Optimizing a single-sided reflection mode photoacoustic setup for clinical imaging

Reflection mode setups are photoacoustic setups where light source and transducer are placed on the same side of the imaged object. They are more suitable for clinical applications than transmission mode setups or tomographic setups, but they are also more subject to problems such as clutter. In some systems, it is not possible to apply light on both sides of the transducer, e.g. due to price or size considerations. In this contribution, a single sided setup is characterized using simulations and experiments. The simulations include optical and acoustical simulations using Monte Carlo simulations on the GPU and the k-wave toolbox, respectively. The experiments verified the findings from the simulations, exposing a strong asymmetry in the elevational sensitivity of the system at shallow depths.