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

项目摘要 角膜的机械性质决定了眼球地球仪的结构特征，并且可以 在几种毁灭性的疾病状态下改变，包括近视眼的轴向延长， 圆锥角膜和角膜屈光手术后的医源性角膜扩张。角膜的精确测量 具有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，在一个实施例中，测量眼内压或评估药物治疗的效果，但也预测发展， 后眼部疾病，如青光眼。目前，没有可用的可靠方法来进行定量分析。 在活体内以高分辨率测量角膜弹性。在这里，我们提出了一种新的方法，“不- 角膜弹性特性的“触觉”评估。这种技术被称为心跳光学相干 弹性成像（hbOCE）可以彻底改变常规角膜检查的方法， 机械信息和保证快速临床适应。 该项目有四个主要具体目标： 目的1是专注于开发一种能够高速体积测量的hbOCE系统， 在小的内在IOP变化下的角膜变形。 目标2将在离体眼睛中测试所开发的系统。 目的3将在家兔体内眼内测试该系统。 目标4将进行人体体内研究，以完善更广泛的临床应用的测量方法。 拟议的项目将通过一个基本的进展，角膜生物力学的理解， 在其他学科中具有潜在影响力的应用的新方法（例如，角膜手术，LASIK，角膜 交联、角膜移植、个性化治疗）。最重要的是，拟议的研究将 加速眼弹性成像向临床的过渡，影响我们对角膜弹性成像的选择和应用。 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.