Patent ID: 8235281

Claim:
A method for maintaining chain of custody of a sample throughout a processing sequence conducted within a laboratory sampling apparatus, the method comprising: (a) placing a first article into a first station comprising a lid opening device, the first article including a first identification member; (b) translating a verification head from a verification-home position to a position proximate to the first article; (c) reading the first identification member of the first article; (d) returning the verification head from the position proximate to the first article to the verification-home position; (e) using the lid opening device, rotationally actuating a lid of the first article to an open position; (f) translating an operation head from an operation-home position to a first operation position proximate to the first article; (g) performing a first operation on the first article using the operation head; (h) translating the operation head from the first operation position proximate to the first article to the operation-home position; (i) using the lid opening device, rotationally actuating the lid of the first article to a closed position; (j) translating the verification head and the operation head to a second station having a second article, the second article including a second identification member; (k) translating the verification head from the verification-home position to a position proximate to the second article; (l) reading the second identification member of the second article; (m) translating the verification head from the position proximate to the second article to the verification-home position; (n) translating the operation head from the operation-home position to a second operation position proximate to the second article; (o) performing a second operation on the second article using the operation head; (p) translating the operation head from the second operation position proximate to the second article to the operation-home position.