Homogenized tissue phantoms for quantitative evaluation of subsurface fluorescence contrast

The use of phantoms comprising diluted tissue homogenates with a buried capillary containing quantum dots is demonstrated as a method to investigate the optical and biophysical factors influencing the imaging of subsurface fluorescence contrast agents. Validation of the method is demonstrated using both liquid phantoms of known optical absorption and reduced scattering and Monte Carlo computer simulations of photon transport. Conclusions regarding the optimal excitation wavelength are given and quantified with respect to the tissue optical properties. The tissue homogenate method should be of value for quantitative optimization studies relevant to, for example, endoscopic imaging.