Patent ID: 7474111

Claim:
A probe assembly for use in an electrical inspection of a semiconductor device in which electrodes are formed, comprising: a plurality of probes; a probe base for retaining said probes so that tips of said probes may contact said electrodes, said probe base having a probe mounting surface; and guard members provided on said probe base; wherein each probe has an arm portion comprising a first end and a second end, the arm portion supported on said probe base at its first end and extending from the probe mounting surface of said probe base at a distance substantially along the probe mounting surface, and each probe has a tip formed at the second end of said arm portion that extends in a direction away from said probe mounting surface of said probe base; said guard members are located in the vicinity of each probe such that each probe has at least one of said guard members adjacent thereto; said guard members do not contact said probes; each guard member is supported on, and extends away from, said probe mounting surface; and each guard member terminates at a guard surface that extends from said probe mounting surface further than the arm portion of its adjacent probe.