Abstract:
A flash lamp 32 excites a laser rod 31. A Q switch 35 which changes the loss of the optical resonator according to the voltage applied is inserted on the optical path of a pair of mirrors 33 and 34 forming the optical resonator. An optical path shutter 39 is provided on the optical path of laser emission light. In a first operation mode in which laser emission is performed, the optical path shutter 39 is opened and the voltage applied to the Q switch 35 is changed from a high voltage to, for example, 0 V to emit pulsed laser light after the flash lamp 32 excites the laser rod 31. In a second operation mode in which the laser emission is interrupted and waited for, the optical path shutter 39 is closed and the voltage applied to the Q switch 35 is, for example, 0 V.
Abstract:
A photoacoustic measurement device 10 includes a probe 11 having a light emitting unit that emits measurement light L and a plurality of acoustic wave detection elements, a determination unit 28 that determines whether a state between the probe 11 and a subject M is a contact state or a non-contact state, and a light intensity control unit (for example, a switching control unit 36 and an intensity switching unit 37) that controls the intensity of the measurement light such that the measurement light has a first intensity or a second intensity higher than the first intensity, on the basis of the determination result of the determination unit 28. The determination unit 28 performs the determination on the basis of the status of a change in a plurality of photoacoustic signals detected by the plurality of acoustic wave detection elements.
Abstract:
Provided are a photoacoustic image generation apparatus, a photoacoustic image generation method, and a photoacoustic image generation program that can perform a more appropriate reconstruction process regardless of the type of probe, without causing a reduction in the speed of an arithmetic process. It is identified whether a probe that detects photoacoustic waves and outputs a photoacoustic wave detection signal is a probe in which detection elements are arranged by a coordinate system using polar coordinates or a probe in which detection elements are arranged by a rectangular coordinate system. In a case in which the probe is identified as the probe in which the detection elements are arranged by the coordinate system using the polar coordinates, a time domain reconstruction process is selected to generate a photoacoustic image.
Abstract:
There is provided a photoacoustic measurement apparatus capable of appropriately detecting a single failure state even in the single failure state so that it is possible to prevent an operation in the single failure state from continuing. There are included: a laser light source having a flash lamp and a laser medium; an excitation light source power supply having a capacitor for supplying a charge voltage to the flash lamp, a charging circuit for charging the capacitor, a first voltage dividing circuit and a second voltage dividing circuit for dividing a voltage charged in the capacitor, and a failure detection circuit that detects a failure by comparing voltages obtained by voltage division of the first voltage dividing circuit and the second voltage dividing circuit; and an ultrasound probe that detects photoacoustic waves generated inside a subject by emission of light emitted from the laser light source to the subject.
Abstract:
A photoacoustic imaging method is provided that can prevent the surface of the subject from appearing in an image when a part to be observed at a position deeper than the surface of the subject is imaged. The photoacoustic imaging device includes a unit for outputting pulsed light toward the subject, and generating photoacoustic data by detecting photoacoustic waves emitted from the subject exposed to the light. The photoacoustic imaging device also includes a region detection unit that detects a near-surface region of the subject based on the photoacoustic wave detection signals, and a correcting unit that attenuates (which encompasses removing) information of the near-surface region found by the region detection unit when the part to be observed is displayed.
Abstract:
A photoacoustic imaging method that enables photoacoustic images to be displayed at high speed is provided. The photoacoustic imaging method scans a subject with a light beam, detects acoustic waves generated within the subject due to the scanning of light to obtain acoustic wave detected signals, and generates volume data that represent three dimensional photoacoustic images of the subject based on the acoustic wave detected signals. Photoacoustic projection images projected in the direction of irradiation depth of the light are generated, prior to the volume data being generated and concurrently with the scanning of the light. The photoacoustic projection images are displayed.
Abstract:
A laser source unit obtains Q switch pulse oscillation with a simple structure while continuously switching a plurality of wavelengths. A laser source unit emits pulsed laser beams with a plurality of different wavelengths. A flash lamp radiates excitation light to a laser rod. A pair of mirrors face each other with the laser rod interposed therebetween. The pair of mirrors form an optical resonator. Wavelength selection unit controls the wavelength of light which resonates in the optical resonator to any one of a plurality of wavelengths to be emitted by the laser source unit. Driving unit drives the wavelength selection unit such that the optical resonator performs the Q switch pulse oscillation.
Abstract:
A probe includes an acoustic wave transmitting section that transmits acoustic waves toward a subject, a light irradiating section that irradiates a light beam guided from a light source, and an acoustic wave detecting section that detects photoacoustic waves generated within the subject due to irradiation of the light beam onto the subject and reflected acoustic waves of the acoustic waves transmitted into the subject. In addition, a mode switching switch is provided on the probe. A control means switches operating modes between an operating mode in which the acoustic wave detecting section detects at least photoacoustic waves, and an operating mode in which the acoustic wave detecting section does not detect photoacoustic waves.
Abstract:
There is provided a photoacoustic measurement apparatus including a laser light source unit that has a flash lamp for emitting excitation light and a laser rod for emitting laser light in response to incidence of the excitation light, an excitation light source power supply unit that has a capacitor bank for supplying a voltage to the flash lamp, an IGBT for controlling an output of the voltage charged in the capacitor bank to the flash lamp, a discharge control circuit for generating a driving pulse for driving the IGBT, and a pulse width limiting circuit for limiting a pulse width of the driving pulse output from the discharge control circuit, the pulse width limiting circuit being formed of a passive element, and a photoacoustic wave detection unit that detects photoacoustic waves generated inside a subject by emission of light emitted from the laser light source unit to the subject.
Abstract:
In a laser device that emits pulsed laser light by emitting excitation light to a laser medium in a state in which a first voltage is applied to a Q switch and changing the voltage applied to the Q switch from a first voltage to a second voltage after the emission of the excitation light, the application start timing of the first voltage during a normal operation is set to a timing at which the intensity of the pulsed laser light periodically changing due to the vibration of the Q switch is maximized.