Abstract: There is an apparatus (1) and a method for providing visual signals relating to a plurality of laboratory sample carriers (2). Laboratory sample carriers (2) are placed on corresponding carrier bays (6) of a tray (4) wherein each sample carrier (2) displays an identification code (5). A digital image of at least part of the tray (4) is taken with a digital camera (11). The digital image is processed with a processing device (13) to read the laboratory sample carrier identification codes (5) in the image. A visual signal emitting device (10) is activated to emit at least one visual signal for each occupied carrier bay (6) included in the image wherein the visual signal emitted for each carrier bay (6) is determined by the sample carrier identification code (5) read by the processing device (13) from a corresponding carrier bay part of the processed image.

Abstract: There is provided a histological sample tracking system, comprising a plurality of tracking stations (TS1, TS2) and controllers (CNT_I, CNT_R1, CNT_R2), each tracking station incorporating a scanner (SCN1, SCN2) and one of the controllers (CNT_R1, CNT_R2). The scanner (SCN_1, SCN_2) is configured to scan identifiers of carriers of histological samples, and the controller (CNT_R1, CNT_R2) is configured to receive the identifiers and send messages based on the identifiers to other ones of the controllers (CNT_I, CNT_R1, CNT_R2). The controllers together form a private network, wherein one of the controllers is assigned as an interface controller (CNT_I) and the remaining controllers are assigned as remote controllers (CNT_R1, CNT_R2). The controller assigned as the interface controller (CNT_I) allows access to an external network (EXNT), and the controllers assigned as remote controllers (CNT_R1, CNT_R2) refuse all access requests from any external networks.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for marking a laboratory sample carrier (2), includes a guide (5) configured to guide a sample carrier (2) from an entry location (6) to an exit location (7), and a print head (23) configured and positioned to mark a sample carrier (2) at a marking location (24) at a guide position intermediate the entry and exit locations (6, 7). The guide (5) is inclined such that a laboratory sample carrier (2) can travel from the entry to the exit locations (6, 7) under the influence of gravity. The apparatus (1) further includes a selectively deployable stop (41) for arresting the travel of a sample carrier (2) down the guide (5) at the marking location (24), the stop (41) being undeployable to allow the sample carrier (2) to travel from the marking location (24) to the exit location (7).