Development of simulated pigmented lesions in an optical skin-tissue phantom: Experimental measurements in the visible and near infrared

Realistic, pigmented skin simulants (“phantoms”) can be useful in optimizing dermal laser procedures and for laser surgical training. Diffuse reflectance of skin pigmented lesions depends on the amount and distribution of the absorbing/diffusing chromophores, mainly hemoglobin and melanin, embedded in the skin layers. The reason why diffuse reflectance of benign melanocytic lesions is different from that of melanoma is still unclear. In an attempt to explain such a difference, phantoms able to simulate the diffuse reflectance of both types of pigmented skin lesions have been developed. The basic material for lesion- and skin-like phantoms is a transparent silicone rubber in which Al2O3 particles, melanin, and different types of cosmetic powders were added as diffusers and absorbers. Slabs with a minimal thickness of 100 μm were prepared to mimic lesions with different thicknesses and the skin layered structures. The optical properties of tissue phantom components, i.e., total attenuation, absorption, and ...