Patent ID: 7232203

Claim:
A liquid-ejection integrated circuit which comprises a substrate that defines a plurality of liquid inlet channels; drive circuitry positioned on the substrate; a plurality of nozzle chamber structures positioned on the substrate and defining nozzle chambers in fluid communication with respective liquid inlet channels and liquid ejection ports in fluid communication with respective nozzle chambers, each nozzle chamber structure incorporating a liquid ejection member displaceable with respect to the substrate to eject liquid from the respective liquid ejection port; a plurality of micro-electromechanical actuators connected to the drive circuitry to receive drive signals from the drive circuitry and operable on respective liquid ejection members; a nozzle guard that is positioned on the substrate and that defines a plurality of apertures in alignment with respective liquid ejection ports; and a plurality of containment walls interposed between the substrate and the nozzle guard to define a plurality of containment chambers with at least one nozzle chamber structure and associated actuator being positioned in each containment chamber.