Object stage and transfer platform for biological sample analyzer, and biological sample analyzer

A transfer platform for a biological sample analyzer, comprising

• a movable carrier plate comprising a first longitudinal axis and a first lateral axis;
• and
• an object stage comprising a second longitudinal axis and a second lateral axis, wherein
• the carrier plate comprises an upper surface configured and arranged to reversibly engage with a lower surface of the object stage such that the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the second longitudinal axis upon engagement,
• the carrier plate comprises a first magnetic block on the upper surface thereof having a first magnetic polarity configured and arranged in a perpendicular direction relative to the upper surface, and a second magnetic block on the upper surface thereof having a second magnetic polarity configured and arranged in a perpendicular direction relative to the upper surface, wherein the first magnetic block is displaced longitudinally on the upper surface from the second magnetic block, and wherein the first magnetic polarity is opposite to the second magnetic polarity,
• the object stage comprises a third magnetic block on the lower surface thereof having a third magnetic polarity configured and arranged in a perpendicular direction relative to the lower surface, and a fourth magnetic block on the lower surface thereof having a fourth magnetic polarity configured and arranged in a perpendicular direction relative to the lower surface, wherein the third magnetic block is displaced longitudinally on the lower surface from the fourth magnetic block, and wherein the third magnetic polarity is opposite to the fourth magnetic polarity, and
• wherein the first, second, third, and fourth magnetic blocks are configured and arranged such that (i) engagement of the upper surface of the carrier plate with the lower surface of the object stage in a first orientation positions the first magnetic block in attractive alignment with the third magnetic block and the second magnetic block in attractive alignment with the fourth magnetic block, thereby positioning the carrier plate relative to the object stage in the first orientation, and (ii) engagement of the upper surface of the carrier plate with the lower surface of the object stage in a second orientation positions the first magnetic block in repulsive alignment with the third magnetic block and the second magnetic block in repulsive alignment with the fourth magnetic block, thereby preventing positioning of the carrier plate relative to the object stage in the second orientation.