Technologies
Abstract
Reduced oxygen supply
to retinal neurons in the eye may lead to hypoxia, which may further cause retinal
edema, neovascularization, and other retinal diseases such as glaucoma and
macular degeneration. It is therefore important to assess retinal oxygen
levels. Retinal oximetry involves detecting the reflection of the incident
light that passes through the blood vessel, but it is challenging since the light
detected could come from several sources and reflections. FIU inventors
have developed a method to detect retinal blood-oxygen saturation levels using retinal
autofluorescence. In this method, one or more excitation sources are used to
provide light to the retina, and based on the intensity of the retinal autofluorescence,
the level of oxygen saturation is measured. Benefit
· Accurate retinal oxygen saturation measurements · Non-invasive methodMarket Application
The method has applications in clinical measurement and monitoring of the retinal blood oxygen saturation levels.
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause
of visual disability and blindness in persons 65 years of age and older in the
United States and other developed countries. It affects 11% percent of the
population of 65-74 years old and 28% of the population over 74 years old.
Glaucoma is also a leading cause of visual disability and blindness, with a
reported 2.2 million cases of open-angle glaucoma patients. Owing to the rapid
aging of the US population, cases of both AMD and glaucoma will continue to
increase.Florida International University (FIU) researchers develop devices
for improving the quality of life for individuals that suffer from the common
visual impairments associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and
glaucoma. This technology aims to capitalize on the remaining functional areas
of the retina found in AMD and glaucoma patients allowing them to visualize
complete images of the world similarly to how a normal eye would perceive them.
To successfully achieve this, images are captured by a camera, distorted or
reorganized by an algorithm (retaining key visual information), and then
projected onto the aforementioned remaining functional areas of the retina.One concept for the device is a goggle consisting of optical
components, which are capable of redistributing the light transmitting through
the goggle onto the peripheral retina in the case of AMD and the central retina
in the case of glaucoma. Another concept for the device consists of an
individual camera for each eye, which records real-time images at the same
height and same field of view or a normal eye. These images are then processed
and projected onto small screens on the retina.Image distribution on both concepts can be customized
according to the distribution of the remaining photoreceptors of each eye. As a
result, each goggle needs to be customized for different patients. Additionally,
in order to provide stereovision, the two visual glasses need to be aligned in
the way a normal person utilizes their two eyes to see.Benefit
The technology is flexible it can be reprogrammed as AMD and glaucoma progresses affecting larger portions of a patient’s visual fieldAfter a period of training patients are capable of distinguishing the central and peripheral parts of projected imagesThis technology will help visually impaired patients lead normal livesMarket Application
Medical applications aimed to improving the vision of individuals who suffer from impaired central vision (AMD patients) and impaired peripheral vision (glaucoma patients)The technology has potential applications in the military and defense sector
Abstract
Florida International University (FIU) inventors created technologies
that allow for functional imaging of the photoreceptors in the retina. The
technologies can be used in the clinical setting to assess the structure and
function of photoreceptors. Specifically, in the diagnosing, disease staging
and follow up of retinal degenerative disorders, such as hereditary retinal
degeneration and age-related age macular regeneration. These technologies will
also be useful to build outcome measurements for clinical trials of these
diseases.The technology relies on an Integrated Parallel
Multi-Channel-Space-Time-Coded Scanning Laser Opthalmoscopy (SLO) that detects
differences in optical absorption in dark and light adapted states, and a
Triple-band Rhodopsin OCT which uses three separate wavelengths within the
rhodopsin absorption spectrum, which obtain all the information required to
calculate and reconstruct a quantitative retinal rhodopsin image with a single
scan of a dark-adapted retina. This functional imaging of photoreceptors in the
retina by rhodopsin mapping represents a viable alternative to existing
technologies used in traditional fundus reflectometry.Benefit
Allows for accurate and objective measurement of rhodopsin content in live subjects for the assessments of functional photoreceptorsThe technology is capable of providing optical section of the retina in live subjects with the purpose of localizing rhodopsin in the retinal layersProvides both a local topographic rhodopsin map in a retinal B-scan image, and a 3D topographic map of rhodopsin in the retinaThis technology addresses the two major technical issues that current available technologies fail to address: slow scanning speed of the SLO and the influence of absorption by rhodopsin intermediatesScanning speed is dramatically increased, directly reducing the influence of eye movement during imaging, which significantly improves the image qualityMarket Application
Applications in ophthalmology clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and research laboratories for the assessment of the global and local functional status of photoreceptors in the retinas of the living subjectsPotential to diagnose retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosaAssessment of photoreceptor function following retinal detachment repair, for staging retinal degenerative diseases, and to monitor the degenerative processMonitoring photoreceptor loss related to dry age-relatedmacular degenerationMonitoring the visual cycle repair by gene therapy of patients of Leber congenital ameurosis caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene and other ophthalmological genetic illnessesFuture use could include the assessment of functional photoreceptors in photoreceptor regeneration either by external cell implantation, or by re-programming of existing retinal cells.
Abstract
Complex lipid-protein
aggregates of fluorescent pigments such as Lipofuscin are formed in the retinal
pigment epithelium (RPE) of the eye as a non-degradable toxic end- product from
phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. Lipofuscin contributes to
age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt disease. It is important to quantify
autofluorescence (AF) intensity arising from Lipofuscin to monitor its levels. Different
aspects of the retina can be imaged using optical coherence tomography (OCT)
and retinal AF imaging. Retinal AF imaging can map the distribution of Lipofuscin
in the RPE. However, AF signals emitted by Lipofuscin travel through many
retinal layers before reaching an imaging receiver, and are attenuated. The existing
retinal AF technologies do not consider the attenuation of fluorescent signals
and thus cannot measure the true level of AF in RPE. It is also difficult to
compare images from different individuals as well as comparing images from the
same person at different times using the current technology. FIU inventors
have developed imaging systems and methods that can accurately monitor the Lipofuscin
levels for retinal disease tracking and treatment. This system relies on a combination of
imagining modalities (OCT and AF) and can correct for varying optical
properties found in the optical path between the RPE layer and an image
receiver. Moreover, the invention can also establish standard AF levels for
different age groups, delineate the correlation between abnormal AF intensities
and disease stages locally and globally. FIU is looking for business partners
to commercialize the technology.Benefit
Effective monitoring of Lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium of an eye. The method can correct for attenuation of fluorescent signals and allow comparison of AF levels in different age groups.Market Application
The invention has applications for ophthalmology clinics and can potentially replace the existing technologies for accurately monitoring Lipofuscin in various applications.
Abstract
Zika virus, a mosquito-borne
pathogen, has been linked to occurrences of microcephaly when the virus is
passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Currently, enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
are two major laboratory methods available for detecting Zika virus (ZIKV).
These methods can be used to detect the virus, for example, within 3-10 days following
the onset of symptoms. However, the ELISA test adopted for detecting Zika virus
has limitations due to cross reactivity of the antibodies with other species of
the Flavivirus genus such as, for example, dengue virus. In addition, ELISA is
cumbersome for healthcare workers to carry and utilize. Because these methods
are typically carried out in laboratories only, the turn-around time for
confirmed laboratory diagnostics results can take up to days, causing
significant delays in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, these test methods
are unable to detect Zika virus at low detection limits, which can result in
misidentification of the viral infection at an early stage.FIU inventors have developed
methods for the detection of zika virus at low level with micro-electrochemical
ZIKV immunosensors functionalized with Zika virus binding ligands such as
monoclonal Zika virus antibodies and Zika non-structural proteins. These
methods include contacting the immunosensing substrate with a biological
sample, applying a frequency to the sensing device, monitoring changes in
resistance response of the sensing device as Zika virus or Zika virus-infected
cells bind with their binding ligands; and finally, quantifying the amount of
ZIKV by comparing the measured resistance response with a pre-determined
calibration curve. These methods allow for a rapid (operation time around 40
minutes) and selective detection of ZIKV in wide concentration range with a low
detection limit (10 pM).Benefit
Suitable for use in clinical and field settings Enable early diagnosis of zika virus infection Allow for a sensitive, and selective detection of zika virus within 40 minutes Determine treatment effectivenessMarket Application
Diagnostic screening for zika virus infection at early stage Assessment of diseases progression and therapy efficacy
