Visibility enhancement of fluorescent objects hidden in animal tissues using spectral fluorescence difference method

The difference between the fluorescence spectra emitted from Cardio Green dye and chicken breast tissue in the near-infrared (NIR) region was measured and used to select a pair of fingerprint wavelengths for imaging. Using spectral fluorescence difference imaging method, an 1-mm tissue object stained with Cardio Green dye located 3.1 cm underneath the surface of the host chicken tissue was clearly imaged and identified. The spatial resolution and the contrast of the fluorescence difference image were found to be significantly improved over the conventional single wavelength imaging approach. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.