A method of forming a probability map is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include: (1) obtaining multiple measures of multiple imaging parameters for every stop of a moving window on an image, wherein two neighboring ones of the stops of the moving window are partially overlapped with each other; (2) obtaining first probabilities of an event for the stops of the moving window by matching the measures of the imaging parameters to a classifier; and (3) obtaining second probabilities of the event for multiple voxels of a probability map based on information associated with the first probabilities.

The present disclosure relates to method for predicting location and depth of abnormal tissue in breast tissue by prediction system. The prediction system predicts location based on 2D thermal image generated based on temperature values and intermediate temperature values. The intermediate temperature values are estimated using triangular and rectangular patterns formed on pre-defined model of breast, thermal conductivity of breast tissue, 2D coordinates on one of triangular and rectangular patterns and temperature values at steady state of breast tissue. The depth is predicted based on 3D thermal image of breast tissue generated using temperature values and intermediate temperature values and error parameter. The intermediate temperature values are estimated based on one of tetrahedral and hexahedral patterns formed on predefined model of breast, density value, thermal conductivity of tissue, blood perfusion rate, specific heat capacity of blood, 3D coordinates, arterial temperature and metabolic heat generation value in normal and abnormal tissue.

To suppress variation of a distribution of radiated light depending on a position of a radiating unit in an information acquisition apparatus that uses an articulated arm as a waveguide unit. A waveguide unit (103) includes a plurality of first waveguides (103c), (103g), and (103k) that guide light in a direction parallel to a radiating direction in which the light is radiated from a radiating unit (105) to an object (123), at least one of second waveguides (103a), (103e), and (103i) that guides the light in an in-plane direction perpendicular to the radiating direction, and a plurality of articulations that each include therein a mirror disposed so as to substantially perpendicularly bend a wave guiding direction. The light is guided through the plurality of first waveguides (103c), (103g), and (103k) in the same wave guiding direction.

A mammographic imaging device for analysis and detection of possible inhomogeneities in breast tissue of a patient using laser light in the near-infrared in diffuse reflectance geometry, includes a patient horizontal support comprising at least one transparent window in its cross-section and a measuring mechanism below the at least one transparent window and carried by said support. The measuring mechanism includes a laser-light producing mechanism for producing laser light beams in the near-infrared, a directing mechanism for directing said laser light beams towards the at least one transparent window, at least one wavelength filter, a light-sensing and imaging mechanism for sensing light and producing images and a controlling, processing and image-normalizing unit for controlling, processing and normalizing images.

A photoacoustic apparatus includes a light irradiation unit, an acoustic wave receiving unit that receives an acoustic wave generated by irradiating the object with light emitted from the light irradiation unit and that outputs an electric signal, a control unit that controls the light irradiation unit, and a processing unit that processes the electric signal. The control unit controls the light irradiation unit so that a density of a distribution of emission positions in a plurality of times of light emission by the light irradiation unit is higher in an inner part of the distribution of the emission positions than in an outer part of the distribution. The acoustic wave receiving unit outputs a plurality of electric signals corresponding to the plurality of times of light emission by receiving acoustic waves generated by the plurality of times of light emission. The processing unit acquires image data on the basis of the plurality of electric signals.

An object information acquiring apparatus is used which has an irradiating unit irradiating an object with light with a first wavelength at a first irradiation frequency, an element receiving an acoustic wave generated by the object irradiated with the light to output an electric signal, a processing unit acquiring characteristic information on the object using the electric signal, a scanning unit changing position of the irradiating unit relative to the object, and a controlling unit controlling movement of the scanning unit. The controlling unit controls the scanning unit such that an amount of light to which an identical area of the object is exposed is larger than a smallest value of a maximum permissible exposure at the first irradiation frequency.

Apparatus and methods for hyperspectral imaging analysis that assists in real and near-real time assessment of biological tissue condition, viability, and type, and monitoring the above overtime. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful in surgery, clinical procedures, tissue assessment, diagnostic procedures, health monitoring, and medical evaluations, especially in the detection and treatment of cancer.

An elastic wave receiving apparatus includes: a probe that receives an elastic wave generated from a subject; a plate-like compression plate that supports the subject and whose surface is scanned by the probe; a motor for driving the probe; a controller that supplies a drive signal to the motor so that the probe moves to a predetermined target position on the compression plate; and a load estimating unit that preliminarily acquires and stores a physical value corresponding to a load generated at the time of scanning the compression plate by the probe. The controller corrects the drive signal so that the probe moves to the target position regardless of the load by using the physical value stored in the load estimating unit.

An imager for in vivo viewing of diseased tissue by way of fluorescently conjugated molecules. A generally planar imaging surface with a microlens array. The imager may be modular, such that a plurality of generally planar imaging surfaces can be used to image various aspects of disease tissue simultaneously. Certain implementations include an angle-selective imager, wherein light from substantially perpendicular to the plane of the imager is received, while incident light is selectively eliminated.

An object information acquiring apparatus comprises an irradiating unit which irradiates light on an object; a holding member which includes a light-absorbing member whose optical characteristics with respect to irradiated light are known and which holds the object; a detector which detects acoustic waves generated by tissue in the object and the light-absorbing member due to light irradiation; and a computing unit which calculates optical characteristics of the tissue in the object and the light-absorbing member by using the detected acoustic waves and which corrects the optical characteristics of the tissue in the object by using the calculated optical characteristics of the light-absorbing member and the known optical characteristics.