PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a subject information acquisition device capable of acquiring both of a photoacoustic image and an ultrasonic wave image at low cost.SOLUTION: The subject information acquisition device is provided that comprises: a light irradiation part 12 for irradiating a subject with light； an acoustic generation member 30 which is arranged between the subject and the light irradiation part 12, and generates a nearly planar transmission ultrasonic wave by the irradiated light； an acoustic wave probe 21 which acquires an acoustic wave generated in the subject caused by the light, and converts the acoustic wave into a first electric signal； and information creation means for creating information related to optical characteristics in the subject based on the first electric signal. The acoustic generation member 30 transmits a part of the light irradiated from the light irradiation part 12 to the subject.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1【課題】低コストで光音響画像と超音波画像の双方を取得可能な被検体情報取得装置を提供する。【解決手段】被検体に光を照射する光照射部１２と、被検体と光照射部１２との間に配置され、照射された光によって略平面の送信超音波を発生させる音響発生部材３０と、光に起因して被検体内で発生した音響波を取得し、第一の電気信号に変換する音響波探触子２１と、第一の電気信号に基づいて、被検体内の光学特性に関連した情報を生成する情報生成手段と、を有し、音響発生部材３０は、光照射部１２から照射された光の一部を被検体に透過させることを特徴とする。【選択図】図１
