MICROSCOPE SLIDE PREPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

SYSTEME DE PREPARATION DE LAME DE MICROSCOPE ET PROCEDE D'UTILISATION CORRESPONDANT

English Abstract

A microscope slide preparation system includes a microscope, with a stage and an eyepiece, for viewing a specimen; a slide, in communication with the stage of the microscope; a mounting medium, covering the specimen and securing the specimen to the slide, the mounting medium has a supersaturation of gum arabic in distilled water; a measurement of anhydrous chloral; and a measurement of anhydrous glycerin; the supersaturation of gum arabic in distilled water prevents the anhydrous chloral from converting into chloral hydrate, thereby reducing safety hazards associated with the production of chloral hydrate; and the lack of excess water and chloral hydrate in the mounting medium prevent crystallization formation on the slide, allowing for clear viewing of the specimen.

French Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de préparation de lame de microscope comprenant un microscope, muni d'une platine et d'un oculaire, permettant de visualiser un échantillon ; une lame, en communication avec la platine du microscope ; un milieu de fixation, recouvrant l'échantillon et fixant l'échantillon à la lame, le milieu de fixation présentant une sursaturation de gomme arabique dans de l'eau distillée ; une mesure de chloral anhydre ; et une mesure de glycérine anhydre ; la sursaturation de gomme arabique dans de l'eau distillée empêche la transformation du chloral anhydre en hydrate de chloral, ce qui permet de réduire les risques de sécurité associés à la production d'hydrate de chloral ; et l'absence d'excès d'eau et d'hydrate de chloral dans le milieu de fixation empêche la formation d'une cristallisation sur la lame, ce qui permet une visualisation claire de l'échantillon.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A microscope slide preparation system, comprising:
a microscope, having:
a stage; and
an eyepiece, for viewing a specimen;
a slide, in communication with the stage of the microscope;
a mounting medium, covering the specimen and securing the specimen to the
slide, the mounting medium having:
a supersaturation of gum arabic in distilled water;
a measurement of anhydrous chloral; and
a measurement of anhydrous glycerin;
wherein the supersaturation of gum Arabic in distilled water prevents the
anhydrous chloral from converting into chloral hydrate, thereby reducing
safety
hazards associated with the production of chloral hydrate; and
wherein the lack of excess water and chloral hydrate in the mounting medium
prevent crystallization formation on the slide, allowing for clear viewing of
the
specimen.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the supersaturation of gum Arabic in
distilled water
is created by using 19 parts by weight of distilled water and approximately 13-
14
parts by weight of powdered gum Arabic.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement of anhydrous chloral is
approximately 58-62 parts by weight.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement if anhydrous glycerin is
approximately 6-9 parts by weight.
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5. A method of microscope mounting solution preparation, the method
comprising:
heating distilled water to a temperature near 95 degrees Celsius, but not more
than
97.8 degrees Celsius;
creating a supersaturated mixture of gum arabic in the heated distilled water;
blending the mixture until the gum arabic to completely dissolve;
filtering the mixture of gum Arabic and distilled water to remove impurities;
adding an appropriate weight of anhydrous chloral to the mixture;
adding an appropriate weight of anhydrous glycerin to the mixture;
blending the mixture unit all solids are dissolved; and
cooling the mixture to an ambient temperature.
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6. A method of microscope slide preparation, the method comprising:
providing the system of claim 1;
applying a specimen to the microscopic slide;
covering the specimen with the mounting medium by using a pipet or similar
tool;
drying the slide and solution, through air, heat, or any reasonable method;
securing the slide on the stage of the microscope; and
examining the slide with the microscope through the eyepiece.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
covering the specimen and mounting solution with a cover slip before
examination.
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Description

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MICROSCOPE SLIDE PREPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to life-science tool systems,
and more
specifically, to a microscope slide preparation system for improving the
visibility of a
specimen.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] Microscope slide preparation systems are well known in the art and are
effective
means to examine biological specimens. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a
conventional
microscope slide preparation system 101 having a microscope 103 with a stage
105 and
an eyepiece 107, the stage 105 in communication with a slide 109. The slide
109 holds
a specimen 111 covered in a mounting medium 113, and a cover slip 115. During
use,
the slide 109 with the specimen 111 is secured to the stage 105, and the
specimen 111
is examined through the eyepiece 107.
[0003] In FIG. 2, a flowchart 201 depicts the method of mounting medium 113
preparation associated with system 101.
The mounting medium 113 is prepared by
adding gum arabic to distilled water and mixing thoroughly, as shown with box
203.
Appropriate proportions of chloral hydrate and glycerin are blended into the
mixture,
which is then filtered to remove any solid particles, as shown with boxes 205,
207, 209.
The mounting medium is then ready for use with system 101.
[0004] One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is crystal
formation.
For example, the use of distilled water and chloral hydrate in the mounting
medium 113
frequently allow for crystals to form during use, thereby reducing visibility
of the specimen
111.
[0005] In addition, the use of chloral hydrate causes a safety hazard
requiring strict
regulation compliance.
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[0006] Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of
microscope
slide preparation systems, many shortcomings remain.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the
present
application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments
themselves,
as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages
thereof, will
best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when
read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a common microscope slide preparation system;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the method of mounting medium preparation associated
with FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side view of a microscope slide preparation system in accordance
with
a preferred embodiment of the present application;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method of mounting medium preparation associated
with FIG. 3.
[0008] While the system and method of use of the present application is
susceptible to
various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have
been
shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It
should
be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is
not
intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on
the contrary,
the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the
spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
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[0009] Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present
application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the
development
of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be
made to
achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related
and
business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to
another.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be
complex and
time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of
ordinary
skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0010] The system and method of use in accordance with the present application
overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with
conventional microscope preparation systems. Specifically, the present
invention
provides a means to reduce crystal formation caused by the mounting medium. In
addition, the present invention reduces safety hazards and the applicability
of regulations
associated with conventional mounting mediums. These and other unique features
of the
system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the
accompanying
drawings.
[0011] The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its
structure and
operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should
be
understood that various components, parts, and features of the different
embodiments
may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which
are within
the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and
particular
embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the
mixing
and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various
embodiments is
expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would
appreciate
from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one
embodiment may
be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described
otherwise.
[0012] The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be
exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and
described to explain
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the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to
enable others skilled
in the art to follow its teachings.
[0013] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters
identify
corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 3 depicts
a side
view of a microscope slide preparation system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 301
overcomes
one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional
microscope slide preparation systems.
[0014] In the contemplated embodiment, system 301 includes a microscope 303
with a
stage 304 and an eyepiece 305, a slide 307 with a specimen 309 and a cover
slip 311,
and a mounting medium 313 covering the specimen 309, wherein the composition
of the
mounting medium 313 prevents crystallization formation on the slide 307,
allowing for a
clear view of the specimen 309. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention,
the mounting medium 313 is composed of a supersaturation of gum arabic in
distilled
water, anhydrous chloral, and anhydrous glycerin.
[0015] It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed
characteristic
of the present application is the composition and characteristics of the
mounting medium
313. It should be understood that the supersaturation of gum arabic in
distilled water
prevents the anhydrous chloral from converting into chloral hydrate, thereby
reducing the
safety hazards associated with chloral hydrate. It should further be
appreciated, that the
limited water content and lack of chloral hydrate in the mounting medium
prevents the
formation of crystals on the slide 307.
[0016] In FIG. 4 a flowchart depicts the method of FIG. 3. During use, a
specimen 309
is applied to the slide 307 and covered with the mounting medium 313, as shown
with
boxes 403, 405. The specimen 309 is then covered with the cover slip 311, or
alternatively, allowed to dry without a cover slip 311, as shown with boxes
407, 409. The
slide is then secured to the stage 304 of the microscope 303 and examined
through the
eyepiece, as shown with boxes 411, 413.
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[0017] In FIG. 5 a flowchart 501 depicts a method of mounting medium
preparation
associated with system 301. Distilled water is first heated to a temperature
near 95 C,
but not more than 97.8 C, as shown with box 503. Arabic gum is then added to
the water
in a measurement needed to make a supersaturated mixture and the mixture is
blended
until the gum arabic is completely dissolved, as shown with boxes 505, 507.
The mixture
is filtered to remove impurities, as shown with box 509. Further, an
appropriate weight of
anhydrous chloral and anhydrous glycerin are added to the mixture, as shown
with boxes
511, 513. The mixture is then blended and cooled to an ambient temperature, as
shown
with boxes 515, 517.
[0018] In one contemplated embodiment, the measurements of the mounting medium
components comprise: 19 parts by weight of distilled water, 13 parts by weight
of
powdered gum arabic, 62 parts by weight of anhydrous chloral, and 6 parts by
weight of
anhydrous glycerin. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting medium
comprises: 19
parts by weight of distilled water, 14 parts by weight of gum arabic, 58 parts
by weight of
anhydrous chloral, and 9 parts by weight of anhydrous glycerin. It should be
appreciated
that minor deviations from the above formulations can result in the same
functionality and
improvement over the prior art.
[0019] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as
the
embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners
apparent
to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is
therefore evident
that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified,
and all such
variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application.
Accordingly, the
protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the
present
embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments,
but are
amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the
spirit thereof.