No-Touch High Resolution Optical Coherence Elastography of the Cornea using a Heartbeat

项目总结 角膜的机械性能决定了眼球的结构特征，并可能是 几种破坏性疾病状态的改变，包括近视眼的轴向延长，近视眼的病理变形 圆锥角膜和屈光手术后的医源性角膜扩张。角膜的精确测量 高空间分辨率的生物力学不仅会影响我们对诊断测试的临床解释， 例如，测量眼压或评估药物治疗的效果，但也预测 后部眼部疾病，如青光眼。目前，还没有可用的可靠方法来进行定量 高分辨率活体角膜弹性测量。在这里，我们提出了一种新的方法来解决“不- 角膜弹性特性的“触摸”评估。这种技术被称为心跳光学相干 弹性成像(HbOCE)，可以革命性的常规角膜检查方法，带来额外的 机械信息和保证快速的临床适应。 该项目有四个主要的具体目标： 目标1的重点是开发一种能够高速测量 角膜变形下固有眼压变化不大。 目标2将在体外眼睛中测试开发的系统。 目标3将在兔的活体眼睛中测试该系统。 Aim 4将进行活体人体研究，以改进测量方法，以便更广泛地应用于临床。 拟议的项目将通过一项关于角膜生物力学的研究 在其他学科(例如，角膜外科、LASIK、角膜)具有潜在影响的应用的新方法 交联剂、角膜移植、个性化治疗)。最重要的是，拟议的研究将 加快眼部弹性成像向临床过渡，影响我们角膜的选择和应用 手术治疗，并将帮助我们了解角膜疾病和伤口的结构性后果 治愈。

PROJECT SUMMARY The mechanical properties of the cornea determine the structural characteristics of the ocular globe and may be altered in several devastating disease states, including axial elongation in myopia, pathological deformation in keratoconus, and iatrogenic keratoectasia following corneal refractive surgery. Accurate measurement of corneal biomechanics with high spatial resolution would not only influence our clinical interpretation of diagnostic tests, e.g., measuring intraocular pressure or assessing effects of drug therapies, but also predict the development of posterior eye diseases, such as glaucoma. Currently, there is no available reliable method to perform quantitative measurement of corneal elasticity in vivo and with high resolution. Here we propose a novel method for a “no- touch” assessment of corneal elastic properties. Such a technology, termed heart-beat optical coherence elastography (hbOCE), could revolutionize methods for routine corneal examination, bringing additional mechanical information and warrant rapid clinical adaptation. The project has four primary Specific Aims: Aim 1 is focused on the development of a hbOCE system capable of high-speed volumetric measurement of corneal deformation under small intrinsic IOP changes. Aim 2 will test the developed system in the eyes ex vivo. Aim 3 will test the system in eyes in vivo in rabbits. Aim 4 will perform in vivo human studies to refine measurement methods for broader clinical use. The proposed project will make fundamental advances in the understanding of corneal biomechanics through a novel approach with potentially impactful applications in other disciplines (e.g., corneal surgery, LASIK, corneal cross-linking, corneal transplants, personalized treatments). Most importantly, the proposed studies will accelerate the transition of ocular elastography into clinics, influence our selection and application of corneal surgical treatments, and will help us understand the structural consequences of corneal diseases and wound healing.