Versatile and comprehensive hyperspectral imaging tool for molecular neuronavigation: a case study on cerebral gliomas

Significance: Accurate and timely characterization of brain tumors remains a major challenge in neurosurgery. Current intraoperative guidance relies on preoperative imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, or computed tomography, which are essential for surgical planning but become less reliable during surgery due to brain shift. Furthermore, postoperative tumor classification depends on histopathology, which requires weeks and can delay treatment decisions. No existing tool offers real-time, label-free, and spatially resolved biomolecular information to support both intraoperative guidance and early tissue assessment. Aim: We developed HyperProbe1.1 (HP1.1), a hyperspectral imaging system designed to acquire comprehensive molecular and metabolic information from brain tissue without the need for contrast agents or staining. Approach: HP1.1 captures reflectance images across a broad range of narrow spectral bands, enabling spatial mapping of hemoglobin, cytochrome c oxidase, and oxygen saturation. In addition, ultraviolet-excited autofluorescence imaging provides information on metabolic cofactors - nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide - relevant for tumor characterization. The system was validated using standardized phantoms and ex vivo glioma samples. Results: HP1.1 demonstrated strong performance in detecting spectral features across phantoms and in distinguishing glioma tissues of different histological grades, enabling the generation of rapid and spatially resolved molecular contrast maps. Conclusions: By providing label-free, high-content, and rapid biomolecular imaging, HP1.1 represents a powerful platform for noninvasive tissue assessment in controlled experimental settings and paves the way for future intraoperative applications.