Time-resolved imaging system for fluorescence-guided surgery with lifetime imaging capability

We present a single-photon camera for fluorescence imaging, with a time resolution better than 100ps, capable of providing both intensity and lifetime images. the camera was fabricated in standard CMOS technology. With this FluoCam we show the possibility to study sub-nanosecond fluorescence mechanisms. The FluoCam was used to characterize a near-infrared probe, indocyanine green, conjugated with multimeric cyclic pentapeptide (cRGD). The fluorescent probe-conjugated was used to target and mark tumors with better specificity, in particular aiming at targeting the integrins α_vβ₃ and α_vβ₅. As a first step towards clinical studies, preliminary results obtained in-vivo are presented. The first envisioned clinical application would be image-guided surgical oncology to help the surgeon to remove tumor tissue by a better discrimination from normal tissues and also to improve the detection of metastatic lymph nodes. A further application could be the in-vivo determination of the αvβ₃ and α_vβ₅ targets to select patients for therapy with RGD chemotherapy conjugates.