Patent ID: 8220415

Claim:
An imaging apparatus for analyzing a sample, the apparatus comprising: a housing having walls defining an interior, and an opening for receiving a drawer; a drawer that includes a platform that presents a surface for receiving a sample or a sample holding member; wherein the drawer is slidably mounted to the housing proximal the opening so that the drawer when in an extended position presents the platform external to said housing, and when in a recessed position presents the platform to an imaging system in the interior of the housing; a sample holding member including a removable tray configured to securely and removably mate with the platform, wherein the removable tray presents a surface for receiving a sample, wherein the removable tray includes a handle coupled to a first portion of a locking mechanism, wherein the platform includes a second portion of the locking mechanism, wherein the first portion of the locking mechanism securably engages the second portion when the handle is moved from a release position to a locking position, and wherein the first and second portions disengage when the handle is moved from the locking position to the release position; and a moveable door configured to cover the opening when the drawer is in the recessed position.