Interventional Nerve Visualization via the Intrinsic Anisotropic Optical Properties of the Nerves

We present an optical concept to visualize nerves during surgical interventions. The concept relies on the anisotropic optical properties of the nerves which allows for specific switching of the optical reflection by the nervous-tissue. Using a low magnification polarized imaging system we are able to visualize the on and off switching of the optical reflection of the nervous-tissue, enabling a non-invasive nerve specific real-time nerve visualization during surgery.