Non-contact, THz Sensing of Corneal Hydration

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案的目标是开发一种THz成像系统，以对角膜的水合进行成像和空间映射。目前使用超声测厚法测量角膜水合作用，并从中央角膜厚度和可用水合作用数据之间的经验关系导出。该提案将使用角膜光谱学和反射数据来改进角膜的THz反射率模型。将使用体模和体内兔角膜评价这些模型。初步数据表明，太赫兹成像可以测量角膜水合0.1%的准确度和600微米的空间分辨率。模拟和体模模型以及动物研究将用于评估该方法的可行性，并验证角膜THz成像识别角膜疾病特征性水合变化的能力。太赫兹辐射的优点之一是其极低的光子能量。它是眼睛安全的，工作在10 - 20 uW。为了确保人类使用的安全性，我们将在50 5 W下对兔角膜进行太赫兹照射，并对角膜进行组织学和蛋白质组学分析。一旦我们确认安全性并获得必要的IRB批准，我们将在正常志愿者中进行初步的人类角膜成像试验。从正常患者（N = 60）获得基线信息后，我们将继续研究DSEK手术前后（N = 20）和LASIK手术前后（N = 20）患者的水合作用。从这些研究中积累的数据将被分析，以评估太赫兹成像的可行性，以监测水化水平作为疾病状态的函数。1

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this proposal is to develop a THz imaging system to image and spatially map the hydration of the cornea. Corneal hydration is currently measured using ultrasound pachymetry and is derived from an empiric relationship between central corneal thickness and available hydration data. This proposal will use corneal spectroscopy and reflectance data to improve models of THz reflectivity from the cornea. These models will be evaluated using phantoms and in-vivo rabbit corneas. Preliminary data suggest that THz imaging can measure corneal hydration with 0.1% accuracy and a spatial resolution of 600 um. The simulations and phantom models, and animal studies will be used to evaluate the feasibility of the approach and verify the ability of corneal THz imaging to discern hydration changes characteristic of corneal diseases. One of the advantages of THz radiation is its extremely low photon energy. It is eye safe and operates at 10 - 20 uW. To ensure safety for human use we will evaluate THz illumination on the cornea of rabbits at 50 5W and examine the corneas with histology and proteomic analysis. Once we have confirmed safety and obtained necessary IRB approvals we will conduct initial human corneal imaging trials in normal volunteers. After obtaining baseline information from normal patients (N = 60) we will proceed to study hydration in patients before and after DSEK surgery (N = 20), and before and after LASIK surgery (N = 20). Data accumulated from these studies will be analyzed to assess the feasibility of THz imaging to monitor hydration levels as a function of disease state. 1