Department of Science, Astana IT University, Astana 020000, Kazakhstan.
Department of Physics, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
Biosensors (Basel). 2024 Jul 30;14(8):371. doi: 10.3390/bios14080371.
Noninvasive in situ monitoring of viscoelastic characteristics of corneal tissue at elevated temperatures is pivotal for mechanical property-informed refractive surgery techniques, including thermokeratoplasty and photorefractive keratectomy, requiring precise thermal modifications of the corneal structure during these surgical procedures. This study harnesses Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy as a biosensing platform to noninvasively probe the viscoelastic properties of ovine corneas across a temperature range of 25-64 °C. By submerging the tissue samples in silicone oil, consistent hydration and immiscibility are maintained, allowing for their accurate sensing of temperature-dependent mechanical behaviors. We identify significant phase transitions in the corneal tissue, particularly beyond 40 °C, likely due to collagen unfolding, marking the beginning of thermal destabilization. A subsequent transition, observed beyond 60 °C, correlates with collagen denaturation. These phase transformations highlight the cornea's sensitivity to both physiologically reversible and irreversible viscoelastic changes induced by mild to high temperatures. Our findings underscore the potential of the Brillouin biosensing technique for real-time diagnostics of corneal biomechanics during refractive surgeries to attain optimized therapeutic outcomes.
在升高的温度下非侵入式原位监测角膜组织的黏弹性特征对于机械特性指导的屈光手术技术至关重要，包括热角膜塑形术和光折射性角膜切削术，这些手术过程需要精确地对角膜结构进行热改性。本研究利用布里渊光散射光谱作为生物传感平台，在 25-64°C 的温度范围内非侵入式探测绵羊角膜的黏弹性特性。通过将组织样本浸入硅油中，保持一致的水合作用和不混溶性，从而能够准确感知温度依赖性的机械行为。我们在角膜组织中发现了显著的相转变，特别是在 40°C 以上，可能是由于胶原蛋白展开，标志着热失稳的开始。在 60°C 以上观察到的后续转变与胶原蛋白变性相关。这些相转变突出了角膜对由低至高温度引起的生理上可逆和不可逆黏弹性变化的敏感性。我们的研究结果强调了布里渊生物传感技术在屈光手术中实时诊断角膜生物力学以获得优化治疗效果的潜力。
