Photoacoustic imaging apparatus and photoacoustic imaging method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photoacoustic imaging apparatus comprising:
- a light source;
a detector configured to convert an acoustic wave into an electric signal, the acoustic wave being generated from an optical absorber as a measurement target by irradiating the measurement target with light emitted from the light source; and
a signal processing unit configured to obtain an image of the measurement target based on the electric signal,wherein the signal processing unit is configured to determine whether an optical absorption coefficient of the optical absorber is lower or higher than an optical absorption coefficient of a surrounding region of the optical absorber based on the electric signal and obtain the image based on a result of the determination.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A photoacoustic imaging apparatus performs imaging of an optical absorber. The photoacoustic imaging apparatus includes a light source, a detector configured to detect an acoustic wave generated from the optical absorber that has absorbed energy of light emitted from the light source, and a signal processing unit configured to form an image of the optical absorber. The signal processing unit stores information indicating whether a rate of change in pressure of the acoustic wave detected by the detector is positive or negative before performing a waveform process on the acoustic wave.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A photoacoustic imaging apparatus comprising:
-
a light source; a detector configured to convert an acoustic wave into an electric signal, the acoustic wave being generated from an optical absorber as a measurement target by irradiating the measurement target with light emitted from the light source; and a signal processing unit configured to obtain an image of the measurement target based on the electric signal, wherein the signal processing unit is configured to determine whether an optical absorption coefficient of the optical absorber is lower or higher than an optical absorption coefficient of a surrounding region of the optical absorber based on the electric signal and obtain the image based on a result of the determination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A photoacoustic imaging method comprising:
-
a step of emitting light from a light source; a step of converting an acoustic wave into an electric signal, the acoustic wave being generated from an optical absorber as a measurement target by irradiating the measurement target with the light emitted from the light source; a step of determining whether an optical absorption coefficient of the optical absorber is lower or higher than an optical absorption coefficient of a surrounding region of the optical absorber based on the electric signal; and a step of obtaining an image of the measurement target using a result of the determination and the electric signal.
-
Specification