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 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 invention relates to a medical device for obtaining a material sample from a material. The medical device comprises a first member comprising a receptacle for receiving the material sample; and a second member having a hollow region for accommodating at least a portion of the first member such that the at least a portion of the first member is movable within the second member. The first and second members are arranged such that when the material sample is received in the receptacle of the first member, the material sample can be obtained by moving the first member within the second member. The medical device further comprises an optical element arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation that can be used to determine information in relation to the material. The medical device has a distal end for inserting the medical device into 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 invention relates to a medical device for obtaining a material sample from a material. The medical device comprises a first member comprising a receptacle for receiving the material sample; and a second member having a hollow region for accommodating at least a portion of the first member such that the at least a portion of the first member is movable within the second member. The first and second members are arranged such that when the material sample is received in the receptacle of the first member, the material sample can be obtained by moving the first member within the second member. The medical device further comprises an optical element arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation that can be used to determine information in relation to the material. The medical device has a distal end for inserting the medical device into 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems of measuring progressive multilateral dysfunction of a system are provided. Methods of measuring progressive multilateral dysfunction of a system include, obtaining a plurality of different health measures for the system, defining a multidimensional space with one dimension corresponding to each health measures and defining a point in the multidimensional space representing the values of the health measures. Further the method includes, comparing the position of the defined point to a predefined trajectory through said multidimensional space representing progressive multilateral dysfunction of the system where the measure of the progressive multilateral dysfunction of the system is calculated from the position of the point relative to the predefined trajectory.