An instrument inventory system, comprising: an instrument interface having at least one instrument sensing element; and a computer having a database, the database storing instrument identification data and having an instrument inventory, the computer further having a hardware microprocessor, the hardware microprocessor being configured to execute: an instrument data analyzer that analyzes received instrument data from the instrument interface and compares the received data with the stored instrument identification data to identify instruments, and an instrument processor that receives instrument identifications from the instrument data analyzer, controls the database and determines data to be recorded in the database thereby creating instrument records in the database for an instrument inventory; a looped instrument collator comprising an electronics controller, an automated rack and a catch and release mechanism characterized in that the instrument processor determines if a selected instrument should be placed on a stringer, and if so, determines a position on the stringer for said selected instrument, and sends an electronic communication to the looped instrument collator to select a slot associated with the position on the stringer; the electronics controller issues motion commands to the automated rack; the looped instrument collator waits for the instrument to be in the instrument catch and release mechanism, for the automated rack to reach its commanded position and for drop readiness; the instrument processor issues a command to the electronics controller to release the instrument. an instrument interface having at least one instrument sensing element; and a computer having a database, the database storing instrument identification data and having an instrument inventory, the computer further having a hardware microprocessor, the hardware microprocessor being configured to execute: an instrument data analyzer that analyzes received instrument data from the instrument interface and compares the received data with the stored instrument identification data to identify instruments, and an instrument processor that receives instrument identifications from the instrument data analyzer, controls the database and determines data to be recorded in the database thereby creating instrument records in the database for an instrument inventory; a looped instrument collator comprising an electronics controller, an automated rack and a catch and release mechanism characterized in that the instrument processor determines if a selected instrument should be placed on a stringer, and if so, determines a position on the stringer for said selected instrument, and sends an electronic communication to the looped instrument collator to select a slot associated with the position on the stringer; the electronics controller issues motion commands to the automated rack; the looped instrument collator waits for the instrument to be in the instrument catch and release mechanism, for the automated rack to reach its commanded position and for drop readiness; the instrument processor issues a command to the electronics controller to release the instrument. an instrument data analyzer that analyzes received instrument data from the instrument interface and compares the received data with the stored instrument identification data to identify instruments, and an instrument processor that receives instrument identifications from the instrument data analyzer, controls the database and determines data to be recorded in the database thereby creating instrument records in the database for an instrument inventory; a looped instrument collator comprising an electronics controller, an automated rack and a catch and release mechanism characterized in that the instrument processor determines if a selected instrument should be placed on a stringer, and if so, determines a position on the stringer for said selected instrument, and sends an electronic communication to the looped instrument collator to select a slot associated with the position on the stringer; the electronics controller issues motion commands to the automated rack; the looped instrument collator waits for the instrument to be in the instrument catch and release mechanism, for the automated rack to reach its commanded position and for drop readiness; the instrument processor issues a command to the electronics controller to release the instrument.