Investigation of the properties of a surface e.g. the elasticity of skin

摘要

A device (D) comprises pneumatic means (P) for momentarily altering a zone (A) of the skin (1) and means (E) for assessing the extent of the alteration comprising an emitter (20) of radiation towards the zone (A) and a receiver (21) capable of receiving a proportion of the radiation reflected by the said zone (A). The pneumatic means (P) comprise a nozzle (2) disposed so as to blow a gas along a direction (F) substantially orthogonal to the investigated zone (A). Holding means (M) supports the nozzle (2) at a predetermined distance (h) from the surface (3). Deformation of the skin may be plotted for steady or varying gas pressure. The change in colour of the skin may alternatively be measured. IMAGE