Patents by Inventor Stefano Felici

Stefano Felici has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11953522
    Abstract: A probe head for a testing apparatus integrated on a semiconductor wafer is disclosed having a first plurality of contact probes having a first transversal diameter, a second plurality of micro contact probes having a second transversal diameter, smaller than the first transversal diameter, and a flexible membrane having conductive tracks for connecting a first plurality contact probe with a corresponding second plurality micro contact probe. The second plurality contact probes are arranged between the testing apparatus and the flexible membrane, and the second plurality micro contact probes are arranged between the flexible membrane and a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Crippa, Stefano Felici
  • Publication number: 20240094252
    Abstract: Dual shield probes are provided having one or more of a plurality of different features including: discontinuous dielectric spacers, fixed nodes, sliding nodes, shield nodes, bridges, stops, interlocked dielectric and conductive elements, along with methods of using and making such probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Microfabrica Inc.
    Inventors: Jia Li, Arun S. Veeramani, Stefano Felici, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20240019463
    Abstract: Forming buckling beam probe arrays having MEMS probes engaged with guide plates during formation or after formation of the probes while the probes are held in the array configuration in which they were formed is disclosed. Probes can be formed in, or laterally aligned with, guide plate through holes. Guide plate engagement can occur by longitudinally locating guide plates on probes that are partially formed or fully formed with exposed ends, by forming probes within guide plate through holes, by forming guide plates around probes, or forming guide plates in lateral alignment with arrayed probes and then longitudinally engaging the probes and the through holes of the guide plates. Arrays can include probes and a substrate to which the probes are bonded with one or more guide plates. Final arrays can include probes held by guide plates with aligned or laterally shifted hole patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: MIchael S. Lockard, Stefano Felici, Uri Frodis, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Patent number: 11867723
    Abstract: A probe head for testing a device under test integrated on a semiconductor wafer includes a plurality of contact probes, each having a first end and a second end, and at least one first lower guide and one second lower guide at the first end. The guides are parallel to each other and have a respective plurality of first and second guide holes for slidingly housing the contact probes. At least one third lower guide is substantially parallel to the first lower guide and to the second lower guide and includes a plurality of third guide holes for slidingly housing the contact probes. The guide holes are disposed in a shifted arrangement to eliminate a scrub movement of the first ends of each contact probe of the probe head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Technoprobe S.p.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Felici
  • Patent number: 11821918
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to the formation of buckling beam probe arrays having MEMS probes that are engaged with guide plates during formation or after formation of the probes while the probes are held in the array configuration in which they were formed. In other embodiments, probes may be formed in, or laterally aligned with, guide plate through holes. Guide plate engagement may occur by longitudinally locating guide plates on probes that are partially formed or fully formed with exposed ends, by forming probes within guide plate through holes, by forming guide plates around probes, or forming guide plates in lateral alignment with arrayed probes and then longitudinally engaging the probes and the through holes of the guide plates. Final arrays may include probes and a substrate to which the probes are bonded along with one or more guide plates while in other embodiments final arrays may include probes held by a plurality of guide plates (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: MICROFABRICA INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Lockard, Stefano Felici, Uri Frodis, Dennis R. Smalley
  • Publication number: 20230288447
    Abstract: A contact probe for a probe head for test equipment of electronic devices is provided. The contact probe includes a first end portion and a second end portion configured to realize a contact with suitable contact structures, and a body portion extended along a longitudinal development axis between respective the first and second end portions. The first end portion includes a base portion, a peripherally protruding element protruding from the base portion, and a hollow part having a base at a surface of the base portion and being surrounded by the peripherally protruding element. In addition, the peripherally protruding element is configured to penetrate into the contact structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano FELICI, Fabio MORGANA, Roberto CRIPPA
  • Publication number: 20230021227
    Abstract: A probe head for a testing apparatus integrated on a semiconductor wafer is disclosed having a first plurality of contact probes having a first transversal diameter, a second plurality of micro contact probes having a second transversal diameter, smaller than the first transversal diameter, and a flexible membrane having conductive tracks for connecting a first plurality contact probe with a corresponding second plurality micro contact probe. The second plurality contact probes are arranged between the testing apparatus and the flexible membrane, and the second plurality micro contact probes are arranged between the flexible membrane and a semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto CRIPPA, Stefano FELICI
  • Publication number: 20210318355
    Abstract: A probe head for testing a device under test integrated on a semiconductor wafer includes a plurality of contact probes, each having a first end and a second end, and at least one first lower guide and one second lower guide at the first end. The guides are parallel to each other and have a respective plurality of first and second guide holes for slidingly housing the contact probes. At least one third lower guide is substantially parallel to the first lower guide and to the second lower guide and includes a plurality of third guide holes for slidingly housing the contact probes. The guide holes are disposed in a shifted arrangement to eliminate a scrub movement of the first ends of each contact probe of the probe head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Stefano FELICI
  • Patent number: 11112431
    Abstract: A probe card of a testing apparatus of electronic devices comprises a testing head, which houses a plurality of contact elements extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end portion and a second end portion, a support plate, onto which the first end portion is adapted to abut, and a flexible membrane. Suitably, the testing head is arranged between the support plate and a first portion of the flexible membrane, which is connected to the support plate through a second portion thereof, the probe card further comprising a plurality of contact tips arranged on a first face of the flexible membrane at the first portion thereof, the second end portion of each contact element being apt to abut onto a second face of the flexible membrane, opposite to the first face, the number and distribution of the contact elements being different to the number and distribution of the contact tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Felici
  • Publication number: 20210255218
    Abstract: A probe head for testing a device under test includes an upper guide and a lower guide parallel to each other and spaced apart. Each of the guides is provided with a respective plurality of guide holes, a plurality of contact probes housed in the guide holes and provided each with a first end and with a second end, the first end being adapted to contact pads of a device under test. At least one additional guide is associated with one of the guides. The additional guide includes first guide holes, housing a first group of the contact probes, and second guide holes, housing a second group of the contact probes. The first and second guide holes are shifted with respect to the guide holes of the guide which said additional guide is associated with, and the shift of the first guide holes is in a direction opposite the shift of the second guide holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: Stefano FELICI
  • Patent number: 11029336
    Abstract: A probe card for a testing apparatus of electronic devices comprises a testing head, which houses a plurality of contact elements extending along a longitudinal axis (H-H) between a first end portion and a second end portion, a support plate, onto which the first end portion is adapted to abut, and a flexible membrane which comprises a first face and a second and opposite face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Vettori, Stefano Felici
  • Patent number: 10782319
    Abstract: A probe card for testing of electronic devices comprises a testing head with plural contact probes inserted into guide holes of an upper guide and a lower guide, and a space transformer, each of the contact probes having a first terminal portion projecting from the lower guide with a first length and ending with a contact tip adapted to abut onto a respective contact pad of a device to be tested, and a second terminal portion projecting from the upper guide with a second length and ending with a contact head adapted to abut onto a contact pad of the space transformer. The probe card comprises a spacer element interposed between the space transformer and the upper guide and removable to adjust the first length of the first terminal portion by changing the second length of the second terminal portion and approaching the upper guide and the space transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: TECHNOPROBE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Crippa, Stefano Felici
  • Publication number: 20190361051
    Abstract: A probe card for a testing apparatus of electronic devices comprises a testing head, which houses a plurality of contact elements extending along a longitudinal axis (H-H) between a first end portion and a second end portion, a support plate, onto which the first end portion is adapted to abut, and a flexible membrane which comprises a first face and a second and opposite face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Riccardo VETTORI, Stefano FELICI
  • Publication number: 20190361050
    Abstract: A probe card of a testing apparatus of electronic devices comprises a testing head, which houses a plurality of contact elements extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end portion and a second end portion, a support plate, onto which the first end portion is adapted to abut, and a flexible membrane. Suitably, the testing head is arranged between the support plate and a first portion of the flexible membrane, which is connected to the support plate through a second portion thereof, the probe card further comprising a plurality of contact tips arranged on a first face of the flexible membrane at the first portion thereof, the second end portion of each contact element being apt to abut onto a second face of the flexible membrane, opposite to the first face, the number and distribution of the contact elements being different to the number and distribution of the contact tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: STEFANO FELICI
  • Publication number: 20190113539
    Abstract: A probe card for testing of electronic devices comprises a testing head with plural contact probes inserted into guide holes of an upper guide and a lower guide, and a space transformer, each of the contact probes having a first terminal portion projecting from the lower guide with a first length and ending with a contact tip adapted to abut onto a respective contact pad of a device to be tested, and a second terminal portion projecting from the upper guide with a second length and ending with a contact head adapted to abut onto a contact pad of the space transformer. The probe card comprises a spacer element interposed between the space transformer and the upper guide and removable to adjust the first length of the first terminal portion by changing the second length of the second terminal portion and approaching the upper guide and the space transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Roberto CRIPPA, Stefano FELICI
  • Patent number: 9829508
    Abstract: It is described a testing head for a testing equipment of an electronic device comprising at least one upper guide and a lower guide provided with guide holes, a plurality of contact probes inserted into the guide holes of the upper and lower guides and at least one containment element of the probes being is disposed between the upper and lower guides, each of the contact probes having at least one terminal portion which ends with a contact tip adapted to abut on a respective contact pad of the electronic device to be tested; at least one spacer element sandwiched between the containment element and at least one of the upper and lower guides, the spacer element being removable to adjust a length of the terminal portions of the contact probes projecting from the lower guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Technoprobe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Felici, Raffaele Vallauri, Roberto Crippa
  • Publication number: 20150309076
    Abstract: It is described a testing head for a testing equipment of an electronic device comprising at least one upper guide and a lower guide provided with guide holes, a plurality of contact probes inserted into the guide holes of the upper and lower guides and at least one containment element of the probes being is disposed between the upper and lower guides, each of the contact probes having at least one terminal portion which ends with a contact tip adapted to abut on a respective contact pad of the electronic device to be tested; at least one spacer element sandwiched between the containment element and at least one of the upper and lower guides, the spacer element being removable to adjust a length of the terminal portions of the contact probes projecting from the lower guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Stefano Felici, Raffaele Vallauri, Roberto Crippa
  • Patent number: 7301354
    Abstract: A contact probe for a testing head is presented. The contact probe for a testing head has a plurality of these probes which are inserted in guide holes realized in respective dies, the probe comprising a rod-shaped body equipped at an end with at least a contact tip effective to ensure the mechanical and electrical contact with a corresponding contact pad of an integrated electronic device to be tested. The rod-shaped body has a nonuniform cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Technoprobe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Crippa, Stefano Felici
  • Patent number: 7227368
    Abstract: A contact probe for a testing head effective to test a plurality of semiconductor-integrated electronic devices comprises a rod-like probe body having a cross section of prefixed contour and provided in correspondence with at least one end with an eccentric contact tip. The contact tip is positioned within the contour of the cross section of the probe body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Technoprobe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Crippa, Stefano Felici
  • Publication number: 20050270044
    Abstract: A contact probe for a testing head effective to test a plurality of semiconductor-integrated electronic devices comprises a rod-like probe body having a cross section of prefixed contour and provided in correspondence with at least one end with an eccentric contact tip. The contact tip is positioned within the contour of the cross section of the probe body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: Technoprobe S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Crippa, Stefano Felici