Automated System and Method of Processing Biological Specimens

A method comprising:

• automatically determining whether an imaging module of a plurality of imaging modules is available for imaging of a biological specimen on an at least one slide;
• transporting the at least one slide to the imaging module using an automated transport module when it is determined that the imaging module is available;
• and
• transporting the at least one slide to a storage module using the automated transport module when it is determined that the imaging module is not available.

A system comprising:

• an imaging module for imaging the biological specimen on the at least one slide;
• a storage module;
• a transport module for transporting the at least one slide between the processing module, the imaging module and the storage module;
• and
• a control module in communication with the transport module and at least one of the processing module, the imaging module and the storage module to control transport of the at least one slide.

A machine readable medium including program instructions that when executed by a controller linked to at least one processing module, an imaging module, and a storage module, cause the controller to perform a method comprising:

• delivering the at least one slide to the imaging module or the storage module;
• transporting the at least one slide from the at least one processing module to the imaging module or the storage module;
• and
• retrieving the at least one slide from the imaging module or the storage.