Patent ID: 6577391
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
A method of detecting characteristics of a target material, comprising the steps of:positioning a probe head having a plurality of interrogation devices adjacent a first plurality of interrogation positions on a non-uniform surface area of a target material so that the plurality of interrogation devices conform to the non-uniform surface area; and detecting optical characteristics of the target material at the first plurality of interrogation positions with the plurality of interrogation devices, wherein a portion of the plurality of interrogation devices are positioned on a first probe face, wherein a portion of the plurality of interrogation devices are positioned on a second probe face, wherein the second probe face is axially slidable with respect to the first probe face, and wherein the positioning step comprises moving the second probe face relative to the first probe face so that the plurality of interrogation devices conform to the non-uniform surface area of the target material.