Quantitative tumor depth determination using dual wavelength excitation fluorescence

Quantifying solid tumor margins with fluorescence-guided surgery approaches is a challenge, particularly when using near infrared (NIR) wavelengths due to increased penetration depths. An NIR dual wavelength excitation fluorescence (DWEF) approach was developed that capitalizes on the wavelength-dependent attenuation of light in tissue to determine fluorophore depth. A portable dual wavelength excitation fluorescence imaging system was built and tested in parallel with an NIR tumor-targeting fluorophore in tissue mimicking phantoms, chicken tissue, and in vivo mouse models of breast cancer. The system showed high accuracy in all experiments. The low cost and simplicity of this approach make it ideal for clinical use.