Tissue punch and tissue sample labeling methods and devices for microarray preparation, archiving and documentation

A method for preparing a microarray from a tissue specimen, the method comprising:

• extending a plurality of punch tubes from a punch tube platform so that a distal end of each punch tube advances sequentially into the tissue specimen and an associated tissue sample protrudes into a sample receptacle of the punch tube, wherein the platform holds at least 5 punch tubes in a two dimensional punch tube array so that the punch tubes slide along parallel longitudinal axes;
• removing the punch tubes and the associated tissue samples from the tissue specimen, wherein the sample receptacle of each punch tube punches the associated sample with a sample cross-section in a tissue microarray sample size range, and wherein the platform supports each punch tube with a separation from adjacent punch tubes in a tissue microarray sample separation range;
• and
• simultaneously extruding at least some tissue samples into an extrusion receptacle while the punch tubes are supported by the platform.