Minimally invasive surgery is a surgical technique that limits surgical trauma. It allows the surgeon to reach his target through incisions in the cm range, thanks to the use of instruments coupled with a video imaging system. This surgical technique is increasingly being used because it makes it possible to secure the surgical procedure and provide greater comfort to the patient in post-operative care.
 
Its deployment has been accompanied by new visualization and imaging techniques, including fluorescence, which makes it possible to visualize the emission of a fluorescent tracer within the body and during the operation, thus guiding the surgical procedure with greater precision.
 
The objective of the NICE project is to develop a new fluorescent coating method for fluorescence guided surgery. This new fluorescent coating consists of a polymer and a molecule with very good fluorescence performance (brightness, photostability...). It is stable, does not lose brightness over time or in depth, and can be used to cover different substrates (stainless steel, silicone...).
 
Ultimately, this coating could allow surgery guided by fluorescence imaging combined with the use of fluorescent surgical instruments.