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Photoacoustic imaging apparatus and photoacoustic imaging method

a technology of photoacoustic imaging and imaging apparatus, which is applied in the field of photoacoustic imaging apparatus and photoacoustic imaging method, can solve the problems of difficulty in determining whether the optical absorption coefficient of the subject is higher or lower than that of the surrounding medium

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-10-06
CANON KK
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention provides a photoacoustic imaging apparatus and a photoacoustic imaging method that can perform imaging by distinguishing a tissue having an optical absorption coefficient lower than that of a surrounding medium and a tissue having an optical absorption coefficient higher than that of a surrounding medium from each other.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, it has been difficult to determine whether the optical absorption coefficient of the subject is higher or lower than that of the surrounding medium.

Method used

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  • Photoacoustic imaging apparatus and photoacoustic imaging method
  • Photoacoustic imaging apparatus and photoacoustic imaging method
  • Photoacoustic imaging apparatus and photoacoustic imaging method

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first embodiment

[0047]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a photoacoustic imaging apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0048]The photoacoustic imaging apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is capable of imaging optical characteristic values in vivo and a concentration distribution of substances constituting biological tissue obtained from information about those values for the purpose of diagnosing a malignant tumor, a blood vessel disease, and the like, or observing a progress of chemical treatment. Particularly, the photoacoustic imaging apparatus 100 is capable of imaging an optical absorber having an optical absorption coefficient lower than that of a surrounding medium.

[0049]In the photoacoustic imaging apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, light emitted from a light source 130 propagates through an optical fiber 140, so that a living body 120 is irradiated with the light. The living body 120 as a surrounding medium has an optical absor...

second embodiment

[0069]A photoacoustic imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment is different from the photoacoustic imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in that an image formation process is performed after a normal envelope detection process has been performed. That is, in the first embodiment, image formation is performed after the positive / negative of acoustic pressure data after envelope detection has been inverted. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, image formation is performed without performing such a process. The configuration of the apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for signal processing and image reconstruction, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0070]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of signal processing and image reconstruction according to the second embodiment.

[0071]First, a focus transducer serving as the detector 150 detects a photoacoustic signal (S510).

[0072]Subsequently, the signal p...

third embodiment

[0079]A photoacoustic imaging apparatus according to a third embodiment is different from the photoacoustic imaging apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments in that image reconstruction is performed by using an algorithm based on delay and sum or an algorithm based on Fourier transform. As a detector according to this embodiment, a detector capable of detecting signals from various regions should be used. Other than the foregoing points, the configuration of the apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that according to the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0080]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of signal processing and image reconstruction according to the third embodiment.

[0081]First, the detector 150 detects a photoacoustic signal (S610).

[0082]Subsequently, the signal processing unit 170 stores pressure change information of the photoacoustic signal (S620), performs Hilbert transform on data of the photoacoustic signal (S630), a...

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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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus using a photoacoustic effect and to a photoacoustic imaging method.BACKGROUND ART[0002]In recent years, there has been suggested a method for obtaining a distribution of optical characteristic values in vivo at high resolution by using a characteristic of ultrasound, which is less likely to scatter in vivo compared to light.[0003]According to PTL, a living body is irradiated with pulsed light generated by a light source, an acoustic wave that is generated from biological tissue through energy absorption of the pulsed light is detected, and a signal corresponding to the detected acoustic wave is analyzed, whereby a distribution of optical characteristic values in vivo is obtained. The imaging using an acoustic wave obtained through irradiation of a living body with light is generally called photoacoustic imaging.[0004]Regarding a photoacoustic imaging method, the following technique is known. That is, when a p...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G01H17/00
CPCA61B5/0073A61B5/0095G01N2021/1706G01N21/1702
Inventor NAKAJIMA, TAKAOFUKUTANI, KAZUHIKOASAO, YASUFUMI
Owner CANON KK
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