Fabrication and characterization of an optically stable tissue phantom for the evaluation of transcutaneous bilirubin meters

This thesis focuses on the fabrication and characterization of an optically stable tissue phantom for the evaluation of transcutaneous bilirubin meters (TcB meters), a crucial tool in diagnosing neonatal jaundice in a non-invasive way. Neonatal jaundice, resulting from hyperbilirubinemia, is a common condition among newborns that can lead to severe complications if left untreated. While TcB measurements offer a non-invasive approach to estimate bilirubin levels, their accuracy can be influenced by several factors, including the optical properties of neonatal skin. This research aims to fabricate a phantom that accurately mimics the optical properties of neonatal skin for the evaluation of TcB-meters. By analyzing the absorption and scattering properties of various yellow, magenta, and white acrylic paint pigments mixed with epoxy resin, phantoms were fabricated mimicking different TcB concentrations. The optical properties of the fabricated phantoms were analyzed using Collimated Transmission and afterwards tested with TcB-meters using different experimental protocols. The results from these measurements demonstrate that these phantoms can effectively replicate the optical properties of jaundiced neonatal skin. Future research should focus on optimizing the experimental protocol, to minimize the variability of the TcB measurements. Furthermore, the stability of the phantoms over an extended period of time should be evaluated.