THESIS
2014
xiv, 81 pages : illustrations ; 30 cm
Abstract
Ultrasound has recently been systematically studied to enhance trans-scleral drug
delivery. Ultrasound-mediated trans-scleral drug delivery offers a novel alternative for
treating posterior eye diseases including age-related macular degeneration. However, the
effect that ultrasound exerts on sclera, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying the
ultrasound-enhanced penetration of small molecules is still unknown. In this project, we first
investigated the effect that ultrasound has on rabbit sclera using SHG&TPEF imaging. Both
in-vitro and ex-vivo experiments were done, and the effect of ultrasound with different
mechanical index (MI=0.03, 0.136, 0.2, 0.8) was investigated. To analyze the images, four
quantitative methods were developed, and the results showed that the colla...[
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Ultrasound has recently been systematically studied to enhance trans-scleral drug
delivery. Ultrasound-mediated trans-scleral drug delivery offers a novel alternative for
treating posterior eye diseases including age-related macular degeneration. However, the
effect that ultrasound exerts on sclera, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying the
ultrasound-enhanced penetration of small molecules is still unknown. In this project, we first
investigated the effect that ultrasound has on rabbit sclera using SHG&TPEF imaging. Both
in-vitro and ex-vivo experiments were done, and the effect of ultrasound with different
mechanical index (MI=0.03, 0.136, 0.2, 0.8) was investigated. To analyze the images, four
quantitative methods were developed, and the results showed that the collagen network
structure did not shown significant change after ultrasound is applied. Next, we explored the
diffusion of FITC-Dextran molecules using SHG&TPEF imaging, and concluded that the
molecules tended to aggregate in the gaps between collagen fibrils, which suggested that the
interfibrillar substances might play an important role in the trans-scleral penetration of
molecules. Finally, we studied the diffusion profile of FITC-Dextran using a cryosectioning
method, and found that the permeability of sclera was not homogeneous from the transverse
view.
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