Novel reconstruction algorithm for photoacoustic imaging: toward the quantitative imaging

Abstract

This thesis aims to study the photoacoustic imaging technique, this comprises two aspects: the detection technique, and the image reconstruction methods, both studied in this work along with the proposal of a reconstruction algorithm and a mathematical model of the photoacoustic electrical signal. The thesis is divided in five chapters: 1. The first chapter presents an overview of the state of the art in the photoacoustic imaging, the challenges of the technique and the advances and progress achieved. A brief discussion of the problems studied in this thesis is presented. 2. The second chapter is a general review of the physical concepts and mathematical models involved in the photoacoustic imaging. 3. The third chapters presents the arrangement of the measurement technique implemented and the proposal of an algorithm of reconstruction that improves the quality of the photoacoustic images. Several examples to show the capabilities of the algorithm are presented. 4. In the fourth chapter a mathematical model of the photoacoustic electrical signal is exposed, a physical correction that improves the predictions on the shape of the signal is proposed. 5. Finally, the fifth chapter relates the conclusions of the presented work, and a discussion of its potential applications.