Shortwave infrared fluorescence in vivo imaging of nerves for minimizing the risk of intraoperative nerve injury.

Here, we present a novel nerve specific imaging agent for preventing intraoperative nerve injuries based on SWIR QD-based in vivo imaging, which not only provides real-time and long-time SWIR images to intraoperatively identify nerves but can also markedly minimize the risk of iatrogenic nerve injuries during surgeries.