Patent ID: 8788217

Claim:
A method of automated sample processing comprising the steps of: establishing a network including at least one stainer, the at least one stainer having an automated process operation capability that causes automated process operation events through movement of a robotic member; receiving a protocol in the at least one stainer via the network; scheduling a plurality of sample process operations based on the protocol; monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information; automatically processing at least one sample arranged on a first slide using the at least one stainer at least in part through operation of said robotic member sequencing through said scheduled plurality of sample process operations, wherein automatically processing includes dispensing of a buffering agent by the robotic member; inserting a second slide into the at least one stainer, wherein inserting the second slide does not interfere with movement of the robotic member related to the first slide: and communicating via the network at least some exteriorly-consequential information in response to said step of monitoring operationally-influential exteriorly-consequential information.