Geometrically complex 3D-printed phantoms for diffuse optical imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Medical Imaging
• Biophotonics

Background:

• Tissue-equivalent phantoms are crucial for diffuse optical imaging (DOI) research.
• Existing methods for creating phantoms with specific optical properties are often time-consuming and limit geometric complexity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, efficient method for fabricating tissue-equivalent optical phantoms using 3D printing.
• To enable the creation of phantoms with precisely known optical properties and complex anatomical geometries.

Main Methods:

• A simple recipe was developed for 3D printing phantoms with controlled absorption and scattering coefficients.
• Anatomically accurate phantoms were generated using MRI atlas data, including a premature infant head model with a hollow brain space.
• Diffuse optical imaging was performed on the phantom with a high-contrast target in the brain space.

Main Results:

• The 3D printing method allows for the rapid production of phantoms with accurately defined optical properties.
• Complex, anatomically relevant geometries, such as a premature infant head, can be reliably created.
• The fabricated phantom successfully demonstrated diffuse optical imaging capabilities.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing offers a versatile and efficient approach for generating customized tissue-equivalent optical phantoms.
• This method facilitates advanced instrumentation characterization and image reconstruction method evaluation in diffuse optical imaging.
• The technique supports the development of patient-specific or anatomically accurate phantoms for various biomedical applications.