Three-dimensional single-shot optoacoustic visualization of excised mouse organs with model-based reconstruction

Optoacoustic imaging offers the unique capability of simultaneous excitation of a three-dimensional (volumetric) region with a single interrogating laser pulse. In this way, three-dimensional imaging with single-shot illumination is theoretically achievable, which in principle allows the visualization of dynamic events at a high frame rate mainly limited by the pulse repetition rate of the laser. Simultaneous acquisition of optoacoustic signals at a set of points surrounding the imaging sample is however required for this purpose, which is hampered by several technical limitations related to lack of appropriate ultrasound detection technology, digital sampling and processing capacities. Also, a convenient reconstruction algorithm must be selected to accurately image the distribution of the optical absorption from the acquired signals. Specifically, the resolution and quantitativeness of the images depend on the reconstruction procedure employed. Herein we describe an accurate three-dimensional model-based optoacoustic reconstruction algorithm based on a convenient discretization of the analytical solution of the forward model. Subsequent algebraic inversion is done with the LSQR algorithm. The performance of the algorithm is showcased by reconstructing an excised mouse heart with a custom made three-dimensional optoacoustic imaging system. In this system, 256 optoacoustic signals corresponding to single-shot excitation are simultaneously collected with an array of ultrasonic transducers disposed on a spherical surface, which allows three-dimensional imaging at a frame rate of 10 Hz.