Neuroprosthetic contact lens enabled sensorimotor system for point-of-care monitoring and feedback of intraocular pressure.

Abstract

The wearable contact lens that continuously monitors intraocular pressure (IOP) facilitates prompt and early-state medical treatments of oculopathies such as glaucoma, postoperative myopia, etc. However, either taking drugs for pre-treatment or delaying the treatment process in the absence of a neural feedback component cannot realize accurate diagnosis or effective treatment. Herein, a neuroprosthetic contact lens enabled sensorimotor system is reported, which consists of a smart contact lens with Ti₃C₂T_x Wheatstone bridge structured IOP strain sensor, a Ti₃C₂T_x temperature sensor and an IOP point-of-care monitoring/display system. The point-of-care IOP monitoring and warning can be realized due to the high sensitivity of 12.52 mV mmHg^-1 of the neuroprosthetic contact lens. In vivo experiments on rabbit eyes demonstrate the excellent wearability and biocompatibility of the neuroprosthetic contact lens. Further experiments on a living rate in vitro successfully mimic the biological sensorimotor loop. The leg twitching (larger or smaller angles) of the living rat was demonstrated under the command of motor cortex controlled by somatosensory cortex when the IOP is away from the normal range (higher or lower).