Photoacoustic and ultrasonic coimage with a linear transducer array

A technique is developed to simultaneously acquire ultrasound and photoacoustic (PA) images based on a linear transducer array. The system uses conventional ultrasound for rapid identification of potential targets. After a target is identified, the ultrasound echo and PA signals can be simultaneously obtained with optimized excitation and a signal collection sequence. The corresponding ultrasound impedance and optical absorption images are reconstructed with a phase-controlled algorithm. The approach can effectively reduce the artifacts associated with a conventional filter backprojection algorithm used in PA imaging by linear scanning. The technique provides a new approach for practical applications.