Multi-channel LED light source for fluorescent agent aided minimally invasive surgery.

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Surgical Oncology
• Biophotonics

Background:

• Cancer surgery requires precise tumor margin detection for effective treatment.
• Current endoscopic illumination lacks specificity for visualizing tumor boundaries.
• Contrast agents like ICG and ALA-PPIX show promise but require specific light excitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, cost-effective LED endoscope light source for enhanced tumor margin visualization.
• To enable dual-channel excitation for common fluorescence-guided surgery agents.
• To support minimally invasive cancer surgeries with improved intraoperative guidance.

Main Methods:

• Designed and constructed a portable LED light source with white light and two specific excitation channels.
• Integrated capabilities to excite indocyanine green (ICG) and 5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PPIX).
• Evaluated the light source's performance for visualizing tumor margins in a surgical context.

Main Results:

• The developed LED light source successfully provides white light and two distinct excitation channels.
• It enables visible imaging of tumor margins by exciting ICG and ALA-PPIX.
• The prototype is portable, user-friendly, and built at a low cost (under $300).

Conclusions:

• The novel LED endoscope light source offers a practical solution for improving tumor margin detection during surgery.
• This technology has the potential to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes in cancer treatment.
• The low cost and portability make it an accessible tool for wider clinical adoption.