Non-Invasive Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging in the Second Optical Window

Abstract

We describe non-invasive near-infrared fluorescence imaging of deep tissues in the wavelength of 1000-1400 nm, which is called as the second optical window. Compared with the first optical window (700-1000 nm), this optical window makes it possible to achieve deep tissue imaging with a high spatial resolution due to the lower autofluorescence and scattering of near-infrared light. Here, we report near-infrared fluorescent probes and their application to the non-invasive fluorescence imaging of mouse lymph nodes, brain blood vessels, breast tumors, and immune cells in the second optical window.