MEMS Intraocular Pressure Sensor

描述(申请人提供)：青光眼是导致视力丧失的主要原因，尤其是老年人。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以提高治疗效果和鼓励患者遵医，青光眼的诊断和治疗受到阻碍。此外，由于一天内眼压变化很大，这一问题变得更加复杂。这个第一阶段的项目将设计1 mm和3 mm尺寸的微型机电(MEMS)压力传感器，分别适用于人工晶状体(IOL)和玻璃体内植入。该3毫米规模的装置将在第一阶段进行制造和测试，以证明可行性。人工晶状体植入时青光眼患者的人数限制在每年一到二十万人，但搭载人工晶状体并不会增加患者感染的风险。玻璃体内植入物基本上适用于所有与特殊手术相关的风险较小的青光眼患者。眼压的测量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。该项目应用了新的机电系统(MEMS)技术，使患者能够通过两种可能的植入方法来监控自己的眼压。一种是植入人工晶状体，另一种是植入玻璃体腔。

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.