Ultrasonic detection method and apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

摘要

An ultrasonic detection method and apparatus are suited for real-time collection of three-dimensional ultrasonic data. The ultrasonic detection apparatus has an ultrasonic-optical transducer including a first optical layer and a second optical layer which define a gap having a predetermined length therebetween, the second optical layer being resiliently deformed such that the length of the gap varies when ultrasonic waves are applied from a second optical layer side; a light source for introducing a light beam having a wavelength longer than the gap length from a first optical layer side such that the light beam is totally reflected at an interface between the first optical layer and the gap; a detecting unit for two-dimensionally detecting distribution of intensity of the reflected light beam which varies depending on variation of intensity of light leaking from the first optical layer via the gap into the second optical layer; and a signal processing unit for two-dimensionally obtaining distribution of sound pressure of the ultrasonic waves applied on the second optical layer on the basis of the distribution of intensity of the reflected light beam detected by the detecting unit.