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Possible errors in determining axial length changes during accommodation with the IOLMaster.

PURPOSE: The Zeiss IOLMaster uses partial coherence interferometry to measure the optical path length within the eye. This is converted into the axial length. There are errors in measuring possible changes in axial length as a result of accommodation, because the instrument uses an average refractive index in the eye. We determined the likely extent of these errors. METHOD: Errors were estimated using Gullstrand's no. 1 schematic eyes. One set of these had the shell structure of the eyes, and another set had the gradient index structure specified by Gullstrand. RESULTS: Errors were 18 to 26 microm for an accommodation of 10.9 D. CONCLUSIONS: The worth of the IOLMaster would be increased if it used an equation for conversion from optical length to geometrical length that took into account variations in lens thickness and if it were able to be modified to provide component distances and the axial length using partial coherence tomography.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

Efficacy of a new warm moist air device on tear functions of patients with simple meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an original warm moist air device on tear functions and ocular surface of patients with simple meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: Fifteen patients with simple MGD and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited in an initial prospective interventional clinical trial to evaluate the safety and short-term effects of the warm moist air device. The device was applied to the eyes of the subjects for 10 minutes. Temperatures of the eye lids and corneas were measured with an infrared thermometer. Symptoms of ocular fatigue were scored using visual analog scales (VASs). Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), DR-1 tear film lipid layer interferometry, fluorescein staining, and rose bengal staining were also performed before and after the application of the eye steamer. After the initial study, another 2-week prospective clinical trial was carried out in 10 patients with MGD who received the warm moist air treatment. Ten other patients were also recruited and received warm compress treatment with hot towels for 2 weeks to evaluate the long-term effects of the warm moist air device and the warm compresses on tear film lipid layer thickness and ocular surface health. The warm moist air device and the warm compresses were applied for 10 minutes twice a day. The changes in VAS scores for symptoms, BUT values, fluorescein, and rose bengal staining scores were examined before and after each treatment during the second trial. RESULTS: VAS scores of ocular fatigue improved significantly with short- and long-term applications of the warm moist air device in both studies. The mean corneal surface and eye lid temperatures showed significant elevation within safe limits 10 minutes after the moist air application. The mean BUT prolonged significantly in the patients receiving warm moist air applications but did not change significantly in those treated with warm compresses. DR-1 tear film lipid layer interference showed evidence of lipid expression in the patients and controls, with thickening of the tear film lipid layer after 10 minutes of warm moist air device use. In the 2-week trial, tear film lipid layer thickness increased in both warm moist air device and warm compress groups, with a greater extent of increase in the warm moist air device group. CONCLUSION: Warm moist air device use provided symptomatic relief of ocular fatigue and improvement of tear stability in patients with MGD. The new warm moist air device seems to be a safe and promising alternative in the treatment of MGD.

Aged↗

Construction of a high-resolution moiré interferometer for investigating microstructural displacement fields in materials.

A high-magnification moiré interferometer has been constructed with a spatial resolution of the order of 1 microm to measure the local in-plane displacement field associated with a material's microstructure. Laser illumination passes through phase-stepping optics and is delivered to the microscope head by polarization-preserving single-mode optical fibres. The head itself is a compact unit consisting of collimating optics, an objective lens and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. Thin-phase gratings are cast onto the sample surface with a compliant epoxy resin and coated with ca. 5 nm of gold to enhance the fringe contrast and reduce speckle noise. By switching between the laser illumination and white-light illumination, the underlying microstructure is viewed in exact registration with the measured displacement fields. The application of the instrument is illustrated here by visualization of displacement fields in polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) during deformation to failure. PBXs are highly filled polymers consisting of up to 95% by weight crystalline explosive bound in a variety of polymeric binders. The mechanical properties of PBXs are highly dependent on the microstructure, and moiré interferometry is an ideal tool for investigating the relationship between the 1-100 microm sized crystals and the displacement fields. Methods such as this are required if computer models of inhomogeneous materials are to be accurately validated.

Azocines↗

Investigation of chromophore-chromophore interaction by electro-optic measurements, linear dichroism, x-ray scattering, and density-functional calculations.

Free-beam interferometry and angle-resolved absorption spectra are used to investigate the linear electro-optic coefficients and the linear dichroism in photoaddressable bis-azo copolymer thin films. From the first- and second order parameters deduced, the chromophore orientation distribution is calculated and displayed for several poling temperatures and chromophore concentrations. The influence of dipole-dipole interaction on the overall polymer dynamics is discussed. The first order parameter, and therefore the Pockels effect, peaks for a poling temperature of around 10 degrees C above the glass transition. The decrease of the Pockels effect above this temperature region is triggered by a head-to-tail chromophore orientation, i.e., a transition to a microcrystalline phase, increasing the second order parameter. Comparison of the experimentally observed absorption spectra and those obtained by density-functional calculations support the picture of differently aligned bis-azo dye molecules in a trans,trans configuration. Complementary wide-angle x-ray scattering is recorded to confirm the various kinds of ordering in samples poled at different temperatures.

Algorithms↗

Nonlinear interferometric vibrational imaging.

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) processes are "coherent," but the phase of the anti-Stokes radiation is lost by most incoherent spectroscopic CARS measurements. We propose a Raman microscopy imaging method called nonlinear interferometric vibrational imaging, which measures Raman spectra by obtaining the temporal anti-Stokes signal through nonlinear interferometry. With a more complete knowledge of the anti-Stokes signal, we show through simulations that a high-resolution Raman spectrum can be obtained of a molecule in a single pulse using broad band radiation. This could be useful for identifying the three-dimensional spatial distribution of molecular species in tissue.

DNA↗

Rapid solubility measurement of protein crystals as a function of precipitant concentration with micro-dialysis cell and two-beam interferometer.

A novel dialysis-based technique was developed for the rapid and sample-saving determination of the precipitant dependence of protein solubility. A unique thin dialysis cell was developed which permits both the direct optical measurement of protein concentration and the observation of concentration gradients around a crystal via two-beam interferometry. Interferograms around a lysozyme crystal under the desired concentrations of precipitant (NaCl) and lysozyme were observed to determine whether the crystal is growing or dissolving. This technique enables the precipitant-dependent solubility curve of lysozyme crystal to be obtained in two days using a small sample (total amount: 7 mg lysozyme).

Chemical Precipitation↗

Advanced optical tweezers for the study of cellular and molecular biomechanics.

Optical tweezers are an important tool for studying cellular and molecular biomechanics. We present a robust optical tweezers device with advanced features including: multiple optical traps, acousto-optic trap steering, and back focal plane interferometry position detection. We integrate these features into an upright microscope, with no compromise to its capabilities (differential interference contrast microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, etc.). Acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) steer each beam and can create multiple time-shared traps. Position detection, force calibrations and AOD performance are presented. The system can detect subnanometer displacements and forces below 0.1 pN.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Reference ranges of skin micro-relief according to age in French Caucasian and Japanese women.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The variation of skin surface morphological indicators according to age has not been frequently studied. The aim of this work was to establish French Caucasian and Japanese reference ranges of these indicators according to age. METHODS: Two studies were performed simultaneously in Paris and Sendai on 356 Caucasian and 120 Japanese healthy women aged from 20 to 80 years. Skin replicas were obtained from the volar forearm and analysed by interferometry. This analysis yielded 16 morphological indicators. Reference ranges according to age were established using the statistical methodology defined by Royston. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Reference ranges were found for 15 out of the 16 parameters for the French women as well as for the Japanese women. The models' truthfulness will have to be confirmed using new samples, larger if possible. Moreover, non-parametric methods will be used in order to compare the results provided by these approaches.

Adult↗

Optimization of biometry for intraocular lens implantation using the Zeiss IOLMaster.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of biometry using conventional A-scan ultrasonography and partial coherence interferometry, and to improve the accuracy of biometry by sequential audit of postoperative refractive error. METHODS: The study was performed in three phases. In phase 1, 20 consecutive patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification underwent biometry using both A-scan ultrasonography and the Zeiss IOLMaster (ZIOLM). A single experienced optometrist refracted all patients 2 weeks after surgery. The errors between expected and achieved refraction were calculated and compared between the two methods. In phases 2 and 3, a further 22 and 20 patients, respectively, were recruited and only the ZIOLM was used for biometry. The manufacturer's suggested A-constant was refined and the error between expected and achieved refraction was calculated. RESULTS: In phase 1, the median unexpected error for the ZIOLM was+0.63 (interquartile range+0.368 to+1.015) and for A-scan biometry was --0.24 (interquartile range--1.335 to+0.802). In phase 1 65% of patients' postoperative refractions were found to be within 1.0 D of emmetropia using the ZIOLM (55% using A-scan biometry). Refinements to the A-constant improved this to 95% by phase 3. CONCLUSION: An error was identified in IOL power estimation with the ZIOLM, when using the manufacturer's recommended A-constant (recommended and previously optimized ultrasound A-constant 118.0; ZIOLM optimized A-constant 118.6). Serial modifications to the A-constant were successful in reducing the unexpected error to well within the tolerance limits of published international standards.

Adolescent↗

Optimization of biometry for intraocular lens implantation using the Zeiss IOLMaster.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of biometry using conventional A-scan ultrasonography and partial coherence interferometry, and to improve the accuracy of biometry by sequential audit of postoperative refractive error. METHODS: The study was performed in three phases. In phase 1, 20 consecutive patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification underwent biometry using both A-scan ultrasonography and the Zeiss IOLMaster (ZIOLM). A single experienced optometrist refracted all patients 2 weeks after surgery. The errors between expected and achieved refraction were calculated and compared between the two methods. In phases 2 and 3, a further 22 and 20 patients, respectively, were recruited and only the ZIOLM was used for biometry. The manufacturer's suggested A-constant was refined and the error between expected and achieved refraction was calculated. RESULTS: In phase 1, the median unexpected error for the ZIOLM was +0.63 (interquartile range +0.368 to +1.015) and for A-scan biometry was - 0.24 (interquartile range - 1.335 to +0.802). In phase 1 65% of patients' postoperative refractions were found to be within 1.0 D of emmetropia using the ZIOLM (55% using A-scan biometry). Refinements to the A-constant improved this to 95% by phase 3. CONCLUSION: An error was identified in IOL power estimation with the ZIOLM, when using the manufacturer's recommended A-constant (recommended and previously optimized ultrasound A-constant 118.0; ZIOLM optimized A-constant 118.6). Serial modifications to the A-constant were successful in reducing the unexpected error to well within the tolerance limits of published international standards.

Adolescent↗

Biomechanical measurements of calcium-incorporated oxidized implants in rabbit bone: effect of calcium surface chemistry of a novel implant.

BACKGROUND: In oral implantology there has been a general trend away from machine-turned minimally rough and acid-etched and blasted implants toward intermediary roughened surfaces. Mechanical interlocking at micron resolution is claimed to be the dominant reason for the fixation of such implants in bone. However, clinical demands for stronger and faster bone bonding to the implant (eg, in immediately loaded and compromised bone cases) have motivated the development of novel surfaces capable of chemical bonding. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to investigate bone tissue reactions to a newly developed calciumincorporated oxidized implant. The specific aim is to assess the effect of calcium surface chemistry on the bone response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Calcium (Ca) ion-incorporated implants were prepared by micro arc oxidation methods. Surface oxide properties were characterized by using various surface analytic techniques involving scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffractometry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and optical interferometry. Twenty screw-shaped commercially pure (CP) titanium implants (10 turned implants [controls] and 10 Ca-incorporated implants [tests]) were inserted in the femoral condyles of 10 New Zealand White rabbits. RESULTS: After a healing period of 6 weeks, resonance frequency analyses and removal torque measurements of the Ca-incorporated oxidized implants demonstrated statistically significant improvements of implant integration with bone in comparison to machine-turned control implants (p = 0.013 and p = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The Ca-reinforced surface chemistry of the oxidized implants significantly improved bone responses in a rabbit model. The present study suggests that biochemical bonding at the bone-implant interface, in combination with mechanical interlocking, may play a dominant role in the fixation of Ca-incorporated oxidized implants in bone. The observed rapid and strong integration of test Ca implants may have clinical implications for immediate or early loading and improved performance in compromised bone.

Animals↗

Effects of ischemia on epicardial deformation in the passive rabbit heart.

BACKGROUND: Surgically induced ischemia in the arrested heart can result in changes in the mechanical properties of the myocardium. Regions of ischemia may be characterized based on the amount of epicardial deformation for a given load. Computer aided speckle interferometry (CASI), which tracks the movement of clusters of particles, is developed as a technique for measuring epicardial deformation, thereby determining the perfusion status of the passive heart. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silicone carbide particles and retroreflective beads were dispersed randomly onto the epicardial surface of 11 isolated rabbit hearts to form speckle images. The hearts were arrested with hyperkalemic Krebs-Henseleit buffered solution. Each heart was then exposed to a series of intracavitary pressures, and at each pressure speckle images were acquired with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Nine hearts were exposed to global ischemia, and two hearts were exposed to regional ischemia by occluding the second diagonal branch of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The hearts were again loaded and the speckle images were acquired. CASI was used to determine the distribution of deformation field. RESULTS: CASI was able to determine displacements with a spatial resolution of about 50 microns. Global ischemia resulted in a significant increase in the maximum principle strain and the first invariant of the 2-D strain tensor. In the regionally ischemic heart, a large difference in deformation between the ischemic and perfused regions was clearly observed. CONCLUSION: Based on epicardial deformation, CASI is able to distinguish between perfused and ischemic myocardium, with a spatial resolution of 50 microns.

Animals↗

Influence of pulse duration on ultrashort laser pulse ablation of biological tissues.

Ablation characteristics of ultrashort laser pulses were investigated for pulse durations in the range of 130 fs-10 ps. Tissue samples used in the study were dental hard tissue (dentin) and water. We observed differences in ablation crater morphology for craters generated with pulse durations in the 130 fs-1 ps and the 5 ps-10 ps range. For the water experiment, the surface ablation and subsequent propagation of stress waves were monitored using Mach-Zehnder interferometry. For 130 fs-1 ps, energy is deposited on the surface while for longer pulses the beam penetrates into the sample. Both studies indicate that a transition occurs between 1 and 5 ps.

Differential Threshold↗

Strain and mechanical behavior measurements of soft tissues with digital speckle method.

Soft tissues of the body are composite, typically being made up of collagen and elastin fibers with high water contents. The strain measurement in soft tissues has proven to be a difficult task. The digital speckle method, combined with the image processing technique, has many advantages such as full field, noncontact, and real time. We focus on the use of an improved digital speckle correlation method (DSCM) and time-sequence electric speckle pattern interferometry (TSESPI) to noninvasively obtain continual strain measurements on cartilage and vessel tissues. Monoaxial tensile experiments are well designed and performed under constant temperature and the necessary humidity with smart sensors. Mechanical behaviors such as the tensile modulus and Poisson ratio of specimens are extracted based on the deformation information. A comparison of the advantages and the disadvantages of these techniques as well as some problems concerning strain measurements in soft tissues are also discussed.

Animals↗

Interferometric studies of a piano soundboard.

Electronic speckle pattern interferometry has been used to study the deflection shapes of a piano soundboard. A design for an interferometer that can image such an unstable object is introduced, and interferograms of a piano soundboard obtained using this interferometer are presented. Deflection shapes are analyzed and compared to a finite-element model, and it is shown that the force the strings exert on the soundboard is important in determining the mode shapes and resonant frequencies. Measurements of resonance frequencies and driving-point impedance made using the interferometer are also presented.

Acoustics↗

Transcription against an applied force.

The force produced by a single molecule of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during transcription was measured optically. Polymerase immobilized on a surface was used to transcribe a DNA template attached to a polystyrene bead 0.5 micrometer in diameter. The bead position was measured by interferometry while a force opposing translocation of the polymerase along the DNA was applied with an optical trap. At saturating nucleoside triphosphate concentrations, polymerase molecules stalled reversibly at a mean applied force estimated to be 14 piconewtons. This force is substantially larger than those measured for the cytoskeletal motors kinesin and myosin and exceeds mechanical loads that are estimated to oppose transcriptional elongation in vivo. The data are consistent with efficient conversion of the free energy liberated by RNA synthesis into mechanical work.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

Direct observation of microbial inhibition of calcite dissolution.

Vertical scanning interferometry (VSI) provides a method for quantification of surface topography at the angstrom to nanometer level. Time-dependent VSI measurements can be used to study the surface-normal retreat across crystal and other solid surfaces during dissolution or corrosion processes. Therefore, VSI can be used to directly and nondestructively measure mineral dissolution rates with high precision. We have used this method to compare the abiotic dissolution behavior of a representative calcite (CaCO(3)) cleavage face with that observed upon addition of an environmental microbe, Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, to the crystal surface. From our direct observations, we have concluded that the presence of the microbes results in a significant inhibition of the rate of calcite dissolution. This inhibition appears to be a 2nd-order effect that is related to the formation of etch pits. The opening of etch pits was greatly inhibited in the presence of added bacteria, suggesting that the bacterial cells exert their effect by inhibiting the formation of etch pits at high-energy sites at the crystal surface caused by lattice defects, e.g., screw or point dislocations. The experimental methodology thus provides a nondestructive, directly quantifiable, and easily visualized view of the interactions of microbes and minerals during weathering (or corrosion) processes or during mineral precipitation.

Biofilms↗

Twelve hour reproducibility of choroidal blood flow parameters in healthy subjects.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: To investigate the reproducibility and potential diurnal variation of choroidal blood flow parameters in healthy subjects over a period of 12 hours. METHODS: The choroidal blood flow parameters of 16 healthy non-smoking subjects were measured at five time points during the day (8:00, 11:00, 14:00, 17:00, and 20:00). Outcome parameters were pulsatile ocular blood flow as assessed by pneumotonometry, fundus pulsation amplitude as assessed by laser interferometry, blood velocities in the opthalmic and posterior ciliary arteries as assessed by colour Doppler imaging, and choroidal blood flow, volume, and velocity as assessed by fundus camera based laser Doppler flowmetry. The coefficient of variation and the maximum change from baseline in an individual were calculated for each outcome parameter. RESULTS: None of the techniques used found a diurnal variation in choroidal blood flow. Coefficients of variation were within 2.9% and 13.6% for all outcome parameters. The maximum change from baseline in an individual was much higher, ranging from 11.2% to 58.8%. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that in healthy subjects the selected techniques provide adequate reproducibility to be used in clinical studies. Variability may, however, be considerably higher in older subjects or subjects with ocular disease. The higher individual differences in flow parameter readings limit the use of the techniques in clinical practice. To overcome problems with measurement validity, a clinical trial should include as many choroidal blood flow outcome parameters as possible to check for consistency.

Adult↗