Automated laboratory system for automatically handling laboratory samples

An automated laboratory system for automatically handling laboratory samples, the automated laboratory system comprising:

• a work area;
• a plurality of predefined workstations in the work area, wherein each of the plurality of predefined workstations occupies a footprint of a standardized microtiter plate;
• at least one movement device configured to move tools above the work area;
• at least one transport tool configured to be moved by the movement device in order to relocate laboratory items within. the work area;
• at least one pipetting tool configured to be moved by the movement device in order to pick up and release pipette tips, and in order to take up and dispense liquids within the work area using the pipette tips;
• a holder for pipette tip carriers comprising,
• at least one carrying apparatus defining a rectangular through-opening;
• and
• a support apparatus connected to the carrying apparatus;
• and
• an electronic control apparatus connected to the movement device and configured to control movements of the transport tool and at least one pipetting tool by the movement device such that pipette tips are picked up from the pipette tip carrier mounted on the carrying apparatus by means of the pipetting tool,
• wherein the holder with the support apparatus is placed on the work area next to the pipette tip carrier mounted on a workstation,
• wherein the carrying apparatus is arranged above the pipette tip carrier and configured to occupy a footprint of the standardized microtiter plate,
• wherein the pipette tips are configured to be picked up from the pipette tip carrier mounted below the carrying apparatus through the rectangular through-opening of the carrying apparatus by the pipetting tool,
• wherein a pipette tip carrier configured to occupy the footprint of the standardized microtiter plate is mounted on the carrying apparatus, and
• wherein the pipette tip carrier is configured to be removed from the carrying apparatus by the transport tool.

A method of operating an automated laboratory system for automatically handling liquid laboratory samples, the method comprising:

• providing pipette tips in a pipette tip carrier on a predefined workstation, wherein the pipette tip carrier comprises a footprint configured to occupy a footprint of a standardized microtiter plate;
• placing a holder with a support apparatus next to the pipette tip carrier such that a carrying apparatus is arranged above the pipette tip carrier;
• providing pipette tips in a pipette tip carrier haying a footprint configured to occupy the footprint of the standardized microtiter plate on the carrying apparatus of the holder;
• removing pipette tips from the pipette tip carrier on the carrying apparatus using a pipetting tool;
• transferring liquid in the pipette tips on the pipetting tool;
• releasing the pipette tips from the pipetting tool after the liquid has been transferred;
• removing the pipette tip carrier from the carrying apparatus using a transport tool;
• removing pipette tips from the pipette tip carrier arranged below the carrying apparatus through a through-opening of the carrying apparatus using the pipetting tool;
• transferring liquid in the pipette tips on the pipetting tool;
• and
• releasing the pipette tips from the pipetting tool after liquid has been transferred.