Patent ID: 6672344
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: B01J,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for delivering fluid samples to a substrate surface comprising:a probe housing; a plurality of probes having an internal conduit adapted to be connected to a sample source for receiving and passing a fluid sample therethrough, each probe positioned within a bore in the probe housing; a friction element adapted to apply a frictional force to each of the probes of sufficient magnitude to retain the probes within the probe housing; a probe driver adapted to move the probe housing toward or away from the substrate surface; wherein in response to the probes contacting the substrate surface an axial force in excess of the frictional force is applied to the probes to move at least some of the probes from their initial position to a new position, and wherein in the absence of the application of the axial force the probes are retained at the new position.