Patent ID: 7114562

Claim:
An apparatus for acquiring information from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising: a tubular body adapted for connection within a drill string disposed in the wellbore, the body being equipped with one or more protuberances along an axial portion thereof defining an expanded axial portion, the protuberances having a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion therebetween, the cross-sectional area of the expanded axial portion about the intermediate portion being less than the cross-sectional area of the expanded axial portion about at least one of the ends; a probe carried by the body at or near a first location within the intermediate portion, the probe being movable between retracted and extended positions; and an actuator carried by the body for moving the probe between its retracted and extended positions, the extended position being for engaging the wall of the wellbore and acquiring information from the formation, and the retracted position being for protecting the probe while drilling.