Acoustic lens characterization for ultrasound and photoacoustic C-scan imaging modalities.

From a fundamental perspective, image reconstruction tasks in both ultrasound pulse echo and photoacoustic imaging are identical. We propose a C-scan imaging scheme that is applicable to both modalities where the image reconstruction is achieved through focusing action of an acoustic lens. The theory to characterize the imaging system is presented. Experimental methodology to determine the system point-spread-function is outlined and demonstrated with preliminary results.