3D‐Bioprinted Phantom with Human Skin Phototypes for Biomedical Optics. Issue 3 (19th December 2022) - Yim, Wonjun
Abstract: 3D‐bioprinted skin‐mimicking phantoms with skin colors ranging across the Fitzpatrick scale are reported. These tools can help understand the impact of skin phototypes on biomedical optics. Synthetic melanin nanoparticles of different sizes (70–500 nm) and clusters are fabricated to mimic the optical behavior of melanosome. The absorption coefficient and reduced scattering coefficient of the phantoms are comparable to real human skin. Further the melanin content and distribution in the phantoms versus real human skins are validated via photoacoustic (PA) imaging. The PA signal of the phantom can be improved by: 1) increasing melanin size (3–450‐fold), 2) increasing clustering (2–10.5‐fold), and 3) increasing concentration (1.3–8‐fold). Then, multiple biomedical optics tools (e.g., PA, fluorescence imaging, and photothermal therapy) are used to understand the impact of skin tone on these modalities. These well‐defined 3D‐bioprinted phantoms may have value in translating biomedical optics and reducing racial bias. Abstract : Skin‐mimicking phantoms with different Fitzpatrick scale values are reported to understand the impact of skin phototypes on biomedical optics. The absorption and scattering coefficients of the skin phantoms are similar to real human skin. This approach may have value in understanding differences in the performance of biomedical optics as a function of skin tone.