Liquid handling means for excision apparatus

A sample cutting and handling apparatus for excising one or more samples from an array of samples including:

• at least one cutting head mounted on the apparatus for movement in X, Y and Z directions by an automated control system for excising a sample from the array;
• a plurality of pipettes for dispensing liquids onto the array of samples;
• a movable head mounted on an automated motion control system for controlling movement of the moveable head in X, Y and Z directions;
• a plurality of syringes, each syringe being connected to a liquid supply means and to one of the pipettes via a valve means for causing the dispensing of liquid from the one or more liquid aspiration and delivery outlet means;
• wherein both the syringes and the pipettes are carried by the moveable head, and wherein the syringes and the pipettes are mounted on opposite sides of the x-axis of movement of the apparatus along which x-axis the movable head is arranged to travel.

A sample cutting and handling apparatus for excising one or more samples from an array of samples including:

• at least one cutting head mounted on the apparatus for movement in X, Y and Z directions by an automated control system for excising a sample from the array;
• one or more liquid aspiration and delivery outlet means for dispensing liquids onto the array of samples;
• a movable head mounted on an automated motion control system for controlling movement of the moveable head in X, Y and Z directions;
• a plurality of syringes connected to a liquid supply means, each syringe also being connected to one of the liquid aspiration and delivery outlet means via a valve means for causing the dispensing of liquid from the one or more liquid aspiration and delivery outlet means;
• wherein both the syringes and the one or more liquid aspiration and delivery outlet means are carried by the moveable head, wherein the syringes and the outlets are mounted on opposite sides of an x axis of movement of the apparatus along which the moveable head is arranged to travel;
• and
• wherein a reservoir is connected to the moveable head by a single tube for supplying liquid to at least one displacement means.