A research effort by members of the Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory has resulted in the development of a series of solid plastic phantoms which simulate the optical properties of human tissues over a range of near-infrared wavelengths. The transport scatter coefficient and absorption coefficient of the phantoms are matched to those of brain or breast tissues by adding suitable quantities of scattering particles and near-infrared dye to a clear resin or epoxy base. Advice on how to make solid phantoms with tissue-equivalent phantoms, including suggested suppliers of appropriate materials, is available by clicking here. However, please note that unfortunately we are unable to manufacture phantoms for sale, and generally do not make phantoms specifically for other groups except when it involves a formal collaboration.

The principle phantoms constructed by our Laboratory for imaging experiments are listed below. Many of these are available for loan to other research groups wishing to test their imaging techniques and/or instrumentation. We generally allow researchers to borrow our phantoms free-of-charge for a period of a few months, depending on demand. Many have already been used by groups around the world.

	Homogenous Phantoms
	Dimensions:	Miscellaneous rectangular, cylindrical, and conical blocks.
	Properties:	Various
	Contents:	Homogenous
	Reference:	Various publications.

	Breast Phantom (Dolly)
	Dimensions:	Rectangular slab 54 x 75 x 135 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 1.0 mm-1, µa = 0.01 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Four high-contrast cylinders.
	Reference:	J. Hebden et al. Applied Optics 34, 8038-8047 (1995).

	Absorbing Contrast Phantom (ACP)
	Dimensions:	Rectangular slab 55 x 82 x 166 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 0.9 mm-1, µa = 0.006 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Four cylinders: 4, 2, 1.5, 1.1 x background absorption.
	Reference:	D. Hall et al. Applied Optics 36, 7270-7276 (1997).

	Scattering Contrast Phantom (SCP)
	Dimensions:	Rectangular slab 55 x 82 x 166 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 0.9 mm-1, µa = 0.006 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Four cylinders: 4, 2, 1.5, 1.1 x background scatter.
	Reference:	D. Hall et al. Applied Optics 36, 7270-7276 (1997).

	Single Perturbation Phantom (SPP)
	Dimensions:	Rectangular slab 55 x 82 x 156 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 0.9 mm-1, µa = 0.006 mm-1 (780 nm)
	Contents:	One cylinder: 2 x background absorption and scatter.
	Reference:	J. Hebden and S. Arridge, OSA Trends in Optics, 2,93-98 (1996).

	TEAM Phantom
	Dimensions:	Rectangular slab 45 x 103 x 105 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 0.95 mm-1, µa = 0.01 mm-1 (790-820 nm)
	Contents:	One cylinder,wavelength-dependent absorption.
	Reference:	J. Hebden et al. Applied Optics 36, 3802-3810 (1997).

	Cylindrical Phantom (Basic)
	Dimensions:	Cylindrical. Diameter = 70 mm; Length = 85 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 1.0 mm-1, µa = 0.01 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Three rods: 5 x scatter, 5 x absorption, and 2 x both.
	Reference:	J. Hebden et al. Optics Letters 24, 534-536 (1999).

	Cylindrical Phantom (Basic-3D)
	Dimensions:	Cylindrical. Diameter = 70 mm; Length = 140 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 1.0 mm-1, µa = 0.01 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Three cylinders: 10 x scatter, 10 x absorption, and 5 x both.
	Reference:	F. Schmidt et al. Applied Optics 39, 3380-3387 (2000).

	Wavelength-difference Phantom (WD-rod)
	Dimensions:	Cylindrical. Diameter = 70 mm; Length = 118 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 1.0 mm-1, µa = 0.01 mm-1 (790-820 nm)
	Contents:	Five rods: wavelength-dependent absorption.
	Reference:

	Wavelength-difference Phantom (WD-half-and-half)
	Dimensions:	Cylindrical. Diameter = 70 mm; Length = 99 mm.
	Properties:	Right half: µa = 0.01 mm-1 (780 and 815 nm); Left half: µa = 0.0138 mm-1 (780 nm) and µa = 0.006 mm-1 (815 nm). Uniform µs´= 1.0 mm-1.
	Contents:	Two cylinders in each half with properties of other half.
	Reference:

	Arm Phantom
	Dimensions:	Cylindrical. Diameter = 70 mm; Length = 100 mm.
	Properties:	Hollow cylinder with inner diameter of 60 mm. Properties of cylinder are µs´= 1.0 mm-1, µa = 0.01 mm-1 (800 nm).
	Contents:	Various interchangable components representing muscles, vessels, and bones. Components are placed within hollow cylinder and surrounded with intralipid solution.
	Reference:

	CSF Layer Phantom
	Dimensions:	Cylindrical. Diameter = 70 mm; Length = 78 mm.
	Properties:	µs´= 0.5-2.5 mm-1, µa = 0.015-0.025 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Five concentric regions, including clear layer.
	Reference:

	Brain Phantom (Eiji Phantom)
	Dimensions:	Cylindrical. Diameter = 70 mm; Length = 80 mm.
	Properties:	µs´= 0.5-2.5 mm-1, µa = 0.015-0.025 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Multiple complex layers and embedded cylinders.
	Reference:

	Cone Phantoms (various)
	Dimensions:	Conical. Base diameter = 135 mm; Cone angle = 69 degrees.
	Properties:	1. Background µs´= 1.0 mm-1, µa = 0.004 mm-1 (800 nm). 2. Background µs´= 0.8 mm-1, µa = 0.007 mm-1 (800 nm).
	Contents:	Three 10 mm cylinders: 2 x scatter, 2 x absorption, and 2 x both. Homogenous cones with same background properties also available.
	Reference:	J. Hebden et al. Applied Optics 40, 3278-3287 (2001).

	Neonatal Head Phantom
	Dimensions:	Realistic head shape. Maximum diameter = 78 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 1.5 mm-1, µa = 0.015 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Spherical brain (diameter = 58 mm); Three embedded cylinders.
	Reference:	Click here for graphic of phantom structure.

	Homogenous Neonatal Head Phantom
	Dimensions:	Realistic head shape. Maximum diameter = 78 mm.
	Properties:	Background µs´= 1.0 mm-1, µa = 0.01 mm-1 (800 nm)
	Contents:	Homogenous medium.
	Reference:

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