Optomechatronic prototype based on digital holographic interferometry aimed to the study of biological tissues

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary stages of the development of a compact optomechatronic prototype for the characterization and study of biological tissues in full field of view. The system is based on the optical non invasive technique known as digital holographic interferometry (DHI), which allows displacement measurements in the micrometer range, a key feature for the study of biological tissues. An ad-hoc optomechanical design contemplates a sturdy system yet compact that renders high quality images able to generate new data about the biological tissues under study. These data contain quantitative and qualitative information of tissue mechanical parameters. The DHI results are presented as fringe phase maps related to tissue surface displacements, showing that the proposed prototype provides non invasive information pertaining to the mechanical characteristics of the tissue which can be used later to diagnose certain tissue pathologies. The use of this prototype in the biomedical area may be thought of as a new and complementary tool for the study and research in full field of view that may even be used in conditions outside the laboratory.