Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a processor configured to set an internal orifice of an uterus (IOS) point indicating the IOS of a cervix and an external orifice of an uterus (EOS) point indicating the EOS of the cervix, from a cervix line indicating a cervical canal, set a region of interest (ROI) of the IOS and a ROI of the EOS based on the IOS point and the EOS point, and calculate degrees of elasticity in the ROI of the IOS and the ROI of the EOS, and a display configured to display information indicating the degrees of elasticity in the ROI of the IOS and the ROI of the EOS.

Abstract: A microbubble used as a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging burst due to high intensity of ultrasound, and the burst microbubble effectively acts as a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging. Based on this point, a new apparatus and method for combined photoacoustic and ultrasound diagnosis are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a photoacoustic probe. The photoacoustic probe is configured to control light emitted from an optical unit by using a shutter that is switched between a state in which the shutter is opened to allow light to pass therethrough and a state in which the shutter blocks the light according to whether an inspection starts.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a processor configured to set an internal orifice of an uterus (IOS) point indicating the IOS of a cervix and an external orifice of an uterus (EOS) point indicating the EOS of the cervix, from a cervix line indicating a cervical canal, set a region of interest (ROI) of the IOS and a ROI of the EOS based on the IOS point and the EOS point, and calculate degrees of elasticity in the ROI of the IOS and the ROI of the EOS, and a display configured to display information indicating the degrees of elasticity in the ROI of the IOS and the ROI of the EOS.

Abstract: Provided are a photoacoustic probe and photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus. The photoacoustic probe includes a light irradiation unit for irradiating first light that is used for photoacoustic imaging on an object and an indicator for providing information about whether the first light is irradiated by using the first light.

Abstract: Provided are a photoacoustic apparatus and method of operating the same. The photoacoustic apparatus includes: a laser module that generates laser light and transmits a laser state signal indicating a state of a laser module; a probe including an optical output unit for irradiating laser light generated by the laser module onto an object and a scanner for detecting a photoacoustic signal that is generated from the object; a scanner controller for controlling a position of the scanner; a sequence controller for controlling acquisition of the photoacoustic signal based on the laser state signal; a signal receiver that is controlled by the sequence controller to acquire the photoacoustic signal; and a photoacoustic image generator for generating a photoacoustic image based on the photoacoustic signal. The laser state signal includes a lasing ready state signal and a laser exposure state signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an a medical imaging apparatus capable of easily detecting the location of specific tissue, for example, a lymph node, and a method of providing medical images. The medical image providing method includes: arranging and displaying n thumbnail images for n first photoacoustic images acquired by initially scanning an object, wherein n is a natural number; and enhancing a thumbnail image that is identical to a second photoacoustic image acquired by secondarily scanning the object, among the n thumbnail images.

Abstract: Provided are a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus and a method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by the photo-acoustic imaging apparatus. The method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus includes: obtaining a first reception signal, which converts a first acoustic wave generated as light having a first wavelength is absorbed by a subject, and a second reception signal, which converts a second acoustic wave generated as light having a second wavelength is absorbed by the subject; determining a first correction coefficient for the first reception signal and a second correction coefficient for the second reception signal based on a ratio between a size of the first reception signal and that of the second reception signal; and displaying a photo-acoustic image which is corrected based on the first and second correction coefficients.

Abstract: A photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus is provided. The photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus includes a movement restriction unit that selectively restricts a location movement of a user input unit that receives an input signal from a user for a light irradiation unit to irradiate light, based on a location of a contact detection unit that detects whether a probe contacts a subject to be imaged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating a diagnostic image by using a photoacoustic material. The method includes determining a wavelength band of light maximally absorbed by a photoacoustic material, based on at least one or more photoacoustic materials injected into an object, irradiating light, which corresponds to the determined wavelength band, onto an internal region of interest (ROI) of the object to acquire a photoacoustic signal corresponding to the irradiated light, generating a photoacoustic image indicating the ROI by using the photoacoustic signal, and combining and displaying the generated photoacoustic image and an image expressing that the light is being irradiated onto the ROI.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating a diagnostic image by using a photoacoustic material. The method includes determining a wavelength band of light maximally absorbed by a photoacoustic material, based on at least one or more photoacoustic materials injected into an object, irradiating light, which corresponds to the determined wavelength band, onto an internal region of interest (ROI) of the object to acquire a photoacoustic signal corresponding to the irradiated light, generating a photoacoustic image indicating the ROI by using the photoacoustic signal, and combining and displaying the generated photoacoustic image and an image expressing that the light is being irradiated onto the ROI.

Abstract: Provided are a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus and a method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by the photo-acoustic imaging apparatus. The method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus includes: obtaining a first reception signal, which converts a first acoustic wave generated as light having a first wavelength is absorbed by a subject, and a second reception signal, which converts a second acoustic wave generated as light having a second wavelength is absorbed by the subject; determining a first correction coefficient for the first reception signal and a second correction coefficient for the second reception signal based on a ratio between a size of the first reception signal and that of the second reception signal; and displaying a photo-acoustic image which is corrected based on the first and second correction coefficients.

Abstract: A photoacoustic (PA) apparatus and a method of operating the same are provided. The method includes: irradiating a laser beam onto a region of interest (ROI) which includes a flow and receiving a first PA signal corresponding to the irradiated laser beam; generating a first PA image on the basis of the first PA signal; irradiating a laser beam onto the ROI where the flow is restricted and receiving a second PA signal corresponding to the irradiated laser beam; generating a second PA image on the basis of the second PA signal; generating a difference image between the first PA image and the second PA image; and displaying the difference image.

Abstract: A photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus is provided. The photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus includes a movement restriction unit that selectively restricts a location movement of a user input unit that receives an input signal from a user for a light irradiation unit to irradiate light, based on a location of a contact detection unit that detects whether a probe contacts a subject to be imaged.

Abstract: Provided are a photoacoustic probe and photoacoustic diagnostic apparatus. The photoacoustic probe includes a light irradiation unit for irradiating first light that is used for photoacoustic imaging on an object and an indicator for providing information about whether the first light is irradiated by using the first light.

Abstract: Provided are a photoacoustic apparatus and method of operating the same. The photoacoustic apparatus includes: a laser module that generates laser light and transmits a laser state signal indicating a state of a laser module; a probe including an optical output unit for irradiating laser light generated by the laser module onto an object and a scanner for detecting a photoacoustic signal that is generated from the object; a scanner controller for controlling a position of the scanner; a sequence controller for controlling acquisition of the photoacoustic signal based on the laser state signal; a signal receiver that is controlled by the sequence controller to acquire the photoacoustic signal; and a photoacoustic image generator for generating a photoacoustic image based on the photoacoustic signal. The laser state signal includes a lasing ready state signal and a laser exposure state signal.

Abstract: Provided is a photoacoustic probe. The photoacoustic probe is configured to control light emitted from an optical unit by using a shutter that is switched between a state in which the shutter is opened to allow light to pass therethrough and a state in which the shutter blocks the light according to whether an inspection starts.

Abstract: A microbubble is used as a multi-modality contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound imaging. A method of preparing improved microbubbles that are used as a multi-modality contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound imaging is provided. The microbubble includes a dye-colored lipid shell; and a filling gas filling the inside of the lipid shell. The method of preparing microbubbles includes agitating a dye-colored lipid-containing solution in the presence of filling gas.

Abstract: A microbubble used as a contrast agent for ultrasound imaging burst due to high intensity of ultrasound, and the burst microbubble effectively acts as a contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging. Based on this point, a new apparatus and method for combined photoacoustic and ultrasound diagnosis are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an a medical imaging apparatus capable of easily detecting the location of specific tissue, for example, a lymph node, and a method of providing medical images. The medical image providing method includes: arranging and displaying n thumbnail images for n first photoacoustic images acquired by initially scanning an object, wherein n is a natural number; and enhancing a thumbnail image that is identical to a second photoacoustic image acquired by secondarily scanning the object, among the n thumbnail images.