PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photoacoustic imaging apparatus capable of reducing processing load in a controlling part.SOLUTION: A photoacoustic imaging apparatus 100 comprises: a light absorber 2 having absorbed light from a light source part 1a(1b) a detecting part 3 detecting acoustic wave from a detection object an acoustic wave conducting member 4 which comprises a contacting surface 4a being arranged at a side of a sampling object relative to the detecting part 3, the light source part 1a(1b) and the light absorber 2 and contacting to the sampling object and an inner surface 4b opposing to the detecting part 3 and the light source part 1a(1b) at a side of the detecting part 3 and the light source part 1a(1b) rather than the contact surface 4a and being provided with the light absorber 2 at a part thereof, transmits light and conducts acoustic wave to the detecting part 3 and a controlling part 5 executing first stop control in which light from the light source part 1a(1b) is shaded in a case where the acoustic wave detected by the detecting part 3 has a strength of a predetermined threshold or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1COPYRIGHT: (C)2016,JPO&INPIT【課題】制御部の処理負荷を軽減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1a(1b)からの光を吸収した光吸収体2および検出対象物からの音響波を検出する検出部3と、検出部3、光源部1a(1b)および光吸収体2に対して被検体側に配置され、被検体に接触する接触面4aと、接触面4aよりも検出部3および光源部1a(1b)側で検出部3および光源部1a(1b)に対向し、光吸収体2が一部に設けられる内側面4bとを含み、光を透過し、かつ、音響波を検出部3に伝搬する音響波伝搬部材4と、検出部3により検出された音響波の強度が所定のしきい値以上の大きさである場合に、光源部1a(1b)からの光を止める第1停止制御を行う制御部5とを備える。【選択図】図1
