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Coherent Raman Scattering Endoscope
Development of an eye for a novel endoscopic surgical support robot using coherent Raman scattering for label-free nerve visualization
Raman scattering provides insight into molecular species and structures without staining, but its use has been limited due to its extremely weak scattering. We are developing microscopes and endoscopes that provide Raman images in real-time by using coherent Raman scattering phenomena with ultrafast lasers.
Research
Raman scattering has been used in chemical analysis, physical chemistry, and semiconductor research because it provides information on molecular species and structures without staining. It is also recently actively applied to the biological and medical fields. However, Raman scattering is very weak. We have developed a multifocal coherent Raman scattering microscope with integrated a wavelength-tunable synchronous picosecond laser and realized imaging at 100 frame/s, which is faster than the video rate. We also demonstrated that nerves are visualized without staining and at high speed under a rigid endoscope of 12 mm in diameter and 550 mm in length. It is expected to be a new imaging tool for nerve-sparing endoscopic surgery.
Mamoru Hashimoto Professor
