Significance: Physics-based simulations of photoacoustic (PA) signals are used to validate new methods, to characterize PA setups and to generate training datasets for machine learning. However, a thoroughly validated PA simulation toolchain that can simulate realistic images is still lacking.
Aim: A quantitative toolchain was developed to model PA image acquisition in complex tissues, by simulating both the optical fluence and the acoustic wave propagation.
Approach: Sampling techniques were developed to decrease artifacts in acoustic simulations. The performance of the simulations was analyzed by measuring the point spread function (PSF) and using a rotatable three-channel phantom, filled with cholesterol, a human carotid plaque sample, and porcine blood. Ex vivo human plaque samples were simulated to validate the methods in more complex tissues.
Results: The sampling techniques could enhance the quality of the simulated PA images effectively. The resolution and intensity of the PSF in the turbid medium matched the experimental data well. Overall, the appearance, signal-to-noise ratio and speckle of the images could be simulated accurately.
Conclusions: A PA toolchain was developed and validated, and the results indicate a great potential of PA simulations in more complex and heterogeneous media.
Keywords: Monte–Carlo; k-wave; modeling; photoacoustic imaging; toolchain.