초록 ▼

A cryogenic seal, and a cryogenic ultramicrotome using the seal are presented. The seal allows a microtome arm to pass through an aperture in the wall of a cryogenic microtome chamber providing thermal insulation while allowing manipulation of the microtome arm within the chamber. The seal includes

A cryogenic seal, and a cryogenic ultramicrotome using the seal are presented. The seal allows a microtome arm to pass through an aperture in the wall of a cryogenic microtome chamber providing thermal insulation while allowing manipulation of the microtome arm within the chamber. The seal includes a thermally conductive seal container having a number of thermally insulating baffle inserts therein. The baffle inserts are placed within the seal container to form a plurality of baffle chambers, and each baffle insert includes an aperture which is larger in circumference than the external circumference of the microtome arm. Within each baffle chamber is a baffle membrane, each membrane having an aperture through which the microtome arm passes in sliding contact. The baffle inserts and baffle membranes together form a thermally insulating labyrinth seal between the interior and the exterior of the cryogenic chamber, and allow the microtome arm to be easily and accurately manipulated from the exterior of the chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

A thermal seal for use in a cryogenic ultramicrotome having a cryogenic chamber and a microtome arm extending through an aperture in said cryogenic chamber from a reactively high temperature exterior of said chamber to a relatively low temperature interior of said chamber, said seal comprising: a se

A thermal seal for use in a cryogenic ultramicrotome having a cryogenic chamber and a microtome arm extending through an aperture in said cryogenic chamber from a reactively high temperature exterior of said chamber to a relatively low temperature interior of said chamber, said seal comprising: a seal container attached to said cryogenic chamber; a plurality of thermally insulating baffle inserts within said container together forming a plurality of baffle chambers, each baffle insert having an aperture therein substantially aligned with said aperture of said cryogenic chamber and being larger than an exterior dimension of a cross-section of said microtome arm; and a plurality of thermally insulating baffle membranes, each membrane being located and moveable within a respective one of said baffle chambers, each membrane having an aperture substantially aligned with said aperture of said cryogenic chamber and being dimensioned for slidable engagement with said exterior dimension of said microtome arm.