Photoacoustic and ultrasonic imaging device, and imaging forming method

A photoacoustic and ultrasonic imaging device comprising:

• a laser light source configured to generate a laser beam;
• an ultrasonic wave source configured to generate an ultrasonic wave generation signal;
• an imaging probe comprising:
• a laser emitter configured to receive the laser beam and emit the laser beam to a target;
• and an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive the ultrasonic wave generation signal, emit an ultrasonic wave to the target, and detect a photoacoustic signal and an ultrasonic signal generated and reflected from the target;
• and
• an operation unit configured to form an image of tissue in the target from the laser beam and an image of tissue in the target from the ultrasonic wave on the basis of the ultrasonic signal detected by the ultrasonic transducer,
• wherein the operation unit obtains a contour profile of the target from the ultrasonic wave emitted to the target from the ultrasonic transducer,
• wherein the imaging probe is configured to scan the target a plurality of times while the target is fixed when scanning width of the imaging probe is less than a width of the target, and
• photoacoustic images and ultrasonic images obtained by the scanning the target plurality of times are merged by a computer software,
• an examination table configured to place the target thereon,
• wherein the examination table comprises:
• a target fixing part configured to fix the target;
• a moving structure configured to place and move the imaging probe above the target;
• and
• a container configured to be filled with a medium for delivering the ultrasonic wave and the photoacoustic signal.