Delayed observation of laser-induced fluorescence for imaging of tumors

We report on a technique to improve fluorescence images of superficially growing tumors marked with photosensitizers. Exploiting the longer fluorescence decay times of porphyrin-based photosensitizers compared to average decay times of tissue autofluorescence, delayed detection of laser-induced fluorescence allows to suppress the autofluorescence background. The feasibility of delayed fluorescence imaging of tumors has been demonstrated in-vitro. It follows from an analysis of delayed fluorescence spectra that autofluorescence background falling into the photosensitizer fluorescence band can be reduced by up to one order of magnitude.