A device for measuring the elasticity of a macroscopic sample, in particular for measuring the elasticity of tissue of a living human or animal, is disclosed, which comprises the following: at least one outlet for a jet of fluid and/or one inlet for aspiration of a stream of fluid, means for positioning the device in relation to the macroscopic sample in such a way that the outlet and/or the inlet and/or an end face of the device is at a predetermined distance from the macroscopic sample, or at a distance therefrom that can be determined by said means, and a mechanism for measuring a variable that is characteristic of the extent of a deformation of the sample on account of an interaction of the sample with the jet of fluid and/or the aspirated stream of fluid, wherein this variable is determined by an ion current in the deformation area of the sample, or the volumetric flow of the fluid itself, or, if the fluid is enclosed by the elastic sample, by a change of volume and associated change of pressure in the enclosed fluid.
