Optical Methods for Optimizing Fluorescence Imaging Field of View and Image Quality in Surgical Guidance Procedures

Abstract

Cancer surgery is aimed at complete tumor resection and accurate lymph node detection. However, numerous blood vessels are distributed within the tumor, and the colors of the tumor, blood vessels, and lymph nodes are similar, making observations with the naked eye difficult. Therefore, tumors, blood vessels, and lymph nodes can be monitored via color classification using an operating microscope to induce fluorescence emission. However, as the beam width of the LED required to induce fluorescence emission is narrow and the power loss of the beam is significant at a certain working distance, there are limitations to inducing fluorescence emission, and light reflection occurs in the observation image, obstructing the view of the observation area. Therefore, the removal of reflected light is essential to avoid missing the diagnosis of the lesion under observation. This paper proposes the use of a beam mirror and polarizing filter to increase the beam width and beam intensity. The refraction and reflection effects of the beam were utilized using the beam mirror, and the rotation angle of the polarizing filter was adjusted to remove light reflection. Consequently, the minimum beam power using the beam mirror was 10.9 mW, the beam width was doubled to 40.2°, and more than 98% of light reflection was removed at 90° and 270°. With light reflection effectively eliminated, clear observation of lesions is possible. This method is expected to be used effectively in surgical, procedural, and diagnostic departments.