Numerical Mouse Phantoms for Multispectral Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Photoacoustic Computed Tomography

Realistic numerical phantoms and virtual imaging trials play a crucial role in evaluating reconstruction algorithms and optimizing system parameters, especially for emerging imaging technologies. By providing a controlled environment for testing and refinement, these tools help accelerate the development process and reduce the need for costly and time-consuming physical experiments. Multispectral dynamic contrast-enhanced photoacoustic computed tomography (mDCE-PACT) emerges as a promising technique for quantitatively imaging tumor vascular perfusion, essential for evaluating tumor angiogenesis and treatment response. However, the lack of detailed numerical phantoms for mDCE-PACT restricts the advancement and evaluation of sophisticated reconstruction algorithms and imaging system designs. We introduce a comprehensive framework for generating realistic numerical phantoms specifically designed for mDCE-PACT to address this limitation. Our method utilizes the 4D mouse whole-body phantom generation tool (MOBY) to simulate anatomical features, including tumors, and physiological movements such as cardiac and respiratory motions. Tissue properties are assigned based on the established literature, considering wavelength-dependent optical absorption and scattering coefficients. The dynamic contrast agent concentration is modeled using the extended Tofts model, which is frequently used in dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging. The developed phantoms will facilitate the evaluation and refinement of spatiotemporal image reconstruction algorithms and imaging system designs. By overcoming existing resource limitations, our framework aims to advance the assessment and development of mDCE-PACT techniques for monitoring tumor vascular dynamics.