We present an experimental proof-of-concept study on the performance of a sparse segmented annular array for optoacoustic imaging. A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer was equipped with a negatively focused acoustic lens and scanned in an annular fashion to exploit the performance of the sparse array geometry proposed in our recent numerical studies [Biomed. Opt. Express10, 1545 (2019)BOEICL2156-708510.1364/BOE.10.001545; J. Biomed. Opt.23, 025004 (2018)JBOPFO1083-366810.1117/1.JBO.23.2.025004]. A dedicated water tank was made using a 3D printer for light delivery and mounting the sample. A phantom experiment was carried out to showcase the possibility of full-field optoacoustic ultrasound (OPUS) imaging and confirm the earlier numerical results. This proof of concept opens the door towards a prototype of OPUS imaging for (pre-) clinical studies.

中文翻译：

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用于光声超声体积成像的稀疏手持式探头：一项实验性概念验证研究。

我们提出了对光声成像的稀疏分段环形阵列的性能的实验性概念验证研究。电容式微加工超声换能器配备了负聚焦声透镜，并以环形方式进行扫描，以利用我们最近的数值研究中提出的稀疏阵列几何形状的性能[Biomed.Am。选择。Express10，1545（2019）BOEICL2156-708510.1364 / BOE.10.001545; J.生物医学。Opt.23，025004（2018）JBOPFO1083-366810.1117 / 1.JBO.23.2.025004]。使用3D打印机制作了一个专用水箱，用于光传输和安装样品。进行了幻像实验以展示全场光声超声（OPUS）成像的可能性，并证实了较早的数值结果。