Fast multielement phase-controlled photoacoustic imaging based on limited-field-filtered back-projection algorithm

In this paper, the multielement phase-controlled technique and the limited-field -filtered back-projection algorithm are used to investigate the two-dimensional fast noninvasive photoacoustic imaging. By the use of the former to collect photoacoustic signals, which are of high signal-to-noise ratio, one needs not to average the data and can acquire them in less than 5 s. The later can greatly improve the lateral resolution of the multielement linear transducer array imaging system from 1.5 mm to 0.24 mm. This method and system can provide a fast and reliable approach to photoacoustic imaging that could be applied to noninvasive imaging and clinic diagnosis. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.