Methods and devices for membrane characterization with ultrasound and optical illumination

A device for measuring reflected optical and ultrasound signals, the device comprising:

• an optical source;
• an optical assembly comprising at least one lens, configured to focus reflected optical illumination within the optical assembly from a target on a distal end of the optical assembly to a proximal portion of the optical assembly and toward a detector proximal of the optical assembly;
• and
• an ultrasound transducer aligned to transmit and receive ultrasound radiation co-axially with the reflected optical illumination, wherein the ultrasound transducer is disposed between the distal end of the optical assembly and the proximal portion of the optical assembly, and wherein the ultrasound transducer at least partially obstructs a path of the reflected optical illumination;
• wherein the optical assembly comprises a focus within a range from 12-25 mm from a distal tip of the otoscope and a depth of field of greater than 0.5 mm at a distance 12-25 mm from the distal tip of the otoscope, wherein the optical assembly is configured to transmit the reflected optical illumination in an annular region around the ultrasound transducer to form an image of a target on the detector.