Time-resolved autofluorescence imaging of freshly excised liver biopsies using an optical fiber probe

We demonstrate the capability of a time-resolved autofluorescence lifetime imaging setup for discriminating, perilesional and tumor tissues in freshly excised liver samples. In particular, freshly excised liver biopsies were collected from the surgery room and imaged within 30 minutes using 445 nm as excitation wavelength and one spectral window for detection. Differences in mean fluorescence lifetime were observed among the examined tissue types, potentially allowing their discrimination and classification. Interestingly, the obtained autofluorescence lifetime values were significantly different when comparing primary tumors of liver with colorectal tumor metastasis to the liver, underlying the classification capability of this experimental setup. The presented approach offers real-time acquisition and processing, optical flexibility, as well as the possibility to acquire autofluorescence data under bright background conditions. Hence, it meets all the requirements for label-free diagnostics and surgical guidance in various clinical and histopathological applications.