Test-samples are necessary for the development of emerging imaging approaches such as optoacoustics (OA); these can be used to benchmark new labeling agents and instrumentation, or to characterize image analysis algorithms or the inversion required to form the three-dimensional reconstructions. Alginate beads (AlBes) loaded with labeled mammalian or bacterial cells provide a method of creating defined structures of controllable size and photophysical characteristics and are well-suited for both and use. Here we describe a simple and rapid method for efficient and reproducible production of AlBes with specific characteristics and show three example applications with multispectral OA tomography imaging. We show the advantage of AlBes for studying and eventually improving photo-switching OA imaging approaches. As highly defined, homogeneous, quasi point-like signal sources, AlBes might hold similar advantages for studying other agents, light-fluence models, or the impact of detection geometries on correct image formation in the near future.

中文翻译：

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海藻酸盐珠作为光声成像的高度通用测试样品

测试样本对于光声学（OA）等新兴成像方法的开发是必要的；这些可用于对新的标记剂和仪器进行基准测试，或表征图像分析算法或形成三维重建所需的反演。装载有标记的哺乳动物或细菌细胞的藻酸盐珠 (AlBes) 提供了一种创建具有可控尺寸和光物理特性的确定结构的方法，并且非常适合两者和使用。在这里，我们描述了一种简单、快速的方法，用于高效、可重复地生产具有特定特性的 AlBes，并展示了多光谱 OA 断层扫描成像的三个示例应用。我们展示了 AlBes 在研究和最终改进光切换 OA 成像方法方面的优势。作为高度定义、均匀、准点状信号源，AlBes 在不久的将来可能在研究其他试剂、光通量模型或检测几何形状对正确图像形成的影响方面具有类似的优势。