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GlauPhon
„Innovationspreis
Medizintechnik 2004“
Bundesministerium für
Bildung und Forschung
Problem: Glaucoma is one of the
most frequent reasons for blindness within
Europe. In Germany, more than 800,000
persons are affected. Often, this sneaky
disease goes along with an increased
intra-ocular pressure (IOP), which can
irreversibly damage the optic nerves. If
not early diagnosed, Glaucoma will lead
to visual field limitations. Without therapy,
total blindness is the result of this disease.
Periodical IOP-measurements are essential
for an optimal Glaucoma therapy.
In clinical practice a measuring device
has been established, where a punch
contacts the cornea. The IOP is calculated
by the ratio of force and deformation.
The accuracy is sufficient, but the method
is tainted with various disadvantages and
risks.
Due to their complexity, exact measurements
can only be executed by welltrained
personnel. These measurements
only deliver a “snap-shot” of the IOP, as
they are not really suited for measuring
a diurnal profile of the unsteady IOP.
Thus, a mobile measuring device, which
could be used by the patient himself,
could drastically improve the Glaucoma
therapy.
Idea: The basic project idea is to use
acoustic signals to cause oscillations
of the cornea. These oscillations are
influenced by the IOP. A mobile, handy
tonometer analyses the oscillations and
derives the IOP. This non-contact measuring
method can be executed by the
patient himself and offers additional ad-
Fotos: Design-Entwürfe
Pictures: Design Models
vantages: The danger of infection is minimized
and anesthesia is unnecessary. By
that, the diagnosis becomes easier and
the measurement is more convenient. In
November 2004, the German Ministry of
Education and Research awarded this
promising idea with the Innovation-Prize
for medical technology.
Project: The GlauPhon tonometer
contains a speaker, which stimulates
cornea oscillations. These IOP-dependent
oscillations are measured and analyzed
by a computer. By this, the properties of
the oscillating tissue can be evaluated
and converted into an IOP value. Based
on the experimental results, a miniaturized
tonometer for self-measurements will be
developed.
In an interdisciplinary co-operation
with the Wuerzburg University Eye-Clinic
and the industrial partners *Acri.Tec und
Dr-Jordan-Design a fully functional prototype
is planned to be developed and
clinically tested within 18 months. Preliminary
tests showed that with increasing
IOP the oscillation amplitude decreases
and both, the resonance frequency and
the damping increase. Within the project,
these correlations are to be quantified
and converted into IOP values.
After implementing the algorithms in
the experimental setup, tests for verifying
the measurement principle will be
performed. In case of successful clinical
tests, other clinics will be involved before
bringing the new device onto the market.
Axel von Freyberg, Michael Sorg
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