Development of VIS to 1600nm hyperspectral imaging laparoscope system for visualization of deep tissue

In laparoscopic surgery, there are situations in which important tissues such as nerves and blood vessels that should not be resected are buried deep in the tissue, but it is difficult to recognize them because of their low transparency in visible light. Therefore, we focused on near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI), which utilizes the biological transparency of over 1000 nm in near-infrared (OTN-NIR) light and its ability to analyze components by absorption spectroscopy, and it might be possible to visualize deep tissues in the body. <br/> <br/> However, there were no reports of OTN-NIR imaging devices under laparoscopic conditions. Therefore, we realized a system that enables spectral imaging at wavelengths from 490 nm to 1600 nm under laparoscopic conditions. The results of imaging and spectroscopic imaging analysis of resected tissues and live pig using this system suggest that it is possible to visualize deep tissue such as nerve and blood vessel.