Abstract: A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical palpation device for evaluating a mechanical property of a sample material. The device comprises a body having a sensing portion and a sensing layer positioned at the sensing portion of the body and having a sensing surface positioned for direct or indirect contact with a surface area of the sample material. The sensing layer is deformable and has a predetermined deformation-dependent optical property. The device further comprises a light detector positioned to detect light transmitted through at least a portion of the sensing layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for characterizing a region of interest within or between biological tissue. The method comprises inserting at least a portion of a probe into the region of interest and directing electromagnetic radiation to the region of interest and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the region of interest using the probe in a direction that is transversal to a length of the probe. Further, the method comprises directing a fluid to the region of interest through a portion of the probe and analyzing received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for evaluating a mechanical property of a material. The device comprises a sensing layer that has a contact surface for contacting a surface area of the material. The sensing layer has a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive. The device also comprises a detector arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation that propagates through at least the sensing layer. The device is arranged such that, when the contact surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the surface area of the material and a load is applied on at least a portion of the surface area of the material, the detected electromagnetic radiation can be used to determine stress within a portion of the sensing layer, the determined stress being indicative of the mechanical property of the material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for evaluating a mechanical property of a material. The device comprises a sensing layer that has a contact surface for contacting a surface area of the material. The sensing layer has a property or dimension that is pressure sensitive. The device also comprises a detector arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation that propagates through at least the sensing layer. The device is arranged such that, when the contact surface of the sensing layer is in contact with the surface area of the material and a load is applied on at least a portion of the surface area of the material, the detected electromagnetic radiation can be used to determine stress within a portion of the sensing layer, the determined stress being indicative of the mechanical property of the material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for characterising a region of interest within or between biological tissue. The method comprises inserting at least a portion of a probe into the region of interest and directing electromagnetic radiation to the region of interest and receiving electromagnetic radiation from the region of interest using the probe in a direction that is transversal to a length of the probe. Further, the method comprises directing a fluid to the region of interest through a portion of the probe and analysing received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method for characterising a mechanical property of a material. The method comprises the steps of providing the material having a deformable portion and providing a device having an optical element that is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation.