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Reference.org
Micromanipulator
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<p>A micromanipulator is a device which is used to physically interact with a sample under a microscope, where a level of precision of movement is necessary that cannot be achieved by the unaided human hand. It may typically consist of an input joystick, a mechanism for reducing the range of movement and an output section with the means of holding a microtool to hold, inject, cut or otherwise manipulate the object as required. The mechanism for reducing the movement usually requires the movement to be free of <a href="/facts/Backlash_(engineering)/A2JcEGgm">backlash</a>. This is achieved by the use of <a href="/facts/Kinematic/o7mSyeJA">kinematic</a> constraints to allow each part of the mechanism to move only in one or more chosen <a href="/facts/Degrees_of_freedom_(mechanics)/2BqcdnLA">degrees of freedom</a>, which achieves a high precision and repeatability of movement, usually at the expense of some absolute accuracy. </p>