Optical phantom suitable for stimulating the optical properties of biological material and a method of producing said phantom

• US 6,224,969 B1
• Filed: 08/28/1998
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stichting Voor de Technische Wetenschappen
• Original Assignee: Stichting Voor de Technische Wetenschappen
• Inventors: Greve, Jan, De Mul, Frits Frans Maria, Steenbergen, Wiendelt
• Primary Examiner(s): Thibodeau, Paul
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZACHARIA, RAMSEY E
• Application Number:
  US09/143,706
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 428/313.3, 428/313.5, 428/313.7, 428/313.9, 428/323, 428/327, 428/314.2, 428/403, 428/407, 128/897, 356/36, 356/38, 356/311, 356/128, 524/503, 525/57
• US Class Current: 428/313.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/49 within a body or fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249971 Preformed hollow element-containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249972 Resin or rubber element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/254 Polymeric or resinous material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2998 including synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical phantom that is suitable for simulating the optical properties of biological material and to a method of producing said phantom. The phantom is comprised of a matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and spherical particles whose refractive index differs from that of the PVA. Preferably the PVA has a level of hydrolysis of >98%. Preferably the spherical particles are hollow polystyrene particles. In addition, light-absorbing and light-scattering substances may be added to the matrix.

Claims

1. An optical tissue phantom that is suitable for simulating the optical properties of biological material, characterized in that the optical tissue phantom comprises a film comprising a matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and substantially spherical particles whose refractive index differs from that of the PVA.

2. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 1, characterized in that the PVA has a level of hydrolysis of 75-100 mole percent.

3. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 1, characterized in that the PVA has a level of hydrolysis of greater than 98 mole percent.

4. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 1, characterized in that the diameter of the particles ranges from 0.45-1.5 μ

m.

5. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 1, characterized in that the particles are hollow particles.

6. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 5, characterized in that the hollow particles are filled with gas.

7. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 6, characterized in that the gas is air.

8. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 1, characterized in that the particles are polystyrene particles.

9. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical tissue phantom also comprises a colourless solid.

10. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 9, characterized in that the colourless solid is glucose.

11. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical tissue phantom also comprises at least one light-absorbing subatance.

12. An optical tissue phantom according to claim 11, characterized in that the light-absorbing substance is paint.