Abstract
A novel Fourier transform based reconstruction algorithm for solving the inverse problem in optoacoustic imaging is presented, which improves reconstruction efficiency and image quality. Fourier algorithms make use of an interpolation law when signal Fourier components are mapped to source Fourier components. To overcome inadequacies affiliated with interpolation methods such as nearest neighbour, linear, cubic or spline interpolation, together with signal data zero padding, we present a regularized interpolation method based on a forward model explicitly formulated for the compactly supported signal data. Simulations performed on a digital tissue phantom reveal the potential of this novel reconstruction method, which results in images of enhanced quality but without the need of using time-consuming zero-padding.