title: Tissue-like phantoms for near-infrared fluorescence imaging system assessment and the training of surgeons.
abstract: We demonstrate how to construct calibrated, stable, and inexpensive tissue-like phantoms for near-IR (NIR) fluorescence imaging applications. The bulk phantom material is composed of gelatin, intralipid, hemoglobin, and indocyanine green (ICG). Absorbance, scatter, background fluorescence, and texture can be tuned as desired. NIR fluorescent inclusions are comprised of ICG-labeled polystyrene divinylbenzene beads and Pam78-labeled hydroxyapatite crystals. The former mimic tumor masses of controllable size and contrast agent concentration, and the latter mimic microcalcifications in breast cancer. NIR-fluorescent inclusions can be positioned precisely in phantoms, with one or more regions having different optical properties, and their position can be verified independently using microcomputed tomography. We demonstrate how these phantoms can be used to calibrate and compare imaging systems, and to train surgeons to operate under NIR fluorescence image guidance.
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Alec M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: De Grand
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lomnes
authors.forename: Deborah S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pietrzykowski
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gogbashian
authors.forename: Rita G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Laurence
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Frangioni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002138:Calibration; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*