Metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) due to silver colloids on a planar surface: Potential applications of indocyanine green to in vivo imaging

We examined the effects of metallic silver colloids on the fluorescence spectral properties of indocyanine green (ICG), which is a dye widely used for in vivo medical testing. Silver colloids from a suspension bind spontaneously to amine-coated surfaces. These colloid-coated surfaces were found to cause a 30-fold increase in the intensity of ICG, which was held close to the metal surface by adsorbed albumin. The increased intensities of ICG were also associated with decreased lifetimes and increased photostability, which are indicative of modifying the fluorophores radiative decay rate. These results suggest the use of metal colloid-enhanced ICG for applications to retinal angiography and vascular imaging and as a contrast agent for optical tomography.