Abstract: A sample, embedded in a paraffin block, is placed on a tissue cassette which carries a label which may be a bar code. When the sample is processed, the cassette is given to a microtome operator who scans the label. Scanning causes information to be displayed on a screen and the operator verifies that what is on the screen matches what was on the label. The paraffin block is then placed in a microtome chuck and sections are cut from the block. A number of slide labels related to the cassette label are printed for the sections. If the operator does not verify that the information displayed on the screen matches the information on the cassette label and/or does not place the paraffin block in the microtome chuck within an allocated time interval after scanning the cassette label, dispensing and labeling of slides and/or operation of the microtome is prevented.

Abstract: A sample, which is embedded in a paraffin block, is placed on a tissue cassette (22) which carries a label (20) which may a bar code. When the sample is to be processed, the cassette is given to a microtome operator who scans the label (20) with, for example, a bar code reader (4). Scanning causes information to be displayed on a screen (12) and the operator verifies that what is on the screen matches what was on the label. The paraffin block is then placed in a microtome chuck (26) and sections are cut from the block. Concurrently with, or prior to sectioning, a number of slides (18) are dispensed (2) and are printed with a label (16) so that the sections can be mounted thereon. The slide label (16) is related to the cassette label (20).

Abstract: A sample, embedded in a paraffin block, is placed on a tissue cassette which carries a label which may be a bar code. When the sample is processed, the cassette is given to a microtome operator who scans the label. Scanning causes information to be displayed on a screen and the operator verifies that what is on the screen matches what was on the label. The paraffin block is then placed in a microtome chuck and sections are cut from the block. A number of slide labels related to the cassette label are printed for the sections. If the operator does not verify that the information displayed on the screen matches the information on the cassette label and/or does not place the paraffin block in the microtome chuck within an allocated time interval after scanning the cassette label, dispensing and labeling of slides and/or operation of the microtome is prevented.

Abstract: A sample, which is embedded in a paraffin block, is placed on a tissue cassette (22) which carries a label (20) which may a bar code. When the sample is to be processed, the cassette is given to a microtome operator who scans the label (20) with, for example, a bar code reader (4). Scanning causes information to be displayed on a screen (12) and the operator verifies that what is on the screen matches what was on the label. The paraffin block is then placed in a microtome chuck (26) and sections are cut from the block. Concurrently with, or prior to sectioning, a number of slides (18) are dispensed (2) and are printed with a label (16) so that the sections can be mounted thereon. The slide label (16) is related to the cassette label (20).

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to laboratory systems for processing tissue samples and specimens within a laboratory. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for automating sample processing, comprising handling and analysis of tissue specimens with laboratory and/or medical diagnostic equipment. In one form the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sample processing tissue specimens for histological and/or pathological laboratory analysis involving procedures or tasks such as, for example, tissue processing, embedding, staining, coverslipping and imaging. In a laboratory system utilizing aspects of the present invention there is provided at least one workcell and at least one conveyer in which tissue samples may be routed.

Abstract: An optical device (2) having a number of waveguides (12), an input port (6) coupled to the waveguides (12) such that light incident on the input port (6) is split for propagation on the waveguides, and an output port (10) receiving light propagated on the waveguides (12) at a point on an output plane of incidence. The waveguides (12) induce respective delays in the propagated light to induce a wavelength dependent group delay. Delays between adjacent waveguides are chosen to be non-constant, to introduce quadratic, cubic or higher-order phase differences between different waveguides. Applications include dispersion compensation, pulse compression, and passband broadening in arrayed waveguide grating multiplexers and demultiplexers.