Abstract: A system which performs a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, possibly involving differing types of tissues and differing process steps, comprising a robotic arm, which may move the different tissue samples among the plurality of processing stations, and a processor, which may select the order, timing and location of the tissue sample. The robotic device may comprise a bench robot with rectilinear motion or a rotatable tower. The processing stations may be disposed in a set of grid locations, which comprise workstations for performing individual steps of the procedures. In response to timing information about the procedures, the processor may select the sample to be moved.

Abstract: A system for performing a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, each the procedure having a sample and at least one process step for operating on that sample the system having a robotic device for moving sample among a plurality of processing stations where the robotic device comprises substrate to which are coupled a plurality of tiles each one of the tiles disposed art a selected location on the substrate; a plurality of reagent trays coupled to the tiles each one of the reagent trays having substantially identical shape and size; a robotic arm disposed for reaching substantially all the tiles; and comprising means for coupling and decoupling from a sample holder, the sample holder having a means for holding at least one sample in a selected position, whereby the robotic arm is capable of moving the sample from a first one of the reagent trays to a second one of the reagent trays; and a processor for selecting, at a plurality of times a sample to be moved, and for directing the roboti