Probe

Abstract

There is provided a photo acoustic probe which prevents foreign substances from entering and of which a portion of a light emitting unit to be easily damaged can be replaced. An acoustic wave detector 24 detects acoustic waves. First and second light guide members 21 and 23, which form the light emitting unit, are arranged in series in a traveling direction of light. A frame body 11 holds the first light guide members 21, the second light guide members 23, and the acoustic wave detector 24. The first light guide members 21, is positioned close to a subject, is undetachably fixed to the frame body 11. Meanwhile, the second light guide members 23, which is positioned close to a light source, is detachably fixed to the frame body 11.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A probe comprising:
 an acoustic wave detector that detects acoustic waves;   a light emitting unit that emits light emitted from a light source toward a subject; and   a frame body that holds the acoustic wave detector and the light emitting unit,   wherein the light emitting unit includes first and second light guide members that are arranged in series in a traveling direction of light,   the first light guide member positioned close to a subject is undetachably fixed to the frame body, and   the second light guide member positioned close to the light source is detachably fixed to the frame body.   
     
     
         2 . The probe according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first light guide member is bonded and fixed to the frame body.   
     
     
         3 . The probe according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein a refractive index of an adhesive, which is used to bond the first light guide member, is lower than a refractive index of the first light guide member.   
     
     
         4 . The probe according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first light guide member is formed integrally with the frame body and is made of transparent rubber.   
     
     
         5 . The probe according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the light emitting unit has a light diffusion layer between the first and second light guide members.   
     
     
         6 . The probe according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the light emitting unit has a light diffusion layer between the first and second light guide members.   
     
     
         7 . The probe according to  claim 3 ,
 wherein the light emitting unit has a light diffusion layer between the first and second light guide members.   
     
     
         8 . The probe according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the light emitting unit has a light diffusion layer between the first and second light guide members.   
     
     
         9 . The probe according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the light diffusion layer is a lens diffusion plate.   
     
     
         10 . The probe according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the light diffusion layer is a lens diffusion plate.   
     
     
         11 . The probe according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the light diffusion layer is a lens diffusion plate.   
     
     
         12 . The probe according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the light diffusion layer is a lens diffusion plate.   
     
     
         13 . The probe according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the lens diffusion plate is bonded and fixed to the frame body by an adhesive containing a white pigment.   
     
     
         14 . The probe according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the lens diffusion plate is bonded and fixed to the frame body by an adhesive containing a white pigment.   
     
     
         15 . The probe according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the light diffusion layer and the first light guide member face each other with a gap therebetween.   
     
     
         16 . The probe according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein a width of a light incident surface of the first light guide member is greater than a width of a light emitting surface of the second light guide member.   
     
     
         17 . The probe according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein side surfaces of the first light guide member except for the light incident surface and a light emitting surface are surrounded by the frame body.   
     
     
         18 . The probe according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the acoustic wave detector includes at least a plurality of detector elements that are arranged one-dimensionally, and   the light emitting unit is positioned on at least one side of the acoustic wave detector in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the plurality of detector elements so as to be adjacent to the acoustic wave detector.   
     
     
         19 . The probe according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein an optical wire, which guides light emitted from the light source to a light incident surface of the second light guide member, includes a bundled fiber including a plurality of optical fibers, and   light emitting ends of the plurality of optical fibers are arranged in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the plurality of detector elements.   
     
     
         20 . The probe according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a fiber guide that is detachably mounted on the second light guide member and allows the light emitting ends of the optical fibers to be arranged along the light incident surface of the second light guide member.