Implant for measuring internal eye pressure

In a report from scientists at the Duisburg's Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronics Circuits and Systems, researchers have claimed to have developed a new method of constantly monitoring a patients intra-ocular presure, with the help of a tiny micro chip which can be inserted into an artificial lens.

This breakthrough may be able to detect the onset and consequently aid in the treatment of glaucoma by measuring the presure within the eye constantly. As the presure within the eye alters at different times of day and under different circumstances, the implant will ultimately enable practitioners to be very specific with treatment regimes. At the moment inter ocular presure has been averaged out over a period of time and this average presure has determined the treatment given.

The Sensor will be implanted in to the special lens and a tiny electrical transmitter will transmit information. The power for the transmitter is attached to a special pair of spectacles with an antenna built in, which in turn is attached to a portable reading device. This information can then be downloaded and analysed by computers at the Eye clinics.

The system is currently being tried and tested, and will later this year begin trials at the Eye Clinic Of Cologne University. It is then expected that the system will be commercially available within the next 12 Months.


     Listing # 8/08/2001