# US 6,995,380 B2 · End effector for supporting a microsample

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- Number: US 6,995,380 B2
- Document ID: US6995380B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/801,521
- Filed: 2004-03-12
- Published: 2004-09-16
- Granted: 2006-02-07
- Earliest claimed: 2003-03-13
- Assignees: Ascend Instruments, LLC
- Inventors: Jørgen Rasmussen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6995380B2

## CPC

- H01J 37/20: Means for supporting or positioning the object or the material; Means for adjusting diaphragms or lenses associated with the support
- G01N 1/04: in the solid state, e.g. by cutting
- G01N 1/08: involving an extracting tool, e.g. core bit
- G01N 1/286: {involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising (microtomes G01N1/06; pulverising in general B02C; mixing in general B01F)}
- G01N 2001/282: {with mapping; Identification of areas; Spatial correlated pattern}
- H01J 2237/2007: Holding mechanisms
- H01J 2237/204: Means for introducing and/or outputting objects
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

An end effector for supporting a microsample during instrumental analysis, including a generally planar body and a cantilever tip configured to be associated with the microsample.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An end effector configured to support a microsample for instrumental analysis, comprising:
a generally planar body including an aperture; and
a cantilever tip pivotally extending from the planar body, the cantilever tip being configured to be associated with the microsample such that pivoting the cantilever tip brings the cantilever tip substantially into alignment with the aperture.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the planar body is generally disk-shaped.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cantilever tip is pivotal up to about 180 degrees with respect to the planar body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the aperture includes a notch in the planar body.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The end effector of claim 4, wherein the end effector includes an integrated fold line that facilitates pivoting the cantilever tip.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The end effector of claim 4, wherein the integrated fold line includes an elongate aperture.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the cantilever tip includes a sharp point.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1 wherein the planar body includes a disk having a diameter of about 3 mm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the end effector is formed by chemical etching or photoetching.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the end effector is formed of a ductile metal.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The end effector of claim 1, further comprising a microsample holder configured to reversibly couple to the end effector.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The end effector of claim 11, wherein the microsample holder includes a clamp.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The end effector of claim 11, further comprising a microsample manipulator that includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the microsample holder is associated with the distal end.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The end effector of claim 13, wherein the microsample holder is axially removable from the distal end of the shaft.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The end effector of claim 11, wherein the end effector and the microsample holder are configured to permit transmission through an associated microsample during instrumental analysis.

### Claim 16

A method of using an end effector having a generally planar body, and a cantilever tip associated with the planar body; comprising:
associating a sample with the cantilever tip;
transporting the end effector to an analytical instrument;
pivoting the cantilever tip; and
analyzing the samples;
wherein the end effector includes an aperture in the planar body, and pivoting the cantilever tip brings the sample substantially into alignment with the aperture.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the sample is associated with the cantilever tip using a focused ion beam system.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the sample is analyzed using transmission electron microscopy.