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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Sep 1.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2013 Jul 23;10(9):507–518. doi: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2013.123

Figure 1. The mechanics of NIR fluorescence imaging.

Figure 1

A NIR fluorescent contrast agent is administered intravenously, topically, or intraparenchymally. During surgery, the agent is visualized using a NIR fluorescence imaging system of the desired form factor, i.e., above the surgical field for open surgery or encased within a fiberscope for minimally-invasive and robotic surgery (open surgery form factor shown). All systems must have adequate NIR excitation light, collection optics and filtration, and a camera sensitive to NIR fluorescence emission light. An optimal imaging system includes simultaneous visible (i.e., white) light illumination of the surgical field, which can be merged with NIR fluorescence images. The surgeon display can be one of several forms factors including a standard computer monitor, goggles, or a wall projector (monitor form factor shown). Current imaging systems operate at a sufficient working distance that enables the surgeon to operate and illuminates a sizable surgical field.