Thursday, 13 February 2014

Special glasses help surgeons 'see' cancer​​​​​​​​


Special glasses help surgeons 'see' cancer​​​​​​​​
High-tech glasses developed at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis may help surgeons visualize cancer cells, which glow blue when viewed through the eyewear.

Cancer cells are notoriously difficult to see, even under high-powered magnification. The glasses are designed to make it easier for surgeons to distinguish cancer cells from healthy cells, helping to ensure that no stray tumor cells are left behind during surgery.

Source and further reading:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140210184257.htm

Image:
Still image from a video of the lymph node removal, as seen by Margenthaler as she wore the eyewear. A florescent marker injected into the patient and special lighting made cancer cells glow blue when viewed with the technology. The lighter the shade of blue, the more concentrated the cancer cells are.
Photo by Robert Boston / Image courtesy of Washington University School of Medicine

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