This presentation provides an overview of fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy and imaging techniques for label-free, in vivo characterization of biological tissues. Numerous studies have shown that tissue autofluorescence properties can be used to assess biochemical features associated with various pathologies and to distinguish different types of cancer from healthy tissue. However, despite these promising findings, autofluorescence techniques have been only sparsely adopted in clinical practice.
The presentation focuses on clinically compatible multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) techniques developed in our laboratory and their ability to operate as standalone tools, integrated with biopsy needles and intravascular catheters, as well as in conjunction with the da Vinci surgical robot. We present clinical studies involving patients undergoing surgery that demonstrate the potential of these techniques for intraoperative delineation of brain tumors, differentiation of brain radiation necrosis, and visualization of head and neck cancers using image-guided augmented reality during transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Finally, the challenges and potential solutions for the clinical implementation of these techniques are discussed.
About the speaker
Laura Marcu is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neurological Surgery and Co-Director at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis
