Stephen C. Kanick, PhD and David W. Roberts, MD (DHMC Neurosurgery) are co-PIs on a 2015 SYNERGY Translational Pilot Grant entitled “Multiplexed Quantitative Assessment of Fluorescence Guided Neurosurgery.”
Neurosurgeons use fluorescent markers to provide visualization of important functional features of the brain. Some markers can be used to identify differences in tissue metabolic activity, and other tracers can identify leaky blood vessels that are associated with tumors. While most fluorescence guided surgery approaches rely on the eye of the surgeon to identify fluorescence light emitted by a single tracer, we are developing advanced optical approaches to independently estimate multiple fluorescence tracers. These approaches also provide measurements of the absolute value of the tracer concentrati
on without distortions from blood absorption or tissue scattering within the surgical field. This SYNERGY grant focuses on the pilot clinical translation of a fiber optic approach to measure multiple fluorescent tracers during tumor resection surgeries.
Dartmouth SYNERGY works to speed the impact of discovery and translate new knowledge into practice and improved population health. By connecting to critical resources, funding opportunities, technologies, research training, and expertise, SYNERGY helps investigators advance research and efficiently translate discoveries into improved population health.
