Systems and methods for automated preparation of biological specimens

Disclosed is a method using an automated system for processing a biological sample, the system comprising a sample container holder, an analytic element holder, an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis and translate along a second axis different than the first axis, a sample container capping device disposed at a first location on the tool head, and a specimen transfer device disposed at a second position on the tool head different from the first position, the method comprising: placing a sample container in the sample container holder, the sample container containing the biological sample suspended in a sample fluid; positioning the sample container capping device proximate the sample container by one or both of automated rotation of the tool head about the first axis and automated translation of the tool head along the second axis; operating the sample container capping device to grip a sample container cap on the sample container; rotating one of the sample container holder and the sample container capping device relative to the other one of the sample container holder and the sample container capping device in a first one of a clockwise rotational direction and a counter-clockwise rotational direction to thereby remove the sample container cap from the sample container; after removing the sample container cap from the sample container, positioning a working end of the specimen transfer device within an interior of the sample container by one or both of automated rotation of the tool head about the first axis and automated translation of the tool head along the second axis; operating the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen sample of the biological sample contained in the sample container; after obtaining the specimen sample, repositioning the working end of the specimen transfer device proximate to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder by one or both of automated rotation of the tool head about the first axis and automated translation of the tool head along the second axis; and operating the specimen transfer device in cooperation with the analytic element holder to transfer the specimen sample from the specimen transfer device to the analytic element. 63 56 57 59 50-, 54 - -- 40 - -- 67 Fg1 12 - 36 -14 Fig. 10