@inproceedings{8efc256c803c40e090f15dc8e33bf58c,
title = "Small-animal whole-body imaging using a photoacoustic full-ring array system",
abstract = "In this report, we present a novel 3D photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system for small-animal whole-body imaging. The PACT system, based on a 512-element full-ring transducer array, received photoacoustic signals primarily from a 2-mm-thick slice. The light was generated by a pulse laser, and can either illuminate from the top or be reshaped to illuminate the sample from the side, using a conical lens and an optical condenser. The PACT system was capable of acquiring an in-plane image in 1.6 s; by scanning the sample in the elevational direction, a 3D tomographic image could be constructed. We tested the system by imaging a cylindrical phantom made of human hairs immersed in a scattering medium. The reconstructed image achieved an in-plane resolution of 0.1 mm and an elevational resolution of 1 mm. After deconvolution in the elevational direction, the 3D image was found to match well with the phantom. The system was also used to image a baby mouse in situ; the spinal cord and ribs can be seen easily in the reconstructed image. Our results demonstrate that the PACT system has the potential to be used for fast small-animal whole-body tomographic imaging.",
keywords = "Full-ring transducer array, Photoacoustic tomography, Spinal cord, Whole-body imaging",
author = "Jun Xia and Zijian Guo and Andres Aguirre and Quing Zhu and Wang, \{Lihong V.\}",
year = "2011",
month = feb,
day = "10",
doi = "10.1117/12.873401",
language = "English",
isbn = "9780819484369",
series = "Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE",
publisher = "SPIE",
booktitle = "Photons Plus Ultrasound",
address = "United States",
}