Apparatus and method for obtaining subject information, display method, and program

Abstract

A subject-information acquisition apparatus includes a light source; a holding member configured to hold a subject so as to surround the subject; at least one transducer configured to receive an acoustic wave generated by irradiating the subject with light from the light source; and a signal processing unit configured to obtain distribution information using a received signal output from the transducer. The holding member includes a marker that absorbs the light and generates an acoustic wave.

1 . A subject-information acquisition apparatus comprising:
 a light source;   a holding member configured to hold a subject so as to surround the subject and including a marker that absorbs light;   at least one transducer configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the subject and the marker by irradiating the subject and the marker with light from the light source; and   a signal processing unit configured to obtain a photoacoustic image using a received signal output from the transducer,   wherein the marker is arranged asymmetric to a central axis of the holding member.   
     
     
         2 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the holding member has a cup-shaped portion having a spherical surface,   the marker has a line shape, and   the marker is arranged asymmetric to an axis passing through a center of curvature of the cup-shaped portion of the holding member.   
     
     
         3 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the marker has the line shape in top view in the axial direction of the subject.   
     
     
         4 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the marker is at a position near a head of the subject, and   the axial direction of the subject is a direction extending from the head of the subject to a feet of the subject.   
     
     
         5 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an image processing unit, wherein
 the signal processing unit is configured to obtain the photoacoustic image in three-dimensional, and   the image processing unit is configured to cause a display unit to rotationally display the photoacoustic image in three-dimensional.   
     
     
         6 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the holding member has a cup-shaped portion having a spherical surface.   
     
     
         7 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the marker has a line shape.   
     
     
         8 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the marker has a dotted pattern, a matrix pattern, a lattice pattern, a line pattern, a radiating pattern, or a circular pattern.   
     
     
         9 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sound velocity setting unit and an image processing unit, wherein
 the sound velocity setting unit is configured to set, based on an instruction from a user, a sound velocity in an acoustic medium arranged between the holding member and the subject,   the signal processing unit is configured to obtain the photoacoustic image using the received signal and the sound velocity in the acoustic medium which is set based on the instruction from the user,   the image processing unit is configured to cause a display unit to display the photoacoustic image, and   the signal processing unit is set, based on the instruction from the user, the sound velocity in the acoustic medium while the photoacoustic image is displayed on the display unit.   
     
     
         10 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the holding member has a cup-shaped portion having a spherical surface,   the marker is arranged at an apex of the cup-shaped portion of the holding member.   
     
     
         11 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sound velocity setting unit configured to set a sound velocity in an acoustic medium arranged between the holding member and the subject, wherein
 the signal processing unit is configured to obtain, by using the received signal and a plurality of sound velocities in the acoustic medium, a plurality of photoacoustic images, each of the plurality of photoacoustic images corresponding to each of the plurality of sound velocities in the acoustic medium,   the sound velocity setting unit is configured to set, based on images of the marker in the plurality of photoacoustic image, the sound velocity in the acoustic medium.   
     
     
         12 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the sound velocity setting is configured to set, from among the plurality of sound velocities, the sound velocity in the acoustic medium at which a contrast of the image of the marker in the plurality of photoacoustic images is the highest.   
     
     
         13 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the holding member has a cup-shaped portion having a spherical surface,   the marker is arranged at an apex of the cup-shaped portion of the holding member.   
     
     
         14 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the marker has a light absorption coefficient is between 0.3/mm and 0.9/mm.   
     
     
         15 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a light transmittance of the holding unit is 90% or higher for the light.   
     
     
         16 . The subject-information acquisition apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the holding member includes polymethylpentene or polyethylene terephthalate.