BACKGROUND:

Intracranial pressure (ICP) is exerted by the cranium on the brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the brain’s circulating blood volume. ICP is a dynamic phenomenon that constantly changes during such activities as exercise, coughing, straining, arterial pulsation and the respiratory cycle.

Brain trauma and other neurological conditions, including brain tumors, can cause elevated ICP. This elevated pressure can be fatal if prolonged, so it must be monitored and treated.

Currently, ICP is usually measured with a spinal tap, which involves puncturing the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord. For many diseases, this must be done repeatedly to monitor treatment results or disease progression. Such invasive monitoring involves risk and discomfort and is not always feasible.

This technology measures ICP in a simpler, non-invasive and far less-painful way. It would benefit 375,000 Americans who are hospitalized annually with non-fatal brain injuries.

TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION

Provides a non-invasive method for measuring ICP by imaging the patient’s eye with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

Obtains an approximation of ICP by using OCT images to monitor changes of the optic nerve head. Elevated ICP causes the optic nerve head to swell.

OCT can detect the preclinical signs of this swelling, called papilledema. These signs are dependent on relative ICP and intraocular pressure (IOP).

Thus, ICP can be calculated by measuring the preclinical signs of papilledema, using OCT combined with IOP measurements.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

• The correlation between ICP and mean nerve fiber
layer thickness has been demonstrated through a pilot study conducted in humans

• Seeking to partner with an OCT device manufacturer to test the device in a Phase I clinical trial

none

File Number: 1997-006 

Web site: http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.474061...

Disease: Central Nervous System

Other Information:

Principal Investigator:
Mark Borchert

Additional Investigator(s):
James Lambert

Contact:
Jessica L. Rousset, Director
E-mail: JRousset@chla.usc.edu
Phone: 323.361.4531