METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CRYOPREPARING BIOLOGICAL TISSUE FOR ULTRASTRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

摘要

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CRYOPREPARINGBIOLOGICAL TISSUE FOR ULTRASTRUCTURAL ANALYSISABSTRACT OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a method for the cryo-preparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructuralanalysis. The process comprises vitrifying a biologicaltissue sample under severely rapid conditions and then de-pressurized. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sampleis brought to equilibrium at a temperature of less than -140°C.The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained ina state of thermal equilibrium. The sample or specimen holdingapparatus for cryopreparation thereof comprises a specimenchamber adapted to retain one or more tissue samples anda support assembly attached to the specimen chamber, thesupport assembly insulating the specimen chamber from energymeans. Spacing means are adapted to isolate tissue samplesfrom one another while the tissue samples are in the specimenchamber, the spacing means being removably engaged by thespecimen chamber.