Photoacoustic image generation method and apparatus

摘要

In a photoacoustic image generation apparatus for generating a photoacoustic image of a subject including an interventional instrument for each scanning plane, there are provided: means for generating a reflected acoustic wave image of the subject for each scanning plane; means for detecting a change in a photoacoustic image on an observation scanning plane, which is generated as an image, from a plurality of photoacoustic images regarding the observation scanning plane; means for detecting a change in a reflected acoustic wave image on the observation scanning plane from a plurality of reflected acoustic wave images regarding the observation scanning plane; determination means for determining whether or not a distal end of the interventional instrument is present on the observation scanning plane based on the change in the photoacoustic image and the change in the reflected acoustic wave image; and notification means for sending notification of a result of the determination.