Researchers at the University of Birmingham have introduced an innovative diagnostic device designed to identify traumatic brain injury (TBI) by employing a safe laser to scan the eye. This groundbreaking technique, explained in Science Advances, distinguishes itself from other diagnostic methods and is poised to evolve into a portable handheld device intended for deployment during the critical ‘golden hour’ following a traumatic brain injury when swift treatment decisions are vital.
Traumatic brain injury, a significant global cause of mortality, often results from sudden head impacts, ranging from mild to severe damage to the brain. Swift diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent irreversible harm, yet TBI can be challenging to detect immediately after injury. Additionally, conventional radiological methods such as X-rays or MRIs are expensive and time-consuming.
Breakthrough Handheld Diagnostic Device Revolutionizes Brain Injury Diagnosis
Led by Professor Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer from the School of Chemical Engineering, the Birmingham researchers have devised this groundbreaking handheld diagnostic tool to swiftly assess patients at the time of injury. It delivers rapid, precise, and non-invasive evaluations, causing no additional discomfort. Moreover, it offers insights into the trauma’s severity, making it suitable for on-site usage, including roadside emergencies, battlefield scenarios, or sports injuries, for TBI assessment.
Professor Pola Goldberg Oppenheimer emphasized the urgency of early TBI diagnosis within the crucial ‘golden hour.’ Currently, diagnosis relies on observations by ambulance crews or MRI and CT scans at distant hospitals. The new device, on the other hand, accelerates the diagnostic process, potentially saving lives by expediting treatment decisions.
This device operates by scanning the rear part of the eye, where the optic nerve is located. As the optic nerve is closely linked to the brain, it carries similar biological information in the form of protein and lipid biomarkers. These biomarkers are carefully regulated, so even the slightest change can indicate an issue. TBI disrupts this balance, signaling a problem.
From Molecular Fingerprints to Point-of-Care Potential
Previous research has demonstrated the device’s ability to accurately detect changes in animal brain and eye tissues associated with various levels of brain injury, even picking up subtle alterations. The device featured in this study goes beyond detection; it analyzes the composition and equilibrium of these biomarkers to establish ‘molecular fingerprints. The current study outlines the development, manufacturing, and optimization of a proof-of-concept prototype, along with its use in reading biochemical fingerprints of brain injury on the optic nerve to determine its viability for initial on-site TBI diagnosis.
The researchers created a phantom eye for alignment and focusing tests, used animal tissue to distinguish between TBI and non-TBI states, and implemented AI-based decision support tools to swiftly categorize TBIs.The device is now poised for further assessment, including clinical feasibility and efficacy studies, as well as patient acceptance. The researchers anticipate that this diagnostic device will evolve into a portable technology suitable for point-of-care conditions. It will rapidly determine the presence of TBI and classify its severity, enabling precise and timely triage.
Resource: Medtechnews, November 29, 2023
This article has been prepared with the assistance of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author.
