Method and apparatus for cryopreparing biological tissue for ultrastructural analysis

摘要

This invention relates to a method for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The process comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under severely rapid conditions and then depressurized. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium at a temperature of less than -140 DEG C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is infiltrated with a degassed resin and followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample. This invention additionally relates to a sample holder apparatus which has unique use characteristics in the process of this invention.