Abstract: A shuttle apparatus for transferring sample carriers comprising a shuttle table having a mating section, the mating section allowing a sample carrier to be transferred between the shuttle table and a mating support structure. The shuttle table can optionally further comprise a mating section having a void section.

Abstract: A robotic arm-mounted laser barcode reader is provided. The robotic arm-mounted laser barcode reader may be used in the field of sample analysis to in increase the rate with which sample carriers such as microtitre plates may be interfaced with an automated system. The robotic arm-mounted laser barcode reader can read a bar code label affixed to a sample carrier immediately when the robotic arm grabs and manipulates a sample carrier, eliminating the step of presenting the sample carrier to a separate bar code reader to ensure proper tracking and/or inventorying of the sample carrier. The robotic arm-mounted laser barcode reader may also be used in other automated apparatuses that require tracking and/or inventorying.

Abstract: A pipette station is described for use in the field of sample analysis. The pipette station increases the rate and ease with which a liquid may be manipulated into and out of sample carriers such as microwell plates. The pipette station includes shafts in the X, Y, and Z direction which possess ball screws which are integrated with motor shafts thus improving accuracy and eliminating the need for a coupling apparatus thereby reducing the space required for the pipette station. The pipette station may be interfaced with an automated laboratory system.

Abstract: A plate stacker is described for use in the field of sample analysis. The plate stacker increases the rate and ease with which sample carriers such as microwell plates may be interfaced with an automated system and includes a removable rack attached to a base to allow plates to be transported to and from an automated system. The stacker rack includes a door which allows for a compact stacker thus allowing manipulation of the microwell plates in a compact area. Generally, the plate stacker provides a means to allow a user to interface with an automated system. The rack portion of the stacker allows the user to load and unload microwell plates into the system in batches by loading or unloading multiple individual plates into or out of the rack. The base portion allows the automated system to load and unload individual microwell plates from the stacker.