Issue Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. Volume 37, Number 1, January 2007 Page(s) 87 - 92 Section Characterization of Materials: Imaging,\ Microscopy and Spectroscopy DOI 10.1051/epjap:2006136 Published online 22 November 2006

Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 37, 87-92 (2007)
DOI: 10.1051/epjap:2006136

High-quality photoacoustic imaging by using of concentration-adjustable glycerin as an acoustic couplant

Sihua Yang and Huaimin Gu

MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P.R. China

guhm@scnu.edu.cn

(Received: 22 August 2006 / Accepted: 23 September 2006 / Published online: 22 November 2006 )

Abstract
The influences of mismatch of ultrasonic propagation velocities on photoacoustic imaging are studied. The concentration-adjustable glycerin is used as an ultrasonic couplant to match the ultrasonic velocities in different media in order to eliminate the acoustic refraction, reduce the acoustic reflection, and rectify the acoustic path difference. Two biological phantoms are tested by using water and glycerin as ultrasonic couplant, respectively. The spatial resolution of reconstructed image by experimental evaluation also is estimated to be 0.12 mm. The experimental results demonstrate that the high-quality photoacoustic imaging can be obtained by matching the ultrasonic propagation velocities in different media. The contrast of reconstructed image is significantly improved and the image artifacts are obviously reduced after matching ultrasonic velocity. It has potential to promote photoacoustic imaging as a clinical diagnosis technique.

PACS
78.20.Hp - Piezo-, elasto-, and acoustooptical effects; photoacoustic effects.
87.63.Lk - Visible radiation: diaphanography, transillumination, laser imaging.
43.35.+d - Ultrasonics, quantum acoustics, and physical effects of sound.

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