Limited by the web size, the software cannot be uploaded. For free download, please contact the team Primary PI.

1-Welcome interface
2-LOGO
3-Set parameters
4-Default
5-Load raw data file
6-Load transducer data file
7-Select reconstruction algorithm
8-Save image

Based on the Windows system, PATNBC is implemented within Python 3.8 for medical image forming using the back-projection method. We specially designed this software for our portable photoacoustic device.

This application is based on Radon transformation, which is widely used in the area of medical imaging, for example, MRI and ultrasound imaging.

The recommended system is Windows higher than XP and the least requirement of memory is 64 GB.

By clicking the software, the welcome interface pops up as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. The welcome interface

After 1.5 seconds of animation, the main window is displayed as shown in Figure 2. Every module of the software is shown in the main window.

Figure 2. The main window of the software

By clicking the Raw Data File button on the main window, a sub-window called the Open Matrix File pops up as shown in Figure 3. Selecting the raw data to be processed and hit open, then the raw data is automatically uploaded to the software.

Figure 3. Raw data import

If the data format is not compatible with our . mat format software, then they wouldn’t be visible to the user by default. If the process is aborted, a warning window as shown in Figure 4 would appear.

Figure 4. Warning for data import

The transducer data of the 3-D transducer distribution, which should also be in the .mat format. The process of data import is similar to the one we described earlier.

At the lower bottom of the left side of the main window, there is a default button. After importing the raw data file and transducer distribution file, each of the parameters should be defined. By clicking on the Default button, the default parameters are loaded.

PATNBC offers 2 methods for the reconstruction of images, including Model-based Forward Imaging and Back-projection. Model-based forward imaging is still under development. By clicking the circle behind the description, the reconstruction method is selected.

After clicking the Run button on the lower side of the main window, the program starts to operate. The running time is dependent on the parameters and raw data size. The pixel number directly determines the quality and resolution of the reconstructed image. After the reconstruction is finished, the image will be displayed on the image interface on the main window as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5. Image generation on the main window

Images can be exported as .mat and .png formats.