Non-Destructive Pressure-Assisted Tissue Stiffness Measurement Apparatus

Abstract

A minimally invasive device, containing a pressure channel, camera, and optical fiber imaging probe, to measure the stiffness of tissues in vivo and ex vivo is disclosed. To measure tissue stiffness in vivo, the device is inserted into a patient and navigated to a tissue of interest, where stiffness is evaluated by applying suction and measuring the elongation or by applying compression force and measuring the compression of the tissue. Biopsies can be taken for further analysis, or tissue can be removed using an ablation laser. Small fluorescent molecules or therapeutics can also be delivered for improved visualization and targeted treatment. As such, this technology may be used to evaluate the stiffness of biomaterials as well as tissues and organs that are difficult to access, allowing for simultaneous diagnosis, treatment, and excision of diseased tissues.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.