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A phantom with tissue‐like optical properties in the visible and near infrared for use in photomedicine
Author(s) -
Lualdi Manuela,
Colombo Ambrogio,
Farina Bruno,
Tomatis Stefano,
Marchesini Renato
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.1044
Subject(s) - imaging phantom , materials science , silicone rubber , optics , visible spectrum , near infrared spectroscopy , infrared , absorption (acoustics) , biomedical engineering , integrating sphere , light scattering , attenuation coefficient , attenuation , scattering , human skin , wavelength , optoelectronics , composite material , physics , medicine , biology , genetics
Background and Objective Modeling of light transport in tissue requires development of theoretical models and experimental procedures, as well as tissue‐simulating phantoms. Our purpose was to develop a phantom that matches the optical characteristics of human skin in the visible and near infrared spectral range. Study Design/Materials and Methods The phantom consists of a transparent silicone rubber in which Al 2 O 3 particles and a cosmetic powder are embedded. Layers with thickness as thin as 0.1 mm can be made. The optical properties of Al 2 O 3 particles and cosmetic powder, i.e., total attenuation, absorption and scattering coefficients, and phase function, have been determined in the visible and near infrared spectral range, by using direct and indirect techniques. Results By varying the concentration of scattering and absorbing particles, tissue‐like layers can be produced with predictable optical properties. In particular, mixing at suitable concentration Al 2 O 3 particles and cosmetic powder with the silicone rubber, the optical properties of human skin have been simulated over a range of wavelengths from 400 to 1,000 nm. The comparison between the phantom diffuse reflectance spectrum and that of human skin, averaged over a sample of 260 patients, showed a good agreement. Conclusion The proposed technique allows to produce a stable and reproducible phantom, with accurately predictable optical properties, easy to make and to handle. This phantom is a useful tool for numerous applications involving light interaction with biologic tissue. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:237–243, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.