Optical fiber device and biological tissue phantoms for determination of optical parameters in the near-infrared region

Optical coefficients of phantoms were determined through measurement of backscattered light using an optical fiber device. These phantoms, composed of milk and laser dye, were selected, dimensioned, and characterized according to typical values of optical parameters found in the literature for biological tissues in the near-infrared (NIR) region. An optical fiber device was used to deliver light to the surface of the phantom at an angle of 45degrees, as well as to collect light from 12 different locations. Using a combination of two theoretical models based on photon diffusion theory, optical parameters could be determined from experimental curves with an error of prediction lower than 20%. The novelty of the present work is in the combination of theoretical models that had previously been applied to different device architectures for the delivery and collection of light. Moreover, the low cost and reliable proposed phantom is shown to be adequate for the optical simulation of biological tissues.