MEMS Intraocular Pressure Sensor

描述（由申请人提供）：青光眼是视力丧失的主要原因，尤其是在老年人中。尽管青光眼对健康有巨大的影响，但由于难以获得频繁的眼压测量，从而阻碍了青光眼的诊断和治疗，而眼压测量可以加强治疗并鼓励患者依从性。此外，由于一天内眼压变化较大，问题更加复杂。本一期项目将设计1mm和3mm尺寸的微机电（MEMS）压力传感器，分别适用于人工晶状体（iol）和玻璃体内植入物。3毫米规模的装置将在第一阶段制造和测试，以证明可行性。每年接受人工晶状体植入术的青光眼患者数量限制在10万到20万，但是依靠人工晶状体植入术并不会给患者带来额外的感染风险。玻璃体内植入术基本上适用于所有青光眼患者，且与专科手术相关的风险较小。眼压的测定对青光眼的诊断和治疗至关重要。然而，这种测量需要相对昂贵和频繁的办公室访问。该项目应用新的机电系统（MEMS）技术，通过两种可能的植入方法，使患者能够监测自己的眼压。一个是附着在人工晶状体上，另一个是植入玻璃体腔内。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss, particular in the elderly. In spite of its tremendous impact on health, the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma is hindered by the difficulty of obtaining frequent intraocular pressure measurements that can enhance treatment and encourage patient compliance. Moreover, the problem is compounded by large intraocular pressure variations within a single day. This Phase I project will design 1mm and 3mm scale microelectromechanical (MEMS) pressure sensors suitable for attachment to intraocular lenses (IOLs) and as intravitreal implants, respectively. The 3mm scale device will be fabricated and tested in Phase I to demonstrate feasibility. The pool of patients with glaucoma at the time of IOL implantation is limited to one or two hundred thousand per year, but piggy-backing on an IOL does not subject patients to additional risks of infection. The intravitreal implant is suitable for essentially all glaucoma patients with minor risks associated with a specialized surgical procedure. The measurement of intraocular pressure is critical to the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. However, such measurements require relatively costly and frequent office visits. This project applies new electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to enable patients to monitor their own intraocular pressure via two possible implant methods. One is an attachment to an intraocular lens and the second is an implantation into the vitreous cavity.