Abstract: An imaging apparatus for generating photoacoustic images and ultrasound images that is capable of generating both types of images with high resolution is provided. An ultrasound probe includes a plurality of probe elements. A first phase matching adding section reads out photoacoustic signals from a photoacoustic element data memory, and administers phase matching addition within a first phase matching range. An image processing section generates a photoacoustic image based on phase matched and added data. A second phase matching adding section administers phase matching addition on reflected acoustic signals sampled by a signal obtaining section within a second phase matching range. An image processing section generates an ultrasound image based on phase matched and added data. The first phase matching range is greater than the second phase matching range.

Abstract: A region selecting means sequentially selects a plurality of partial regions, into which a range to be imaged of a subject is divided. A light irradiation detecting section detects light which is irradiated onto the subject from a laser light source. A signal obtaining section samples acoustic signals detected by probe elements corresponding to the selected partial region, and stores the acoustic signals in an element data memory. An image constructing section constructs a tomographic image of the subject based on the data read out from the element data memory. A synchronization correction processing section obtains the differences in the timings at which the light irradiation detecting section has detected irradiation of light, and corrects the temporal axes of the sampled data in the element data memory based on the obtained timing differences.

Abstract: A laser source irradiates a tumor site, permeated with photosensitizer, using pulse laser for PAI. The photosensitizer absorbs the pulse laser for PAI to generate ultrasonic waves. An ultrasonic wave detection device detects the ultrasonic waves to output an ultrasonic signal. A processor device performs various processes to the ultrasonic signal to generate image data. Based on the image data, a photosensitizer concentration calculator calculates concentration distribution of the photosensitizer at a specific depth in the tumor site. Based the obtained concentration distribution, an irradiation condition of CW laser for photodynamic therapy (PDT) is set or changed. Based on the irradiation condition, the CW laser for PDT is irradiated to the tumor site.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe of a radial scan type mountable on an ultrasonic observation apparatus, which inputs and outputs M numbers of signals in parallel, comprises the following: N (N>M) numbers of ultrasonic transducers disposed on an outer periphery of a tip, and grouped into plural sensor element groups activated in sequence, each of which has M numbers of ultrasonic transducers; N numbers of first signal lines respectively connected to the N numbers of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting a drive signal for driving the ultrasonic transducers and an echo signal from within a living organism; M numbers of second signal lines connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus; and a multiplexer disposed between the first signal lines and the second signal lines, which selectively switches M numbers of the first signal lines for respectively connecting to the second signal lines according to the sensor element group to be activated.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a light source unit that selectively outputs white light and light in a different wavelength band to an observation target, an imaging unit including an imaging device, and a spectral image formation circuit that generates a spectral image signal for a specified wavelength by an operation using an image signal based on an output from the imaging unit and predetermined matrix data. The imaging unit selectively obtains an image of the observation target for each of first, second and third light components in a visible light region and an image for each of at least fourth and fifth light components in a near-infrared region. Further, the imaging unit includes first spectral devices that make only the first and fourth light components enter first pixels of the imaging device and second spectral devices that make only the second and fifth light components enter second pixels thereof.

Abstract: The image quality of fluorescent images of blood vessels obtained by imaging blood vessels emitting fluorescence is improved. Living tissue within a body cavity is imaged by an endoscope while fluorescent pigments within blood vessels are emitting fluorescence due to irradiation of excitation light. At this time, a standard observation image obtained by imaging the same portion of the body cavity while white light is being irradiated, and a fluorescent image obtained by imaging while the excitation light is being irradiated are obtained. A plurality of spectral images having different wavelength ranges are generated. The depth position of blood vessels within a region of interest are judged by a depth position judging unit. Thereafter, an image processing unit administers an image process using image processing conditions corresponding to the depth position of the blood vessels, and a processed image is displayed by a display device.

Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging apparatus is equipped with: light generating means, for emitting measuring light; light irradiating means, for irradiating the measuring light onto a target; ultrasound detecting means, for detecting ultrasonic waves which are generated in the target portion by the irradiation of the measuring light; and tomographic image obtaining means, for obtaining a tomographic image of the target based on signals of the detected ultrasonic waves. The light generating means includes a pulse laser and light modulating means, which are employed to emit a pulse train having a plurality of pulse beams having pulse widths within a range from 1 nsec to 100 nsec as the measuring light. The tomographic image obtaining means generates processed signals by performing a correlating process between transmission signals of the pulse train and the signals of the ultrasonic waves, and obtains the tomographic image of the target based on the processed signals.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic endoscope capable of being inserted into a body of a patient and imaging ultrasonic tomographic images, a frame rate in electronic radial scanning operation is improved. The ultrasonic endoscope includes: an ultrasonic transducer unit including plural ultrasonic transducers, each having a first electrode and a second electrode, for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a plurality of first interconnections each connected to the first electrodes of predetermined ultrasonic transducers; and a plurality of second interconnections each connected to the second electrodes of ultrasonic transducers having the first electrodes not connected to each other; wherein the ultrasonic transducer unit performs scanning operation by simultaneously transmitting the same number of ultrasonic beams in each of plural angle regions when selectively supplied with drive signals via the plurality of first interconnections and the plurality of second interconnections.

Abstract: In a fluorescence tomography apparatus for obtaining fluorescence tomographic images of a region of an object to be observed: an application unit concurrently applies an ultrasonic wave and excitation light to the region so that ultrasound-modulated fluorescence is emitted from the region under the influence of the ultrasonic wave; and a first image acquisition unit acquires a fluorescence tomographic image of the region on the basis of the ultrasound-modulated fluorescence.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a light source unit that selectively outputs white light and light in a different wavelength band to an observation target, an imaging unit including an imaging device, and a spectral image formation circuit that generates a spectral image signal for a specified wavelength by an operation using an image signal based on an output from the imaging unit and predetermined matrix data. The imaging unit selectively obtains an image of the observation target for each of first, second and third light components in a visible light region and an image for each of at least fourth and fifth light components in a near-infrared region. Further, the imaging unit includes first spectral devices that make only the first and fourth light components enter first pixels of the imaging device and second spectral devices that make only the second and fifth light components enter second pixels thereof.

Abstract: Low coherence light having a central wavelength ?c of 1.1 ?m and a full width at half maximum spectrum ?? of 90 nm is emitted. The low coherence light has wavelength properties suited for the light absorbing properties, the diffusion properties, and the dispersion properties of living tissue. A light dividing means divides the low coherence light into a measuring light beam, which is irradiated onto a measurement target via an optical probe, and a reference light beam that propagates toward an optical path length adjusting means. A multiplexing means multiplexes a reflected light beam, which is the measuring light beam reflected at a predetermined depth of the measurement target, and the reference light beam, to form coherent light. A coherent light detecting means detects the optical intensity of the multiplexed coherent light. An image obtaining means performs image processes, and displays an optical tomographic image on a display apparatus.

Abstract: A fluorescent-light image obtaining apparatus for obtaining an autofluorescent-light image emitted from a target tissue irradiated by an excitation light, wherein the safety of the patient is ensured against injury from exposure to excessive excitation light when the distance between the output end of the excitation light projector and the target tissue is short. A contact detector detects that the end of the excitation light projector of the endoscope is in contact with the target tissue. Then, an excitation light output controller receives a signal indicating that the end of the excitation light projector is in contact with the target tissue. In response to this signal, the excitation light output controller stops the emission of the excitation light, or reduces the intensity of the emitted excitation light to a safe intensity for the patient even while the end of the excitation light projector and the target tissue are in contact.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus capable of obtaining image information at a high volume rate and improving resolution. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus has an ultrasonic transducer array including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves in accordance with drive signals and receiving ultrasonic waves to output detection signals; pulsers for supplying the drive signals; an ignition timing controller for controlling the pulsers to respectively transmit plural ultrasonic beams toward plural directions within a predetermined period so that adjacent two ultrasonic beams are separated by 20° or more from each other; receivers for processing the plural detection signals; and plural phase matching units, provided in correspondence with a number of the ultrasonic beams to be transmitted, for performing phase matching on the basis of the processed detection signals so that plural receiving focal points are formed for each of the transmitted plural ultrasonic beams.

Abstract: An optical tomographic image obtaining apparatus, capable of obtaining optical tomographic images at high resolution, is miniaturized. During obtainment of an optical tomographic image, a mirror rotating section rotates a mirror, to rotate the irradiation direction of a measuring light beam. Operations of an optical path length changing section are controlled such that a measurement point along the optical path direction is moved for every rotation of the irradiation direction. A sheath rotating section rotates a sheath to move the position of a lens fixed within a lens holder by a threaded mechanism, to move the focusing position of the measuring light beam in the optical path direction, to match the position of the measurement point. Therefore, the movement speed of the focusing position can be reduced compared to conventional apparatuses. Accordingly, the necessity of a large focusing position moving means, which is capable of high speed movement, is obviated.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope for endoscopic imaging is swallowable in a body, for image pickup of an object. In a capsule endoscopic system, a receiver receives image data in a form of a radio signal from the capsule endoscope, and for storing the image data. A computer as image processor produces an object image according to the image data from the receiver. A spectral image generator produces data of a spectral image having a wavelength band by arithmetic operation according to the image data. To this end, the spectral image generator arithmetically operates with a coefficient matrix to form the spectral image. Furthermore, capsule type information, assigned to the capsule endoscope discretely, is retrieved. The capsule type information is stored in a data storage medium, and read by the spectral image generator to determine the coefficient matrix.

Abstract: A correcting portion of an endoscope subjects a reference image to a magnification correction process so that the distance between a first mark and a second mark within the reference image is substantially equal to the distance between a first mark and a second mark within a comparative image. Next, the corrected reference image is subjected to a rotation correction process so that the orientation of the second mark with respect to the first mark within the reference image is substantially equal to the orientation of the second mark with respect to the first mark image within the comparison image. Further, the corrected reference image is subjected to a brightness distribution correction process so that the brightness distribution thereof becomes equal to that of the comparison image. The display state of the reference image and comparison image are made substantially equal, comparative diagnosis is facilitated, and diagnostic efficiency is improved.

Abstract: Low coherence light having a central wavelength ?c of 1.1 ?m and a full width at half maximum spectrum ?? of 90 nm is emitted. The low coherence light has wavelength properties suited for the light absorbing properties, the diffusion properties, and the dispersion properties of living tissue. A light dividing means divides the low coherence light into a measuring light beam, which is irradiated onto a measurement target via an optical probe, and a reference light beam that propagates toward an optical path length adjusting means. A multiplexing means multiplexes a reflected light beam, which is the measuring light beam reflected at a predetermined depth of the measurement target, and the reference light beam, to form coherent light. A coherent light detecting means detects the optical intensity of the multiplexed coherent light. An image obtaining means performs image processes, and displays an optical tomographic image on a display apparatus.

Abstract: A light source unit emits a laser beam, of which the wavelength is swept at a predetermined period. The central wavelength ?c of the sweep and the wavelength sweep width ?? of the laser light beam satisfy the conditions: ?c2?/???23, ?c+(??/2)?1.2 ?m, and ?c?(??/2)?0.98 ?m. A light dividing means divides the laser beam into a measuring light beam, which is irradiated onto a measurement target via an optical probe, and a reference light beam that propagates toward an optical path length adjusting means. A multiplexing means multiplexes a reflected light beam, which is the measuring light beam reflected at a predetermined depth of the measurement target, and the reference light beam, to form a coherent light beam. A coherent light beam detecting means detects the intensity of the multiplexed coherent light beam. Image processes are performed, an optical tomographic image is displayed.

Abstract: A spectral image measurement apparatus comprises: a spectral element array; a spectral element drive section for driving the elements; an inlet-side optical system for guiding a light to the element array; a detection-side optical system for forming an image with a diffracted light output from the element array; and an array sensor for detecting the diffracted light through the detection-side optical system. The element array includes: a substrate; and a plurality of micro-electrically-driven mechanical spectral elements arranged two-dimensionally on the substrate, wherein each of the elements comprises a diffraction grating having a diffraction surface, the diffraction grating being pivotably supported on the substrate; wherein each of the elements generates spectra from a light entering the diffraction surface by applying an electric field to the diffraction grating to tilt the diffraction grating; and wherein each of tilt angles of the diffraction gratings is capable of being set individually.

Abstract: A (??) 75 ?m low coherence light beam is emitted. The low coherence light beam has wavelength properties suited for the light absorbing properties, the diffusion properties, and the dispersion properties of living tissue. A light dividing means divides the low coherence light beam into a measuring light beam, which is irradiated onto a measurement target via an optical probe, and a reference light beam that propagates toward an optical path length adjusting means. A multiplexing means multiplexes a reflected light beam, which is the measuring light beam reflected at a predetermined depth of the measurement target, and the reference light beam, to form a coherent light beam. A coherent light beam detecting means detects the optical intensity of the multiplexed coherent light beam. An image obtaining means performs image processes, and displays an optical tomographic image on a display apparatus.