An excitation force (internal or external) and phase-sensitive optical coherence elastography (OCE) system, used in conjunction with a data analyzing algorithm, is capable of measuring and quantifying biomechanical parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The method was approbated and demonstrated on an example of the system that combines a pulsed ultrasound system capable of producing an acoustic radiation force on the crystalline lens surface and a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the lens displacement caused by the acoustic radiation force. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. The noninvasive measurement method also utilizes phase-stabilized swept source optical coherence elastography (PhS-SSOCE) to distinguish between tissue stiffness, such as that attributable to disease, and effects on measured stiffness that result from external factors, such as pressure applied to the tissue. Preferably, the method is used to detect tissue stiffness and to evaluate the presence of its stiffness even if it is affected by other factors such as intraocular pressure (TOP) in the case of cornea, sclera, or the lens. This noninvasive method can evaluate the biomechanical properties of the tissues in vivo for detecting the onset and progression of degenerative or other diseases (such as keratoconus).

An acousto-optic imaging system may include at least one transducer that transmits an ultrasound signal having a fundamental frequency ƒ. The acousto-optic imaging system includes at least one optical sensor that may produce one or more optical responses upon receiving harmonic-related ultrasound echoes corresponding to the transmitted ultrasound signal. For example, the one or more optical sensors may have a bandwidth ranging from at least ƒ/M to Nƒ, where M and N are integers greater than 1.

A system and method for measuring biomechanical properties of tissues without external excitation are capable of measuring and quantifying these parameters of tissues in situ and in vivo. The system and method preferably utilize a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for measuring the displacement caused by the intrinsic heartbeat. The method allows noninvasive and nondestructive quantification of tissue mechanical properties. Preferably, the method is used to detect tissue stiffness and to evaluate its stiffness due to intrinsic pulsatile motion from the heartbeat. This noninvasive method can evaluate the biomechanical properties of the tissues in vivo for detecting the onset and progression of degenerative or other diseases and evaluating the efficacy of therapies.

Arrangements and methods are provided for obtaining information associated with an anatomical sample. For example, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to the anatomical sample so as to generate at least one acoustic wave in the anatomical sample. At least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be produced based on the acoustic wave. At least one portion of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided so as to determine information associated with at least one portion of the anatomical sample. In addition, the information based on data associated with the second electro-magnetic radiation can be analyzed. The first electro-magnetic radiation may include at least one first magnitude and at least one first frequency. The second electro-magnetic radiation can include at least one second magnitude and at least one second frequency. The data may relate to a first difference between the first and second magnitudes and/or a second difference between the first and second frequencies. The second difference may be approximately between −100 GHz and 100 GHz, excluding zero.

A system or device includes a member structure, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of tips disposed at ends of the flexible members. The member structure includes an ultrasonic emitter configured to emit an ultrasonic imaging signal. The plurality of flexible members are coupled to the member structure. The plurality of tips are disposed at ends of the flexible members. At least one tip of the plurality of tips includes an image sensor configured to receive an infrared exit signal.

An imaging system for performing a hybrid spiral scan pattern includes a scanner, a scanner controller in communication with the scanner to direct the scanner to perform a hybrid spiral scan pattern, wherein the hybrid spiral scan pattern includes a constant angular velocity (CAV) spiral scan pattern, a constant linear velocity (CLV) spiral scan pattern, and a transition spiral scan pattern. In some cases, the imaging system further includes a light source, and the scanner is positioned to receive light from the light source and direct the light to an object. In some cases, the imaging system further includes at least one position sensor for detecting actual positions of the scanner during the hybrid spiral scan pattern. In some cases, the imaging system further includes an image processor coupled to receive position data detected by the at least one position sensor and produce an image.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for sampling optical pathways having a common tissue depth, such as a maximum mean depth of penetration in the dermis, with a common sample position of a person for analysis in a noninvasive analyte property determination system, comprising the steps of: probing skin with a range of illumination zone-to-detection zone distances with at least two wavelength ranges and detecting, using a set of detectors, illumination zone-to-detection zone distances having mean optical pathways probing the common tissue layer, such as without the mean optical pathways entering the subcutaneous fat layer of the person. Optionally, the skin tissue layers are modulated and/or treated via tissue displacement before and/or during data collection. Optionally, given illumination zone-to-detection zone distances are dynamically selected based upon a measure of state of the skin of the person.

An acousto-optic imaging method in which light waves and unfocused acoustic waves having various directions of propagation m are emitted in a medium, by spatially modulating the amplitude of the ultrasonic transducers of an array of transducers according to several periodic spatial amplitude modulations j, and the resulting optical signal S.sub.mj(t) is captured. For each direction of propagation m, the signals S.sub.mj(t) are spatially demodulated in order to determine a signal S.sub.m(t) used to reconstruct the image of the medium.

A first signal is generated with a first light detector in response to an ultrasound signal encountering a first measurement beam. A second signal is generated with a second light detector in response to the ultrasound signal encountering a second measurement beam. The second measurement beam propagates through the sample and the first measurement beam propagates outside the sample.

Laser light is emitted from a laser into a scattering layer. An ultrasound signal is emitted into a sample. A signal is generated with a light detector in response to a measurement beam of laser light exiting the light scattering layer into the light detector. At least a portion of the measurement beam formed between the laser and the light detector is wavelength-shifted by the ultrasound signal subsequent to the ultrasound signal propagating through the sample.