The consortium between GlakoLens, Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (UNN) for the GLAKSys project (FTI, H2020) aims to develop an innovative healthcare solution based on a novel, non-invasive continuous intraocular pressure monitoring device for the management of chronic disease, glaucoma.
Glaucoma significantly reduces the quality of life and presents a heavy burden on healthcare systems because glaucoma is a chronic condition with no permanent cure and is a leading cause of blindness. The conventional measurement of glaucoma relies on a single intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement conducted at the clinic. Due to the circadian cycle of IOP, the conventional method does not provide sufficient and reliable information to evaluate the condition of the patients accurately, as a consequence disease progresses and negative effects on patients are more serious.
GlakoLens is a medical devices company developing innovative biosensors based on proprietary technology and cutting-edge research, first of which is a contact lens embedded wireless intraocular pressure monitoring device.
CPI is a UK based technology and innovation center that uses applied knowledge in science and engineering combined with state-of-the-art development facilities to enable companies to develop, prove, prototype and scale up the next generation of products and processes. In this R&D collaboration, CPI will develop the scalable fabrication process and pilot production of the sensors.
The CSIC is Spain’s largest public research institution and plays a key role in scientific and technological policy in Spain. The Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (a research center of CSIC) will take part in the modelling and evaluation of the sensors to ensure optimum performance.
UNN is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence. Smart Materials Group at Northumbria University will develop the integration process of sensors into the contact lenses and their surface treatments.
