In an embodiment, an opto-acoustic probe includes an acoustic receiver, an optical energy path, and an exterior surface with a combined optical and acoustic port. The probe includes an acoustically transmissive optical distribution element having a distal surface and a proximal surface. The distal surface is adapted to be coupled to a volume of a biological tissue to deliver optical energy to the volume and to exchange acoustic energy with the volume and the proximal surface permits acoustic energy originating within the volume due to delivered optical energy to be detected by the acoustic receiver after the acoustic energy passes through the optical distribution element. The optical energy path of the probe is adapted to pass optical energy to one or more optical energy inputs of the optical distribution element. The optical distribution element distributes the optical energy from the one or more optical energy inputs to the distal surface and distributed optical energy exits the distal surface of the optical distribution element.
