Abstract
Apparatus and methods for automated transfer of slides into and/or out of a slide basket. One of the slides is raised above other slides in the slide basket, and a suction member on a slide gripper contacts the raised slide. A vacuum is drawn in the suction member sufficient for the suction member to grip the raised slide, and the slide gripper moves to withdraw the raised slide from the slot of the slide basket. The slide gripper moves the gripped slide to a slide processing module or other desired location.