Patent 7686424 was granted and assigned to FUJIFILM Dimatix on March, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Devices used to degas and eject fluid drops are disclosed. Devices include a flow path that includes a pumping chamber in which fluid is pressurized for ejection of a fluid drop, and a semi-permeable membrane including an inorganic material having an outer surface positioned in fluid contact with the flow path. The membrane allows gases to pass therethrough, while preventing liquids from passing therethrough.