Light Therapy/Tunable Lenses: Optics and light solve biomedical problems in space - and on Earth
The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) has awarded the makers two optics/photonics-based biomedical devices with grants.
In addition to hospital workers, international travelers, and others, "astronauts and ground crew are often required to perform mission-critical tasks at times that are at odds with their normal sleep/wake cycle," says Vanessa Burns, CEO of LumosTech, a Stanford University (CA)-based startup. The company's programmable light therapy mask emits pulses of light while the wearer sleeps, adjusting his/her sleep cycle and enabling such workers to be alert when needed.
Addressing the fact that most astronauts experience decreased visual acuity during spaceflight, eVision Optics (Sarasota, FL) is developing tunable eyeglasses. CTO Tony Van Heugten explains that "Liquid crystal lenses can be re-programmed electronically in real time to adapt to changing vision." Within the liquid crystal are two types of electrodes: concentric ring and "floating." When the electrical profile is applied to a specific region, the floating electrodes slide into place to fill the gaps between the concentric ones.
Funding is provided through the Space Medical and Related Technologies Commercialization Assistance Program (SMARTCAP).
Barbara Gefvert | Editor-in-Chief, BioOptics World (2008-2020)
Barbara G. Gefvert has been a science and technology editor and writer since 1987, and served as editor in chief on multiple publications, including Sensors magazine for nearly a decade.