An open real-time photoacoustic imaging scanner

Photoacoustic imaging is a functional technique based on the detection of acoustic waves originated from tissues excited by an optical source (laser pulses). When different laser wavelengths are used, this modality allows the discrimination of different media, which is promising for various medical applications. The acquisition system must show two main capabilities: 1) the real-time imaging of the region of interest and 2) the access to raw data to test reconstruction and processing methods under development. However, today’s systems provide only one of these two requirements. Therefore, this study presents the development of a 2D hybrid ultrasound/photoacoustic real-time mode, based on the ultrasound open scanner ULA-OP256, which allows the access to raw data. The system validation was done on a 4% agar phantom containing two graphite mines illuminated by a pulsed laser at 1064 nm. The test highlights the correct synchronization of the optical illumination with the photoacoustic acquisition, as well as the accurate display of photoacoustic and ultrasound images.