Dual-emissive quantum dots for multispectral intraoperative fluorescence imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Optical Imaging

Background:

• Fluorescence molecular imaging is crucial for image-guided surgery.
• Developing dual-emissive agents for combined visible and camera-based imaging presents challenges.
• Quantum dots (QDs) offer unique optical properties for advanced imaging applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create multispectral quantum dots (QDs) with dual emission properties for improved surgical imaging.
• To enable sensitive camera-based detection alongside visible assessment in image-guided surgery.
• To overcome limitations of current imaging agents in surgical settings.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of indium phosphide/zinc sulfide (InP/ZnS) core/shell quantum dots.
• Characterization of visible exciton emission and far-red defect emission.
• X-ray irradiation to enhance defect emission intensity and investigate QD density effects.

Main Results:

• Developed InP/ZnS QDs with bright visible green/yellow exciton emission.
• Achieved long-lived far-red defect emission, enhanced by X-ray irradiation.
• Demonstrated inverted QD density-dependent defect emission, improving efficacy at lower concentrations.
• Enabled detection without direct illumination, minimizing autofluorescence interference.

Conclusions:

• Multispectral InP/ZnS QDs provide a dual-emissive platform for advanced surgical imaging.
• X-ray enhanced defect emission allows for sensitive, interference-free detection.
• These QDs hold significant potential for enhancing image-guided surgical procedures.