The disclosure presents systems and methods for processing a specimen slide using a specimen processing system. Specimen slides may sequentially be ejected from a slide carrier towards a label reader to determine an appropriate processing protocol for the slides. A cracking element may be engaged with the slide carrier prior to ejecting the slide, in order to break or crack any residual adhesive bond between edges of a slide and walls of the carrier. The specimen slides may be horizontally aligned and resting on a corresponding plurality of flat shelves, enabling even spacing via gravitational forces. The slides are therefore evenly spaced, enabling damage-free ejection of slides, and proper positioning for additional operations including scanning, viewing, heating, washing, and other processing. The label reader may process scanned information from the label of the slide to determine one or more attributes of the slide, and to generate an order or sequence of operations to be thereafter performed on the slide.

A method for the distribution of supports includes positioning a plurality di tubular containers, each containing a plurality of supports impregnated with antibiotics and stacked, in a corresponding plurality of seats of a dispenser. Extraction of at least a first support from a first container, is performed using an extractor, moving the first support between a first position inside of the first container and a second position extracted from the first container. Collection of the first support from the second position by a collector is performed. Transportation of the first support towards a culture plate by the collector is performed, the first support is held at least at the end of extraction, in substantial correspondence of the second position and/or during collection and/or of transportation through the collector, a vacuum is created between the first support and a striking surface using a vacuum holder.

This document provides devices and methods for an automated tissue grossing system. For example, an automatic tissue grossing system can include an intake system configured to receive a specimen jar containing a tissue sample; a robotic arm comprising a gripper configured to grip the specimen jar; a decapping module comprising a stationary gripper configured to grip the specimen jar and a rotary gripper configured to rotate on a vertical axis and grip a lid of the specimen jar; and a vacuum module comprising an integrated grossing platform, wherein the grossing platform includes a slot sized to receive a cassette from the robotic arm and provide negative pressure through the slot to facilitate tissue transfer from the specimen jar to the cassette.

Systems and methods are described for integrated sample container cover removal and sample probe positioning. In an example implementation, an autosampler system includes, but is not limited to, a z-axis support rotatable about a z-axis of an autosampler deck; a sample probe support structure coupled to the z-axis support, the sample probe support structure configured to hold a sample probe to withdraw a fluid-containing sample held within a sample container supported by the autosampler deck; and a sample cap remover coupled to the z-axis support in an orientation that is rotationally offset from the z-axis support with respect to the sample probe support structure, the sample cap remover configured to lift a cap from the sample container to provide access to an interior of the sample container by the sample probe supported by the sample probe support structure.

A method for the distribution of supports includes positioning a plurality di tubular containers, each containing a plurality of supports impregnated with antibiotics and stacked, in a corresponding plurality of seats of a dispenser. Extraction of at least a first support from a first container, is performed using an extractor, moving the first support between a first position inside of the first container and a second position extracted from the first container. Collection of the first support from the second position by a collector is performed.

Transportation of the first support towards a culture plate by the collector is performed, the first support is held at least at the end of extraction, in substantial correspondence of the second position and/or during collection and/or of transportation through the collector, a vacuum is created between the first support and a striking surface using a vacuum holder.

Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. In some embodiments, the system can include, for example, a slide ejector assembly having a slide staging device configured to receive a slide and an over-travel inhibitor that includes a first vacuum port positioned to draw a first vacuum between the slide and a standby platform as the slide is moved across at least a portion of the standby platform. The over-travel inhibitor includes a first sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the standby platform. The system can also include a transfer assembly to transport slides away from the slide ejector assembly. The transfer assembly can include a floating transfer head having a vacuum port for drawing a partial vacuum for holding the slide.

This document provides devices and methods for an automated tissue grossing system. For example, an automatic tissue grossing system can include an intake system configured to receive a specimen jar containing a tissue sample; a robotic arm comprising a gripper configured to grip the specimen jar; a decapping module comprising a stationary gripper configured to grip the specimen jar and a rotary gripper configured to rotate on a vertical axis and grip a lid of the specimen jar; and a vacuum module comprising an integrated grossing platform, wherein the grossing platform includes a slot sized to receive a cassette from the robotic arm and provide negative pressure through the slot to facilitate tissue transfer from the specimen jar to the cassette.