Limited-view photoacoustic imaging based on linear-array detection and filtered mean-backprojection-iterative reconstruction

Most existing photoacoustic tomography techniques require collecting complete projection data that are acquired on a defined circle surrounding the object. However, in clinical application, the object can only be approached from a limited angle mostly. Furthermore, with the incomplete projection data acquired in limited view, the general filtered backprojection algorithm will streak image artifacts nearby the reconstructed location of absorbers. In this paper, we present a limited-view-scanning photoacoustic imaging system with a linear transducer array and develop a filtered mean-backprojection-iteration (FMBPI) algorithm to reconstruct the absorbed optical deposit distribution. The FMBPI algorithm combines the terseness of the filtered backprojection algorithm with the accuracy of the iterative reconstruction algorithm. Numerical simulation and experimental results validate that the algorithm can effectively reconstruct high-quality image with limited-view data. It is also demonstrated that with the FMBPI algorithm, the limited-view-scanning multielement photoacoustic imaging system has a great potential to be applied in fast noninvasive clinic diagnosis of breast cancer at the early stage.