Development of an intra surgical topograph (first prototype)

• Grant number: 97/13359-2
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: June 01, 1998
• End date: March 31, 2001
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Medical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Silvio Antonio Tonissi Júnior
• Grantee: Silvio Antonio Tonissi Júnior
• Company: Eyetec Equipamentos Oftalmicos Indústria, Comércio Importação e Exportação Ltda. - EPP
• City: São Carlos

Abstract

The objective of this project is to carry out of practical research in the area of cornea topography and the development of the first prototype for intra surgical topography (for use during the surgery), an instrument unprecedented on the national or international market. As a first step, a system for the projection of cornea rings must be developed, which will perform well during surgery. Its light must not be obscured by the illumination of the surgical microscope and the reflection on the cornea must be sharp. The projector should be built in the form of three acrylic cones. Once assembled, it will be coupled to a fiber optic illumination system with light source intensity that can be regulated. It is intended to produce the system in two versions: one for a notebook, and the other for a desktop, both computers to be IBM-PC compatible. The first will have the advantage of being portable; the second will be able to use image capturing video boards specific to a desktop, which enable capture of better quality images and in real time. The digitalized images will be processed for the detection of rings reflected by the cornea. Algorithms of mathematical models of topography of the human cornea will be applied to the information obtained. Topographical maps, with color codes for different curvatures, will be generated and available in intervals of a few seconds during the surgery, thus assisting the surgeon in the diagnosis of surface irregularities. Cataract and refractive surgeries in general, are examples for the use of this system. (AU)