Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GRAVITEYE (Implantable flexible electro-active sensing platform for smart intraocular applications)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-10-01 do 2023-09-30
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting more than 6% of people over 70. The disease occurs when the intraocular fluid (aqueous humour) is altered, causing intraocular pressure (IOP) to rise to levels that damages the optic nerve. GRAVITEYE has designed an innovative strategy for fabricating a miniaturized pressure sensor able of monitoring intraocular pressure in real-time. This technology aims to improve the early diagnosis of glaucoma, a chronic ocular disease that can significantly impact independence and productivity.
The GRAVITEYE platform seeks to transform current intraocular lenses, which are passive in nature, into an advanced electro-active smart optical system. This will be achieved by integrating a miniaturized pressure sensor, thin-film stretchable electrical interconnections, and a RF antenna in a hybrid manner. The flexible smart optical platform complies with current industry standards for foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) and the narrow insertion methods used in minimally invasive cataract surgery. Furthermore, the project aims to advance knowledge through technological progress and the development of models of adhesion/cohesion at the hard/soft composite interface to optimize the pressure sensor design and the smart intraocular platform. The development of a highly integrated and foldable optical system will unlock numerous research opportunities in biocompatible materials, stretchable micromechanics, and smart optical systems.
The following project objectives have been addressed:
Development of a generalized simulation model to predict the impact of the pressure sensor [WP1].
Fabrication of a miniaturized capacitive-based pressure sensor [WP2].
Development of an automated IOP-control system was developed to mimic the dynamics of intraocular pressure [WP3].
Development of custom-made experimental setup for characterizing the full-field vibrational modes with high spatial resolution [WP3].
The GRAVITEYE platform seeks to transform current intraocular lenses, which are passive in nature, into an advanced electro-active smart optical system. This will be achieved by integrating a miniaturized pressure sensor, thin-film stretchable electrical interconnections, and a RF antenna in a hybrid manner. The flexible smart optical platform complies with current industry standards for foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) and the narrow insertion methods used in minimally invasive cataract surgery. Furthermore, the project aims to advance knowledge through technological progress and the development of models of adhesion/cohesion at the hard/soft composite interface to optimize the pressure sensor design and the smart intraocular platform. The development of a highly integrated and foldable optical system will unlock numerous research opportunities in biocompatible materials, stretchable micromechanics, and smart optical systems.
The following project objectives have been addressed:
Development of a generalized simulation model to predict the impact of the pressure sensor [WP1].
Fabrication of a miniaturized capacitive-based pressure sensor [WP2].
Development of an automated IOP-control system was developed to mimic the dynamics of intraocular pressure [WP3].
Development of custom-made experimental setup for characterizing the full-field vibrational modes with high spatial resolution [WP3].
Work Package 1 (WP1): Miniaturized flexible pressure sensor, stretchable ultrathin-film assemblies, and RF antenna interfaces. This WP focused on designing a miniaturized capacitive-based pressure sensor and in-plane interconnections on flexible substrates. The pressure sensor was initially studied using finite element models (FEM) to optimize material and geometric parameters for intraocular pressure measurement. Understanding how geometry and materials influence initial capacitance and sensitivity is crucial for tuning the capacitive sensor. The expertise of IMEC in stretchable electronics provided the basis for fabricating the in-plane thin-film circuitry.
Work Package 2 (WP2): Smart autonomous flexible platform. WP2 focused on the fabrication of a miniaturized capacitive-based pressure sensor. The workflow included optimizing the processing steps for preparing the replica silicon mold, PDMS molding, lamination, and assembly of the first prototype. Each of these stages was methodically refined to maximize the sensor’s performance in a reproducible manner. With IMEC’s expertise in micro-structuring techniques, the MSCA Fellow successfully overcame technical challenges and produce a functional prototype.
Work Package 3 (WP3): Tracking the intraocular pressure dynamics. This WP took a slightly different direction from the initial plan, which aimed to monitor intraocular pressure (IOP) dynamics in living eyes. Instead, two custom-made experimental setups were developed to replace in vivo experimentation during the initial validation stage. One of these setups involved the development of an automated IOP control system designed to mimic the IOP dynamics in a realistic eye model. Additionally, a new methodology for full-field vibration analysis with high spatial resolution was designed and developed.
Project management & training activities: In parallel to the research aspects, the MSCA fellow has benefited by various training activities focused on obtaining experience with novel simulation tools, project management skills, as well as networking and interactions with diverse partners from industry and academia. The broad scope of the project which focused on optics and microelectronics, helped the researcher expand his area and scope of research interest significantly
Work Package 2 (WP2): Smart autonomous flexible platform. WP2 focused on the fabrication of a miniaturized capacitive-based pressure sensor. The workflow included optimizing the processing steps for preparing the replica silicon mold, PDMS molding, lamination, and assembly of the first prototype. Each of these stages was methodically refined to maximize the sensor’s performance in a reproducible manner. With IMEC’s expertise in micro-structuring techniques, the MSCA Fellow successfully overcame technical challenges and produce a functional prototype.
Work Package 3 (WP3): Tracking the intraocular pressure dynamics. This WP took a slightly different direction from the initial plan, which aimed to monitor intraocular pressure (IOP) dynamics in living eyes. Instead, two custom-made experimental setups were developed to replace in vivo experimentation during the initial validation stage. One of these setups involved the development of an automated IOP control system designed to mimic the IOP dynamics in a realistic eye model. Additionally, a new methodology for full-field vibration analysis with high spatial resolution was designed and developed.
Project management & training activities: In parallel to the research aspects, the MSCA fellow has benefited by various training activities focused on obtaining experience with novel simulation tools, project management skills, as well as networking and interactions with diverse partners from industry and academia. The broad scope of the project which focused on optics and microelectronics, helped the researcher expand his area and scope of research interest significantly
There are two main outcomes beyond the state of the art:
Development of a high-performance transparent, flexible and miniaturized capacitive pressure sensor crafted from pyramid microstructures.
Development of a non-invasive imaging technique for full-field vibration measurement with high spatial resolution.
Development of a high-performance transparent, flexible and miniaturized capacitive pressure sensor crafted from pyramid microstructures.
Development of a non-invasive imaging technique for full-field vibration measurement with high spatial resolution.