Advanced, Field-deployable Hybrid Imaging Ophthalmodynamometry System

Noninvasive measurement of the intracranial pressure (ICP) would be a valuable addition to combat casualty care. Recent studies have shown that approximately 60% of military casualties in Iraq sustain some level of brain injury. These brain injuries range from mild to traumatic, and ICP is an indicator of the severity of injury, and near-term prognosis for acute morbidity. Efficient triage is hindered by the lack of prompt, reliable, and potentially life-saving ICP diagnostics which could indicate whether a surgical intervention is urgently required. Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a technology that will allow for rapid and reliable ICP measurements. This technology will be based high speed retinal imaging combined with ophthalmodynamometery (ODM). In Phase I, a hybrid Line scanning laser Ophthalmoscope/Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SLO/SDOCT) imager device will be integrated with a novel ODM interface and tested on phantom models to demonstrate feasibility. A complete design of a portable instrument will be performed as well. A clinical testing protocol to validate ICP determination will be developed as well as apart of the Phase I option. In Phase II the compact hybrid imager will be built and tested on patients.