Non‐Invasive Detection, Precise Localization, and Perioperative Navigation of In Vivo Deep Lesions Using Transmission Raman Spectroscopy

Abstract

Non‐invasive detection and precise localization of deep lesions have attracted significant attention for both fundamental and clinical studies. Optical modality techniques are promising with high sensitivity and molecular specificity, but are limited by shallow tissue penetration and the failure to accurately determine lesion depth. Here the authors report in vivo ratiometric surface‐enhanced transmission Raman spectroscopy (SETRS) for non‐invasive localization and perioperative surgery navigation of deep sentinel lymph nodes in live rats. The SETRS system uses ultrabright surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) nanoparticles with a low detection limit of 10 pM and a home‐built photosafe transmission Raman spectroscopy setup. The ratiometric SETRS strategy is proposed based on the ratio of multiple Raman spectral peaks for obtaining lesion depth. Via this strategy, the depth of the phantom lesions in ex vivo rat tissues is precisely determined with a mean‐absolute‐percentage‐error of 11.8%, and the accurate localization of a 6‐mm‐deep rat popliteal lymph node is achieved. The feasibility of ratiometric SETRS allows the successful perioperative navigation of in vivo lymph node biopsy surgery in live rats under clinically safe laser irradiance. This study represents a significant step toward the clinical translation of TRS techniques, providing new insights for the design and implementation of in vivo SERS applications.

An Investigation on the Use of Au@SiO2@Au Nanomatryoshkas as Gap-Enhanced Raman Tags

“…Other GERT geometries are possible to synthesis and have different optical responses [17]. For example, structures such as petal-like Au core@Ag@SERS NMs have shown great results in biomedical applications [55,56]. Secondly, we used DDA to describe the potential SERS enhancement experienced by Raman molecules when placed inside NM, as compared to the SERS enhancement when Raman molecules are placed on the outer side of the surface of the NMs.…”

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Current Understanding, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…133,192−195 For energy systems, the challenge lies in unveiling interfacial reactions hardly reached by the traditional methodology under real working conditions. With the aid of a deeper penetration depth of either ∼3000 μm by the spatially offset Raman spectroscopy and or even 40 mm by transmission Raman spectroscopy, 196,197 and the development of optical alignment, it is very promising for the in situ/operando SERS on biology and energy systems.…”

“…For biological systems, the challenge lies in preserving biomolecules in their natural state while obtaining SERS spectra for investigating molecular interactions like drug–protein, protein–DNA, and protein–protein interactions. − When it comes to the cell and tissue level investigation, the spatiotemporal heterogeneity becomes obvious, and it is expected to reveal intriguing phenomena in single-cell analysis with minimized perturbations. ,− For energy systems, the challenge lies in unveiling interfacial reactions hardly reached by the traditional methodology under real working conditions. With the aid of a deeper penetration depth of either ∼3000 μm by the spatially offset Raman spectroscopy and or even 40 mm by transmission Raman spectroscopy, , and the development of optical alignment, it is very promising for the in situ /operando SERS on biology and energy systems.…”