Development of Internal Structure Observation System for Biological Specimens using High Precision Cutting Machine

Abstract

Three–Dimensional Internal Structure Microscopes (3D–ISM), developed by authors, have enabled us to observe internal structures of biological specimens by cutting cross–sections with rotating knives. A number of different biological specimens were successfully observed, however, 3D–ISM are effective only for soft tissues due to its cutting mechanism, flat and thin rotating knives. In this report, we used a new cutting mechanism, a single crystalline diamond fly–cutting tool on a high precision cutting machine, and measured bone cutting force. We developed a special device based on a milling machine for this method and obtained mirror–like cross–sections of biological specimens containing hard tissues like bone, and also observed clear images of microscopic internal structures of hard tissues.