Development of a breast-mimicking phantom for multispectral optoacoustic tomography

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) is an emerging imaging technology that generates high-resolution images by combining optical excitation and ultrasound detection. It has the ability to capture anatomical, functional, and molecular information from most tissues due to the use of multiple wavelengths. To ensure that pre-clinical MSOT imaging systems fulfill their intended use, means to quantitatively characterize performance are required. Mature imaging technologies make use of phantom-based test methods, incorporated into international standards. However, for optoacoustic imaging, such standards are not yet in place. This project is therefore intended to develop a breast-mimicking phantom for system calibration and daily quality control of the preclinical Multi-Spectral Optoacoustic Tomography. For that purpose, a prototype that meets the requirements of a breast-mimicking phantom was selected. The phantom was fabricated to verify the system performance and optoacoustic data from it was analyzed in order to validate the phantom’s functionality.