Abstract: A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers. The system or device may include a mechanical pick and/or place head, or a vacuum-based pick and/or place head. The mechanical pick and/or place head may include a drive shaft with an engagement head to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and retain such until positioned to place such. The vacuum-based mechanical pick and/or place head may include a vacuum conduit to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and drive shaft that orients a portion of the receiver to retain such until positioned to place such. Various sensors may be employed, for example to detect frost, and a defroster employed.

Abstract: A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers may include a pick and/or place head, a first secondary reservoir, and optionally a second secondary reservoir which hold cryogenic fluid in a liquid form, above a main reservoir of cryogenic liquid, to cool the pick and/or place head and/or to cool or recharge the specimen containers during transfer operations. Storage locations may be arrayed in wedge-shaped sets spaced above cryogenic liquid of the main reservoir of a cryogenic storage tank at one or more levels, and pivotal about a central axis via a motor and control system. A gap (e.g., wedge shaped gap) between two successively angularly adjacent sets of storage locations of the sets of storage locations at an upper level provides access to the storage locations of the sets of storage locations at a lower level. Cryogenic liquid temperatures and levels in reservoirs are monitored.

Abstract: A system, device and method to pick and/or place specimen containers. The system or device may include a mechanical pick and/or place head, or a vacuum-based pick and/or place head. The mechanical pick and/or place head may include a drive shaft with an engagement head to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and retain such until positioned to place such. The vacuum-based mechanical pick and/or place head may include a vacuum conduit to draw a single specimen container into a receiver and drive shaft that orients a portion of the receiver to retain such until positioned to place such. Various sensors may be employed, for example to detect frost, and a defroster employed.

Abstract: A method of handling a compound storage vessel (4) disposed in a cavity in a rack, the cavity having an upper and lower opening. The method includes introducing a lifting pin (15) into the cavity through the lower opening to urge the compound storage vessel upwards within the cavity. A lifting head (16) may be placed above the rack for receiving compound storage vessels.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling compound storage vessels such as microtubes having a least one cavity for receiving a compound storage vessel. Each cavity is associated with a respective detector operative to detect the presence of a storage vessel in the cavity. The detector may comprise a spring form extending in the cavity and arranged to be deformed by a storage vessel when introduced into the cavity, and further arranged so that on deformation it closes an electrical switch indicating the presence of the microtube in the cavity. The presence of the spring form also increases friction between the storage vessel and the cavity retaining the storage vessel within the cavity.