Next-generation PERG devices and methods

描述（由申请人提供）：青光眼是导致视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）变性的众多视神经疾病之一，如果不及时治疗，最终表现为视力功能丧失。有许多治疗方法可以治疗这些疾病，但目前还没有临床方法来检测RGC功能障碍的发病。视网膜电图（PERG）是唯一一种用于监测RGC在人体和视神经疾病实验模型中的健康状况的工具。监测PERG反应可以潜在地提供退行性视网膜疾病（如青光眼）的早期检测，允许在发生不可逆的功能性视力丧失之前启动治疗模式。在研究和临床应用中广泛采用PERG的一个关键障碍是缺乏易于使用的记录和数据分析交钥匙设备。这个项目的目标是生产商业上可用的设备，用于视觉研究和临床应用，这些设备更紧凑、更快、更便宜、更方便用户。在第一阶段，将追求以下具体目标：1)开发一个包含数字信号处理器和必要放大器的硬件平台，以与下一代PERG刺激器接口。2)开发用于动物实验的轻型led PERG刺激器。3)基于amoled的轻型人体护目镜PERG刺激器的研制。4)开发先进的刺激序列，减少杂散串扰分量。将对原型器件的性能进行评估和优化。我们的研究的成功完成将使大量的临床医生和科学家能够更容易地利用PERG技术。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Glaucoma is one of a number of optic nerve diseases which lead to retinal ganglion cells (RGC) degeneration, ultimately manifesting in a functional loss of vision if left untreated. There exist a number of therapeutic approaches to treat these conditions, but there are currently no clinical methods to detect the onset of RGC dysfunction. The Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) is the only established tool to monitor RGC health in vivo in humans and experimental models of optic nerve diseases. The monitoring of PERG responses can potentially provide earlier detection of degenerative retinal disorders such as glaucoma, allowing for treatment paradigms to be initiated before irreversible functional vision loss has occurred. A critical barrier to the widespread adoption of PERG for research and clinical use is the lack of availability of an easy-to-use, turnkey device for recording and data analysis. The goal of the proposed project is to produce commercially available devices for use in both vision research and clinical applications, which are more compact, faster, cheaper and more user-friendly. During Phase I, the following specific aims will pursued: 1) Development of a hardware platform containing a digital signal processor and the necessary amplifiers to interface with the next-generation PERG stimulators. 2) Development of a lightweight LED-based PERG stimulator for animal studies. 3) Development of a lightweight AMOLED-based goggle PERG stimulator for humans. 4) Development of advanced stimulation sequences which will reduce spurious cross talk components. The performance of the prototype devices will be evaluated and optimized. Successful completion of our research will provide allow large community of clinicians and scientists to more easily take advantage of the PERG technique.