Coherent-weighted three-dimensional image reconstruction in linear-array-based photoacoustic tomography.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical optics
• Medical imaging
• Acoustic imaging

Background:

• Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) systems traditionally use custom transducer arrays.
• Commercially available linear transducer arrays offer cost and convenience but suffer from poor elevation resolution in PAI.
• This limitation hinders the widespread clinical adoption of PAI systems using off-the-shelf components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the poor elevation resolution in photoacoustic imaging using commercially available linear transducer arrays.
• To improve image quality and object contrast without altering the existing imaging system or geometry.
• To demonstrate a purely image-reconstruction-based solution for enhanced PAI performance.

Main Methods:

• Integration of focal-line-based three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction.
• Application of coherent weighting techniques during image reconstruction.
• Numerical validation via simulation followed by experimental testing on phantoms and in vivo models.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in elevation resolution, achieving up to a 4-fold enhancement in experimental tests.
• Enhanced contrast of imaged objects.
• Successful validation of the proposed reconstruction method in both simulated and real-world scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The proposed image reconstruction approach effectively overcomes the elevation resolution limitation of commercial linear transducer arrays in PAI.
• This method offers a practical solution for improving PAI system performance and expanding its clinical applicability.
• The technique enhances image quality and contrast, paving the way for more accessible and effective photoacoustic imaging.