title: Segmentation and artifact removal in microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging.
abstract: Microwave-induced thermoacoustic (TA) imaging combines the soft-tissue dielectric contrast of microwave excitation with the resolution of ultrasound for the goal of a safe, high resolution, and possibly portable imaging technique. However, the hybrid nature of this method introduces new image-reconstruction challenges in enabling sufficient accuracy and segmentation. In this paper, we propose a segmentation technique based on the polarity characteristic of TA signals. A wavelet analysis based method is proposed to identify reflection artifacts as well. The time-frequency feature of the signal is used to assist differentiating artifacts. Ex vivo verification with experimental data is also provided.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nan
authors.forename: Tzu-Chieh
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arbabian
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008872:Microwaves; D014463:Ultrasonography; D058067:Wavelet Analysis; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging