The potential use of a PMMA encapsulated near-infrared fluorescent dye includes endoscopic tattooing of intestinal neoplasms, location visualization of non-palpable breast lesions, and, but not limited to, location/visualization of soft tissue lesions in difficult anatomic regions. Commercially available fluorescent imaging systems, both open and laparoscopic, would be used in conjunction to fluoresce these marked tissues, augmenting the surgeon's ability to intraoperatively locate the correct lesion to resect.
