Brillouin optical eye scanner prototypes for commercialization

ABSTRACT The overall goal of this STTR project is to commercialize a novel optical eye scanner device capable of measuring the biomechanical properties of tissues via Brillouin light scatteringThe Brillouin technology invented in the co PI s lab has shown broad potential for improving the diagnosis and treatment of vision disordersClinical data obtained with current laboratory systems revealed corneal stiffness changes caused by keratoconuscollagen crosslinking and keratectomyFor commercialization of this promising technologythis fast track project streamlines development through innovative engineering that focuses on miniaturizationcost lowering and manufacturing compatibilityin close collaboration between the inventor s lab and a spin off startup that is led by an experienced team in the ophthalmology device industryPhase I will develop a frequency stabilized laser source with reduced spontaneous emission noiseAim IPhase II will take this innovation to develop and test a tabletop alpha prototypeAim IIand then build portable beta prototypesAim IIThe functionalityreliability and operability of the prototypes will be validated in clinical pilot trials in an eye hospital for variety of clinical cases including keratoconus casespreand postrefractive surgery casesand preand postcollagen crosslinking casesThe successful completion of this project will have transferred Brillouin microscopy from academia to the medical device industryand will accelerate the translation of tissue biomechanical assessments into clinical practiceUltimatelythe successful commercialization of in vivo Brillouin imaging will have a high impact on eye healthcare by improving the diagnosisintervention and surgical treatment of various vision problems PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE This proposal is relevant to public health because it will accelerate the commercialization of novel diagnostic devices to identify progressive keratoconus and risk of post LASIK ectasia more accurately than currently possible and allow patients to receive timely optimized treatmentsUnlike current methods for detection of keratoconusthe proposed technique will directly measure biomechanical properties of corneal stroma before the disease manifests itself via corneal shape distortionFurthermorethe new instrument will improve the outcome of collagen crosslinking and astigmatic keratotomy and may help development of interventional prevention of myopia and cataractHaving spatially resolved biomechanical measurements of the cornea may allow customization for treatment options designed to strengthen the tissueThereforethe proposed research is relevant to the NIH s mission of fostering innovative research strategies to increase the nation s ability to improve the treatment of disease