JP2015186555A - Scanner and photoacoustic measurement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable photoacoustic measurement when a scanner and a photoacoustic measurement apparatus are combined with a probe which does not include means for illumination.SOLUTION: A probe 11 comprises a detector element for detecting acoustic waves. Light is guided from a light source 13 and enters a light incident surface. Light guide plates 43 guide the light entered from the light incident surface to a light emission surface and causes the light to be emitted from light emission surface. An attachment 42 includes a mounting plate for mounting the probe 11 and a mounting part for mounting the light guide plates 43. The scanning mechanism 41 scans the probe 11, the attachment 42, and the light guide plates 43 in a first direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanning device, and more particularly to a scanning device that scans a probe that detects acoustic waves in a scanning direction.

  The present invention also relates to a photoacoustic wave measurement apparatus that measures an acoustic wave generated in a subject after light is emitted to the subject.

  An ultrasonic inspection method is known as a kind of image inspection method capable of non-invasively examining the state inside a living body. In the ultrasonic inspection, an ultrasonic probe capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is used. When ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic probe to the subject (living body), the ultrasonic waves travel inside the living body and are reflected at the tissue interface. The reflected ultrasound is received by the ultrasound probe, and the internal state can be imaged by calculating the distance based on the time it takes for the reflected ultrasound to return to the ultrasound probe. .

  In addition, photoacoustic imaging is known in which the inside of a living body is imaged using a photoacoustic effect. In general, in photoacoustic imaging, a living body is irradiated with pulsed laser light. Inside the living body, the living tissue absorbs the energy of the pulsed laser light, and ultrasonic waves (photoacoustic waves) are generated by adiabatic expansion due to the energy. By detecting this photoacoustic wave with an ultrasonic probe or the like and constructing a photoacoustic image based on the detection signal, in-vivo visualization based on the photoacoustic signal is possible.

  In ultrasonic imaging or photoacoustic imaging, it may be desired to scan a probe in a certain direction and generate an ultrasonic image or photoacoustic image in a certain scanning range. Regarding ultrasonic imaging, Patent Document 1 discloses a probe scanner including a scanning mechanism that scans a probe at a predetermined scanning speed while bringing the probe into contact with a desired portion of the subject under constant contact pressure. In addition, regarding photoacoustic imaging, Patent Document 2 discloses a photoacoustic measurement apparatus in which a probe is arranged on one flat plate side of a set of parallel flat plates and performs light irradiation on an object to be measured through the one flat plate. It is described that the illumination means and the probe are integrally scanned along a parallel plate.

JP 58-118740 A JP 2010-17427 A

  One of the major differences between photoacoustic imaging (photoacoustic measurement) and ultrasonic imaging is that irradiation of illumination light to a subject is necessary in photoacoustic measurement. In photoacoustic measurement, from the viewpoint of irradiating illumination light in a range in which the probe can detect an acoustic wave, illumination means is often disposed in the vicinity of the probe and light irradiation is performed from there. So far, probes incorporating illumination means have been proposed as probes used for photoacoustic measurement.

  Here, in the photoacoustic measurement, a plurality of probes having different numbers of detector elements (number of channels) and center frequencies may be prepared, and the probes may be properly used depending on the site to be examined. If it is necessary to incorporate illumination means into each of the plurality of probes, the unit price of the probe increases by the amount of illumination means, and the cost increases. Further, the user may already have a plurality of probes having different numbers of detector elements and different center frequencies for ultrasonic imaging. Even in such a case, it is necessary to newly prepare probes incorporating illumination means for photoacoustic measurement, which increases costs.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a scanning device that is used for photoacoustic measurement, and that can perform photoacoustic measurement in combination with a probe that does not include illumination means. To do.

  Moreover, this invention provides the photoacoustic measuring device containing the said scanning device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light guide member in which light guided from a light source enters from a light incident surface, guides the incident light to a light exit surface, and exits from the light exit surface; An attachment having a probe mounting portion including a detector element for detecting an acoustic wave and a light guide member mounting portion, and a scanning mechanism for scanning the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in a first direction. A probe scanning device is provided.

  The scanning device of the present invention may further include an arm to which the scanning mechanism is attached.

  In the present invention, the scanning mechanism may include a holding unit that detachably holds at least one of the probe and the attachment.

  The attachment may be integrated with the scanning mechanism.

  The scanning mechanism may include a first moving unit that moves the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment along the first direction.

  The scanning device of the present invention can employ a configuration that further includes a measurement unit that measures the distance to the subject. In this case, the scanning mechanism may further include a second moving unit that moves the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction based on the distance measured by the measurement unit. Good.

  It is preferable that the scanning mechanism further includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the positions of the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in two directions orthogonal to the first direction.

  It is preferable that the attachment has a light diffusing portion that diffuses and emits light emitted from the light emitting portion of the light guide member.

  The present invention also provides a light source, a probe including a detector element for detecting an acoustic wave, light guided from the light source is incident from the light incident surface, and guides the incident light to the light exit surface. A probe having a light guide member that emits from the light exit surface, an attachment having a probe attachment portion and a light guide member attachment portion, and a scanning mechanism that scans the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in the first direction. The photoacoustic wave detection signal generated in the subject after the light emitted from the light source from the scanning device and the probe is emitted to the subject through the light guide member, and signal processing is performed based on the received detection signal The photoacoustic measuring device is provided with signal processing means for performing the above.

  In the photoacoustic measurement apparatus of the present invention, the scanning mechanism may include a first moving unit that moves the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment along the first direction.

  The scanning mechanism may further include a second moving unit that moves the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

  The signal processing means may measure the distance from the probe to the subject based on the received photoacoustic wave detection signal, and drive the second moving means based on the measured distance.

  The signal processing means further receives a reflected acoustic wave detection signal for the acoustic wave transmitted from the probe toward the subject, and measures the distance from the probe to the subject based on the received reflected acoustic wave detection signal. Then, the second moving means may be driven based on the measured distance.

  The scanning device and the photoacoustic measurement device of the present invention can perform photoacoustic measurement in combination with an existing probe that does not include means for illumination.

The block diagram which shows the photoacoustic measuring device containing the scanning device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows a signal processing unit. 1 is an external view showing a scanning device. The perspective view which shows an example of a scanning mechanism. The perspective view seen from the side by which an attachment probe and a light-guide plate are mounted | worn. The perspective view which looked at the attachment from the opposite side to the side where a probe and a light-guide plate are mounted | worn. The figure which shows the state which attached the probe and the light-guide plate to the attachment. The figure which shows the path | route of the light emission with respect to a subject. The block diagram which shows the photoacoustic measuring device containing the scanning device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the scanning mechanism and signal processing unit in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a photoacoustic measuring device including a scanning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The photoacoustic measurement apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe (probe) 11, a signal processing unit (ultrasonic unit) 12, a light source 13, and a scanning device 14. The photoacoustic measuring device according to the present embodiment can generate both an ultrasonic image and a photoacoustic image. In the embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic wave is used as an acoustic wave. However, the ultrasonic wave is not limited to an ultrasonic wave, and is audible as long as an appropriate frequency is selected in accordance with an object to be examined and measurement conditions. An acoustic wave having a frequency may be used.

  The light source 13 emits light irradiated on the subject. The light source 13 is, for example, a pulse laser light source that emits pulse laser light. What is necessary is just to set the wavelength of the light which the light source 13 radiate | emits suitably according to an observation target object.

  The scanning device 14 includes a scanning mechanism 41, an attachment 42, and an illumination unit (light guide plate) 43. The light emitted from the light source 13 is guided to the light guide plate 43 using an optical wiring 44 such as an optical fiber. The light guide plate 43 is a light guide member that receives light guided from the light source 13 from the light incident surface, guides the incident light to the light exit surface, and emits the light from the light exit surface. The attachment 42 has an attachment part for the probe 11 and an attachment part for the light guide plate 43. The scanning mechanism 41 integrally scans the probe 11, the attachment 42, and the light guide plate 43 in the first direction (scanning direction).

  The probe 11 is signal detection means, and outputs (transmits) ultrasonic waves to the subject and detects (receives) ultrasonic waves from the subject. The probe 11 has, for example, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged one-dimensionally. The probe 11 outputs ultrasonic waves from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers when generating an ultrasonic image, and detects reflected ultrasonic waves with respect to the output ultrasonic waves. When the photoacoustic image is generated, the probe 11 detects a photoacoustic wave generated when the measurement object in the subject absorbs light.

  The signal processing unit 12 receives detection signals of photoacoustic waves and reflected ultrasonic waves from the probe 11. The signal processing unit 12 performs signal processing based on the received detection signal. The signal processing performed by the signal processing unit 12 includes, for example, generation of an ultrasonic image based on a detection signal of reflected ultrasonic waves, generation of a photoacoustic image based on a detection signal of photoacoustic waves, and the like. Signal processing for the detection signal of the reflected ultrasonic wave may be omitted.

  FIG. 2 shows the signal processing unit 12. The signal processing unit 12 includes a reception circuit 21, an AD conversion unit 22, a reception memory 23, a data separation unit 24, a photoacoustic image generation unit 25, an ultrasonic image generation unit 26, an image synthesis unit 27, a control unit 28, and transmission control. A circuit 29 is included.

  The receiving circuit 21 receives a photoacoustic wave detection signal detected by the probe 11. Further, the detection signal of the reflected ultrasonic wave detected by the probe 11 is received. The AD conversion means 22 converts the photoacoustic wave and reflected ultrasonic detection signals received by the receiving circuit 21 into digital signals. The AD conversion means 22 samples the detection signal of a photoacoustic wave and a reflected ultrasonic wave based on the sampling clock signal of a predetermined period, for example. The AD conversion means 22 stores the sampled photoacoustic wave and reflected ultrasonic detection signals (sampling data) in the reception memory 23.

  The data separation unit 24 separates the sampling data of the detection signal of the photoacoustic wave and the sampling data of the detection signal of the reflected ultrasonic wave stored in the reception memory 23. The data separation unit 24 inputs the sampling data of the photoacoustic wave detection signal to the photoacoustic image generation unit 25. The separated reflected ultrasound sampling data is input to the ultrasound image generating means (reflected acoustic wave image generating means) 26.

  The photoacoustic image generation means 25 generates a photoacoustic image based on a photoacoustic wave detection signal detected by the probe 11. The generation of the photoacoustic image includes, for example, image reconstruction such as phase matching addition, detection, logarithmic conversion, and the like. The ultrasonic image generation unit 26 generates an ultrasonic image (reflected acoustic wave image) based on the detection signal of the reflected ultrasonic wave detected by the probe 11. The generation of an ultrasonic image also includes image reconstruction such as phase matching addition, detection, logarithmic conversion, and the like.

  The image synthesizing unit 27 synthesizes the photoacoustic image and the ultrasonic image. The image composition unit 27 performs image composition by superimposing a photoacoustic image and an ultrasonic image, for example. The synthesized image is displayed on image display means 15 such as a display. It is also possible to display the photoacoustic image and the ultrasonic image side by side on the image display means 15 without performing image synthesis, or to switch between the photoacoustic image and the ultrasonic image.

  The control means 28 controls each part in the signal processing unit 12. The control means 28 also performs control for instructing the light source 13 to emit light. The control means 28 sends a sampling trigger signal to the AD conversion means 22 in accordance with the timing at which the light emitted from the light source 13 is irradiated on the subject, and controls the photoacoustic wave sampling start timing. The control means 28 also controls the scanning mechanism 41. When the photoacoustic wave is detected at a plurality of scanning positions, the control unit 28 controls the scanning mechanism 41 to perform light irradiation and photoacoustic wave detection in synchronization with the scanning.

  When the ultrasonic image is generated, the control unit 28 sends an ultrasonic transmission trigger signal to the transmission control circuit 29 to instruct ultrasonic transmission. When receiving the ultrasonic transmission trigger signal, the transmission control circuit 29 causes the probe 11 to transmit ultrasonic waves. The control means 28 sends a sampling trigger signal to the AD conversion means 22 in synchronization with the timing of ultrasonic transmission, and starts sampling of reflected ultrasonic waves.

  FIG. 3 shows the scanning device 14. In the figure, the light guide plate 43 and the like are not shown. The scanning device 14 may include a universal arm 45 attached to a table 46 on which a subject is placed. For the free arm 45, for example, LC6100 manufactured by NOGA can be used. The scanning mechanism 41 is attached to the tip of the free arm 45. By setting the position and angle of the scanning mechanism 41 to a desired position and angle using the free arm 45, an arbitrary direction can be set as the scanning direction. The universal arm 45 preferably has a balance function that can hold the weight of the scanning mechanism 41. The optical wiring 44 that connects the light guide plate 43 and the light source 13 (see FIG. 1) may be routed along the free arm. An accommodation portion for accommodating the light guide plate 43 may be provided on the back surface of the scanning mechanism 41, and the light guide plate 43 may be accommodated in the accommodation portion when not used.

  The scanning mechanism 41 includes a holding portion 47, a first shaft 48, a shaft clamp 49, and a second shaft 50. The first shaft 48 is moved along the scanning direction. The holding portion 47 is disposed at one end portion of the second shaft 50. The holding unit 47 holds the probe 11 (see FIG. 1) in a detachable manner. For example, the holding unit 47 holds the probe 11 by sandwiching the probe 11 from two directions. Instead of holding the probe 11, the holding unit 47 may hold the attachment 42 with the probe 11 attached thereto. Or you may hold | maintain both the probe 11 and the attachment 42. FIG. The direction of the holding portion 47 is not limited to the direction shown in the drawing, and may be in a direction orthogonal to the drawing. When the transducers are arranged in a one-dimensional manner, the arrangement direction of the transducers only needs to be orthogonal to the scanning direction, and the holding direction is not limited.

  The shaft clamp 49 is attached to a first shaft 48 that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. A second shaft 50 having a holding portion 47 at the end is attached to the shaft clamp 49 in parallel with the scanning direction. As the first shaft 48 moves in the scanning direction, the probe 11 held by the holding portion 47 is scanned. The mounting position of the shaft clamp 49 can be adjusted along the axial direction of the first shaft 48. The shaft clamp 49 can adjust the distance between the first shaft 48 and the second shaft 50. The shaft clamp 49 constitutes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the probe 11 in two directions orthogonal to the scanning direction.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the scanning mechanism 41. The scanning mechanism 41 includes a moving unit 80, a holding plate 81, a ball screw 82, a guide rod 83, and a motor 84. For example, the ball screw 82 and the guide rod 83 are vertically attached to the holding plate 81 so as to be parallel to each other. The ball screw 82 has a convex portion formed in a spiral shape. The motor 84 rotates the ball screw 82 in one direction and the opposite direction.

  The moving part 80 has a hole through which the ball screw 82 passes and another hole through which the guide rod 83 passes. A first shaft 48 projects from the moving portion 80 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the ball screw 82 and the guide rod 83. A spiral recess (groove) corresponding to the spiral protrusion of the ball screw 82 is provided in a hole portion through which the ball screw 82 of the moving unit 80 passes, and the moving unit 80 rotates the ball screw 82. Accordingly, it can move along the guide rod 83. The ball screw 82 and the motor 84 that rotates the ball screw 82 constitute first moving means for moving the probe 11 in the scanning direction.

  5 is a perspective view of the attachment 42 as viewed from the side on which the probe 11 (see FIG. 1) and the light guide plate 43 are mounted. FIG. 6 is the side on which the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 are mounted. It is the perspective view seen from the other side. The side opposite to the side on which the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 are mounted is the subject side. As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment 42 includes a housing portion (light guide plate mounting portion) 61 for mounting the light guide plate 43 and a housing portion (probe housing portion) 62 for mounting the probe 11. . With the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 attached to the attachment 42, scanning by the scanning mechanism 41 (see FIG. 3) is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the attachment 42 has a light guide member 63 on the subject side. The light guide member 63 is bonded to the attachment 42 using, for example, an adhesive. For example, epoxy adhesives EPO-TEK 302-FL and EPO-TEK 301 manufactured by Epoxy Technology, Inc., and liquid rubber KE-44-T manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. can be used as the adhesive. In order to prevent the adhesive from protruding (around) the light incident surface or the light emitting surface of the light guide member 63, it is preferable that the adhesive is applied to the side surface of the light guide member 63 and then adhered to the attachment 42.

  Light emitted from the light exit surface of the light guide plate 43 attached to the attachment 42 enters the light guide member 63. The light emitted from the light source 13 (see FIG. 1) is irradiated to the subject through the optical wiring 44, the light guide plate 43, and the light guide member 63. Instead of using the light guide member 63, the light may be irradiated from the light guide plate 43 to the subject. The attachment 42 may have a light diffusion layer that diffuses light between the light guide member 63 and the light exit surface of the light guide plate 43. In that case, the light irradiation range to the subject can be expanded.

  The attachment 42 is prepared for each size of the probe 11, for example. The size of the probe 11 is defined by the length in the arrangement direction of a plurality of detector elements arranged one-dimensionally, for example. The size of the probe 11 is determined by the number of detector elements that the probe 11 has, for example. For example, an attachment for the probe 11 having 192 detector elements and an attachment for the probe having 128 detector elements are prepared. It is preferable that the light guide member 63 has an optical design that can irradiate light in a range that matches the size of the probe 11.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 are attached to the attachment 42. For example, a bundle fiber is used for the optical wiring 44 that connects the light source 13 (see FIG. 1) and the light guide plate 43. The strands of the bundle fiber are fixed side by side along the longitudinal direction of the light incident surface of the light guide plate 43. For the connection between the light guide plate 43 and the optical wiring 44, a fiber guide in which the strands of the bundle fiber are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the light incident surface of the light guide plate 43 may be used. The connection portion between the light guide plate 43 and the bundle fiber strand may be sealed with resin after connection. A space may be provided between the light emitting end of the optical wiring 44 and the light incident surface of the light guide plate 43. For example, a frame is used, the light emitting end of the optical wiring 44 is fixed to one side surface of the frame, and a transparent plate is provided at a position sufficiently separated from the light emitting end of the optical wiring 44 on the other side surface of the frame. What fixed (light guide plate) and covered the whole with the frame may be used as a light guide member. By separating the light emitting end of the optical wiring 44 from the light incident surface of the light guide plate 43, damage to the light emitting end of the optical wiring 44 can be prevented.

  A user such as a doctor attaches the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 to the attachment 42 before scanning the probe 11. The light guide plate 43 is inserted into the accommodating portion 61 (see FIG. 5) of the attachment 42 and fixed to the attachment 42. The light guide plate 43 is fitted and fixed to the attachment 42, for example. The light guide plate 43 is fixed to the attachment 42 by the surface contact between the side surface of the light guide plate 43 and the side surface of the housing portion 61 of the attachment 42. Alternatively, some protrusions may be provided on the side surface of the accommodating portion 61 of the attachment 42, and the protrusion 42 may be fixed to the attachment 42 by contact.

  FIG. 8 shows a light emission path for the subject. The optical wiring 44 has an optical connector on the light source 13 side, and the optical connector is connected to the light output terminal of the light source 13 prior to use. The light emitted from the light source 13 passes through the optical wiring 44 and enters the light guide plate 43. The light guide plate 43 guides the light incident from the optical wiring 44 toward the subject. The length from the light incident surface to the light emitting surface of the light guide plate 43 is, for example, about 10 mm.

  Since the light that has entered the light guide plate 43 is enlarged in the middle of being guided to the light exit surface side, the light intensity distribution on the light exit surface of the light guide plate 43 is the light intensity distribution on the light entrance surface. Is smoother than. The light emitted from the light guide plate 43 is emitted in the direction of the subject through a diffusion plate (diffusion part) 64 and a light guide member 63 disposed on the attachment 42 (not shown in FIG. 8). The light guide plate 43 and the diffusion plate 64 may face each other with a gap. By using the diffusion plate 64, the light intensity distribution can be further smoothed.

  After mounting the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 on the attachment 42, the user holds the probe 11 on the holding portion 47 (see FIG. 3) of the scanning mechanism 41. The attachment 42 may be screwed to the holding portion of the scanning mechanism 41, and the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 may be attached to the screwed attachment 42.

  The user starts scanning by the scanning mechanism 41 after determining the position and scanning direction of the probe 11 by the free arm 45 and the shaft clamp 49. The probe 11, the attachment 42, and the light guide plate 43 are integrated and scanned by the scanning mechanism 41 in the scanning direction. By performing light emission and photoacoustic wave detection at a plurality of positions in the scanning direction, a photoacoustic image at each scanning position can be acquired. In addition, by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves at each scanning position, an ultrasonic image at each scanning position can be acquired.

  Before attaching the light guide plate 43 to the attachment 42, it is preferable to cover the light emitting surface of the light guide plate 43, particularly with a protective cover, so that dust, oil or the like does not adhere to the light guide plate 43. Moreover, it is preferable to attach a protective cover also to the accommodating part 61 of the attachment 42 so that foreign matter or the like does not enter the accommodating part.

  When the test site changes or when the depth of a portion to be observed changes even in the same test site, the probe 11 is removed from the attachment 42 and, for example, another probe 11 having a different center frequency is mounted. When changing to a probe 11 having a different size, the attachment 42 may be changed to one suitable for the changed size. After changing the probe 11, the probe 11 is held by the holding portion 47 of the scanning mechanism 41, and the probe 11 is operated at a desired position and scanning direction.

  In the present embodiment, the probe 11 and the light guide plate 43 are attached to the attachment 42, and the probe 11, the attachment 42, and the light guide plate 43 are integrally scanned by the scanning mechanism 41. The attachment 42 having the attachment portion of the probe 11 and the attachment portion of the light guide plate 43 can add a light irradiation function to the probe 11 and can perform photoacoustic measurement in combination with a probe that does not include illumination means. It becomes. In the present embodiment, the probe 11 attached to the attachment 42 can be replaced. It is considered that the user who uses the ultrasonic imaging apparatus already has a plurality of center frequency probes. In the present embodiment, a plurality of probes 11 having different center frequencies can be replaced and used, and therefore it is not necessary to separately prepare a plurality of center frequency probes with a built-in light guide plate for photoacoustic use. Therefore, photoacoustic measurement can be performed at low cost.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 shows a photoacoustic measuring device including a scanning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition to moving the probe 11 in the scanning direction, the scanning device 14a according to the present embodiment moves the probe 11 also in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. The signal processing unit 12a measures the distance from the probe 11 to the subject based on the detection signal of the reflected ultrasonic wave or photoacoustic wave received from the probe 11, and makes the probe 11 orthogonal to the scanning direction based on the measured distance. Move also in the direction. Other points may be the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 shows the scanning mechanism 41a and the signal processing unit 12a. The scanning mechanism 41 a includes a first moving unit 411 and a second moving unit 412. The first moving means 411 includes, for example, a ball screw 82 and a motor 84 shown in FIG. The second moving unit 412 moves the probe 11, the attachment 42, and the light guide plate 43 in a second direction orthogonal to the scanning direction (first direction). Similarly to the first moving unit 411, the second moving unit 412 also includes, for example, a ball screw 82 and a motor 84. Since the movement in the second direction may be narrower than the movement in the first direction, a small one may be used.

  The signal processing unit 12a used in the present embodiment includes a measuring unit 30. The measurement unit 30 measures the distance between the probe 11 and the subject. For example, the measurement unit 30 measures the distance from the probe 11 to the subject based on the photoacoustic image generated by the photoacoustic image generation unit 25 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the distance from the probe 11 to the subject is measured based on the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic image generating means 26. The method used for measuring the distance from the probe 11 to the subject is not particularly limited. For example, the measurement unit 30 measures the distance from the ultrasonic detection surface of the probe 11 to the subject surface based on the position in the depth direction of the line represented by strong luminance included in the photoacoustic image or the ultrasonic image. The measurement unit 30 may measure the distance using an optical displacement sensor provided in the probe 11 instead of measuring the distance using a photoacoustic image or an ultrasonic image.

  In the present embodiment, the probe 11 is moved not only in the scanning direction but also in a second direction orthogonal to the scanning direction. The subject and the scanning direction of the probe 11 are not always parallel, and the distance from the probe 11 to the subject may vary depending on the scanning position. In this embodiment, since the position of the probe 11 in the subject direction is controlled according to the distance from the probe 11 to the subject, the probe 11 can be scanned at a constant distance with respect to the subject. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the example in which the signal processing unit 12a includes the measurement unit 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the scanning device 14a may include a measurement unit that measures the distance to the subject. The measurement unit of the scanning device 14a may emit light from, for example, a light emitting unit disposed at the distal end portion of the attachment 42, receive the reflected light, and measure the distance from the probe 11 to the subject. The second moving unit 412 may move the probe 11, the attachment 42, and the light guide plate 43 in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction based on the distance measured by the measuring unit.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiment, the scanning device and the photoacoustic measurement device of the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made from the configuration of the above embodiment. Further, modifications and changes are also included in the scope of the present invention.

11: Probe 12: Signal processing unit 13: Light source 14: Scanning device 15: Image display means 21: Reception circuit 22: AD conversion means 23: Reception memory 24: Data separation means 25: Photoacoustic image generation means 26: Ultrasound image Generation means 27: Image composition means 28: Control means 29: Transmission control circuit 30: Measurement unit 41: Scanning mechanism 42: Attachment 43: Light guide plate 44: Optical wiring 45: Swivel arm 46: Base 47: Holding part 48, 50: Shaft 49: Shaft clamp 61, 62: Housing part (mounting part)
63: light guide member 64: diffusion plate 80: moving part 81: holding plate 82: ball screw 83: guide rod 84: motor 411: first moving means 412: second moving means

Claims (13)

A light guide member that receives light guided from a light source from a light incident surface, guides the incident light to a light exit surface, and exits the light exit surface;
An attachment having an attachment part of a probe including a detector element for detecting an acoustic wave and an attachment part of the light guide member;
A probe scanning device comprising: the light guide member, the probe, and a scanning mechanism that scans the attachment in a first direction.   The scanning device according to claim 1, further comprising an arm to which the scanning mechanism is attached.   The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the scanning mechanism includes a holding unit that detachably holds at least one of the probe and the attachment.   The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment is integrated with the scanning mechanism.   5. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the scanning mechanism includes a first moving unit that moves the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment along the first direction. 6. It further includes a measuring unit that measures the distance to the subject,
The scanning mechanism further includes second moving means for moving the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction based on the distance measured by the measurement unit. The scanning device according to claim 5.   The scanning device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the scanning mechanism further includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the positions of the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in two directions orthogonal to the first direction.   The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment includes a light diffusing portion that diffuses and emits light emitted from a light emitting portion of the light guide member. A light source;
A probe including a detector element for detecting acoustic waves;
Light guided from the light source enters from the light incident surface, guides the incident light to the light exit surface, and exits from the light exit surface, the probe mounting portion, and the light guide A probe scanning device comprising: an attachment having a member attachment portion; and a scanning mechanism for scanning the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in a first direction;
A photoacoustic wave detection signal generated in the subject after light emitted from the light source is emitted to the subject through the light guide member from the probe, and signal processing is performed based on the received detection signal. The photoacoustic measuring device characterized by including the signal processing means to implement.   The photoacoustic measurement apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the scanning mechanism includes a first moving unit that moves the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment along the first direction.   The photoacoustic measurement device according to claim 10, wherein the scanning mechanism further includes second moving means for moving the light guide member, the probe, and the attachment in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. .   The signal processing unit measures a distance from the probe to the subject based on the received photoacoustic wave detection signal, and drives the second moving unit based on the measured distance. The photoacoustic measuring device of description.   The signal processing means further receives, from the probe, a detection signal of a reflected acoustic wave with respect to an acoustic wave transmitted from the probe toward the subject, and receives the detection signal of the reflected acoustic wave from the probe based on the received reflected acoustic wave detection signal. The photoacoustic measuring device according to claim 11, wherein the second moving means is driven based on the measured distance.

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