Real time acoustic dosimetry for corneal collagen crosslinking
Inventors
Lopath, Patrick David • Acker, David E.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10548772-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to corneal collagen crosslinking (CCXL) using irradiation and ultrasound to an eye of a subject. A device and system acquire ultrasonic responses in real time during corneal crosslinking while irradiation is being applied, with baseline ultrasonic measurements acquired with an on-eye device and additional ultrasonic responses repeatedly acquired during light irradiation.
A controller repeatedly determines a response of the cornea based on signals representing ultrasonic energy returned from the cornea, provides a baseline response before operation of a light source to irradiate the cornea, and during operation of the light source determines one or more additional responses and compares the additional responses to the baseline response. The irradiation operation is controlled based at least in part on the results of the comparison.
The on-eye device includes a housing with an inwardly-facing surface adapted to rest on an anterior surface of the eye and an optical diffuser mounted to the housing. A ultrasonic transducer is mounted to the housing and disposed outward of the diffuser so that the diffuser is between the transducer and the eye, and the ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric element and a metallic electrode disposed between the piezoelectric element and the diffuser, the metallic electrode being reflective to light.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified: a device claim and a system claim. The claims collectively emphasize real-time acoustic dosimetry for CCXL through an on-eye irradiation/ultrasound arrangement and repeated baseline-and-additional ultrasonic response determination with comparison-based control, with multiple inventive features in each independent claim.
Eye-resting housing with optical diffuser
A housing having an inwardly-facing surface adapted to rest on an anterior surface of the eye, and an optical diffuser mounted to the housing.
Ultrasonic transducer positioned outward of the diffuser
An ultrasonic transducer mounted to the housing and disposed outward of the diffuser so that the diffuser is between the transducer and the eye when the housing rests on the anterior surface of the eye.
Light-reflective metallic electrode between piezoelectric element and diffuser
The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric element and a metallic electrode disposed between the piezoelectric element and the diffuser, the metallic electrode being reflective to light.
Baseline response determination and comparison-based control during irradiation
A drive circuit connected to the transducer operable to actuate the transducer to direct ultrasonic energy into the cornea and derive signals representing ultrasonic energy returned from the cornea; and a control circuit connected to the drive circuit and to the light source, operable to repeatedly determine a response of the cornea based on the signals so as to provide a baseline response before operation of the light source to irradiate the cornea and one or more additional responses during the operation of the light source, compare the additional responses to the baseline response and control operation of the light source based at least in part on the results of the comparison.
Irradiation via light source in optical communication with diffuser
A light source in optical communication with the diffuser.
Drive circuit actuating ultrasound and deriving returned-energy signals
A drive circuit connected to the transducer, the drive circuit being operable to actuate the transducer to direct ultrasonic energy into the cornea and derive signals representing ultrasonic energy returned from the cornea.
Overall, the claims link an on-eye housing with an optical diffuser and an outwardly positioned ultrasonic transducer, including a light-reflective metallic electrode between the piezoelectric element and the diffuser, with a system that repeatedly determines baseline and additional corneal responses from returned ultrasonic energy signals and compares them to control irradiation based at least in part on the comparison results.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Real-time acoustic dosimetry for corneal collagen crosslinking (CCXL) while irradiation is being performed.
Myopia treatment in a central region (as part of described CCXL-related treatment regions).
Hyperopia treatment in an annular region (as part of described CCXL-related treatment regions).
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