© Carlos Javier Salas Pelayo
During the last ten to fifteen years, a huge amount of medical publications has been focusing on the possibilities that technology is bringing to the biomedical field. Most of these studies are based on optical technologies, ranging from simple optical fibers applied to medical situations to complicated systems that are based on large light guiding structures, sensors and filters that can create a high-quality image of deep biological tissue during extremely complicated surgeries, with an almost “zero-invasive” approach. Different light properties can be used to obtain a benefit on a medical scenario. For this case, this project will be focused on the possibilities of fluorescence and its applications on surgery and medical imaging. In terms of fluorescence, it is important to describe the kind of devices we will be working with, as well as the chemical properties of the fluorescent substances that will be needed so fluorescence can be obtained and measured. These fluorophores present properties that must be thoroughly described to create an overall idea that may allow to choose which of them fit best a specific treatment or situation. In the end, the main goal of the present document is to describe objectively the properties and applications of a variety of fluorophores and the main field of action based on an overall criterion to determine its advantages and disadvantages.
