Fluorescence imaging using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent contrast agents is increasingly being investigated as intraoperative tool to visualize, in real-time, tissues of interest such as tumors, lymph nodes or nerve bundles. Generally, spectral imaging systems are used that measure the intensity of fluorescent signals. However, to aid in a more specific detection of these fluorescent signals, fluorescence lifetime can be added to the image. The lifetime is independent of the intensity and in addition, multiple tracers emitting around the same wavelengths can still be distinguished based on their difference in lifetime. Imaging lifetimes, however, requires a much more advanced imaging system. None of the currently approved fluorescence guidance systems support fluorescence lifetime and today{\textquoteright}s available lifetime imaging technology (TCSPC, ICCD) does not allow imaging the sub-nanosecond lifetimes of NIR dyes with the efficiency needed to reach video frame rates. In this paper, we present a 32×32-pixel proof-of-concept camera based on our novel CAPS-pixel based gated image sensor. This camera is specifically targeted at imaging fluorescence lifetimes at NIR wavelengths with high efficiency for the use in fluorescence-guided surgery and is a first step towards a full camera with video resolution at video frame rates. We describe the camera system and how it is used to image fluorescence lifetimes. Next, we show the lifetime imaging capability by imaging the lifetimes of two different nanosecond visible dyes (fluorescein and acridine orange) in cuvette and two more challenging (sub-)nanosecond NIR dyes (ICG and IRDye800CW). Lastly, we validate the camera by imaging NIR fluorescence phantoms in a mouse.
Ingelberts, H, Lapauw, T, Debie, P, Hernot, S & Kuijk, M 2019, A proof-of-concept fluorescence lifetime camera based on a novel gated image sensor for fluorescence-guided surgery. in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10862: Molecular-Guided Surgery: Molecules, Devices, and Applications V. vol. 10862, SPIE, SPIE Photonics West 2019, San Francisco, California, United States, 2/02/19. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2507803
Ingelberts, H., Lapauw, T., Debie, P., Hernot, S., & Kuijk, M. (2019). A proof-of-concept fluorescence lifetime camera based on a novel gated image sensor for fluorescence-guided surgery. In SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10862: Molecular-Guided Surgery: Molecules, Devices, and Applications V (Vol. 10862). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2507803
@inproceedings{2097924ce4044590ab56191962d12917,
title = "A proof-of-concept fluorescence lifetime camera based on a novel gated image sensor for fluorescence-guided surgery",
abstract = "Fluorescence imaging using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent contrast agents is increasingly being investigated as intraoperative tool to visualize, in real-time, tissues of interest such as tumors, lymph nodes or nerve bundles. Generally, spectral imaging systems are used that measure the intensity of fluorescent signals. However, to aid in a more specific detection of these fluorescent signals, fluorescence lifetime can be added to the image. The lifetime is independent of the intensity and in addition, multiple tracers emitting around the same wavelengths can still be distinguished based on their difference in lifetime. Imaging lifetimes, however, requires a much more advanced imaging system. None of the currently approved fluorescence guidance systems support fluorescence lifetime and today{\textquoteright}s available lifetime imaging technology (TCSPC, ICCD) does not allow imaging the sub-nanosecond lifetimes of NIR dyes with the efficiency needed to reach video frame rates. In this paper, we present a 32×32-pixel proof-of-concept camera based on our novel CAPS-pixel based gated image sensor. This camera is specifically targeted at imaging fluorescence lifetimes at NIR wavelengths with high efficiency for the use in fluorescence-guided surgery and is a first step towards a full camera with video resolution at video frame rates. We describe the camera system and how it is used to image fluorescence lifetimes. Next, we show the lifetime imaging capability by imaging the lifetimes of two different nanosecond visible dyes (fluorescein and acridine orange) in cuvette and two more challenging (sub-)nanosecond NIR dyes (ICG and IRDye800CW). Lastly, we validate the camera by imaging NIR fluorescence phantoms in a mouse.",
keywords = "CAPS, Fluorescence lifetime imaging, gated image sensor, fluorescence-guided surgery, pre-clinical imaging",
author = "Hans Ingelberts and Thomas Lapauw and Pieterjan Debie and Sophie Hernot and Maarten Kuijk",
year = "2019",
month = mar,
day = "7",
doi = "10.1117/12.2507803",
language = "English",
volume = "10862",
booktitle = "SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10862",
publisher = "SPIE",
address = "United States",
note = "SPIE Photonics West 2019 ; Conference date: 02-02-2019 Through 07-02-2019",
url = "http://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/photonics-west?SSO=1",
}