PathFinderTM 350D Plus Decapper Sorter 

The PathFinder™ 350D Plus Decapper Sorter is a benchtop robotic workstation designed for the pre-analytical management of incoming sample collection tubes. It consists of 2 sorter modules on either side of a decapper module.

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PathFinder 350D Plus Decapper Sorter

PathFinderTM 350D Plus

Your answer to pre-analytical decapping and sorting of specimen tubes

The PathFinder™ 350D is a compact benchtop robotic workstation which consists of a Sorter Module and a Decapper Module for automating the decapping and sorting of incoming specimen tubes directly into various analyzer or sample racks. Incoming sample tubes are loaded onto the PathFinder™ 350D in one or more PathFinder™ automation racks. The tubes are moved sequentially from the input rack to a processing carousel in the Decapper Module, where the tube barcode information is read and relayed to a Laboratory Information System (LIS).

Scalable to increase both rack capacity and throughput

Pre-Analytical Decapping and Sorting of Specimen Tubes

The system is used for automating the decapping and sorting of sample tubes into different destination racks – either analyser racks (such as those used on various chemistry or immunochemistry analysers), PathFinder™ sample racks or third-party racks (including Hettich centrifuge inserts). The PathFinder 350D Plus registers the receipt of incoming tubes and relays this information to the LIS.

Green outline icon of a PathFinder 350D robotic arm positioned next to a gear, symbolizing automation or industrial robotics, on a plain white background.

Automates repetitive manual processing

aliquoting of samples

Takes away tube processing decision making

free up lab staff icon

Eliminates RSI injuries from manually decapping tubes

reduce errors from manual handling

Reduces manual handling errors

reduce biohazard exposure lab green icon

Reduces biohazard exposure to lab staff

icon - avoid lost tubes

Automatically records and distributes incoming tubes

tubes per hour
Up to 300

Designed to Deliver More Value from Pre‑Analytical Automation

The PathFinder™ 350D Plus builds on proven benchtop automation to help laboratories increase efficiency, reduce manual handling, and improve consistency. With higher throughput, flexible operation, and intelligent sample tracking, it supports faster turnaround times without adding complexity. Compact and easy to use, it enables growing labs to realize the benefits of automation within existing space and budget constraints.

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A close-up of various blood sample tubes with colored caps arranged in a holder, ready for laboratory testing with the PathFinder 350D.

Wide range of tube types

The PathFinder™ 350D Plus has the ability to decap primary tubes from all major tube manufacturers, be these screw type or plug type caps. Incoming primary tubes of varying sizes are presented in an input rack from where they are transferred to a processing carousel – first for identification and then, if required, for decapping. The tubes, whether decapped or not, are then sorted into various destination racks ready for testing or distribution.

A laboratory setting with glass vials and test tubes arranged on a reflective surface, featuring the PathFinder 350D among scientific equipment and illuminated by blue-toned lighting.

Improved Safety

Automating the unloading and processing of tubes not only reduces handling of tubes but eliminates RSI injuries from manually removing caps from primary tubes.

Close-up of automated laboratory equipment, including the PathFinder 350D, analyzing samples on a rotating platform, with various instruments and a robotic arm in a scientific setting.

Increased Capacity

The PathFinder™ 350D Plus has been designed for higher pre-analytical workloads than the PathFinder™ 350D. It has twice the deck capacity along with a higher sample throughput up to 600 tubes per hour. The extra deck capacity allows for additional input and destination racks, which increases the walk-away time and maximises the overall system throughput.

PathFinder 350D barcode alignment

Tube Barcode Alignment

The PathFinder™ 350D Plus has the ability to not only place samples tubes into analyser racks but also to align the tube bar code label on the sample tube with the viewing window in the analyser rack if required.

PathFinder racks

PathFinder™ Racks

PathFinder™ sample racks have been designed to compliment PathFinder™ laboratory automation platforms for automating the processing of sample collection tubes in a pathology laboratory.

An Evaluation of PathFinder Benchtop Solutions Whitepaper

Independent Lab Validates PathFinderTM Performance

Independent assessment shows PathFinderTM systems demonstrate excellent reliability in 168 runs conducted over 21 days with 16,128 tubes per instrument.

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Applications

icon woman tube samples

Front end registration of incoming sample tubes

test tube

Decapping and sorting serum tubes into one or more analyzer racks

urine sample icon

Decapping and sorting of urine tubes into one or more analyzer racks

auted decapping of tubes

Distribution and selective decapping of incoming tubes to different departments/analyzers

icon 3 tubes in rack

Automating the decapping, placement and barcode alignment of tubes into linear analyzer racks

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With our PathFinder 350D Pluses, it’s reading the barcodes and sorting them from there. So, the sample’s never going to be put in the wrong place. And we’ve always got a track event to say where it’s actually been.

Daniel Head

Assistant Manager, Preanalytical SRA Department at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology

Intuitive Software for Effortless Operation 

The PathFinder™ 350D Plus improves efficiency and turnaround time by alerting operators to samples with missing or incorrect data, while automatically decapping and loading all presented tubes into analyzer racks—even without a LIS connection. An in‑built database tracks which tubes have been processed and when, supports continuous rack loading and unloading without interrupting operation, and enables high‑throughput processing of up to 600 tubes per hour. Routine operation and system status are clearly displayed through an intuitive graphical user interface, with easy access to tube location searches, rack status, diagnostics, and on‑demand productivity and statistical reports via the touchscreen or any network‑connected computer.
PathFinder 350D software GUI

Find the solution that fits your needs

PathFinder™ benchtop systems are designed to automate the receipt, handling, distribution and storage of incoming samples in the Pathology Laboratory. Connect with our team and discover how Brooks lab automation solutions can transform your sample and analytical management in your lab.

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