Probe adapted to control blood flow through vessels during imaging and method of use of same

A method, comprising the steps of:

• bringing a probe adapted to apply a plurality of pressure configurations into contact with a volume of tissue, the probe comprising one or more ultrasound transducers;
• configuring the probe to apply a first pressure configuration to the volume of tissue;
• illuminating the volume of tissue with light to produce first opto-acoustic signals while the first pressure configuration is being applied, the first opto-acoustic signals being detected by the one or more ultrasound transducers;
• configuring the probe to apply a second pressure configuration to the volume of tissue;
• illuminating the volume of tissue with light to produce second opto-acoustic signals while the second pressure configuration is being applied, the second optoacoustic signals being detected by the one or more ultrasound transducers;
• processing the detected opto-acoustic signals of the first pressure configuration and the opto-acoustic signals of the second pressure configuration to determine a difference between the first and second configurations of at least one parameter;
• and
• outputting an image representing the determined difference between the first and second configurations.

A method for controlling pressure applied to a first region of tissue by an opto-acoustic probe, the opto-acoustic probe comprising ultrasonic transducers to receive acoustic signals produced in response to absorption of optical energy, a first contact area to apply a first force to the first region of tissue, a second contact area to apply a second force to a second region of tissue, one or more sensors to measure at least one of the first force and the second force, and an adjustable member with a setting to adjust the first force, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. setting the adjustable member to an initial configuration;
• b. recording a measurement from the one or more sensors after the probe has been placed into contact with the tissue;
• c. changing the setting of the adjustable member based upon the measurement from the one or more sensors;
• d. repeating steps b-c until a desired pressure applied to the first region of tissue is reached;
• e. illuminating the volume with the optical energy to produce the acoustic signals that are received by the ultrasonic transducers.