Next-generation PERG devices and methods

描述(申请人提供)：青光眼是导致视网膜神经节细胞(RGC)变性的多种视神经疾病之一，如果不治疗，最终表现为功能性视力丧失。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功能障碍的发生。模式视网膜电信号(PERG)是唯一已建立的工具，用于监测活体人类和视神经疾病实验模型的RGC健康状况。对PERG反应的监测可能会更早地发现退行性视网膜疾病，如青光眼，从而在不可逆转的功能性视力丧失发生之前启动治疗方案。PERG广泛应用于研究和临床的一个关键障碍是缺乏一种易于使用的、用于记录和数据分析的交钥匙设备。拟议项目的目标是生产用于视觉研究和临床应用的商用设备，这些设备更紧凑、更快、更便宜、更方便。在第一阶段，将实现以下具体目标：1)开发一个硬件平台，其中包括一个数字信号处理器和与下一代PERG刺激器对接所需的放大器。2)用于动物实验的轻型LED PERG刺激器的研制。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，以减少虚假串扰分量。将对样机的性能进行评估和优化。我们研究的成功完成将使临床医生和科学家的大型社区能够更容易地利用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.