Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a method of non-invasive medical diagnostics based on scanning a biological object with near-infrared radiation, followed by registration and analysis of the back-reflected and back-scattered photons. The most of OCT systems are used in ophthalmology for diagnostics conditions of the retina, optic nerve and anterior segment of the eye. The purpose of this research is to increase the reliability of controlled experiments of the retina using phantoms by taking into account the partial clamping and vibrations of the walls of blood vessels that occur in real living objects. Methods of a retinal phantom molding containing special cavities (mimicking blood vessels) suitable for pumping blood-imitating fluid are described. The retina is shaped as a multilayered structure. Two-component transparent liquid silicone is used as to mold each layer. Indian ink with known optical properties is used to mimic absorption. Titanium dioxide particles are used as scatterers. The layers are formed sequentially from the bottom (choroid) to the top (inner boundary membrane). Mass fractions of the additives, as well as the thickness of each layer, are chosen on an individual basis. All blood vessels are represented as elongated and connected cavities. The formation of the base and complex network of the molded blood vessels is performed using a 3D printer. A device for making the palatial blood flow in phantoms of the retina, containing imitators of blood vessels and a pump with an adjustable flow velocity for pumping blood-imitating fluid, electric motors and a vibration motor for adjustable deformations and vibrations of the flexible tube walls is presented. When the characteristics of the pump and vibration motor are changed, turbulence is created after the formed laminar flow in the microtubes, which increases quality and blood flow reliability of the phantoms. Series of experiments applying the developed technique and the vessel phantoms with pulsating flow have been carried out using the method of optical coherence tomography. The developed phantoms and the controller can be used to test ophthalmic ultrasound and OCT systems for biomedical studies as well as to develop and adjust new modifications of the OCT imaging.
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