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US 10,238,299 B2Granted
Photoacoustic image-generating apparatus and light source control method
AssigneeFUJIFILM Corporation
InventorDai Murakoshi
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AssigneeFUJIFILM Corporation
InventorDai Murakoshi
Estimating the term…
At least a tip portion of a puncture needle 15 is inserted into a subject. The puncture needle 15 includes a light guide member which guides light from a laser unit 13, and a light emission unit which is provided in the vicinity of the tip portion and emits light guided by the light guide member, and generates a photoacoustic wave caused by light from the light emission unit in the tip portion. A probe 11 detects the photoacoustic wave from the puncture needle 15 in a state where the puncture needle 15 is inserted into the subject. A Photoacoustic image generation unit 25 generates a photoacoustic image based on the detected photoacoustic wave. A Light source control unit 30 controls the amount of light emitted from the light emission unit based on the photoacoustic image.
A photoacoustic image-generating apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Detecting, measuring or recording by applying one single type of energy and measuring its conversion into another type of energy: by applying…
Features or image-related aspects of imaging apparatus, e.g. for MRI, optical tomography or impedance tomography apparatus; Arrangements of…:…
Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device: related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic…
Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies ; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body…:…
About 8 years 8 months of term left · ends 22 Jun 2035 (estimated)
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photoacoustic image-generating apparatus which generates a photoacoustic image based on a photoacoustic wave caused by light irradiation. Also, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a light source in the photoacoustic image-generating apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a photoacoustic image-generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a cross-section of a puncture needle.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a laser unit.
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail referring to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a photoacoustic image-generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. A photoacoustic image-generating apparatus (photoacoustic image diagnostic apparatus) 10 includes a probe (ultrasonic probe) 11, an ultrasonic unit 12, and a laser unit 13. In the embodiment of the invention, although an ultrasonic wave is used as an acoustic wave, the acoustic wave is not limited to the ultrasonic wave, and an acoustic wave of an audio frequency may be used as long as an appropriate frequency is selected according to an inspection target, measurement conditions, or the like.
The laser unit 13 is a light source which emits light guided to an inserted object, and includes, for example, a laser diode (semiconductor laser). The type of the laser is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a solid-state laser using yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), alexandrite, or the like. Alternatively, an optical amplification type laser beam source with a laser diode as a seed light source may be used.
In this embodiment, as the inserted object, of which at least the tip portion is inserted into a subject, a puncture needle which is punctured in the subject is considered. A puncture needle 15 has an opening at the tip, and is formed in a hollow shape. A laser beam emitted from the laser unit 13 is guided to the puncture needle 15, for example, using a light guide member such as an optical fiber.