It remains a challenge to visualize structures deep below the surface of tissue. A method which provides this kind of information during surgery would add great value. It would enable the surgeon to better see where he wants to go while enabling him to avoid damaging structures such as blood vessels or nerves. Allowing him to quickly find the structures he wants to work on, while allowing for less removal of tissue. Greatly reducing the risk to the patient during surgery.
To date, there are mainly four techniques which are used to visualize structures below the surface of the tissue during surgery:
- Optical Imaging techniques (Widefield Imaging, Optical Coherence Tomography, …)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Medical Ultrasound
- X-Ray Imaging
However, each of these techniques has significant limitations. Hence, a new method is needed which overcomes the limitations of the established techniques.