Accurate quantification and detailed bio-distribution with planar multispectral fluorescence imaging

In this thesis a novel methodology that combines light-tissue interaction modeling with appropriate hardware implementation (optical system) is presented. This methodology offers high resolution, three-dimensional ex-vivo imaging of molecular probes bio-distribution in small animals. Furthermore, a novel planar multispectral imaging method for the real-time fluorescence quantification has been developed, utilizing correction of tissue optical properties inhomogeneity. This approach can be used in in-vivo preclinical and clinical systems such as the herein developed custom clinical-grade multispectral camera. This system demonstrates the advantages of human optical molecular imaging for sentinel lymph nodes identification and cancer detection in the first-ever human clinical trials.