Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a spectral image acquisition unit configured to acquire a spectral image that is an image generated using photoacoustic signals corresponding to a plurality of different wavelengths, based on photoacoustic waves generated by radiating lights with the plurality of different wavelengths to an object into which a contrast agent has been injected, a contrast agent information acquisition unit configured to acquire information about the contrast agent, a region determination unit configured to determine a region corresponding to the contrast agent in the spectral image on the basis of the information about the contrast agent, and a display control unit configured to display the spectral image such that the region corresponding to the contrast agent is distinguishable from a region other than the region corresponding to the contrast agent.

Abstract: An image generating method of generating an acoustic image includes: reconstructing a temporary measurement image including an acoustic image, based on the signal data; accepting a partial designation of a region of interest in the temporary measurement image; while changing an acoustic velocity parameter, sequentially reconstructing a region of interest image including an acoustic image, based on the changed acoustic velocity parameter, in the region of interest; determining an appropriate value of the acoustic velocity parameter based on the region of interest image; and reconstructing an acoustic image in a region larger than the region of interest, based on the appropriate value of the acoustic velocity parameter, wherein in the temporary measurement image reconstruction step, a calculation amount per unit area for reconstructing the temporary measurement image is made smaller than a calculation amount per unit area for reconstructing the region of interest image.

Abstract: An acoustic-wave measuring device includes: a support table having a support surface configured to support an examination subject, and an opening portion provided in the support surface to measure a predetermined examination site of the examination subject; a container located vertically below the support surface and capable of containing an acoustic matching material in a liquid or gel form; and a receiving element located vertically below the support surface and configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the examination site, wherein a matching-material bag containing an acoustic matching material in a liquid or gel form or a matching gel having limited flowability and an acoustic control effect, and a placement unit for placement of the matching-material bag or the matching gel thereon are installable between the acoustic matching material contained in the container and the examination site.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including: an internal structure image output unit that constructs an internal structure image, in which color parameters are allowed to vary continuously from a first depth to a second depth, in a depth range of the first depth or more and the second depth or less from a predetermined reference surface, based on volume data indicating a three-dimensional internal structure of an object, and displays the internal structure image on a display device; a profile image output unit that displays on the display device a profile image indicating correspondence relation between a depth from the reference surface and the color parameter; and an input accepting unit that accepts operations of a pointing device, wherein the input accepting unit is configured to accept at least one of the first depth and the second depth, according to the operation content of the pointing device, when the operation position of the pointing device is on the profile image, the internal structure image output u

Abstract: An image generating method of generating an acoustic image includes: reconstructing a temporary measurement image including an acoustic image, based on the signal data; accepting a partial designation of a region of interest in the temporary measurement image; while changing an acoustic velocity parameter, sequentially reconstructing a region of interest image including an acoustic image, based on the changed acoustic velocity parameter, in the region of interest; determining an appropriate value of the acoustic velocity parameter based on the region of interest image; and reconstructing an acoustic image in a region larger than the region of interest, based on the appropriate value of the acoustic velocity parameter, wherein in the temporary measurement image reconstruction step, a calculation amount per unit area for reconstructing the temporary measurement image is made smaller than a calculation amount per unit area for reconstructing the region of interest image.

Abstract: An aspect provides an image processing apparatus processing three-dimensional image data generated based on a photoacoustic wave generated from inside of a subject.

Abstract: An acoustic-wave measuring device includes: a support table having a support surface configured to support an examination subject, and an opening portion provided in the support surface to measure a predetermined examination site of the examination subject; a container located vertically below the support surface and capable of containing an acoustic matching material in a liquid or gel form; and a receiving element located vertically below the support surface and configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the examination site, wherein a matching-material bag containing an acoustic matching material in a liquid or gel form or a matching gel having limited flowability and an acoustic control effect, and a placement unit for placement of the matching-material bag or the matching gel thereon are installable between the acoustic matching material contained in the container and the examination site.