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LessonGrades 7 - 9

These Eyes! Technologies to Measure Eye Pressure

A medical illustration shows the left half of a person's face as if you were looking at her. To the side are three cross-sections of eyes. One provides labeled parts of a normal eye: iris, lens, cornea, optic nerve, fovea centralis in macula, vitreous body, choroid, sclera, cillary boy and muscle. Another similar eye cross-section is amended with the word "pressure," and arrows that point toward the back of the eye to the optic nerve. The final cutaway diagram shows a close-up image of the anterior chamber and a buildup of aqueous humor fluid.For people with glaucoma, pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve.

Students learn about glaucoma—its causes, how it affects individuals and how biomedical engineers can identify factors that trigger or cause this eye disease, specifically the increase of pressure in the eye. Students also learn how RFID technologies transfer energy through waves and how engineers apply their scientific understanding of waves, energy and sensors to develop devices that measure the pressure in the eyes of people with glaucoma. Students conclude by sketching their own designs for a pressure-measuring eye device, preparing them to conduct the associated activity in which they revise, prototype and evaluate their device designs made tangible with a 3D printer.

To develop microscopic sensors that wirelessly transmit information, engineers must have a solid understanding of the transfer of energy through waves. Specifically, when engineers design pressure sensors to measure pressure differences within the eyes of people with glaucoma, they must apply their understanding of standing waves in order to develop these sensors. Additionally, creating and applying radio-frequency identification (RFID) technologies is essential for engineers to successfully incorporate pressure sensors into medical devices. Current research in neural systems engineering aims to design pressure sensors to monitor and ultimately prevent optic nerve damage associated with glaucoma.

After this lesson, students should be able to:

  • Identify examples of waves.
  • Explain how understanding electromagnetic waves is essential to creating wireless technologies.
  • Explain the positive effects of wireless devices in biomedical applications.

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