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Zaca-Morán R, Mitre-Martínez DG, Castillo-Mixcóalt J, Zaca-Morán P, Ramos-García R, Ramírez-San-Juan JC, Morán-Raya C, Padilla-Martínez JP. 3D printed needleless injector based on thermocavitation: analysis of impact and penetration depth in skin phantoms in a repetitive regime. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-024-01639-1. [PMID: 38831200 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-024-01639-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
A global issue that requires attention is the duality between the shortage of needles for regular vaccination campaigns and the exponential increase in syringe and needle waste from such campaigns, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this problem, this study presents a 3D printed needleless injector based on thermocavitation. The work focused on investigating the interaction of the resulting liquid jets with skin phantoms at different concentrations (1-2%), emphasizing their impact and penetration depth in a repetitive regime. The injector was designed and fabricated from a semi-transparent polymer using a high-resolution 3D printer, allowing the ejection of liquid jets with velocities up to ~ 73 m/s. The impact of these jets on skin phantoms was evaluated using a high-speed camera. After 6 consecutive liquid jets (1% concentration), a maximum penetration depth of ~ 2.5 mm was achieved, delivering approximately 4.7 µL. For the highest concentration (2.0%) and the same number of shots, the penetration depth was reduced to ~ 0.6 mm with a delivered volume of ~ 0.7 µL. An important finding of this study is that the liquid jet with the highest pressure does not cause the maximum penetration depth, but is the result of a series of successive shots. In addition, the velocity and shape of the ejected jet are determined by the amount of solution and the meniscus formed inside the injector. These findings advance the development of precise and efficient thermocavitation-based injectors with broad potential applications in medical and pharmaceutical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Zaca-Morán
- Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
- División de Posgrado, Universidad Politécnica de Tulancingo, Tulancingo de Bravo, Hidalgo, 43629, México
| | | | - Juan Castillo-Mixcóalt
- Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
| | - Placido Zaca-Morán
- Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
| | - Rubén Ramos-García
- Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Coordinación de óptica, Tonantzintla, Puebla, 72840, México
| | - Julio César Ramírez-San-Juan
- Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Coordinación de óptica, Tonantzintla, Puebla, 72840, México
| | - Carolina Morán-Raya
- Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, 72050, México
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Li GY, Feng X, Yun SH. In Vivo Optical Coherence Elastography Unveils Spatial Variation of Human Corneal Stiffness. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2024; 71:1418-1429. [PMID: 38032780 PMCID: PMC11086014 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2023.3338086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mechanical properties of corneal tissues play a crucial role in determining corneal shape and have significant implications in vision care. This study aimed to address the challenge of obtaining accurate in vivo data for the human cornea. METHODS We have developed a high-frequency optical coherence elastography (OCE) technique using shear-like antisymmetric (A0)-mode Lamb waves at frequencies above 10 kHz. RESULTS By incorporating an anisotropic, nonlinear constitutive model and utilizing the acoustoelastic theory, we gained quantitative insights into the influence of corneal tension on wave speeds and elastic moduli. Our study revealed significant spatial variations in the shear modulus of the corneal stroma on healthy subjects for the first time. Over an age span from 21 to 34 (N = 6), the central corneas exhibited a mean shear modulus of 87 kPa, while the corneal periphery showed a significant decrease to 44 kPa. The central cornea's shear modulus decreases with age with a slope of -19 +/- 8 kPa per decade, whereas the periphery showed non-significant age dependence. The limbus demonstrated an increased shear modulus exceeding 100 kPa. We obtained wave displacement profiles that are consistent with highly anisotropic corneal tissues. CONCLUSION Our approach enabled precise measurement of corneal tissue elastic moduli in situ with high precision (<7%) and high spatial resolution (<1 mm). Our results revealed significant stiffness variation from the central to peripheral corneas. SIGNIFICANCE The high-frequency OCE technique holds promise for biomechanical evaluation in clinical settings, providing valuable information for refractive surgeries, degenerative disorder diagnoses, and intraocular pressure assessments.
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Tjoa K, Nadhif MH, Utami SS, Kusuma SR, Astagiri PY, Adriono GA. Mechanical, optical, chemical, and biological evaluations of fish scale-derived scaffold for corneal replacements: A systematic review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 267:131183. [PMID: 38580016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Corneal blindness is commonly treated through corneal replacement with allogeneic corneal donors, which may face shortage. Regarding this issue, xenogeneic alternatives are explored. Fish scale-derived scaffolds (FSSs) are among the alternatives due to the lower risk of infection and abundant sources of raw materials. Unfortunately, the information about mechanical, optical, chemical, and biological performances of FSSs for corneal replacements is still scattered, as well as about the fabrication techniques. This study aims to gather scattered pieces of information about the mentioned performances and fabrication techniques of FSSs for corneal replacements. Sorted from four scientific databases and using the PRISMA checklist, eleven relevant articles are collected. FSSs are commonly fabricated using decellularization and decalcification processes, generating FSSs with parallel multilayers or crossed fibers with topographic microchannels. In the collected studies, similar mechanical properties of FSSs to native tissues are discovered, as well as good transparency, light remittance, but poorer refractive indexes than native tissues. Biological evaluations mostly discuss histology, cell proliferations, and immune responses on FSSs, while only a few studies examine the vascularization. No studies completed comprehensive evaluations on the four properties. The current progress of FSS developments demonstrates the potential of FSS use for corneal replacements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Tjoa
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Hanif Nadhif
- Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Medical Technology Cluster, Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia.
| | | | | | - Prasandhya Yusuf Astagiri
- Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Medical Technology Cluster, Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute, Jakarta, Indonesia
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Shih HJ, Cheng SC, Shih PJ. Experimental evaluation of corneal stress-optic coefficients using a pair of force test. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024; 152:106454. [PMID: 38354567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Topography and tomography are valuable techniques for measuring the corneal shape, but they cannot directly assess its internal mechanical stresses. And nonuniform corneal stress plays a crucial biomechanical role in the progression of diseases and postoperative changes. Given the cornea's inherent transparency, analyzing corneal stresses using the photoelasticity method is highly advantageous. However, quantification of photoelasticity faces challenges in obtaining the stress-optic coefficient due to wrinkles caused by the non-spherical geometry during tensional experiments. OBJECTIVE In this study, we propose an innovative experimental setup aimed at generating a gradient field of simple shear stress and achieving surface flatness during corneal stretching experiments, enabling the acquisition of the stress-optic coefficient through comparison with numerical results. METHODS Our designed setup applies fluid pressure and force couples on the cornea. The internal fluid pressure maintains the corneal shape, preventing wrinkles, while the force couples create a stress field leading to isochromatic fringes. RESULTS We successfully measured the stress-optic coefficients of the porcine anisotropic cornea in ex-vivo as 1.87 × 10-9 (horizontal) and 1.97 × 10-9 (vertical) (m2/N). Each isochromatic fringe order represents a shear stress range of 6.05 × 104 Pa under a low tension. CONCLUSIONS This study establishes a significant connection between corneal photoelastic patterns and the quantification of corneal stress by enabling direct measurement through advanced photoelastic visualization technology for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Ju Shih
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Chien Cheng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Jen Shih
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Wu LY, Lin WP, Wu R, White L, Abass A. FEA-Based Stress-Strain Barometers as Forecasters for Corneal Refractive Power Change in Orthokeratology. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:166. [PMID: 38391654 PMCID: PMC10886155 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11020166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To improve the effectivity of patient-specific finite element analysis (FEA) to predict refractive power change (RPC) in rigid Ortho-K contact lens fitting. Novel eyelid boundary detection is introduced to the FEA model to better model the effects of the lid on lens performance, and stress and strain outcomes are investigated to identify the most effective FEA components to use in modelling. METHODS The current study utilises fully anonymised records of 249 eyes, 132 right eyes, and 117 left eyes from subjects aged 14.1 ± 4.0 years on average (range 9 to 38 years), which were selected for secondary analysis processing. A set of custom-built MATLAB codes was built to automate the process from reading Medmont E300 height and distance files to processing and displaying FEA stress and strain outcomes. Measurements from before and after contact lens wear were handled to obtain the corneal surface change in shape and power. Tangential refractive power maps were constructed from which changes in refractive power pre- and post-Ortho-K wear were determined as the refractive power change (RPC). A total of 249 patient-specific FEA with innovative eyelid boundary detection and 3D construction analyses were automatically built and run for every anterior eye and lens combination while the lens was located in its clinically detected position. Maps of four stress components: contact pressure, Mises stress, pressure, and maximum principal stress were created in addition to maximum principal logarithmic strain maps. Stress and strain components were compared to the clinical RPC maps using the two-dimensional (2D) normalised cross-correlation and structural similarity (SSIM) index measure. RESULTS On the one hand, the maximum principal logarithmic strain recorded the highest moderate 2D cross-correlation area of 8.6 ± 10.3%, and contact pressure recorded the lowest area of 6.6 ± 9%. Mises stress recorded the second highest moderate 2D cross-correlation area with 8.3 ± 10.4%. On the other hand, when the SSIM index was used to compare the areas that were most similar to the clinical RPC, maximum principal stress was the most similar, with an average strong similarity percentage area of 26.5 ± 3.3%, and contact pressure was the least strong similarity area of 10.3 ± 7.3%. Regarding the moderate similarity areas, all components were recorded at around 34.4% similarity area except the contact pressure, which was down to 32.7 ± 5.8%. CONCLUSIONS FEA is an increasingly effective tool in being able to predict the refractive outcome of Ortho-K treatment. Its accuracy depends on identifying which clinical and modelling metrics contribute to the most accurate prediction of RPC with minimal ocular complications. In terms of clinical metrics, age, Intra-ocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), surface topography, lens decentration and the 3D eyelid effect are all important for effective modelling. In terms of FEA components, maximum principal stress was found to be the best FEA barometer that can be used to predict the performance of Ortho-K lenses. In contrast, contact pressure provided the worst stress performance. In terms of strain, the maximum principal logarithmic strain was an effective strain barometer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lo-Yu Wu
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, Nation Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
- Research and Development Center, Brighten Optix Corporation, Taipei 111, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Pin Lin
- Research and Development Center, Brighten Optix Corporation, Taipei 111, Taiwan
- Department of Optometry, University of Kang Ning, Taipei 114, Taiwan
| | - Richard Wu
- Research and Development Center, Brighten Optix Corporation, Taipei 111, Taiwan
- College of Optometry, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR 97116, USA
| | - Lynn White
- Research and Development Department, LWVision, Leicester LE18 1DF, UK
| | - Ahmed Abass
- Department of Materials, Design and Manufacturing Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK
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Li GY, Feng X, Yun SH. Simultaneous tensile and shear measurement of the human cornea in vivo using S0- and A0-wave optical coherence elastography. Acta Biomater 2024; 175:114-122. [PMID: 38101555 PMCID: PMC10872441 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding corneal stiffness is valuable for improving refractive surgery, detecting corneal abnormalities, and assessing intraocular pressure. However, accurately measuring the elastic properties, specifically the tensile and shear moduli that govern mechanical deformation, has been challenging. To tackle this issue, we have developed guided-wave optical coherence elastography that can simultaneously excite and analyze symmetric (S0) and anti-symmetric (A0) elastic waves in the cornea at around 10 kHz frequencies, enabling us to extract tensile and shear properties from measured wave dispersion curves. We verified the technique using elastomer phantoms and ex vivo porcine corneas and investigated the dependence on intraocular pressure using acoustoelastic theory that incorporates corneal tension and a nonlinear constitutive tissue model. In a pilot study involving six healthy human subjects aged 31 to 62, we measured shear moduli (Gzx) of 94±20 kPa (mean±standard deviation) and tensile moduli (Exx) of 4.0±1.1 MPa at central corneas. Our preliminary analysis of age-dependence revealed contrasting trends: -8.3±4.5 kPa/decade for shear and 0.30±0.21 MPa/decade for tensile modulus. This OCE technique has the potential to become a highly useful clinical tool for the quantitative biomechanical assessment of the cornea. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This article reports an innovative elastography technique using two guided elastic waves, demonstrating the measurement of both tensile and shear moduli in human cornea in vivo with unprecedented precision. This technique paves the way for comprehensive investigations into corneal mechanics and holds clinical significance in various aspects of corneal health and disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Yang Li
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Xu Feng
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Seok-Hyun Yun
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Fu L, Hollick EJ, Jones SM. Creation of a proof-of-concept 3D printed corneal trauma simulation model. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:2832-2833. [PMID: 36717707 PMCID: PMC10482947 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02418-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
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Li GY, Feng X, Yun SH. Simultaneous tensile and shear measurement of the human cornea in vivo using S0- and A0-wave optical coherence elastography. ARXIV 2023:arXiv:2308.05316v1. [PMID: 37608935 PMCID: PMC10441437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Understanding corneal stiffness is valuable for improving refractive surgery, detecting corneal abnormalities, and assessing intraocular pressure. However, accurately measuring the elastic properties, particularly the tensile and shear moduli that govern mechanical deformation, has been challenging. To tackle this issue, we have developed guided-wave optical coherence elastography that can simultaneously excite and analyze symmetric (S0) and anti-symmetric (A0) elastic waves in the cornea at frequencies around 10 kHz and allows us to extract tensile and shear properties from measured wave dispersion curves. By applying acoustoelastic theory that incorporates corneal tension and a nonlinear constitutive tissue model, we verified the technique using elastomer phantoms and ex vivo porcine corneas and investigated the dependence on intraocular pressure. For two healthy human subjects, we measured a mean tensile modulus of 3.6 MPa and a mean shear modulus of 76 kPa in vivo with estimated errors of < 4%. This technique shows promise for the quantitative biomechanical assessment of the cornea in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Yang Li
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Xu Feng
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Seok-Hyun Yun
- Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Towler J, Consejo A, Zhou D, Romano V, Levis H, Boote C, Elsheikh A, Geraghty B, Abass A. Typical localised element-specific finite element anterior eye model. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13944. [PMID: 37101628 PMCID: PMC10123217 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The study presents an averaged anterior eye geometry model combined with a localised material model that is straightforward, appropriate and amenable for implementation in finite element (FE) modelling. Methods Both right and left eye profile data of 118 subjects (63 females and 55 males) aged 22-67 years (38.5 ± 7.6) were used to build an averaged geometry model. Parametric representation of the averaged geometry model was achieved through two polynomials dividing the eye into three smoothly connected volumes. This study utilised the collagen microstructure x-ray data of 6 ex-vivo healthy human eyes, 3 right eyes and 3 left eyes in pairs from 3 donors, 1 male and 2 females aged between 60 and 80 years, to build a localised element-specific material model for the eye. Results Fitting the cornea and the posterior sclera sections to a 5th-order Zernike polynomial resulted in 21 coefficients. The averaged anterior eye geometry model recorded a limbus tangent angle of 37° at a radius of 6.6 mm from the corneal apex. In terms of material models, the difference between the stresses generated in the inflation simulation up to 15 mmHg in the ring-segmented material model and localised element-specific material model were significantly different (p < 0.001) with the ring-segmented material model recording average Von-Mises stress 0.0168 ± 0.0046 MPa and the localised element-specific material model recording average Von-Mises stress 0.0144 ± 0.0025 MPa. Conclusions The study illustrates an averaged geometry model of the anterior human eye that is easy to generate through two parametric equations. This model is combined with a localised material model that can be used either parametrically through a Zernike fitted polynomial or non-parametrically as a function of the azimuth angle and the elevation angle of the eye globe. Both averaged geometry and localised material models were built in a way that makes them easy to implement in FE analysis without additional computation cost compared to the limbal discontinuity so-called idealised eye geometry model or ring-segmented material model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Towler
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Dong Zhou
- Department of Civil Engineering and Industrial Design, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Vito Romano
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences, And Public Health, Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - Hannah Levis
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Craig Boote
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Ahmed Elsheikh
- Department of Civil Engineering and Industrial Design, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Brendan Geraghty
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ahmed Abass
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Production Engineering and Mechanical Design, Faculty of Engineering, Port Said University, Egypt
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Tsai MC, Daniels JT. The impact of biomechanics on corneal endothelium tissue engineering. Exp Eye Res 2021; 209:108690. [PMID: 34216616 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2021.108690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The integrity of innermost layer of the cornea, the corneal endothelium, is key to sustaining corneal transparency. Therefore, disease or injury causing loss or damage to the corneal endothelial cell population may threaten vision. Transplantation of corneal tissue is the standard treatment used to replace malfunctioning corneal endothelial cells. However, this surgery is dependent upon donor tissue, which is limited in supply. Hence, tissue engineers have attempted to construct alternative transplantable tissues or cell therapies to alleviate this problem. Nevertheless, the intrinsic non-dividing nature of corneal endothelial cells continues to foil scientists in their attempts to yield large numbers of cells in the laboratory for use in such novel therapies. Interestingly, the contribution of the biomechanical properties of the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM) on cell division, tissue development and maintenance has been extensively investigated in other many cell types. However, the impact of biomechanics on corneal endothelial cell behaviour is relatively unexplored. Here, we describe contemporary tissue engineering solutions aimed at circumventing donor tissue scarcity. We review the ECM structure and biomechanical features of corneal endothelial cells. We discuss the alterations of ECM in endothelial disease development and progression and point out the role of ECM in developing a tissue-engineered corneal endothelium. We highlight the main biomechanical cues, including topographical and mechanical features, that impact cellular behaviors. Finally, we discuss the influence of biomechanical cues on cell and tissue development, and how corneal endothelial cells response to individual biomechanical stimuli in tissue engineering, which have implications for designing an engineered endothelium and maintaining cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Chen Tsai
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Julie T Daniels
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
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Lace R, Duffy GL, Gallagher AG, Doherty KG, Maklad O, Wellings DA, Williams RL. Characterization of Tunable Poly-ε-Lysine-Based Hydrogels for Corneal Tissue Engineering. Macromol Biosci 2021; 21:e2100036. [PMID: 33955160 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202100036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
A family of poly-ε-lysine hydrogels can be synthesized by crosslinking with bis-carboxylic acids using carbodiimide chemistry. In addition to creating hydrogels using a simple cast method, a fragmented method is used to introduce increased porosity within the hydrogel structure. Both methods have created tunable characteristics ranging in their mechanical properties, transparency, and water content, which is of interest to corneal tissue engineering and can be tailored to specific cellular needs and applications. With a worldwide shortage of cornea donor tissue available for transplant and limitations including rejection and potential infection, a synthetic material that can be used as a graft, or a partial thickness corneal replacement, would be an advantageous treatment method. These hydrogels can be tuned to have similar mechanical and transparency properties to the human cornea. They also support the attachment and growth of corneal epithelial cells and the integration of corneal stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Lace
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Georgia L Duffy
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Andrew G Gallagher
- SpheriTech Ltd., Business and Technical Park, The Heath, Runcorn, WA7 4QX, UK
| | - Kyle G Doherty
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Osama Maklad
- School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH, UK
| | - Donald A Wellings
- SpheriTech Ltd., Business and Technical Park, The Heath, Runcorn, WA7 4QX, UK
| | - Rachel L Williams
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
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Nishida T, Kojima T, Kataoka T, Isogai N, Yoshida Y, Nakamura T. Evaluation of Biomechanically Corrected Intraocular Pressure Measurements in Keratoconus and Forme Fruste Keratoconus. Ophthalmic Res 2020; 63:541-549. [PMID: 32106114 DOI: 10.1159/000506839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) is available, the effectiveness of intraocular pressure (IOP) correction in keratoconus and forme fruste keratoconus (FFK) eyes has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE Evaluation of bIOP measurements in eyes with keratoconus and FFK. METHODS Forty-two eyes in 21 patients with keratoconus in one eye and FFK in the fellow eye were examined (KC/FFK group; mean age 24.62 ± 8.6 years; 16 males and 5 females). The control group consisted of 62 eyes in 31 unaffected subjects (mean age 26.26 ± 3.64 years; 15 males and 16 females). The bIOP was determined using a Scheimpflug-based tonometer (Corvis Scheimpflug Technology [Corvis ST®]) after measuring the IOP with a conventional non-contact tonometer (NIOP). The agreement between NIOP and bIOP values was examined using the Bland-Altman plot. The difference between NIOP and bIOP (bIOP correction amount) was compared between keratoconus and FFK eyes. RESULTS In the control group, there were no significant differences between right and left eyes in both NIOP and bIOP values (p = 0.975 and p = 0.224, respectively). In the KC/FFK group, NIOP values were significantly lower in the keratoconus eyes (9.93 ± 1.96 mm Hg) than in the FFK eyes (12.23 ± 3.03 mm Hg; p = 0.0003). There was no significant difference in bIOP values between the right and left eyes of the KC/FFK group (p = 0.168). The bIOP correction amount was significantly increased in keratoconus eyes (3.58 ± 2.12 mm Hg) compared to in FFK eyes (1.80 ± 3.32 mm Hg; p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS For eyes with keratoconus and FFK, the bIOP method is effective to adjust IOP measurements based on corneal biomechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takashi Kojima
- Nagoya Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan, .,Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan,
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