PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect an accurate photoacoustic wave and to create an accurate photoacoustic image by reducing consumption power and downsizing an outer shape to improve operability.SOLUTION: A photoacoustic probe 10 comprises: a light source part 13 that irradiates light on an analyte Bd and an acoustic wave detection part 14 that detects an acoustic wave in the analyte Bd. The light source part has light transmissivity and includes a light guide body 15 that guides to the analyte Bd light emitted from a light emitter 130. The light guide body 15 is provided with a light source holding part 151 that holds an optical axis of the light emitter so as to incline toward a center axis of the acoustic wave detection part 14, a contact part 150 that makes contact with the analyte Bd, and a reflection part 154 that reflects light toward the analyte Bd.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3COPYRIGHT: (C)2016,JPO&INPIT【課題】消費電力を低く抑え、外形を小さくすることで操作性を向上させて正確な光音響波を検出するとともに正確な光音響画像を作成する。【解決手段】被検体Bdに光を照射する光源部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、前記光源部は透光性を有するとともに発光素子130から出射された光を被検体Bdに導く導光体15を有し、導光体15が、発光素子の光軸が音響波検出部14の中心軸に向かって傾くように保持する光源保持部151と、被検体Bdと接触する接触部150と、光を被検体Bdに向けて反射する反射部154とを備えている光音響探触子10。【選択図】図3
