Abstract: A system comprises an ultrasound imaging system comprising at least one ultrasound transducer array, a thermoacoustic imaging system comprising at least one thermoacoustic transducer array mechanically connected to the at least one ultrasound transducer array such that a centerline of the at least one thermoacoustic transducer array is at a known angle with respect to a centerline of the at least one ultrasound transducer array, the at least one ultrasound transducer array moveable to orient the at least one thermoacoustic transducer array in at least one imaging position based on the known angle; and a processing unit configured to obtain thermoacoustic data of a region of interest at the at least one imaging position using the at least one thermoacoustic transducer array.

Abstract: A method of obtaining thermoacoustic data comprises obtaining ultrasound data of a region of interest using at least one ultrasound transducer array, the at least one ultrasound transducer array mechanically connected to at least one thermoacoustic transducer array such that a centerline of the at least one thermoacoustic transducer array is at a known angle with respect to a centerline of the at least one ultrasound transducer array, adjusting a position of the at least one ultrasound transducer array to orient the at least one thermoacoustic transducer array in at least one imaging position based on the known angle, and obtaining thermoacoustic data of the region of interest at the at least one imaging position using the at least one thermoacoustic transducer array.