An OCT-based air suction-indentation probe for tissue elasticity measurement

Abstract

In this study, we developed a miniaturized optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe with a diameter of 4 mm. It was integrated with an air-jet indentation and air suction to induce deformation of tissue. The deforming process of tissue under suction or indentation was continuously monitored by OCT, and deformation of tissue was then derived from the transient OCT signals. Studies on phantoms with different stiffness were conducted. Results showed that the stiffness obtained by the OCT-based suction and indention well correlated with the stiffness detected using conventional mechanical testing. The probe was small enough for endoscopic use. In addition to the elasticity, the viscoelasticity of tissues can also be detected using creep indentation and suction test.