Patent ID: 7278328
Filing Date: 2007-10-09
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A sample handling apparatus for use with a processing apparatus that performs analytical processes on material in a plurality of sample holders, the sample handling apparatus comprising: a base constructed and arranged to support at least one carrier; a reading apparatus that inputs information representing a machine readable identifier on individual sample holders containing a material to be used in analytical processes, the reading apparatus being arranged to input information representing the machine readable identifier on an individual sample holder before the sample holder is placed in a carrier; at least one carrier, supported by the base, constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of individual sample holders at a plurality of unique locations, the at least one carrier including a machine readable identifier; a carrier reader secured to the base to read the machine readable identifier on the carrier while the carrier is supported by the base; a detector fixed relative to the base that detects the presence or absence of a sample holder at each location in a carrier supported by the base, wherein detection of the presence or absence of a sample holder is performed by the detector independently of reading a machine readable identifier on the sample holder; and a control system that receives a signal from the reading apparatus corresponding to an identifier read from an individual sample holder and receives a signal from the detector corresponding to a unique location in the carrier after the sample holder is placed in the carrier, and correlates the sample holder with the unique location in the carrier so that results from analytical processes performed on sample material removed from the sample holder can be correlated with the sample holder.