Intraoperative Imaging of Lymph Nodes

One-third of the global population battles cancer, with surgery being the primary treatment for localized forms. Successful treatment often hinges on the thorough removal of primary tumors and pinpointing cancerous sentinel lymph nodes (SLN). Although modern surgical imaging and fluorescent probes enhance the detection of sentinel lymph nodes using near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence, their inability to precisely determine the nodes' status can result in additional surgeries, lymphedema, and a reduced quality of life for patients. Our research direction aims to harness the potential of bioinspired imaging technologies with the goal of precisely identifying SLN status and ensuring only the cancerous lymph nodes are excised during the initial procedure. To realize this objective, we're drawing inspiration from the mantis shrimp's visual system to create a single-chip multispectral camera that spans the deep ultraviolet to the near-infrared spectrum. Our pioneering sensor seamlessly combines perovskite nanocrystals, optical filters, and vertically-aligned photodetectors on a single chip, enabling concurrent imaging of external NIR fluorophores and internal UV fluorescence from tumor-specific markers.