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: A laboratory sample cassette (1) comprises a main body (2) having a writing surface (3), and at least two protrusions (14) extending from the writing surface (3). Each said protrusion (14) has substantially the same height from the writing surface (3).

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 said 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: A device and method for delivering a laboratory sample carrier from a stack of sample carriers includes providing a retaining mechanism that retains the stack of laboratory sample carriers, and an ejector mechanism including a displaceable mechanism comprising a carrier support portion and a carrier transporting portion which are hingeably interconnected. The stack is supported by the carrier transporting portion and the carrier transporting portion is supported by a carrier transporting portion support of the ejector mechanism when the displaceable mechanism is in a first carrier receiving position and configuration. The displaceable mechanism is displaced from the first carrier receiving position and configuration to a second carrier release position and configuration by a further displacement mechanism of the ejector mechanism.

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: A device and method for delivering a laboratory sample carrier from a stack of sample carriers includes providing a retaining mechanism that retains the stack of laboratory sample carriers, and an ejector mechanism including a displaceable mechanism comprising a carrier support portion and a carrier transporting portion which are hingeably interconnected. The stack is supported by the carrier transporting portion and the carrier transporting portion is supported by a carrier transporting portion support of the ejector mechanism when the displaceable mechanism is in a first carrier receiving position and configuration. The displaceable mechanism is displaced from the first carrier receiving position and configuration to a second carrier release position and configuration by a further displacement mechanism of the ejector mechanism.

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).

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).

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 archive apparatus is provided for storing and archiving laboratory samples including radio frequency identification means. The apparatus comprises a support structure or cabinet (4), a drawer (6) translatable in a translation direction (12) into and out of the support structure (4), and sample support means comprising ribs (8) associated with the drawer (6) for supporting an array (10) of samples or slides (20) spaced along the translation direction (12) for movement with the drawer (6). A radio frequency reader antenna (14) is connected to the support structure (4) adjacent to the drawer (6) and recording means (34, 38) are adapted to operatively communicate with the reader antenna (14) to store information obtained from the radio frequency identification means of laboratory samples or slides (20) supported by the drawer (6).

Abstract: A method of marking a laboratory slide (3) includes providing a tape (9) having dye (10) between a thermal print head (4) and a marking surface (2) of a laboratory slide (3). The dye (10) is on the side of the tape (9) facing the marking surface (2) and the tape (9) is pinched between the thermal print head (4) and the marking surface (2). The thermal print head (4) is heated and applied to the tape (9) so that dye (10) from the tape (9) is vaporised by the thermal print head (4) and the vaporised dye ingresses into the marking surface (2) to mark the marking surface. In a modification, an inkjet printer prints a dye mark on the tape and a heated pad is pressed against the tape to apply the dye mark to the marking surface.

Abstract: In order to mark a laboratory sample cassette (2), dye marks (40, 41) are printed by an inkjet printer head (7) onto a tape (11). Rollers (17) move the tape (11) from a first location (13) adjacent to the printer head (7) to a cassette receiving location (15). A cassette clamp marker (8) at the cassette receiving location (15) has a shaped member (10) arranged to fold the tape (11) when a laboratory sample cassette (2) is in the cassette receiving location (15) so that part of the tape (11) covers a marking surface (6) of the cassette (2) and another part of the tape (11) covers a side surface (4) of the cassette (2). The shaped member (10) also has heating pads (26, 29) and when an actuator (32) applies the shaped member (10) to the tape (11) in the cassette receiving location (15), the heating pads (26, 29) are heated so that dye of the dye marks (40, 41) on the tape (11) ingresses into the marking surface (6) and the side surface (4) of the cassette (2) to mark these surfaces.

Abstract: A device (1) is provided for orientating a plurality of laboratory sample cassettes (2) each having a marking surface (3) disposed on a main body (4) of the cassette (2). A cassette (2) is held by a clamp so that a printer can print on the marking surface (3) of the cassette (2). When the cassette (2) is released from the clamp, it is moved via a belt (13) to an opening (20) of a rotatable structure (15) in a cassette receiving position. When the cassette (2) has been received in the opening (20), the rotatable structure (15) is rotated so that the opening (20) is moved to a cassette releasing position. A rack (23) is positioned beneath the rotatable structure (15) in order to receive the cassette (2) from the rotatable structure opening (20) when the opening (20) is in its cassette releasing position. The cassette (2) is received into a rack slot (24) so that the marking surface (3) of the cassette (2) is at the top of the cassette (2).

Abstract: In order to mark a laboratory sample cassette (2), dye marks (40, 41) are printed by an inkjet printer head (7) onto a tape (1 1). Rollers (17) move the tape (1 1) from a first location (13) adjacent to the printer head (7) to a cassette receiving location (15). A cassette clamp marker (8) at the cassette receiving location (15) has a shaped member (10) arranged to fold the tape (1 1) when a laboratory sample cassette (2) is in the cassette receiving location (15) so that part of the tape (1 1) covers a marking surface (6) of the cassette (2) and another part of the tape (1 1) covers a side surface (4) of the cassette (2). The shaped member (10) also has heating pads (26, 29) and when an actuator (32) applies the shaped member (10) to the tape (1 1) in the cassette receiving location (15), the heating pads (26, 29) are heated so that dye of the dye marks (40, 41) on the tape (1 1) ingresses into the marking surface (6) and the side surface (4) of the cassette (2) to mark these surfaces.

Abstract: A laboratory slide (2) for mounting, processing or storing a laboratory sample, has a recess (3) in a surface (4) of the slide (2). An inert sheet (5) has a chip (8) applied to the sheet (5) and the sheet (5) covers the recess (3) so that the chip (8) is fully received in the recess (3). The sheet (5) includes an antenna (6) which is arranged to establish communication between the chip (8) and an electric or electronic read/write device and the sheet (5) covers both the chip (8) and antenna (6) to protect them.

Abstract: A tag (1) for a laboratory sample cassette has a first layer (3). A chip (8) is mounted on a surface (7) of the first layer (3), and an antenna (6) is printed on the surface of the first layer (3). The antenna (6) is arranged to establish communication between the chip (8) and an electric or electronic read/write device. A second layer (4) is positioned and bonded against the surface (7) and has a hole (9) which passes through the second layer (4). The hole (9) contains the chip (8) and a third layer (5) covers the hole (9) from the opposite side to the first layer (3), the third layer (5) being bonded to the second layer (4). Thus, the antenna (6) and chip (8) are sealed within the tag (1). A plurality of perforations (10) are provided which pass through all the layers (3,4,5) of the tag (1) from one side of the tag (1) to an opposite side thereof to enable liquid to pass through the tag (1).

Abstract: A method of marking a laboratory slide (3) includes providing a tape (9) having dye (10) between a thermal print head (4) and a marking surface (2) of a laboratory slide (3). The dye (10) is on the side of the tape (9) facing the marking surface (2) and the tape (9) is pinched between the thermal print head (4) and the marking surface (2). The thermal print head (4) is heated and applied to the tape (9) so that dye (10) from the tape (9) is vaporised by the thermal print head (4) and the vaporised dye ingresses into the marking surface (2) to mark the marking surface. In a modification, an inkjet printer prints a dye mark on the tape and a heated pad is pressed against the tape to apply the dye mark to the marking surface.

Abstract: An archive apparatus is provided for storing and archiving laboratory samples including radio frequency identification means. The apparatus comprises a support structure or cabinet (4), a drawer (6) translatable in a translation direction (12) into and out of the support structure (4), and sample support means comprising ribs (8) associated with the drawer (6) for supporting an array (10) of samples or slides (20) spaced along the translation direction (12) for movement with the drawer (6). A radio frequency reader antenna (14) is connected to the support structure (4) adjacent to the drawer (6) and recording means (34, 38) are adapted to operatively communicate with the reader antenna (14) to store information obtained from the radio frequency identification means of laboratory samples or slides (20) supported by the drawer (6).

Abstract: A tray (1) is provided for transporting laboratory sample slides (40) or other carriers including radio frequency identification means (42). The tray (1) comprises an upper tray portion (2) including positioning means (6a, 6b) defining a plurality of carrier bays (10), and a lower tray portion (4). The tray portions (2, 4) include locating means (12) for locating the upper tray portion (2) in an overlying relationship with respect to the lower tray portion (4). The lower tray portion (4) also includes radio frequency identification reader antennae (14) positioned to read information from the radio frequency identification means (42) of the carriers (40) when the tray portions (2, 4) are located with respect to each other and electronic processing means (16) connected to the reader antennae (14). A method of tracking laboratory sample carriers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device (1) suitable for marking a laboratory sample cassette (2) has a platen (6) with an aperture (7) and a cassette (2) is positioned so that a marking surface (3) of the cassette is aligned with the aperture (7). The device (1) also has a plurality of wires (9) with each wire (9) connected to a solenoid (11). An end (10) of each of the wires (9) is heated by a ceramic guide (12a) and selected ones of the heated wires (9) are oscillated once in a first direction (25) by their respective solenoids (11) to and from the aperture (7) to mark the marking surface (3). All the wires are then moved in a second direction transversely relative to the first direction (25) and selected wires are then oscillated once to mark the marking surface (3). This process is repeated until the required marking of the cassette marking surface (3) is completed.