This technology is a non-invasive method for determining the elastic properties of superficial tissues, such as corneal tissues, using acoustic energy.
Although changes in corneal elasticity are crucial to the diagnosis of a variety of ophthalmic disorders, current assessment methods rely on corneal response to direct air-puffs or low frequency ultrasonic sensing. These current methods are more suited for solid tissue elasticity measurement and do not accurately assess soft tissue, such as the cornea. To date, there is no specialized, high-resolution method for measurement of corneal elasticity.
This technology is a method for non-invasively determining the elastic properties of superficial tissues, such as corneal tissues, using acoustic energy. This method applies high-frequency ultrasound to the cornea, using a single element probe, resulting in displacement of the cornea as well as corneal thinning. The corneal thinning is assessed in the context of the force applied, providing the corneal strain, which is then processed via algorithms to map corneal elasticity. As a result, this technology provides an improved and non-invasive method to assess the characteristics of corneal tissue.
This technology has been validated in a rabbit model.
IR CU12081
Licensing Contact: Cynthia Lang