Staining agent solutions for use in fluorescence microscopy

Abstract

Disclosed herein are staining agent solutions for use in fluorescence microscopy. One example of fluorescence microscopy in which the staining agent solutions are useful is intraoperative confocal microscopy. Intraoperative confocal microscopy can be used, for example, to assess margins of resected cancerous tissue. Example staining agent solutions include acridine orange, where the pH of the solution is from 6 to 8, for example from 6.8 to 7.4. The solution may include a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The solution may be isotonic. The solution may comprise one or more of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, and sodium chloride. In some embodiments, the staining agent solution does not comprise acetic acid (e.g., an acetate buffer). Staining agent solutions disclosed herein may reduce adverse impacts to tissue resulting from staining. Staining agent solutions disclosed herein may preserve normal appearance of tissue. Staining agent solutions disclosed herein may have negligible or reduced odor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.