Patent ID: 8689649

Claim:
An automated system for punching out pieces of a porous substrate for biological samples comprising, a puncher; an ejector pin having a cross-sectional dimension, a length and a distal end; a porous substrate support with an opening larger the cross-sectional dimension of the ejector pin; a plurality of sample piece receptacles, each of which has an opening; and an automated handling subsystem that moves in x, y, and z directions and aligns an opening in one or more of the receptacles substantially flush with the opening in the support, wherein the sample piece receptacles are positioned below the porous substrate support whereby the ejector pin, the opening in the porous substrate support and the sample piece receptacles are all vertically aligned with each other in the z direction; wherein the length of ejector pin is configured, together with the opening of sample piece receptacle, so that the distal end of the ejector pin, when in an actuated position, extends into the opening of the receptacle; and wherein one or more of the sample piece receptacles are seated on the handling subsystem and move in the x, y and z directions with the handling subsystem; and wherein the substrate support is in a fixed relationship with the handling subsystem and moves in the x, y and z directions with the handling subsystem.