Abstract: A storage unit for biological samples has a horizontal footprint and multiple storage compartments separated by partitions and enclosed by a frame. The storage compartments have first and second openings and are fitted to the shape of a biopsy cassette or a glass slide and have a retention mechanism preventing the substantially vertical cassettes or slides in the storage compartments from falling out through the first opening and/or the second opening. A transfer system allows at least two storage units or at least one storage unit and one collection unit to be situated one above the other in alignment and displaced in relation to one another. The transfer system has a manipulator by which a biopsy cassette or a glass slide may be pushed from one storage unit to another, or into the collection unit.

Abstract: A storage unit for biological samples has a horizontal footprint and multiple storage compartments separated by partitions and enclosed by a frame. The storage compartments have first and second openings and are fitted to the shape of a biopsy cassette or a glass slide and have a retention mechanism preventing the substantially vertical cassettes or slides in the storage compartments from falling out through the first opening and/or the second opening. A transfer system allows at least two storage units or at least one storage unit and one collection unit to be situated one above the other in alignment and displaced in relation to one another. The transfer system has a manipulator by which a biopsy cassette or a glass slide may be pushed from one storage unit to another, or into the collection unit.

Abstract: A storage unit for biological samples has a horizontal footprint and multiple storage compartments separated by intermediate walls and enclosed by a peripheral frame. The storage compartments have first and second openings and are tailored to the shape of a biopsy cassette or a glass slide and have a retention mechanism preventing the essentially vertical cassettes or slides in the storage compartments through the first opening and/or the second opening from falling out through the first opening and/or the second opening. A transfer system allows at least two storage units or at least one storage unit and one collection unit to be situated one above the other in register and displaced in relation to one another. The transfer system has a manipulator by which a biopsy cassette or a glass slide may be pushed from one storage unit to another, or into the collection unit.

Abstract: A storage unit for biological samples has a horizontal footprint and multiple storage compartments separated by intermediate walls and enclosed by a peripheral frame. The storage compartments have first and second openings and are tailored to the shape of a biopsy cassette or a glass slide and have a retention mechanism preventing the essentially vertical cassettes or slides in the storage compartments through the first opening and/or the second opening from falling out through the first opening and/or the second opening. A transfer system allows at least two storage units or at least one storage unit and one collection unit to be situated one above the other in register and displaced in relation to one another. The transfer system has a manipulator by which a biopsy cassette or a glass slide may be pushed from one storage unit to another, or into the collection unit.

Abstract: A sample tube for storing and providing samples containing nucleic acid and a system having multiple sample tubes in individual receptacle cavities of racks, are robotically transportable together with these racks, for individually storing and providing multiple samples containing nucleic acid, as well as a corresponding use of racks and sample tubes. The preferably 96 or 384 receptacle cavities of the rack, which is preferably provided with an SBS footprint, and the sample tubes are additionally implemented for robotic removal of the sample tubes from the receptacle cavities. The sample tubes have an inner shoulder for accommodating and a clamping body for clamping a single portion containing at least one, preferably individual DNA sample, of a sample carrier, the sample carrier being selected from a group which comprises FTA paper, filter papers, cellulose membranes, and separating gels.

Abstract: Some of the blind holes (6) between indentations (4) of a heating surface (3) contain lifting elements (7) which, after opening of a cover, release a microtitre plate (13) from the heating surface (3) and raise said microtitre plate about 2 to 3 mm, so that it can be removed without application of force. Each lifting element (7) consists of a coil spring (8) and a contact pin (9) made of, for example, PEEK which is inserted into said coil spring and presses with a round flat abutting surface (12) against the lower surface of the microtitre plate (13). The spring constant of the lifting element (7) is about 6 N/mm.

Abstract: Some of the blind holes (6) between indentations (4) of a heating surface (3) contain lifting elements (7) which, after opening of a cover, release a microtitre plate (13) from the heating surface (3) and raise said microtitre plate about 2 to 3 mm, so that it can be removed without application of force. Each lifting element (7) consists of a coil spring (8) and a contact pin (9) made of, for example, PEEK which is inserted into said coil spring and presses with a round flat abutting surface (12) against the lower surface of the microtitre plate (13). The spring constant of the lifting element (7) is about 6 N/mm.