Automated tissue assay using standardized chemicals and packages

Abstract

A system which performs a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, possibly involving differing types of tissues and differing process steps, comprising a robotic arm, which may move the different tissue samples among the plurality of processing stations, and a processor, which may select the order, timing and location of the tissue sample. The robotic device may comprise a bench robot with rectilinear motion or a rotatable tower. The processing stations may be disposed in a set of grid locations, which comprise workstations for performing individual steps of the procedures. In response to timing information about the procedures, the processor may select the sample to be moved. The processor may examine the multiple procedures for timing conflicts and it may adjust the sequence of steps for the procedures, the timing of steps with a specified range of times, or the order of the samples in order to avoid conflicts and to minimize the total time required by the system to complete the procedures. The operator may create or edit templates for workstations, create or edit lists of process steps for procedures, monitor the progress of ongoing procedures, or override the determination of what process steps to perform.