DR. STEPHEN P WHITLATCH, MD
Medical Practice at Dixmyth Ave, Cincinnati, OH

7776274, Aug 17, 2010

Mar 4, 2005

11/072119

Craig B. Berky - Milford OH, US
Stephen P. Whitlatch - Cincinnati OH, US
Thomas J. Ward - Columbus OH, US

Biopath Automation, L.L.C. - Loveland OH

B01L 9/00

422104, 422102, 4352975

The disclosure relates to a cassette, frame and mold for holding a tissue sample during an embedding and mircotoming process, and related methods. The cassette is sectionable in a microtome and includes a body with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. First and second side walls are generally V-shaped to present an apex of the “V” to the microtome blade. A lid of the cassette is stiffer than the bottom wall of the cassette to assist with positioning the tissue sample. The side walls of the cassette are perforated so as to significantly reduce the amount of cassette material that must be cut by the microtome blade. In one embodiment, to additionally reduce blade wear the ribs on one side wall are offset lengthwise relative to the ribs on an opposite side wall. An upper flange of the cassette includes depressions configured to register with detents in the frame.

2011018, Jul 28, 2011

Mar 14, 2011

13/047044

Thomas J. Ward - Columbus OH, US
Stephen P. Whitlatch - Cincinnati OH, US

BioPath Automation, L.L.C. - Loveland OH

B01L 3/00

422536

An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.

2005008, Apr 21, 2005

Oct 12, 2004

10/963315

Warren Williamson - Loveland OH, US
Thomas Ward - Columbus OH, US
Stephen Whitlatch - Cincinnati OH, US

B01L003/00

422102000

A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.

2007016, Jul 19, 2007

Dec 20, 2006

11/613478

Warren Williamson - Loveland OH, US
Stephen Whitlatch - Cincinnati OH, US
Dominic DiNovo - Columbus OH, US
Douglas Allen - Del Mar CA, US
Thomas Ward - Columbus OH, US

BIOPATH AUTOMATION, L.L.C. - Loveland OH

G01N 1/00

436174000

A sectionable cassette for use in a process for harvesting and handling tissue samples for biopsy analysis is disclosed. In the procedure, a tissue biopsy sample is placed on a tissue trapping and supporting material that can withstand tissue preparation procedures and which can be cut with a microtome. The tissue is immobilized on the material and the material and the tissue are held in the cassette and are subjected to a process for replacing tissue fluids with wax, and then the tissue and the supporting material are sliced for mounting on slides using a microtome. Harvesting devices and containers using the filter material are disclosed. An automated process is also disclosed. One embodiment has the tissue trapping and supporting material porous and another embodiment includes a tissue supporting material that is not easily microtomed.

2007010, May 10, 2007

Jan 2, 2007

11/618987

Warren Williamson - Loveland OH, US
Thomas Ward - Columbus OH, US
Stephen Whitlatch - Cincinnati OH, US

BIOPATH AUTOMATION, L.L.C. - Loveland OH

B01L 3/00

422102000

A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.

8609431, Dec 17, 2013

Jul 14, 2010

12/836102

Craig B. Berky - Milford OH, US
Stephen P. Whitlatch - Cincinnati OH, US
Thomas J. Ward - Columbus OH, US

Biopath Automation, L.L.C. - Loveland OH

G01N 1/28

436174, 422176, 422536, 422561, 435 405

The disclosure relates to a cassette, frame and mold for holding a tissue sample during an embedding and mircotoming process, and related methods. The cassette is sectionable in a microtome and includes a body with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. First and second side walls are generally V-shaped to present an apex of the “V” to the microtome blade. A lid of the cassette is stiffer than the bottom wall of the cassette to assist with positioning the tissue sample. The side walls of the cassette are perforated so as to significantly reduce the amount of cassette material that must be cut by the microtome blade. In one embodiment, to additionally reduce blade wear the ribs on one side wall are offset lengthwise relative to the ribs on an opposite side wall. An upper flange of the cassette includes depressions configured to register with detents in the frame.

8329120, Dec 11, 2012

Jan 22, 2010

12/692208

Stephen P. Whitlatch - Cincinnati OH, US
Carlos A. Saez - Irvine CA, US

Biopath Automation, L.L.C. - Loveland OH
Sakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc. - Torrance CA

A61B 10/00

422536, 436174, 206 15, 206485, 206486, 435 405, 435 4052

Tissue orientation devices include a perforated tissue support with at least one perforated channel for receiving a tissue sample, and a plurality of tabs configured to extend along and into the channel to retain the tissue sample during processing and embedding. Tissue orientation devices include elongated legs coupled together for holding one or more biopsy tissue samples therebetween. Associated methods include using the cassettes and orientation devices to hold and orient tissue samples for processing, embedding and microtome sectioning.