A multi-dimensional transfer function approach to photo-acoustic signal analysis

Photo-acoustic signal generation has shown potential for medical tomography. This paper aims to present a consistent and unified approach to the mathematical modelling of the photo-acoustic problem, using a transfer function approach. A generalized version of the Fourier slice theorem is presented and proved. Reconstruction algorithms can be developed based on specific cases of this general theorem. Closed-form solutions to special cases are given in Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical polar coordinates. These can be used to simulate the forward problem and as test cases for any reconstruction algorithms.