Imaging device and method for optoacoustic or thermoacoustic imaging of small animals

摘要

The invention relates to an imaging device (100) being configured for optoacoustic or thermoacoustic imaging of an object, comprising an illumination device (10) including optical components (17, 18, 19) arranged for illuminating the object with light or a generator device including irradiation components arranged for irradiating the object with electromagnetic energy, in particular in the radiofrequency range, respectively, a detector device (20) arranged for detecting acoustic signals created in the object, a container device including a tank (51) arranged for accommodating the detector device (20), the object and a matching transmission medium, and a holding device (55) for positioning the object in the container device, wherein the detector device (20) comprises an array of detector elements and the holding device (55) with the object and/or the illumination device (10) or generator device and/or the detector device (20) are movable relative to each other, wherein the movement comprises a translation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding imaging method.