"Intraoperative Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging"

Abstract

I will describe a low-cost, safe, and easy to use near infrared (NIR) fluorescence intraoperative imaging system that permits the surgeon to see, in real time, surgical anatomy and NIR fluorescence simultaneously. Surgical resection of tumors remains the primary method of treatment for cancer in the early stages. Complete removal of the tumor prior to metastasis, which generally occurs through the lymphatic system, is the best way to ensure a full recovery and minimize the risk of recurrence. The presence of cancer cells in regional lymph nodes is an indicator of metastasis and necessitates more aggressive systemic treatment such as chemotherapy. Identifying and removing the first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage, i.e., the sentinel lymph node (SLN), minimizes the number of biopsies required to stage cancer. Furthermore, tumor margins are poorly defined and difficult to visualize, resulting in relatively high recurrence rates in many forms of cancer. Providing an intraoperative visual aid to the surgeon, during tumor resection as well as SLN mapping, can potentially help ensure the complete removal of diseased tissue.

This work is partially funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Biography

Siavash joined the Applied Optics Laboratory at GE Global Research in 2005. He is currently a project leader in Optical Imaging. Prior to GE, Siavash was a postdoctoral associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, advancing instrumentation for nonlinear optical microscopy techniques such as two-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generation. He received a MS and PhD in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. His graduate research was on noninvasive blood flow imaging in human retina and skin by use of optical coherence tomography. His research interests are primarily in the area of biomedical optical imaging and instrumentation.