Characterisation of Mechanical Behaviour of an Oscillating Diamond Knife and Cut Surface Quality for Serial Block-face Scanning Electron Microscopy

串行块面扫描电子显微镜的振动金刚石刀的机械行为和切割表面质量的表征

基本信息

批准号：
10075800
负责人：
金额：
$ 2.14万
依托单位：
CONNECTOMX LTD
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Collaborative R&D
财政年份：
2023
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2023 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10075800
关键词：
Characterisation Mechanical Behaviour Oscillating Diamond

项目摘要

ConnectomX designs and manufactures the 'katana microtome,' a miniaturised ultramicrotome device used for Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM). Installed inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the ultramicrotome uses a diamond knife to cut ultra-thin layers from biological samples. The SEM then images the newly exposed surface, allowing for the creation of high-resolution 3D biological structures, vital for understanding cellular functions and advancing disease treatments.The diamond knife oscillates side-by-side during cutting. This feature reduces cutting force and helps to microtome to achieve a consistent clean cuts at tens of nanometres. However, the exact mechanical behaviour of the oscillating knife, including in-plane oscillation and potential out-of-plane components remains uncertain.A comprehensive characterisation of the diamond knife movement and sample surface topology after each cut will help us confirm product specifications and performance, ensuring optimal image acquisition for 3D datasets. This information is crucial for optimising the diamond knife holder design to achieve even thinner cuts. Understanding and addressing this issue will provide a competitive edge over alternative SBF-SEM solutions, bolster our reputation, and expand our product's capabilities.

ConnectomX 设计和制造“武士刀切片机”，这是一种用于串行块面扫描电子显微镜 (SBF-SEM) 的小型超薄切片机设备。超薄切片机安装在扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 内，使用金刚石刀从生物样品中切割超薄层。然后 SEM 对新暴露的表面进行成像，从而创建高分辨率的 3D 生物结构，这对于了解细胞功能和推进疾病治疗至关重要。金刚石刀在切割过程中并排振动。此功能可降低切割力，有助于切片机实现数十纳米的一致干净切割。然而，振动刀的确切机械行为，包括面内振动和潜在的面外分量仍然不确定。每次切割后，对金刚石刀运动和样品表面拓扑进行全面表征将有助于我们确认产品规格和性能，确保 3D 数据集的最佳图像采集。这些信息对于优化金刚石刀架设计以实现更薄的切割至关重要。了解并解决这个问题将提供相对于替代 SBF-SEM 解决方案的竞争优势，提升我们的声誉并扩展我们产品的功能。