Development of a Visible–Near Infrared Projected Multispectral Imaging System for Intraoperative Breast Tumor Margin Assessment

ABSTRACT A visible–near infrared (VIS–NIR) projected multispectral imaging (Proj‐MSI) system consisting of an MSI subsystem and a compact projector for intraoperative breast tumor margin assessment was developed. MSI with an average spectral resolution of 24 nm was realized through sequential illumination of 26 sets of VIS–NIR light‐emitting diodes and synchronized single NIR‐sensitive camera image capture. Rapid (~1 min) tumor margin delineation revealed significantly ( p < 0.01, Student's t ‐test) reduced reflectivity associated with breast tumor. Speeded‐up robust features algorithm‐based field of view calibration allowed the MSI identified tumor margins to be projected directly onto the breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) surgical cavity with a projection error of < 1 mm. Besides, the projected tumor margin boundaries were outlined using Indian ink to simulate breast tumor removal, demonstrating the potential of the Proj‐MSI system developed for intraoperative tumor margin assessment during BCS.