Elastographic contrast generation in optical coherence tomography from a localized shear stress.

A technique for generating contrast in two-dimensional shear strain elastograms from a localized stress is presented. The technique involves generating a non-uniform, localized stress via a magnetically actuated implant. Its effectiveness is demonstrated using finite-element simulations and a phantom study provides experimental verification of this. The method is applied to a superficial cancerous lesion model represented as a stiff inclusion in normal tissue. The lesion was best distinguished from its surroundings using total shear strain elastograms, rather than individual strain components. In experimental phantom studies, the lesion was imaged using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and could still be distinguished in elastograms when not readily identifiable in standard OCT images.