Abstract: A slide holder (6) for use with a microscope to accurately locate a slide (19) in position under the microscope has a pivotal lever (13) having a clamping and locating portion (14) with abutments (15) and (16) which bear on respective edges of the slide when it is in the clamped position. Further abutments (10) on a fixed angular plate (9) locate the other edges of the slide. The slide holder is adapted for mounting on a slide translation stage of a slide loader (1) which includes a stationary sensor block (20) positioned to engage the lever (13) when the slide holder moves from its inspection or scanning position under the microscope to a loading/unloading position. The slide translation stage includes a robotic head for lifting and depositing slides and the translation stage includes a bar code reader to read a bar code on the slide.

Abstract: A slide holder (6) for use with a microscope to accurately locate a slide (19) in position under the microscope has a pivotal lever (13) having a clamping and locating portion (14) with abutments (15) and (16) which bear on respective edges of the slide when it is in the clamped position. Further abutments (10) on a fixed angular plate (9) locate the other edges of the slide. The slide holder is adapted for mounting on a slide translation stage of a slide loader (1) which includes a stationary sensor block (20) positioned to engage the lever (13) when the slide holder moves from its inspection or scanning position under the microscope to a loading/unloading position. The slide translation stage includes a robotic head for lifting and depositing slides and the translation stage includes a bar code reader to read a bar code on the slide.