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SPECTRAL COMPATIBILITY

ICG light source & wavelengths

Excite one band. Detect another.

Excitation and detection are two different parts of the optical system.

HOW IT WORKS
Fibre-optic light cable and connector
FIBRE-OPTIC LIGHT CABLE
805 nm
ICG absorption peak*
830 nm
ICG emission peak*
Matched optics
Source + cable + scope + detector

THE PRINCIPLE

How it works

The IC-GREEN label describes peak absorption at 805 nm and peak emission at 830 nm when ICG is bound to proteins in plasma or lymph fluid. These are reference properties of the agent, not the output specification of every light source. A camera system needs suitable illumination, filters and NIR detection.

01

Start with the agent

The IC-GREEN label reports these peaks when ICG is bound to proteins in plasma or lymph. They are agent properties, not a universal light-source specification.

02

Separate illumination and detection

Excitation light reaches the field; filtered detection captures the returning fluorescence. Verify transmission through the full optical chain and the system’s supported spectral bands.

03

Request bands, not a marketing number

Ask for the documented excitation range, detection range and compatible accessories. NIR compatibility is model-specific; a visible-light telescope should not automatically be treated as fluorescence-compatible.

Excitation & fluorescence detectionExcitation lightFluorophoreFiltered detectorAbsorptionEmissionICG reference peaks*: 805 nm → 830 nm*Protein-bound ICG. Not a light-source specification.
Working principle · simplified diagram.
Evidence: [1] IC-GREEN — prescribing information, mechanism of action ↗[2] KARL STORZ — HOPKINS NIR/ICG telescope specifications ↗[3] Clancy et al. — Surgical spectral imaging (2020) ↗

BEFORE YOU CHOOSE

Ask the right questions.

Assess the exact scope, camera, processor, accessories and service package you will receive. A demonstration should use that configuration.

  • Documented excitation band and detection band—not just a single wavelength.
  • Compatible NIR scope, camera head and light cable.
  • White-light and fluorescence operating modes.
  • Light-source safety instructions, cooling and service support.

FOR SURGEONS & HOSPITAL TEAMS

Frequently asked questions

Are 805 nm and 830 nm both emitted by the light source?

No. They describe the agent’s absorption and fluorescence-emission peaks under the conditions stated in the label.

Can I replace only the light source?

Confirm compatibility across the scope, cable, camera and processor first.

What wavelength information should I request?

Request the excitation range, detection range and supported agent for the exact system.

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