MICROARRAY PLATEN

摘要

The present invention provides a platen (200) for a microarray processing device to retain workpieces such as microscope slides (32) on a work surface of the platen. The platen includes a plurality of grooves (202) that are located on the work surface of the platen. Each groove has at least one restricting orifice (204). The restricting orifices are connected to a vacuum source so that the workpiece is capable of being retained on the work surface of the platen when the workpiece is positioned over one of the plurality of grooves. The grooves may be of various shapes such as rectangular, circular, oval or square. For purposes of alignment and positioning, the platen may also rest on a plurality of positioning devices. Each positioning device includes an outer adjustment member and an inner bolt. The outer adjustment member is pivotally mounted to the inner bolt such that the outer adjustement member is allowed to rotate about the inner adjustment member and force the platen in the vertical direction.