Realistic phantoms for diffuse optical imaging using totally absorbing objects

Abstract

We propose and validate the design of inhomogeneous phantoms for diffuse optical imaging purposes using totally absorbing objects embedded in a diffusive medium. From Monte Carlo simulations, we show that a given or desired perturbation strength caused by an realistic absorbing inhomogeneity of a certain absorption and volume can be approximately mimicked by a small totally absorbing object of a so-called Equivalent Black Volume (<i>Equivalence Relation</i>). This concept can be useful to design realistic inhomogeneous phantoms using a set of black objects with different volumes. Further, it permits to grade physiological or pathological changes on a reproducible scale of equivalent black volumes, thus facilitating the performance assessment of clinical instruments. We have also provided a plot to derive the Equivalent Black Volume yielding the same effect of a realistic absorption object.