Patent ID: 7786441
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. A tensiographic drophead comprising a body having a terminal surface with a peripheral edge substantially disposed in a plane, a liquid feed bore extending through the body to the terminal surface for transporting liquid to or from the terminal surface to thereby control, in use, the volume of a drop whose outer edges are defined by the peripheral edge, a light source for transmitting light into the drop, said light source having a transmission surface, and a light detector for collecting light reflected internally from the drop back to the drophead, said light detector having a collection surface, wherein the transmission surface and the collection surface are each disposed in the drophead and are each spaced apart from said plane of said peripheral edge, wherein the transmission surface terminates within the body short of the terminal surface, and wherein at least the portion of the body between the transmission surface and the terminal surface is made of a material transmissive of light.