Study of photon migration with various source-detector separations in near-infrared spectroscopic brain imaging based on three-dimensional Monte Carlo modeling

Abstract

We have simulated photon migration with various sourcedetector separations based on a three-dimensional Monte Carlo code. Whole brain MRI structure images are introduced in the simulation, and the brain model is more accurate than in previous studies. The brain model consists of the scalp, skull, CSF layer, gray matter, and white matter. We demonstrate dynamic propagating movies under different source-detector separations. The multiple backscattered intensity from every layer of the brain model is obtained by marking the deepest layer that every photon can reach. Also, the influences of an absorption target on the brain cortex are revealed.