the movement of the transmission rod 16C in the Z-axis direction, so that the Z-axis stage drive section 16 moves the sample holder mounting arm 12 up and down. Therefore, when the sample holder mounting arm 12 is moved up and down, the vibration of the Z-axis stage drive motor 16B of the Z-axis stage driving unit 16 is prevented from being directly transmitted to the sample holder mounting arm 12, and the sample holder mounting arm 12 is prevented. It is possible to prevent the sample 14 provided at the tip end of the from descending while vibrating during cutting. As a result, the sample piece made of the ultrathin section can be neatly finished as a flat surface with its cutting surface not wavy.

Thus, the microtome 1 according to this embodiment
Then, the first linear motor stage 8 of the fine feed mechanism 7
And the second linear motor stage 9 are arranged so as to intersect with each other. Therefore, even if the moving distance between the first linear motor stage 8 and the second linear motor stage 9 is large, the fine movement feed amount can be reduced by reducing the crossing angle 2θ, and the fine movement feed amount can be reduced. Accurate cutting can be performed as the thickness of the piece. As a result, the fine movement feed mechanism 7 can easily prepare a sample piece composed of an ultrathin section having a resolution equal to or lower than the resolution of the linear motor stages 8 and 9.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention. The feature of the microtome 1'according to the present embodiment is that a cutter is provided on the side of the fine feed mechanism and the cutter is finely fed to the sample. It is something that is done. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be denoted by a dash (').

In the figure, reference numeral 12 'indicates a cutter holder mounting arm extending in the X-axis direction, and the cutter holder mounting arm 12' has a base end side which is a movable base 11B of the Z-axis stage 11 of the fine feed mechanism 7.
It is stuck to. And the cutter holder mounting arm 12 '
A cutter holder 5'is fixed to the tip end side of the cutter via an inclined stage 13 ', and a cutter 6'is attached to the cutter holder 5'. Further, in the middle of the cutter holder mounting arm 12 'in the longitudinal direction, an oval insertion hole 1 elongated in the X-axis direction into which the transmission rod 16C of the Z-axis stage drive unit 16 is inserted.
2A 'is formed, and the inclination of the cutter 6'is adjusted by the adjusting knob 13A' of the tilting stage 13 '.

Reference numeral 15 'is a sample holder for holding the sample 14', and the sample holder 15 'faces the fine movement feed mechanism 7 and is X-shaped.
-Tilt table 4 of tilt stage 4 provided on Y-axis stage 3
It is stuck to B. Then, the inclination of the sample holder 15 'is adjusted by adjusting the adjusting knob 4B1 of the inclined table 4B.

The microtome 1'having the above-described structure operates in substantially the same manner as the microtome 1 described in the first embodiment, but the cutter 6'is finely fed by the fine feed mechanism 7. Therefore, for example, by moving the cutter 6'from the lower side to the upper side by the Z-axis stage driving unit 16, the sample 6'can be cut by the cutter 6'and the sample piece can be easily prepared. Can be collected by floating on the distilled water in the sample collecting tank 6A 'of the cutter 6'.

In each of the above embodiments, the fine feed mechanism 7 is used.
The inclination of the first linear motor stage 8 constituting the
The inclination with respect to the axis was set to -θ. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a different angle, for example, the inclination of the first linear motor stage 8 with respect to the Y axis may be + α, and the inclination of the second linear motor stage 9 with respect to the Y axis may be −β. In this case, the moving distances of the stages 8 and 9 may be different. Further, the inclination of the first linear motor stage 8 with respect to the Y axis may be + α, the inclination of the second linear motor stage 9 with respect to the Y axis may be set to be + β, and the intersection angle may be (α + β). Even in this case, the moving distances of the stages 8 and 9 may be different, and the fine movement feed mechanism 7 may be configured as an X-axis motor stage.

Further, although the sample holder mounting arm 12 is made to linearly move in the Z axis direction by the Z axis stage 11, the sample 14 on the tip side moves circularly with the base end side of the sample holder mounting arm 12 as a fulcrum. The sample holder mounting arm 12 may be lengthened in this case.

The present invention is as described above in detail, and by arranging the first feeding means and the second feeding means constituting the fine movement feeding mechanism so as to be movable at an intersecting angle across the Y axis, Since either one of the sample and the cutter can be finely moved in the X-axis direction by a minute distance toward the other, a fine movement much smaller than the movement resolution of the first feeding means and the second feeding means can be performed. It is possible, and it is possible to create an ultra-thin sample piece having a thickness of the fine movement feed amount.

The above description of the embodiments is merely about the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the basic idea of the present invention.

[0070]

As described above in detail, according to the microtome of the present invention, the first feeding means and the second feeding means which constitute the fine movement feeding mechanism are arranged so as to be movable at an intersecting angle with the Y axis interposed therebetween. By doing so, either one of the sample and the cutter can be slightly moved in the X-axis direction by a small distance toward the other, so that the moving resolution is far higher than the moving resolution of the first feeding means and the second feeding means. It is possible to make a small fine feed, and it is possible to create an ultra-thin sample piece having a thickness corresponding to the fine feed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a microtome according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the microtome shown in FIG. 1 seen from above.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the microtome shown in FIG. 1 seen from the right side.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a configuration of a linear motor stage.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a movement of a fine movement feeding mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a microtome.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microtome.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a microtome according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1'microtome 2 base 3 X / Y-axis stage (first linear stage) 5, 5'cutter holder 6, 6'cutter 7 fine feed mechanism 8 first linear motor stage (first moving means) ) 8A, 9A fixed base 8B, 9B movable base 8C, 9C guide 8D, 9D magnet 8E, 9E coil 9 second linear motor stage (second moving means) 11 Z-axis stage (second linear stage) 12 sample Holder mounting arm 12 'Cutter holder mounting arm 14, 14' Sample 15, 15 'Sample holder 16 Z-axis stage drive unit (linear stage drive means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A base, first holding means provided on the base for holding one of a cutter and a sample, and a state facing the first holding means in the X-axis direction. Is provided on the base, and the first feeding means and the second feeding means are arranged so as to be movable with a small intersecting angle with the Y axis interposed therebetween. A microtome comprising a feeding mechanism and a second holding means provided on the fine movement feeding mechanism so as to face the first holding means and holding either the cutter or the other of the samples. 2. The first feeding means constituting the fine movement feeding mechanism is provided on the first fixing portion fixed on the base and at a small angle with respect to the Y axis. And a second fixing portion fixed on the first moving portion, and a second moving means.
The microtome according to claim 1, comprising a second moving portion movably provided on the second fixed portion at a small angle with respect to the Y axis. 3. A first feeding means and a second feeding means constituting the fine movement feeding mechanism, a guide for guiding the moving portion with respect to the fixed portion, a magnet provided in the fixed portion, 2. The microtome according to claim 1, wherein the microtome comprises a linear motor stage which is provided in the moving part and which is configured to displace the moving part by a magnetic field formed between the magnet and the magnet when energized. 4. A base, and a first mounted on the base and movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.
Linear stage, a cutter holding table provided on the first linear stage and holding a cutter for cutting a sample, and a first stage provided opposite to the first linear stage in the X-axis direction. The first linear motor stage comprises a first linear motor stage and a second linear motor stage, and the first linear motor stage is movably provided on the base at a small angle (+ θ) with respect to the Y axis, and the second linear motor stage is provided. The stage has a small angle (-θ) with respect to the Y-axis.
A fine movement feed mechanism movably provided on the linear motor stage, a second linear stage movably provided on the second linear motor stage of the fine movement feed mechanism in the Z-axis direction, and a second linear stage Sample holder mounting arm provided on the linear stage of the sample holder, the sample holder mounting arm having a sample holder on the tip side facing the cutter, and the linear stage for driving the sample holder mounting arm together with the second linear stage in the Z-axis direction. A microtome consisting of a drive means. 5. A base, and a first mounted on the base and movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.
Linear stage, a sample holder provided on the first linear stage, a first linear motor stage and a second linear motor provided to face the first linear stage in the X-axis direction. The first linear motor stage is movably provided on the base at a small angle (+ θ) with respect to the Y axis, and the second linear motor stage has a small angle (+ θ) with respect to the Y axis. -Θ) with the first
A fine movement feed mechanism movably provided on the linear motor stage, a second linear stage movably provided on the second linear motor stage of the fine movement feed mechanism in the Z-axis direction, and a second linear stage Cutter holder mounting arm provided on the linear stage, a cutter holder mounted on the tip side of the cutter holder mounting arm so as to face the sample holder, and holding a cutter for cutting a sample, the cutter A microtome comprising a holder mounting arm and a linear stage driving means for driving the cutter holder together with the second linear stage in the Z-axis direction.