Enhancing Image Quality of Photoacoustic Tomography Using Sub-Pitch Array Translation Approach: Simulation and Experimental Validation

TLDR: The proposed linear translation-based approach has the potential to serve as an easy-to-integrate and simple way of achieving better image quality without requiring to increase the system complexity with existing transducer array probe technology in regular clinical scanners.

Abstract: Objective : The purpose of this paper is to present a more convenient and practical alternate way of increasing the lateral discrete array sampling while using a typical λ pitch linear array transducer at receive for photoacoustic tomography (PAT) application. Methods: We have employed a linear translation-based approach, in which the array transducer is translated by sub-pitch amount to create an augmented RF frame data having denser lateral spatial sampling. The denser λ /2 and λ /4 pitch data were reconstructed and compared against conventional λ pitch reconstructed PAT image using simulation and tissue mimicking phantom experiments in terms of improvements in resolution and contrast. Results: The results from experiments demonstrate a 34.48% improvement in lateral resolution (LR), measured in terms of full-width at half-maximum of the lateral profile of point spread function, and a maximum of 7-dB improvement in contrast is achieved while using a λ /2-pitch configuration when compared to the conventional λ -pitch configuration. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that λ /2- and λ /4-pitch configurations result in better LR and contrast than λ -pitch configuration. Significance: Based on the results obtained, the proposed method has the potential to serve as an easy-to-integrate and simple way of achieving better image quality without requiring to increase the system complexity with existing transducer array probe technology in regular clinical scanners.