Abstract: A flash lamp 32 excites a laser rod 31. A Q switch 35 which changes the loss of the optical resonator according to the voltage applied is inserted on the optical path of a pair of mirrors 33 and 34 forming the optical resonator. An optical path shutter 39 is provided on the optical path of laser emission light. In a first operation mode in which laser emission is performed, the optical path shutter 39 is opened and the voltage applied to the Q switch 35 is changed from a high voltage to, for example, 0 V to emit pulsed laser light after the flash lamp 32 excites the laser rod 31. In a second operation mode in which the laser emission is interrupted and waited for, the optical path shutter 39 is closed and the voltage applied to the Q switch 35 is, for example, 0 V.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method of: splitting light emitted from a wavelength sweep light source into measuring light and reference light; radiating the measuring light onto a measuring subject; combining reflection light from the measuring subject with the reference light; detecting interfered light obtained by combining the reflection light with the reference light as an interference signal; and Fourier-transforming the interference signal to acquire a tomographic image of the measuring subject, and includes steps of: generating tomographic data of the measuring subject based on the interference signal; generating surface data of the measuring subject based on the interference signal; constructing a tomographic image that is based on the generated tomographic data; constructing a surface image that is based on the outputted surface data; and generating a display image from the tomographic image and the surface image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surface acoustic wave device which has IDT electrodes arranged over a lithium tantalate piezoelectric substrate and is capable of suppressing propagation losses even at a high frequency band equal to or higher than 2 GHz as low as possible in order to utilize surface acoustic waves including LSAW. For this purpose, 45° to 46° rotated YX-cut lithium tantalate substrate is used as the piezoelectric substrate, a thickness of the IDT electrode is set to 7.5% ? to 8% ?, and a metallization ratio in electrode fingers of the IDT electrode is set to 0.55 to 0.65.

Abstract: After light has been output to a subject to be examined, a photoacoustic wave induced in the subject by the output light is detected. It is assumed that at least one virtual detector element is present outside of a real detector, and dummy data corresponding to the at least one virtual detector element are added to photoacoustic data in which pieces of data of the photoacoustic wave detected by the detector are arranged in accordance with the positions of detector elements. A photoacoustic image is generated by reconstructing the photoacoustic data to which the dummy data have been added by using a Fourier transform method.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a quartz substrate and a periodic structure portion. The quartz substrate is constituted such that a surface acoustic wave is to propagate on a surface with an Euler angle of (0°, 16°<??18.5°, 0°). The periodic structure portion is disposed on the quartz substrate and includes a plurality of electrodes extending in a direction intersecting with a direction of the propagation of the surface acoustic wave. The electrodes are disposed in parallel to one another along the propagation direction. The periodic structure portion is constituted to mainly contain aluminum. When a width dimension of the electrode in the propagation direction and a separation dimension between the electrodes adjacent to one another are respectively defined as L and S, a metallization ratio ? (?=L÷(L+S)) is set to 0.4 or less.

Abstract: A reservoir unit which is included as an element along a circulation path of a cooling system includes a cartridge and a cartridge loading unit which are configured to be removable from each other. The cartridge includes a reservoir chamber that stores a circulating liquid, and a connection portion in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber. The cartridge loading unit includes a connection receiving portion, to which the connection portion is connected, and a connection port. When the cartridge and the cartridge loading unit are attached to each other, the connection portion, the connection receiving portion and the connection port form a feed path that allows feeding the circulating liquid to the circulation path outside, and a collection path that allows collecting the circulating liquid into the reservoir chamber.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging method is provided that can prevent the surface of the subject from appearing in an image when a part to be observed at a position deeper than the surface of the subject is imaged. The photoacoustic imaging device includes a unit for outputting pulsed light toward the subject, and generating photoacoustic data by detecting photoacoustic waves emitted from the subject exposed to the light. The photoacoustic imaging device also includes a region detection unit that detects a near-surface region of the subject based on the photoacoustic wave detection signals, and a correcting unit that attenuates (which encompasses removing) information of the near-surface region found by the region detection unit when the part to be observed is displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser device which can emit light having first and second wavelengths, having the advantage of increasing laser efficiency without causing an increase in cost. A flash lamp irradiates excitation light onto a laser rod. An optical resonator includes a pair of mirrors facing each other with the laser rod interposed therebetween. A wavelength switching unit includes a long path filter which transmits light having a wavelength equal to or greater than a first wavelength. The wavelength switching unit inserts the long path filter on the optical path of the optical resonator when the wavelength of laser light to be emitted is the first wavelength.

Abstract: To obtain an absorption distribution from a detected signal with a practical device. Light is applied to a subject, and a photoacoustic signal generated in the subjectA photoacoustic is detected. From the detected photoacoustic signal, a light differential waveform, which is a differential waveform of a temporal waveform of the light applied to the subject, is deconvolved. As a result of this deconvolution, an absorption distribution is obtained.

Abstract: A laser source unit obtains Q switch pulse oscillation with a simple structure while continuously switching a plurality of wavelengths. A laser source unit emits pulsed laser beams with a plurality of different wavelengths. A flash lamp radiates excitation light to a laser rod. A pair of mirrors face each other with the laser rod interposed therebetween. The pair of mirrors form an optical resonator. Wavelength selection unit controls the wavelength of light which resonates in the optical resonator to any one of a plurality of wavelengths to be emitted by the laser source unit. Driving unit drives the wavelength selection unit such that the optical resonator performs the Q switch pulse oscillation.

Abstract: A pulse laser beam is emitted in a desired wavelength sequence using a laser light source unit. A Q switch and a birefringent filter are inserted into an optical resonator including a pair of mirrors and facing each other with a laser rod interposed therebetween. The birefringent filter changes an oscillation wavelength of the optical resonator in association with rotational displacement. The rotation control unit rotates the birefringent filter at a predetermined rotation speed depending on the number of wavelengths included in the wavelength sequence of the pulse laser beam to be emitted. An emission control unit irradiates the laser rod with excitation light, and then turns on the Q switch at a timing when a rotational-displacement-position of the birefringent filter is set to a position corresponding to the wavelength of the pulse laser beam to be emitted, to cause the pulse laser beam to be emitted.

Abstract: A pulse laser beam is emitted in a desired wavelength sequence using a laser source unit. A Q switch and a birefringent filter are inserted into an optical resonator including a pair of mirrors and facing each other with a laser rod interposed therebetween. The birefringent filter changes an oscillation wavelength of the optical resonator in association with rotational displacement. A trigger control circuit rotates the birefringent filter at a predetermined rotation speed depending on the number of wavelengths included in the wavelength sequence of the pulse laser beam to be emitted. In addition, the trigger control circuit irradiates the laser rod with excitation light, and turns on the Q switch at a timing when a rotational displacement position of the birefringent filter is set to a position corresponding to the wavelength of the pulse laser beam to be emitted, to cause the pulse laser beam to be emitted.

Abstract: Using a laser source unit, pulse laser beams having a plurality of wavelengths is switched and emitted. A Q switch is inserted into an optical resonator including a pair of mirrors which face each other with a laser rod interposed therebetween. A wavelength selection unit includes a plurality of band pass filters having different transmission wavelengths, and selectively inserts the plurality of band pass filters into a light path of the optical resonator. A trigger control circuit controls driving unit that drives the wavelength selection unit so that the band pass filters inserted into the light path of the optical resonator are switched at a predetermined switching speed. In addition, the trigger control circuit causes the laser rod to be irradiated with excitation light from a flash lamp, and then turns on the Q switch at a timing when the wavelength selection unit inserts the band pass filter.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging method that enables photoacoustic images to be displayed at high speed is provided. The photoacoustic imaging method scans a subject with a light beam, detects acoustic waves generated within the subject due to the scanning of light to obtain acoustic wave detected signals, and generates volume data that represent three dimensional photoacoustic images of the subject based on the acoustic wave detected signals. Photoacoustic projection images projected in the direction of irradiation depth of the light are generated, prior to the volume data being generated and concurrently with the scanning of the light. The photoacoustic projection images are displayed.

Abstract: The amount of time required to complete reception of photoacoustic signals and reflected acoustic signals is shortened in an image generating apparatus. Light is irradiated onto a subject. Sampling of photoacoustic signals is initiated and sampled photoacoustic signals are stored in a memory. Acoustic waves are transmitted toward the subject in a state in which sampling of the photoacoustic signals is being conducted. Reflected acoustic signals are sampled continuous with the photoacoustic signals, and sampled reflected acoustic signals are stored in the memory. A photoacoustic image and an ultrasound image based on data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A probe includes an acoustic wave transmitting section that transmits acoustic waves toward a subject, a light irradiating section that irradiates a light beam guided from a light source, and an acoustic wave detecting section that detects photoacoustic waves generated within the subject due to irradiation of the light beam onto the subject and reflected acoustic waves of the acoustic waves transmitted into the subject. In addition, a mode switching switch is provided on the probe. A control means switches operating modes between an operating mode in which the acoustic wave detecting section detects at least photoacoustic waves, and an operating mode in which the acoustic wave detecting section does not detect photoacoustic waves.

Abstract: A probe transmits acoustic waves toward a subject. After transmission of the acoustic waves, the probe receives reflected acoustic waves of the transmitted acoustic waves. Whether the probe is in contact with a subject is judged based on the received reflected acoustic waves. The probe irradiates light toward the subject when it is judged that the probe is in contact with the subject. After the light is irradiated, acoustic waves generated within the subject due to the light being irradiated are received. A photoacoustic image is generated based on the received acoustic waves generated due to the light being irradiated.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method of: splitting light emitted from a wavelength sweep light source into measuring light and reference light; radiating the measuring light onto a measuring subject; combining reflection light from the measuring subject with the reference light; detecting interfered light obtained by combining the reflection light with the reference light as an interference signal; and Fourier-transforming the interference signal to acquire a tomographic image of the measuring subject, and includes steps of: generating tomographic data of the measuring subject based on the interference signal; generating surface data of the measuring subject based on the interference signal; constructing a tomographic image that is based on the generated tomographic data; constructing a surface image that is based on the outputted surface data; and generating a display image from the tomographic image and the surface image.

Abstract: RF signals in predetermined time regions are extracted respectively from a plurality of RF signals which are produced when an examinee is scanned by an ultrasonic wave, and respective IB values are calculated in the time regions. A variance value of the calculated IB values is calculated, and information based on the calculated variance value is output.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for acquiring structure information comprises an optical branching device which splits a light outputted from a wavelength-swept light source into a sampling light and a reference light; a scanning device which scans a subject having a layer structure with the sampling light; and an signal processing device which acquires optical structure information of the subject by processing an interference signal between a return light which is reflected or backscattered at the subject and the reference light which has propagated a predetermined optical path length; wherein the signal processing device includes: a layer information extraction device which extracts layer information of the subject based on the interference signal; a feature value calculation device which calculates a feature value of the layer information; and an enhanced layer-structure image construction device which constructs an enhanced layer-structure image in which the layer structure is enhanced based on the feature value.