Patent ID: 8512636

Claim:
A method for processing a plurality of test samples contained in open receptacles with test sample devices, said receptacles and test sample devices carried by a carrier; each of said test sample devices having a transfer tube providing fluid communication between said test sample device and one of said fluid receptacles received in said carrier; comprising the sequential steps of: 1) manually placing said carrier into a vacuum station having a chamber and applying vacuum to said vacuum station chamber to thereby transfer said test samples from said fluid receptacle into said test sample devices; 2) manually removing said carrier from said vacuum station chamber; 3) subsequently manually placing said carrier into an automated carrier and test device processing subsystem remote from said vacuum station, 4) automatically moving said carrier with a transport system in said carrier and test device processing subsystem to (a) a sealing station automatically sealing said test sample devices, and (b) an autoloading station loading the test sample devices into an incubator, the incubator incubating said test sample devices; and wherein said vacuum station and said carrier and test device processing subsystem are integrated into a single test sample processing instrument.