Systems and Methods for Assessing Properties of Biological Tubes

A system for measuring mechanical properties of a biological tube extending along an axis comprising:

• a tubular substrate dimensioned to extend along the axis of the biological tube and engage the biological tube;
• an array of piezoelectric elements engaging the tubular substrate;
• a pressure device configured to apply a predetermined force or transduce an endogenous or exogeneous force to the biological tube and be sensed by the array when the array is engaged with the biological tube, wherein each piezoelectric element is configured to generate a signal in response to sensing application of the predetermined or transduced force;
• and
• a processor configured to receive the signal from at least two piezoelectric elements of the array and calculate a mechanical property of the biological tube based on signals received from the at least two piezoelectric elements in the array.