Measurement of cellular elastic properties by acoustic microscopy

The acoustic microscope is used to investigate the elastic properties of living biological cells. A quantitative model is developed relating acoustic microscope image contrast to cellular elastic properties. Cytoplasmic acoustic attenuation is measured by focusing the acoustic microscope on the surface of the underlying substrate. Cytoplasmic acoustic impedance is measured by focusing the acoustic microscope on the top surface of the cell. The model allows the acoustic microscope to give quantitative information about cellular elasticity on a subcellular scale.