Smart contact lens diagnoses Alzheimer's disease at an early stage
Researchers have developed an intraocular lens that can be inserted into the eye to diagnose degenerative diseases of the brain.
Engineers from the Korea Institute of Machines and Materials have created a device for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. The smart contact lens detects the presence of biomarkers associated with these disorders in the eye.
The researchers developed a sensor module based on a biosensitive hydrogel. It is a jelly-like substance whose main component is water and is used to create flexible contact lenses. The researchers created a hydrogel whose shape changes when it interacts with certain proteins.
In creating the lenses, the researchers applied two types of patterns of parallel lines with different distances between them to the hydrogel. When the pattern of the hydrogel, to which an antibody to a particular protein is bound, reacts with the target biomarker, it shrinks and becomes narrower.
The researchers used the moiré patterns formed by the contracted and reference patterns to diagnose the markers found. A moire is a pattern formed by overlapping parallel lines that are combined differently with different shape changes.
The authors of the work tested their device with a hydrogel sensitive to brain-derived neurotrophic factor and platelet growth factor. These are two biomarkers indicative of brain abnormalities. The study showed that analysis of moiré patterns is much more sensitive than direct observations.
Scientists believe the new device, which is easy to use, will help ensure that more people have access to early stage diagnosis of disease.
Engineers from the Korea Institute of Machines and Materials have created a device for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. The smart contact lens detects the presence of biomarkers associated with these disorders in the eye.
The researchers developed a sensor module based on a biosensitive hydrogel. It is a jelly-like substance whose main component is water and is used to create flexible contact lenses. The researchers created a hydrogel whose shape changes when it interacts with certain proteins.
In creating the lenses, the researchers applied two types of patterns of parallel lines with different distances between them to the hydrogel. When the pattern of the hydrogel, to which an antibody to a particular protein is bound, reacts with the target biomarker, it shrinks and becomes narrower.
The researchers used the moiré patterns formed by the contracted and reference patterns to diagnose the markers found. A moire is a pattern formed by overlapping parallel lines that are combined differently with different shape changes.
The authors of the work tested their device with a hydrogel sensitive to brain-derived neurotrophic factor and platelet growth factor. These are two biomarkers indicative of brain abnormalities. The study showed that analysis of moiré patterns is much more sensitive than direct observations.
Scientists believe the new device, which is easy to use, will help ensure that more people have access to early stage diagnosis of disease.