PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photoacoustic imaging apparatus which can simplify a device configuration.SOLUTION: A photoacoustic imaging apparatus 100 includes: a light source part 1 a detection part 2 for detecting acoustic waves generated by an object Q to be detected inside a subject P that absorbs light irradiated by the light source part 1 and a first cover part 3 which is made of an elastically deformable material, covers each surface of the light source part 1 and on the side of the subject P of the detection part 2, and is in contact with the subject P. The first cover part 3 integrally includes an acoustic lens part 30 that can converge the acoustic waves from the object Q to be detected on the detection part 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1COPYRIGHT: (C)2016,JPO&INPIT【課題】装置構成を簡略化することが可能な光音響画像化装置を提供する。【解決手段】この光音響画像化装置100は、光源部1と、光源部1から照射された光を吸収した被検体P内の検出対象物Qから発生する音響波を検出するための検出部2と、弾性変形可能な材料からなり、光源部1および検出部2の被検体P側のそれぞれの表面を覆うとともに、被検体Pに接触する第1カバー部3とを備え、第1カバー部3は、検出対象物Qからの音響波を検出部2に収束可能な音響レンズ部30を一体的に含む。【選択図】図1
