SBIR Phase I: Prosthetic implantable lens with integrated intraocular pressure sensor

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will address severe vision loss by advancing a fully synthetic artificial implantable lens technology. This project will develop a synthetic replacement with a built-in, power-free pressure indicator integrated directly into its optical structure, providing restored vision and enabling external non invasive intraocular pressure monitoring. The innovation of this project lies in demonstrating a passive, power-free pressure sensing mechanism can be reliably integrated into a synthetic lens replacement without compromising optical clarity or structural durability. This project will use precision computer-controlled machining to fabricate a synthetic optical replacement containing an internal, multi-chamber fluid channel machined into a single block of high-grade polymer. Intraocular pressure will drive fluid movement across this channel against an airtight chamber reference volume, producing a visible fluid-air boundary whose position corresponds to pressure and can be read under standard illumination. The scope of this project includes evaluating the linearity and repeatability of this pressure response, the structural integrity of the sealed channel under repeated mechanical loading, and the optical performance of the replacement across relevant fields of view. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.