PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by reducing consumption power and downsizing an outer shape, and to create an accurate photoacoustic image by detecting an accurate photoacoustic wave.SOLUTION: An photoacoustic probe 10 comprises: a light source part 13 and an acoustic wave detection part 14 that detects an acoustic wave in an analyte Bd. The light source part 13 has a plurality of long-shaped light source bodies 130, 132 in which light emitters 130 are arrayed, and a light source holding part 15 that holds the light source bodies 130, 132 at an interval with respect to the analyte Bd in an overlapping manner when viewed from the analyte Bd. The light source holding part 15 is provided with a light guide part 153 that guides light emitted from each of the light source bodies 130, 132 so as to avoid the light source body 130 that is closer to the analyte Bd than the light source body 132.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4COPYRIGHT: (C)2016,JPO&INPIT【課題】消費電力を低減し、外形を小さくすることで操作性を向上するとともに、正確な光音響波を検出することで正確な光音響画像を作成する。【解決手段】光源部13と、被検体Bd内部の音響波を検出する音響波検出部14とを有し、光源部13は、発光素子130を配列した長尺形状の光源体130、132を複数個備えており、複数個の光源体130、132を被検体Bdから見て重なるように被検体Bdに対して間隔をあけて保持する光源保持部15を有し、光源保持部15は、各光源体130、132から出射された光をその光源体132よりも被検体Bdに近い光源体130を避けるように導く導光部153を備えている光音響探触子10。【選択図】図4
