Patent ID: 9207684
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: B01L,B81C,G01N,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a microfluidic surface processing system having a microfluidic probe head having a processing fluid circuit configured to dispense a surface processing fluid from a processing fluid aperture thereof, a linkage mechanism, configured to apply a force to or modulate a force applied to the microfluidic probe head towards a surface to be processed, and a lifting fluid circuit integral with the microfluidic probe head and distinct from the processing fluid circuit, the lifting fluid circuit designed for dispensing a lifting fluid from a lifting fluid aperture thereof, with pressure such as to counter the force applied or modulated by the linkage mechanism, at the level of the surface, the method comprising: dispensing a lifting fluid via the at least one lifting fluid aperture; letting the probe head undergo the force applied by or modulated by the mechanism to approach a surface to be processed, by dropping the probe head; and processing the surface with the probe head.