Patent ID: 7556777

Claim:
A composite modular system for handling biological sample vials and slides, comprising: a vial scanner configured to read indicia on biological sample vials, the indicia corresponding to patient identification information; a slide labeler comprising an applicator configured to attach an integrated circuit chip to the biological sample slides, the slide labeler configured to transmit an electronic signal for storage on the integrated circuit chip, the stored information corresponding to patient identification information; a cap manipulator configured to remove and reattach caps on the sample vials; and a controller, wherein the vial scanner, slide labeler and cap manipulator are in communication with the controller, and wherein the system is configured to receive capped sample vials and unlabeled slides, and to output respective uncapped sample vials and associated slides having attached thereto an integrated circuit chip configured to emit a unique electromagnetic signal that corresponds to the patient identification information of the sample vial indicia.