Providing reproducible, stable optical phantoms and OEM products through standardized manufacturing methods and traceable characterisation process is our core principle
Welcome to our Products page, where we introduce you to the world of biophotonics optical phantoms. Whether you’re a researcher, medical professional, or technology enthusiast, our range of optical phantoms offers you an indispensable resource for advancing the field of optical imaging and its myriad applications. Explore our collection to discover the precision, quality, and innovation that define our biophotonics optical phantoms.
MEDPHOT MATRIX
The 16-half MEDPHOT matrix is BioPixS’s most popular product. It is made of 16 homogeneous phantoms that could aid the standardization and testing of instruments in biophotonics across a broad range of optical properties relevant to human tissue. This product is a result of explicit interest expressed by the customers to own a matrix kit.
One of the best applications of Matrix is to run the MEDPHOT protocol. MEDPHOT objectively assesses system performance to measure optical properties (absorption, reduced scattering coefficient) in terms of 5 variables: 1) accuracy, 2) linearity, 3) noise, 4) stability, 5) reproducibility. This rigorousness of the protocol allows us to understand and potentially correct, the systematic error present in the system, data processing and analysis algorithm.
Not sure how to tailor and implement MEDPHOT for your device? BioPixS has vast project experience (visit
projects page) to implement customized phantoms and protocols for your specific phantom needs.
Features:
· MEDPHOT and customisable optical properties
· Available in various geometry and dimensions
· Customized wavelength characterisation in 480-1650 nm range.
· Reproducible, coupling free Time-domain diffuse optical (TDDO) characterisation
· Traceable datasheets, share and benchmark your research with BioPixS traceable customers
HOMOGENEOUS PHANTOMS
Homogeneous phantoms are classical single or set of phantoms. This can serve a range of requirements, to reference, calibration, characterisation of Biophotonics devices, during day to day routine operation or troubleshooting. BioPixS deep expertise in optical properties of various tissue types is one step away to customize phantom tools for your research. Our catalogue has a wide range of phantoms with diverse optical properties, geometry and size. Could not find a phantom that meets your requirements? Feel free to contact us to discuss you specific phantom needs.
Features:
· Wide range of off-the-shelf phantoms
· available in various geometry and dimensions
· customized wavelength characterisation in 480-1650 nm range.
· reproducible, coupling free Time-domain diffuse optical (TDDO) characterisation
· t raceable datasheets, share and benchmark your research with BioPixS traceable customers
MULTI-LAYER PHANTOM
The idea behind multi-layer phantoms is to mimic the heterogeneous multi-layer nature of biological tissue. These phantoms are the perfect choice to systematically assess the effect of each layer parameters on the measured optical properties and system performance. A well defined system performance assessment protocol can be designed based on the specific application and parameters to evaluate. A protocol similar to MEDPHOT can be tailored with multilayer phantoms choosing the range of appropriate layers to change.
Features:
· layer thickness as small as 200 µm
· customized wavelength characterisation in 480-1650 nm range
· available in various geometries and dimensions
· reproducible, coupling free Time-domain diffuse optical (TDDO) characterisation
· traceable datasheets, share and benchmark your research with BioPixS traceable customers
ANTHROPOMORPHIC PHANTOMS
Anthropomorphic phantoms mimic anatomical features in addition to optical properties. While developing portable and wearable Biophotonics devices like fNIRS head cap, pulse oximeter, etc., it is critical to test the device with realistic anatomical features. Validating the device on realistic phantoms allows developers to understand geometry related boundary effects, coupling behavious in multiprobe system (eg. multi-probe fNIRS head cap) and accounts for the inherent bias in the system performance.
BioPixS anthropomorphic phantoms are created using MRI and CT scans thus for reproducing exact anatomical features in addition to optical properties. The use of standard atlas or user defined MRI/CT scans allows developers to perform tissue optics simulation anatomical models and validate them on phantoms.
Features:
· customized anthropomorphic phantoms from CT/MRI scans or standard atlas
· layer thickness as small as 100 µ m
· multi-layer anthropomorphic feature possibility
· customized wavelength characterisation in 480-1650 nm range.
· reproducible, coupling free Time-domain diffuse optical (TDDO) characterisation
· traceable datasheets, share and benchmark your research with BioPixS traceable customers
What are biophotonics optical phantoms?
Biophotonics optical phantoms are specialized tools designed to mimic the optical properties of biological tissues. These meticulously crafted phantoms serve as essential calibration and validation instruments for optical imaging systems used in medical research and clinical applications. By replicating the behavior of real tissues, our biophotonics optical phantoms provide a controlled environment for testing and fine-tuning optical imaging devices, ensuring accurate and reliable results.
Recently, the demand for biophotonics optical phantoms has increased due to the growing recognition of the importance of optical imaging in medical research and clinical practice, as well as the development of new and more sophisticated imaging technologies and need for standardization and quality control in medical imaging. Optical imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescence imaging, and photoacoustic imaging, are widely used in various medical fields, including ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology, and cardiology.
Optical phantoms are used as calibration and validation tools for these imaging techniques, as they provide a standardized and controlled environment for testing and evaluating the performance of optical imaging systems. They are also used to train medical professionals and researchers in the use of these imaging techniques.
The market for biophotonics optical phantoms is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, driven by advancements in medical research and increasing demand for non-invasive imaging technologies.
In this context BioPixS is committed to deliver the best possible products on the market. Our dedicated team of experts combines precision engineering with innovative design to create optical phantoms that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
Currently, BioPixS has customers (leading research institutes, startups and companies) across 20+ countries and growing. Research with BioPixS phantoms can be traceable within the networks of customers as all manufacturing and characterisation is done centrally at BioPixS lab in the same reliable way. Simply cite the unique trace code that comes with BioPixS phantoms in your dissemination (e.g. conference, publications) activities.
Whether you are interested in fNIRS, TD or OCT optical phantoms, we can provide you what you need!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Optical phantoms are materials designed to reproduce the optical properties of biological tissues, such as absorption and reduced scattering coefficients. They are essential tools for validating, calibrating, and standardising optical and biophotonic systems under controlled conditions
Phantoms act as traceable reference materials that enable:
- Calibration and performance validation of instruments
- Quality assurance during clinical or preclinical use
- Testing and benchmarking of image reconstruction algorithms
- Reproducible experiments and inter-lab comparability
They play a vital role in translating optical technologies from research to clinical applications.
It’s 1.41 for softer phantoms, 1.5 for harder phantoms, values similar to what observed in human tissues.
We do not have information regarding anisotropy factor g as we do not use it. However, we can estimate that it is between 0.8 and 0.9, more towards 0.9, as commonly observed in human tissues.
Yes. BioPixS provides broadband optical characterization between 480 and 1650 nm.
The service costs 100 €/wavelength, with significant discounts for multiple wavelengths.
All measurements are performed using time-domain diffuse optical spectroscopy for high accuracy.
We use a Time-Domain system, which allows to get absorption and reduced scattering coefficient with a single measurement. You can find more information in this paper.
No, we do not perform characterization of absorption and scattering in the UV range, upon request for specialized projects we can perform characterization below 400 nm. We are specialized in the visible and near-infrared range.
Yes. Our solid phantoms show excellent long-term stability, with validated optical properties remaining stable even after several years.
In fact, BioPixS phantoms have proved to be stabl for 5+ years and can be considered a life-long investment.
Avoid UV exposure and store in the provided case to ensure lifetime durability.
Phantoms are very easy to maintain. Store them:
- In their dedicated case in a dry, dark place
- Away from direct UV light or sunlight
- At room temperature
- Handle with gloves and clean them with isopropyl alcohol
Each phantom is supplied with handling instructions and storage guidelines.
BioPixS provides a comprehensive suite of tissue-mimicking phantoms and imaging test targets, designed to address different stages of optical device development, calibration, and validation.
Our product portfolio is structured in several complementary families:
A. Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms
- Homogeneous phantoms – uniform optical properties; ideal for calibration, QA, and reference measurements, off-the-shelf or customized.
- Heterogeneous phantoms – multilayer or inclusion-based structures that reproduce realistic tissue contrasts and boundary effects.
- Anthropomorphic phantoms – 3D-printed or molded geometries that mimic human anatomy (e.g., head, breast, or organ-specific models).
- Dynamic phantoms – flow-based or tunable systems simulating time-dependent processes such as perfusion or flow.
- fNIRS Standard phantom and BIP phantoms – dedicated phantoms for specific applications like the fNIRS standard for functional near-infrared spectroscopy and the BIP protocol.
B. Imaging Test Targets
Used to assess resolution, contrast, distortion, and field of view for optical imaging instruments.
- OCT Test Targets – complex specific structures for OCT axial and lateral resolution testing.
- Fluorescence Test Targets – patterns of fluorescent dyes for imaging system calibration.
- Fluorescence Lifetime (FLIM) Test Targets – for lifetime-based imaging system validation (available in high- and low-resolution versions).
- Diffuse Imaging Test Targets – for diffuse reflectance or transmission setups.
- Specular Imaging Test Targets – for systems operating in reflective or specular geometries.
This wide range allows researchers, engineers, and manufacturers to choose or customize phantoms according to application type, imaging modality, or calibration requirement.
Yes. BioPixS offers fluorescence and fluorescence-lifetime (FLIM) test targets featuring well-characterised dyes with stable emission and lifetime values.
They support validation of fluorescence microscopes, FLIM cameras, and other lifetime-based or multispectral systems.
All test targets are part of the Imaging Test Targets product line, which also includes diffuse and specular imaging versions.
Yes. BioPixS develops OCT test targets and customized eye-mimicking phantoms designed to simulate eye structures or optical interfaces for ophthalmic imaging applications.
Absolutely. We design and manufacture custom phantoms upon request:
- Tunable optical properties
- Specific sizes, shapes, or inclusions
- Fluorescence or lifetime features
- Layered or 3D geometries for multimodal imaging
Contact us to discuss your requirements.
- Yes. We provide standard homogeneous phantoms directly through our online store:
General Homogeneous Phantoms
- We also have an off-the-shelf phantoms list, available upon request.
We maintain an updated list of off-the-shelf, ready-to-ship phantoms with technical specifications and prices.
The list is shared upon request via email, simply contact us and we will send it to you.
Delivery depends on destination:
- Europe: 1–2 working days
- USA: 4–5 working days
- Other regions: varies depending on customs clearance times.
All shipments are carefully packaged to ensure phantom safety.
Yes. Each phantom batch is produced under controlled and documented fabrication protocols to ensure traceability and reproducibility.
BioPixS actively contributes to IEC and ISO initiatives to support the global standardization of optical phantoms.
Yes. Every order includes:
- A technical datasheet with measured optical properties (μa, μs′) with time-domain system.
- Measurement uncertainty and traceability information.
Instructions for proper storage are also included.
Yes. Our phantoms are compatible with most research and commercial systems, including
DOT, DOS, fNIRS, SFDI, DISI. Our OCT phantoms are compatible with all OCT systems. They are ideal for both laboratory calibration and device validation. Our
fluorescence test targets are compatible with fluorescence microscopy and FLIM systems.
Orders for standard products can be placed via our
Online Store.
For custom projects or volume orders, contact us directly via the
website form, our team will provide a tailored quotation and delivery schedule.