Elevation resolution enhancement in 3D photoacoustic imaging using FDMAS beamforming

Photoacoustic imaging is a non-invasive and non-ionizing imaging technique that combines the spectral selectivity of laser excitation with the high resolution of ultrasound imaging. It is possible to identity the vascular structure of the cancerous tissue using this imaging modality. However, elevational and lateral resolution of photoacoustic imaging is usually poor for imaging target. In this study, a 3D imaging protocol was created using a linear array transducer and two dimensional synthetic aperture filter delay multiply and sum beamforming (2D-FDMAS). Implementation of 2D-FDMAS improves the elevation and lateral resolutions and enhances SNR of the photoacoustic image.