Combining elastography and OCT

Researchers at University of Washington (USA) have developed a new diagnostic procedure combining elastography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) that improves the accurate assessment of in vivo tissue stiffness, often an indicator of disease. Elastography aims to noninvasively and quantitatively assess the mechanical properties of soft tissues to complement structural imaging. Extensive research has been conducted in the past 15 years to develop elastography methods based on OCT. With its micron-scale resolution and submicron-scale sensitivity, OCT is envisioned in particular for elastography of ocular tissues but could also be applied to skin layers or vascular walls.