Multispectral In Vivo Fluorescence Imaging
A limiting factor for in vivo fluorescence imaging is the confounding signal from the autofluorescence of the animal. Our multispectral imaging system utilizes full multispectral imaging and spectral unmixing algorithms; thus it is able to separate the tissue autofluorescence from the signal of interest, thereby greatly increasing sensitivity and signal-to-noise. The multispectral in vivo fluorescence imaging system could be used to guide the development and evaluation of new drugs, nanoparticles, quantum dots, and imaging probes. Therefore, this device would provide synergy among clinical research involving multiple emphasis areas: imaging, nanotechnology, cancer, the drug discovery, inflammation/vaccines, and animal models of human disease.