Surgical visualization and medical imaging devices and methods using near infrared fluorescent polymers

Abstract

A surgical visualization and medical imaging device and related computer based imaging methods and systems are disclosed. The surgical devices of the present invention use indocyanine green dye combined with a plastic, and are used in enhanced surgical imaging in applications such as robotically assisted surgeries. A near infrared light source, such as an 805 nm laser, may be used to excite the surgical device so that the device emits 835 nm light. Both the excitation and emission wavelengths penetrate tissue and blood, and provide enhanced imaging of surgical procedures. The resulting fluorescence image allows a user to readily determine relative tissue depth, to identify tissue inhomogeneity, to detect masses or tissue irregularities, to pinpoint anatomical holes, and to visualize tears.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.