The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 06, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 26, 2001
Jeffrey H. Stokes, Franklin, MA (US);
Thomas R. Londo, Ashland, MA (US);
PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc., Framingham, MA (US);
Abstract
An array of probes is provided wherein the probes are maintained in place in bores extending through a housing by a friction force applied to the probes. The friction force can be overcome by another force applied to the probes, thereby allowing the probes to move to a new position within the bore. In one embodiment, the probes contain an internal conduit through which liquid samples are introduced into the probes. Thereafter, the probes are moved to contact a substrate surface to move the probes to a new position, the configuration of which replicates the substrate surface configuration. The housing is then raised a predetermined distance to allow sample to be accurately deposited on the substrate surface from a desired height above the substrate surface. The probes are then returned to their original position.