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Brillouin optical eye scanner prototypes for commercialization

Award Information
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Branch: National Institutes of Health
Contract: 1R41EY028820-01A1
Agency Tracking Number: R41EY028820
Amount: $218,094.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N
Solicitation Number: PA17-303
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2017
Award Year: 2018
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2018-06-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2019-06-14
Small Business Information
50 FRESH POND PL
Cambridge, MA 02138-4430
United States
DUNS: 078427708
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 DIMITRI CHERNYAK
 (408) 334-9745
 dimitri@intelonoptics.com
Business Contact
 DIMITRI CHERNYAK
Phone: (408) 334-9745
Email: dimitri@intelonoptics.com
Research Institution
 MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
 
55 FRUIT STREET
BOSTON, MA 02114-2696
United States

 Domestic Nonprofit Research Organization
Abstract

ABSTRACT
The overall goal of this STTR project is to commercialize a novel optical eye scanner device capable of
measuring the biomechanical properties of tissues via Brillouin light scatteringThe Brillouin technology
invented in the co PI s lab has shown broad potential for improving the diagnosis and treatment of vision
disordersClinical data obtained with current laboratory systems revealed corneal stiffness changes
caused by keratoconuscollagen crosslinking and keratectomyFor commercialization of this promising
technologythis fast track project streamlines development through innovative engineering that focuses
on miniaturizationcost lowering and manufacturing compatibilityin close collaboration between the
inventor s lab and a spin off startup that is led by an experienced team in the ophthalmology device
industryPhase I will develop a frequency stabilized laser source with reduced spontaneous emission
noiseAim IPhase II will take this innovation to develop and test a tabletop alpha prototypeAim IIand then build portable beta prototypesAim IIThe functionalityreliability and operability of the
prototypes will be validated in clinical pilot trials in an eye hospital for variety of clinical cases including
keratoconus casespreand postrefractive surgery casesand preand postcollagen crosslinking
casesThe successful completion of this project will have transferred Brillouin microscopy from academia
to the medical device industryand will accelerate the translation of tissue biomechanical assessments
into clinical practiceUltimatelythe successful commercialization of in vivo Brillouin imaging will have a
high impact on eye healthcare by improving the diagnosisintervention and surgical treatment of various
vision problems PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE
This proposal is relevant to public health because it will accelerate the commercialization of novel
diagnostic devices to identify progressive keratoconus and risk of post LASIK ectasia more accurately
than currently possible and allow patients to receive timely optimized treatmentsUnlike current methods
for detection of keratoconusthe proposed technique will directly measure biomechanical properties of
corneal stroma before the disease manifests itself via corneal shape distortionFurthermorethe new
instrument will improve the outcome of collagen crosslinking and astigmatic keratotomy and may help
development of interventional prevention of myopia and cataractHaving spatially resolved
biomechanical measurements of the cornea may allow customization for treatment options designed to
strengthen the tissueThereforethe proposed research is relevant to the NIH s mission of fostering
innovative research strategies to increase the nation s ability to improve the treatment of disease

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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