Patent ID: 7620445
Filing Date: 2009-11-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A fluorescence tomography apparatus for obtaining fluorescence tomographic images of a region of an object to be observed, comprising: an application unit which concurrently applies a first ultrasonic wave and excitation light to said region so that ultrasound-modulated fluorescence is emitted from the region under the influence of the first ultrasonic wave, and applies a second ultrasonic wave and first light to said region so that said first light is reflected from the region under the influence of the second ultrasonic wave, and ultrasound-modulated reflected light is generated; a first image acquisition unit which acquires a fluorescence tomographic image of said region on the basis of said ultrasound-modulated fluorescence; a second image acquisition unit which concurrently with said acquisition of said fluorescence tomography image, acquires an ultrasound-modulated light tomographic image of said region on the basis of said ultrasound-modulated reflected light; and wherein said application unit applies second light to said region so that said second light is reflected from the region, and the fluorescence tomography apparatus further comprises: a third image acquisition unit which acquires an optical tomographic image of said region on the basis of said second light reflected from the region.