Article comprising a Z-axis positioning stage
AssigneePharmacopeia, Inc.
InventorIlya Feygin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An article comprising a Z-axis positioning stage is disclosed. The Z-axis positioning stage includes at least one collapsible/expandable cell or cavity that is defined within a region bounded by a lower and a movable upper surface and a side wall depending therefrom. Means for collapsing/expanding the cavity is operatively connected to the cavity. During collapse of the cavity, the upper surface drops towards the lower surface. During expansion of the cavity, the upper surface rises away from lower surface. The upper surface thus functions as a movable stage, which is capable of moving an object placed thereon in a vertical direction (i.e., along the z-axis).
Claims16
A multi-axis positioning stage comprising:
- a first positioning element operable to move an object alone a vertical axis, said first positioning element comprising:
- a lower surface and a movable upper surface;
- a side wall depending from said lower and upper surface;
- at least one collapsible cavity defined within a region bounded by said lower and upper surfaces and said sidewall;
- and
- a device for collapsing the collapsible cavity;
- a second positioning element operably engaged to said first positioning element such that said second positioning element is operable to move said first positioning element along at least one horizontal axis, wherein movement alone said one horizontal axis changes a position of said first positioning element relative to said second positioning element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.