METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING OR DETERMINING AT LEAST ONE BIOMECHANICAL PARAMETER OF SOFT BIOLOGICAL TISSUES

摘要

A method of noninvasively measuring a biomechanical parameter of soft biological tissue, using an impulse applying device comprising a movable testing body having an end portion to be placed in contact with a surface of the tissue, the method comprising a pre-measurement process which comprises: the impulse applying device applying a pre-pressure to the surface of the tissue via the end portion in contact with the surface of the tissue; whilst maintaining said pre-pressure, the impulse applying device generating at least two impulses separated by a time interval, each impulse causing the end portion to impart to the tissue an action with certain parameters, and each of the end portion actions inducing a response of the tissue; determining a value of a biomechanical parameter of the tissue from the response induced by each end portion action; and determining if the values of the biomechanical parameter determined from the response induced by each end portion action are sufficiently similar to each other to indicate that the pre-pressure, the parameters of the end portion actions and the time interval are acceptable for a measurement process to be conducted on the surface of the tissue using the same pre-pressure, a plurality of end portion actions with the same parameters and the same time interval.