Custom bile duct phantom for first in human multiplexed NIR fluorescence peptide imaging

Multimodal endoscopy, with fluorescence labeled peptides specific for multiple biomarkers, is a promising technique to detect early-stage GI tract cancers in vivo. A reproducible bile duct phantom with near infrared (NIR) fluorescent targets is developed for practicing the clinical study protocol and quantitative evaluation of multimodal endoscope performance during biliary duct imaging. Furthermore, this phantom with strictures will be used for testing new fluorescence guided biopsy devices. Materials and Methods: A soft, flexible synthetic human bile duct was fabricated from a paintable silicone rubber. Due to the complex structure of biliary system (such as hepatic ducts, cystic duct, and common bile duct), the template mold for lumen was designed for 3D printing using Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA), which can be later dissolved in water. Cured gelatin patches with different concentrations of fluorescence dyes (Cy5 and …