Non-invasive laser therapy for cytokine modulation and corneal inflammation management

This technology is a femtosecond laser-based system for modulating cytokine activity in corneal tissues to control inflammation and prevent keratocyte apoptosis.

Unmet Need: Direct management of corneal tissue injury and inflammation

Corneal inflammation may damage corneal tissues, leading to loss of vision. Current treatments for corneal inflammation primarily rely on antibiotics and analgesics, failing to directly address the underlying tissue damage caused by severe inflammation. These methods are limited in their ability to prevent keratocyte apoptosis and manage inflammation non-invasively. Consequently, there is a critical need for ways to effectively control inflammation and prevent tissue damage without altering the corneal structure or relying on invasive procedures.

The Technology: Non-invasive laser therapy for controlling corneal inflammation

This technology utilizes femtosecond laser treatment to modulate cytokine activity within corneal tissues, thereby controlling inflammation and preventing keratocyte apoptosis. The laser generates low-density plasma and ionizes water molecules within the corneal stroma to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS then modulate cytokine activity, reducing inflammation without altering the cornea or requiring invasive procedures. The technology could be potentially applied to wound healing.

This technology has been validated in injured ex vivo pig eyes and in vivo studies in rabbits.

Applications:

• Prevention of keratocyte apoptosis in ocular diseases
• Treatment for corneal inflammation
• Treatment for keratoconus
• Vision correction
• Inflammation control in collagen-rich tissues
• Enhancing ophthalmic procedures such as refractive and cataract surgeries
• Targeting post-trauma and post-refractive surgery complications
• Wound healing

Advantages:

• Non-invasive
• Directly addresses corneal inflammation
• No alteration of corneal curvature
• Suitable for collagen-rich tissues
• Enhanced outcomes in refractive and cataract surgeries
• Reduced dependence on medications such as antibiotics and analgesics

Lead Inventor:

Sinisa Vukelic, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (US20210085994)

Related Publications:

• Wang C, Fomovsky M, Miao G, Zyablitskaya M, Vukelic S. “Femtosecond laser crosslinking of the cornea for non-invasive vision correction” Nature Photon. 2018 Nov 14; 12: 416–422.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU19223, CU18315

• Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik