For the investigation of samples, for example tissue samples, the latter are prepared and are mounted onto a specimen slide. The samples on the specimen slides can then be automatically coverslipped with the aid of a coverslipper, and/or automatically stained with the aid of a stainer. The samples are coverslipped or stained so that they can subsequently be investigated with the aid of a microscope.
It is known to equip the specimen slides with identification codes, for example barcodes, allowing the specimen slides, and in particular the specimens on the specimen slides, to be automatically identified, so that processing in the coverslipper or stainer can occur automatically.
DE 10 2007 042 138 A1 describes a device and a method for automatic sample delivery, the samples being held on a specimen slide that is arranged in a specimen slide box. Each sample is characterized by a barcode that is automatically read out for identification of the sample.
DE 10 2005 021 197 B3 and 10 2005 012 745 B3 describe an apparatus for handling and allocating microtomed tissue samples. The tissue samples are arranged on specimen slides that are equipped with a machine-readable code. Upon handling of the specimen slides, the code is read out with the aid of a reading unit.
US 2008/0137185 A1 and US 2007/0148046 A1 describe devices for handling specimen slides for tissue samples. Each specimen slide carries a code for identifying the tissue sample that is held.