PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that with a detector in which detection elements are placed in a spherical shape, a uniform resolution area is narrow.SOLUTION: An acoustic-wave acquisition apparatus of the present invention comprises a detector including a plurality of detection elements that receive acoustic waves from a subject, the receiving surfaces of at least some of the detection elements being at different angles. The apparatus further comprises a scanning unit configured to move at least one of the subject and the detector in order to change the relative position of the subject and a highest-resolution area determined depending on the placement of the detection elements.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3【課題】 検出素子を球面配置した検出器の場合、分解能が均一な範囲が狭くなってしまう。【解決手段】 本発明の音響波取得装置は、被検体からの音響波を受信する複数の検出素子のうち少なくとも一部の検出素子の受信面がそれぞれ異なる角度となるように設けられた検出器を備える。そして、前記被検体と、前記複数の検出素子の配置により定まる最高分解能領域と、の相対位置を変化させるため、前記被検体と前記検出器のうち少なくとも一方を移動させる走査装置を備えることを特徴とする。【選択図】 図３
