Abstract: The equipment item for automatically managing a plurality of biological samples placed in a respective sample jar includes a storage container for sample jars having a plurality of housings, an apparatus with a reader of encoded identification data affixed on the sample jars placed in the container, a device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar within the container, and a device for rotating the container, and a computer processor connected to the apparatus. The container includes, in the immediate vicinity of each housing, a shape appearing recessed or raised, while the device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar is defined by a detector for the shape.

Abstract: The device for the storage and traceability of biological specimens placed in holders is provided with identification information in the form of encoded data. The device includes at least one tray provided with a plurality of cells for the storage of the holders provided with storage housings for the holders, at least one apparatus for reading encoded data and determining data relative to the location of each holder within the receptacle, and a computerized processor for the data read and determined by the apparatus. The is a device for recognizing an empty housing within the receptacle defined by a detector for a physical characteristic of the bottom of the cell or an element secured to this bottom.

Abstract: The tray for the storage of sample slides includes a plate with a plurality of cells. The plate has at least a bottom and two opposing side walls, having an entrance opening and being at least partly closed by a transverse wall. Each cell includes at least two protrusions protruding respectively at each of the side walls and forming adjacent sliding elements to guide the edges of a slide upon introduction into a cell. The bottom of each cell is inclined at an angle ? relative to the plane of the tray, while the length of each slide is less than the length of the slide that is intended to be stored in a cell. The invention also relates to a cabinet for storing such a tray and a device for identifying the slides stored in such a tray.

Abstract: The method of detecting and referencing two-dimensional position of a cassette in a drawer of compartments distributed according to columns and rows includes positioning at least one inserted cassette with the upper face turned towards the top within a compartment. Systematic detection of all compartments is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette and by verifying the presence of a cassette within each compartment. The detection can be optical and include displacing an optical sight relatively with respect to the top of the drawer according to at least one trajectory passing through all compartments. When detecting a cassette within a compartment, the two-dimensional position is identified by coordinates, according to column and row. If an error occurs during a first pass, the detection and reading are displaced directly to the position where the error occurrence was noted and previously recorded, without undertaking a new detection of all compartments.

Abstract: The method of detecting and referencing two-dimensional position of a cassette in a drawer of compartments distributed according to columns and rows includes positioning at least one inserted cassette with the upper face turned towards the top within a compartment. Systematic detection of all compartments is performed automatically by verifying the presence of a cassette and by verifying the presence of a cassette within each compartment. The detection can be optical and include displacing an optical sight relatively with respect to the top of the drawer according to at least one trajectory passing through all compartments. When detecting a cassette within a compartment, the two-dimensional position is identified by coordinates, according to column and row. If an error occurs during a first pass, the detection and reading are displaced directly to the position where the error occurrence was noted and previously recorded, without undertaking a new detection of all compartments.

Abstract: The device for storing and ordering biological sampling blocks, each block being in the form of a housing provided with identification information on one surface thereof, includes: storage for at least one element as a horizontally-extending drawer for positioning the blocks vertically in columns and rows with the above-mentioned surface facing upward, and with a nesting device provided as regularly spaced projections or recesses, forming male and female parts on the base, in which the blocks can be inserted; and a device for referencing the position of each block within the storage. The device for referencing includes a device for reading the identification information of each block and for the computerized recording of the position. The method includes using this device.

Abstract: The device for storing and ordering biological sampling blocks, each block being in the form of a housing provided with identification information on one surface thereof, includes: storage for at least one element as a horizontally-extending drawer for positioning the blocks vertically in columns and rows with the above-mentioned surface facing upward, and with a nesting device provided as regularly spaced projections or recesses, forming male and female parts on the base, in which the blocks can be inserted; and a device for referencing the position of each block within the storage. The device for referencing includes a device for reading the identification information of each block and for the computerized recording of the position. The method includes using this device.