PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGE GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

[Problem] To prevent irradiation with light of locations other than where generation of a photoacoustic image is desired. [Solution] An ultrasonic wave driving means (23) transmits ultrasonic waves as one example of an acoustic wave from an ultrasonic wave detecting part (21) of a probe (11). The ultrasonic wave detecting part (21) detects reflected acoustic signals corresponding to the transmitted ultrasonic waves. An image constructing means (26) generates an ultrasonic wave image on the basis of the reflected acoustic signals. A reference image storing means (28) stores, as a reference image, a previously generated ultrasonic wave image when the probe (11) is at a location where generation of a photoacoustic image is desired. A probe location determining means (29) compares the features of the ultrasonic wave image and the reference image. A laser control means (30) instructs a laser unit (13) to radiate light when the probe location determination means (29) determines that the features of the reflected acoustic signals coincide with each other. The ultrasonic wave detecting part (21) detects photoacoustic signals generated inside a subject as a result of irradiating the subject with laser light. The image construction means (26) generates a photoacoustic image on the basis of the photoacoustic signals.