Systems and methods for imaging and measurement of sarcomeres

An apparatus for identifying or analyzing a muscle tissue of a subject, comprising:

• a light source for generating a beam of light;
• a first probe configured to transmit said beam of light from said light source to said muscle tissue of said subject, wherein upon contacting said muscle tissue, said beam of light generates at least one signal intrinsic to a property of said muscle tissue, and wherein said first probe is configured to receive said at least one signal intrinsic to said property of said muscle tissue;
• a collection unit in optical communication with said first probe, wherein said collection unit is configured to collect said at least one signal intrinsic to said property of said muscle tissue;
• a stimulation unit configured to locally stimulate said muscle tissue to generate local stimulation upon transmission of said beam of light to said muscle tissue, wherein said stimulation unit comprises at least one electrode in electrical communication with said first probe such that a circuit is formed between said at least one electrode and said first probe during said stimulation;
• and
• a computer controller operatively coupled to said light source and said collection unit, wherein said computer controller is programmed to
• (i) direct said light source to generate said beam of light, and
• (ii) process said at least one signal intrinsic to said property of said muscle tissue collected by said collection unit to generate at least one image of said muscle tissue, wherein said at least one image is usable to identify said muscle tissue of said subject.