METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH-THROUGHPUT SAMPLE HANDLING PROCESS LINE

摘要

Disclosed is a process line system (100) for handling biological samples. Th e system includes a control computer (101) that controls the movement of a sample material plate along the process line. The control computer accepts user inputs that define handling of the biological samples. The system furth er includes a plurality of modules (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122) arranged alon g the process line. Each module includes at least one work station that perfor ms at least one task associated with the handling of the biological samples. Th e control computer adjusts the movement of the sample material plate along the process line so that the sample material plate is transported to only those modules that are to handle the biological sample, and so that the sample material plate bypasses any module that should not handle the biological sample, as defined by the user inputs.