Abstract: A device (1) is provided for orientating a plurality of laboratory sample cassettes (2) each having a marking surface (3) disposed on a main body (4) of the cassette (2). A cassette (2) is held by a clamp so that a printer can print on the marking surface (3) of the cassette (2). When the cassette (2) is released from the clamp, it is moved via a belt (13) to an opening (20) of a rotatable structure (15) in a cassette receiving position. When the cassette (2) has been received in the opening (20), the rotatable structure (15) is rotated so that the opening (20) is moved to a cassette releasing position. A rack (23) is positioned beneath the rotatable structure (15) in order to receive the cassette (2) from the rotatable structure opening (20) when the opening (20) is in its cassette releasing position. The cassette (2) is received into a rack slot (24) so that the marking surface (3) of the cassette (2) is at the top of the cassette (2).

Abstract: A laboratory slide (2) for mounting, processing or storing a laboratory sample, has a recess (3) in a surface (4) of the slide (2). An inert sheet (5) has a chip (8) applied to the sheet (5) and the sheet (5) covers the recess (3) so that the chip (8) is fully received in the recess (3). The sheet (5) includes an antenna (6) which is arranged to establish communication between the chip (8) and an electric or electronic read/write device and the sheet (5) covers both the chip (8) and antenna (6) to protect them.

Abstract: A tag (1) for a laboratory sample cassette has a first layer (3). A chip (8) is mounted on a surface (7) of the first layer (3), and an antenna (6) is printed on the surface of the first layer (3). The antenna (6) is arranged to establish communication between the chip (8) and an electric or electronic read/write device. A second layer (4) is positioned and bonded against the surface (7) and has a hole (9) which passes through the second layer (4). The hole (9) contains the chip (8) and a third layer (5) covers the hole (9) from the opposite side to the first layer (3), the third layer (5) being bonded to the second layer (4). Thus, the antenna (6) and chip (8) are sealed within the tag (1). A plurality of perforations (10) are provided which pass through all the layers (3,4,5) of the tag (1) from one side of the tag (1) to an opposite side thereof to enable liquid to pass through the tag (1).

Abstract: A device (1) suitable for marking a laboratory sample cassette (2) has a platen (6) with an aperture (7) and a cassette (2) is positioned so that a marking surface (3) of the cassette is aligned with the aperture (7). The device (1) also has a plurality of wires (9) with each wire (9) connected to a solenoid (11). An end (10) of each of the wires (9) is heated by a ceramic guide (12a) and selected ones of the heated wires (9) are oscillated once in a first direction (25) by their respective solenoids (11) to and from the aperture (7) to mark the marking surface (3). All the wires are then moved in a second direction transversely relative to the first direction (25) and selected wires are then oscillated once to mark the marking surface (3). This process is repeated until the required marking of the cassette marking surface (3) is completed.

Abstract: A device for holding a laboratory sample cassette having a marking surface disposed at inclined angle to a main body of the cassette, has a platen with an aperture through which marking of the marking surface can occur. The device also has a receiving surface for receiving one of said cassette which surface is inclined relative to the platen, a step, and a clamp. A receiving cassette is slid down the inclined receiving surface until the cassette engages the stop and so that the marking surface substantially faces the platen and a recess behind the marking surface is aligned with the clamp. A plunger of the clamp is lowered toward the platen and into the recess so that the marking surface is pinned against the platen. The marking surface can then be marked by marking means via the platen aperture. The plunger is then moved away from the platen and the cassette is removed.