Method and apparatus for forming an image that shows information about a subject
First Claim
1. A method for diagnosing breast cancer in humans that comprises the steps of:
- a. Bringing a diagnostic probe in touch with breast tissue, said diagnostic probe further comprises an ultrasound imaging elements and photo-acoustic illumination and detection elements,b. Illuminating said breast tissue with short duration light pulses having wavelengths that lie in the absorption spectral bands of hemoglobin, to generate photoacoustic signals,c. detecting said photoacoustic signal using ultrasound transducers to determine the distribution of blood (vascularization) of breast tissue,d. generating and detecting an ultrasound image of the morphology of said human breast tissue, using ultrasound transducers that are co-registered with said photo-acoustic detection transducers used in the detection of said photo acoustic signals; and
e. Overlaying said photo acoustic vascularization image over said ultrasound morphology image to generate a combined image of the vascular distribution in different morphological structures in the breast, said morphological structure are the lesions of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus includes an optical transmission unit which irradiates a subject to be examined with light containing a specific wavelength component, an electroacoustic conversion unit which receives acoustic waves generated inside the subject by the light radiated by the optical transmission unit and converts them into electrical signals, an image data generating unit which generates first image data on the basis of the reception signals obtained by the electroacoustic conversion unit, an electroacoustic conversion unit which receives ultrasonic reflection signals obtained by transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject and converts them into electrical signals, an image data generating unit which generates second image data on the basis of the reception signals obtained by the electroacoustic conversion unit, and a display unit which combines the first and second image data and displays the resultant data.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method for diagnosing breast cancer in humans that comprises the steps of:
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a. Bringing a diagnostic probe in touch with breast tissue, said diagnostic probe further comprises an ultrasound imaging elements and photo-acoustic illumination and detection elements, b. Illuminating said breast tissue with short duration light pulses having wavelengths that lie in the absorption spectral bands of hemoglobin, to generate photoacoustic signals, c. detecting said photoacoustic signal using ultrasound transducers to determine the distribution of blood (vascularization) of breast tissue, d. generating and detecting an ultrasound image of the morphology of said human breast tissue, using ultrasound transducers that are co-registered with said photo-acoustic detection transducers used in the detection of said photo acoustic signals; and e. Overlaying said photo acoustic vascularization image over said ultrasound morphology image to generate a combined image of the vascular distribution in different morphological structures in the breast, said morphological structure are the lesions of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for diagnosing disease such as breast cancer in humans by superimposing a distribution of the concentration of an analyte, such as hemoglobin over imaged morphological features such as lesions, said apparatus comprising:
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a. Light generating unit, which generates light containing a specific wavelength component; b. An irradiation unit, which radiates the light generated by the light-generating unit into a subject to be examined; c. Wave guide means for guiding the light generated by the light-generating unit to the irradiation unit; d. First electroacoustic conversion means for converting acoustic waves generated in the subject by the light radiated by the irradiation unit into electrical signals by using a plurality of arrayed electroacoustic transducer elements; e. First image data generating means for generating first image data on the basis of the signals obtained by the first electroacoustic conversion means; f. Ultrasonic wave transmission means for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the subject; g. Second electroacoustic conversion means for converting components of the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmission means which are reflected inside the subject into electrical signals by using a plurality of arrayed electroacoustic transducer elements; h. Second image data generating means for generating second image data on the basis of the signals obtained by the second electroacoustic conversion means; and i. Display means for displaying the first image data and the second image data.
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10. A subject-information imaging apparatus for the determination distribution of the concentration of an analyte, over imaged morphological features in tissue, said apparatus comprising:
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a light generating unit which generates light containing a specific wavelength component; an irradiation unit which radiates the light generated by the light generating unit into a subject to be examined; waveguide means for guiding the light generated by the light generating unit to the irradiation unit; first electroacoustic conversion means for converting acoustic waves generated in the subject by the light radiated by the irradiation unit into electrical signals by using a plurality of arrayed electroacoustic transducer elements; first image data generating means for generating first image data on the basis of the signals obtained by the first electroacoustic conversion means; ultrasonic wave transmission means for transmitting ultrasonic waves into the subject; second electroacoustic conversion means for converting components of the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmission means which are reflected inside the subject into electrical signals by using a plurality of arrayed electroacoustic transducer elements; second image data generating means for generating second image data on the basis of the signals obtained by the second electroacoustic conversion means; and display means for displaying the first image data and the second image data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A subject-information imaging apparatus for the determination distribution of the concentration of a substance, over imaged morphological features in tissue, said apparatus comprising:
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irradiation means for irradiating a subject to be examined with light; ultrasonic wave transmission means for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject; electroacoustic conversion means for receiving an acoustic wave generated in the subject by the irradiation light or the transmission ultrasonic wave and converting the wave into an electrical signal; first image data generating means for receiving an electrical signal output from the electroacoustic conversion means and generating first image data on the basis of an acoustic wave originating from the irradiation light; second image data generating means for receiving an electrical signal output from the electroacoustic conversion means and generating second image data on the basis of an acoustic wave originating from the transmission ultrasonic wave; and display means for displaying the first and second image data. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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41. A subject-information imaging apparatus for the determination distribution of the concentration of a substance, over imaged morphological features in tissue, said apparatus comprising:
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an irradiation unit configured to irradiate a subject to be examined with light; an ultrasonic wave transmission unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to the subject; an electroacoustic conversion unit configured to receive an acoustic wave generated in the subject by the irradiation light or the transmission ultrasonic wave and to convert the wave into an electrical signal; a first image data generating unit configured to receive an electrical signal output from the electroacoustic conversion unit and to generate first image data on the basis of an acoustic wave originating from the irradiation light; a second image data generating unit configured to receive an electrical signal output from the electroacoustic conversion unit and to generate second image data on the basis of an acoustic wave originating from the transmission ultrasonic wave; and a display unit configured to display the first and second image data. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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Specification