# Brillouin optical eye scanner prototypes for commercialization

> **NIH NIH R42** · INTELON OPTICS, INC. · 2022 · $568,479

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The overall goal of this STTR project is to commercialize a novel optical eye scanner device capable of
measuring the biomechanical properties of tissues via Brillouin light scattering. The Brillouin technology
invented in the co-PI’s lab has shown broad potential for improving the diagnosis and treatment of vision
disorders. Clinical data obtained with current laboratory systems revealed corneal stiffness changes
caused by keratoconus, collagen crosslinking and keratectomy. For commercialization of this promising
technology, this fast-track project streamlines development through innovative engineering that focuses
on miniaturization, cost lowering and manufacturing compatibility, in close collaboration between the
inventor’s lab and a spin-off startup that is led by an experienced team in the ophthalmology device
industry. Phase-I was previously funded to develop a frequency-stabilized laser source with reduced
spontaneous emission noise (successfully completed). Phase-II will take this innovation to develop and
test a tabletop alpha prototype (Aim II-1) and then build portable beta prototypes (Aim II-2). The
functionality, reliability and operability of the prototypes will be validated in clinical pilot trials in an eye
hospital for variety of clinical cases including keratoconus cases, pre- and post- refractive surgery cases,
and pre- and post- collagen crosslinking cases. The successful completion of this project will have
transferred Brillouin microscopy from academia to the medical device industry, and will accelerate the
translation of tissue biomechanical assessments into clinical practice. Ultimately, the successful
commercialization of in vivo Brillouin imaging will have a high impact on eye healthcare by improving the
diagnosis, intervention and surgical treatment of various vision problems.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10408829
- **Project number:** 5R42EY028820-03
- **Recipient organization:** INTELON OPTICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** DIMITRI CHERNYAK
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $568,479
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-15 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10408829

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10408829, Brillouin optical eye scanner prototypes for commercialization (5R42EY028820-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10408829. Licensed CC0.

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