SUBJECT INFORMATION ACQUISITION APPARATUS

摘要

Viscoelastic characteristics in a subject are imaged by a simple method.;A viscoelasticity measurement reference layer whose elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient are known is included between an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving probe and the subject and distributions of elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient inside the subject are calculated from a change over time of strain generated in the viscoelasticity measurement reference layer and the subject according to a pressure applied to the subject which changes over time and known elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient of the viscoelasticity measurement reference layer.

主权项

1. A subject information acquisition apparatus for transmitting an elastic wave to a subject, receiving the elastic wave reflected from inside the subject, and acquiring information inside the subject, the subject information acquisition apparatus comprising:
a conversion device configured to receive the elastic wave and convert the elastic wave into an electrical signal; a reference layer which is provided between the conversion device and the subject and whose viscosity coefficient and elastic modulus are known; a measuring unit configured to measure strain of the subject and strain of the reference layer which are generated when a pressure is applied to the subject and the reference layer by using the electrical signal; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a viscosity coefficient (η) of the subject by using a viscosity coefficient and an elastic modulus of the reference layer, the strain of the subject, and the strain of the reference layer.