PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more precisely recognize a positional relationship between a specific light absorber of interest and a scan plane in photoacoustic measurement.SOLUTION: A photoacoustic measuring apparatus 10, which measures a signal of a photoacoustic wave generated within a subject M, comprises: determination means (shift detection means 33) for determining a magnitude relation between the intensity of a photoacoustic signal from a blood vessel of interest in the subject M, which is caused to be generated by measuring light emitted from a light emission part (light guide plate 44) on one side of both sides of an ultrasonic vibrator 20 where a plurality of light emission parts (light guide plates 44) are disposed, and the intensity of a photoacoustic signal from the blood vessel of interest in the subject M, which is caused to be generated by measuring light emitted from a light emission part (light guide plate 44) on the other side of both sides of the ultrasonic vibrator 20 and notification means (display control means 36 and notification sound producing means) for notifying a result obtained by the determination means of a user.COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT【課題】光音響計測において、特定の注目光吸収体とスキャン面とのより正確な位置関係の把握を可能にする。【解決手段】被検体M内に発生した光音響波の信号を計測する光音響計測装置10において、超音波振動子20の両側に配置された複数の光出射部(導光板44)のうち、一方の側の光出射部(導光板44)から出射した測定光に起因する被検体M内の注目血管から生じる光音響信号の強度と、他方の側の光出射部(導光板44)から出射した測定光に起因する上記注目血管から生じる光音響信号の強度との大小関係を判定する判定手段(すれ量検出手段33)と、この判定手段により得られた判定結果を使用者に通知する通知手段(表示制御手段36、通知音発生手段)とを備える。【選択図】図1
