Fluorescence imaging in near-infrared IIb (NIR-IIb, 1500–1700 nm) spectrum holds a great promise for tissue imaging. While few inorganic NIR-IIb fluorescent probes have been reported, their organic counterparts are still rarely developed, possibly due to the shortage of efficient materials with long emission wavelength. Herein, we propose a molecular design philosophy to explore pure organic NIR-IIb fluorophores by manipulation of the effects of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and aggregation-induced emission at the molecular and morphological levels. An organic fluorescent dye emitting up to 1600 nm with a quantum yield of 11.5% in the NIR-II region is developed. NIR-IIb fluorescence imaging of blood vessels and deeply-located intestinal tract of live mice based on organic dyes is achieved with high clarity and enhanced signal-to-background ratio. We hope this study will inspire further development on the evolution of pure organic NIR-IIb dyes for bio-imaging.

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Benefiting from excellent spatial resolution and penetration depth, ICG-assisted NIR-II (900–1700 nm) fluorescence microscopy is promising for clinical applications, especially in accurate theranostics of cerebrovascular diseases and malignancies.

<p>Fluorescence imaging in near-infrared IIb (NIR-IIb, 1500-1700 nm) spectrum holds a considerable promise for tissue imaging with deep penetration and high spatial resolution owing to the minimized autofluorescence and suppressed photon scattering. While few inorganic NIR-IIb fluorescent probes have been reported, their organic counterparts are still underdeveloped, possibly due to the lack of efficient materials with long emission wavelength. Herein, we propose a new molecular design philosophy to develop organic NIR-IIb fluorophores with high quantum yield (QY) by manipulation of the effects of twisted intramolecular charge transfer and aggregation-induced emission at the molecular and morphological levels. A pure organic fluorescent dye emitting up to 1600 nm with a QY of 14.2% in the NIR-II region (1000-1600 nm) is developed. For the first time, NIR-IIb fluorescence imaging of blood vessels and deeply-located intestinal tract of live mice based on organic dyes is achieved. The results show that organic fluorophore performs superb imaging ability in both superficial blood vessels and internal organs with high resolution and enhanced signal-to-background ratio in NIR-IIb region. We hope this groundbreakingly study will inspire further research on the evolution of pure organic NIR-IIb probes for in vivo imaging.</p>

Vasculature architecture in the brain can provide revealing information about mental and neurological function and disease. Fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) regime with less light scattering is a more promising method for detecting cortical vessels than traditional visible and NIR-I modes. Here, for the first time, we developed, NIR-II fluorescence microscopy capabilities for imaging brain vasculature in macaque monkey. The first is a wide-field microscope with high temporal resolution (25 frames/second) for measuring blood flow velocity and cardiac impulse period, and the second is a high spatial resolution (<10 μm) confocal microscope producing three-dimensional maps of the cortical microvascular network (~500 μm deep). Both were designed with flexibility to image various cortical locations on the head. Use of a clinically approved dye provided high brightness in NIR-II region. This comprises an important advance towards studies of neurovascular coupling, stroke, and other diseases relevant to neurovascular health in humans.