Devices, systems, and methods for automated dissection and processing of biological samples

An arthropod dissection apparatus, comprising:

• a shear dissection mechanism, comprising:
• a primary shear body having an inlet channel, a first outlet channel, and a second outlet channel formed therein;
• and
• a secondary shear body disposed in an aperture of the primary shear body and having a dissection chamber formed therein, the secondary shear body being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the primary shear body, wherein in the first position, the dissection chamber pneumatically connects the inlet channel to the first outlet channel, wherein in the second position, the dissection chamber pneumatically connects the inlet channel to the second outlet channel,
• wherein movement of the secondary shear body from the first position to the second position causes a shearing action at a shearing interface between the secondary shear body and the primary shear body;
• the arthropod dissection apparatus further comprising a vacuum connector pneumatically couplable to the first outlet channel and the second outlet channel,
• wherein the shear dissection mechanism is configured such that, when the vacuum connector is pneumatically coupled to a vacuum source and the secondary shear body is in the first position, the vacuum source draws a vacuum through the inlet channel, the dissection chamber, and the first outlet channel,
• wherein the shear dissection mechanism is configured such that when the vacuum connector is pneumatically coupled to the vacuum source and the secondary shear body is in the second position, the vacuum source draws the vacuum through an air inlet of the secondary shear body, the dissection chamber, and the second outlet channel.