Patent ID: 6603239
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B23Q,B25J,B82Y,G01Q,H02N,Y10S

Abstract:
A micromanipulator for producing a relative movement between the micromanipulator and an object which has a surface at which the object is magnetically attractable, said micromanipulator comprising:a support; at least three piezoelectric movement elements extending from said support substantially perpendicular to said surface and having respective end pieces in continuous contact with said surface at spaced-apart locations on said surface and constituting the exclusive contacts of said manipulator with said object, said end pieces being magnetic or magnetizable to maintain the contact of said end pieces with said surface magnetically during relative movement of the micromanipulator and the object; and means for energizing said piezoelectric movement elements to effect relative movement of said micromanipulator and said object without loss of contact between said end pieces and said surface.