Near infrared fluorescence for image-guided surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Technology
• Biomedical Optics

Background:

• Near-infrared (NIR) image-guided surgery offers significant potential for enhancing surgical results.
• Several NIR image-guided surgical systems are undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation, with some already approved for limited clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of NIR image-guided surgery.
• To discuss the essential chemical and biological properties of NIR fluorophores required for clinical success.
• To examine strategies for targeting NIR fluorophores to specific tissues and diseases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of NIR image-guided surgery systems.
• Analysis of chemical and biological properties of NIR fluorophores.
• Review of tissue and disease-specific targeting strategies for NIR fluorophores.

Main Results:

• NIR image-guided surgery is advancing, with systems in development and limited clinical use.
• Development of clinically available, tissue- and disease-specific NIR fluorophores with high signal-to-background ratios is crucial.
• Various targeting strategies are being explored to improve fluorophore specificity and efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Advancements in NIR fluorophores are essential for realizing the full potential of NIR image-guided surgery.
• Optimizing fluorophore properties and targeting mechanisms will improve surgical precision and patient outcomes.
• Further research into novel NIR fluorophores and targeting approaches is warranted for broader clinical adoption.