Heidelberg Engineering Presents Xtreme Research Award
Highlighting the work of outstanding researchers in ophthalmic imaging, the 14th annual Heidelberg Engineering Xtreme Research Award has been presented to Christian Burri, PhD, Biomedical Engineering, optoLab Institute for Human Centered Engineering, Bern University of Applied Sciences, and Institute of Applied Physics at the University of Bern, in Switzerland.
Dr. Burri received his award at an evening ceremony during the ARVO meeting in Seattle. His research, "Real Time Optical Coherence Tomography Guided Dosimetry in Selective Retina Therapy," is being facilitated by the high-resolution images and multi-modal functionality of the Heidelberg Engineering Spectralis.
“This award marks the great successes in the research arena. I can honestly say that I was more thrilled to receive this than finishing my PhD," Dr. Burri said.
The title comes with a €2,500 award. Dr. Burri’s study brings together Heidelberg Engineering with Meridian Medical AG Switzerland, a producer of treatment lasers.
“We have been exploring the potential of treating retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) pathologies, and potentially other conditions, with selective retinal therapy, removing diseased cells without damaging neighboring tissue, most importantly the photoreceptors," Sebastian Rausch, Clinical Development Manager for Investigational Technologies at Heidelberg Engineering, said in a company news releases. “Not many people are working in this field and, other devices historically, have not been able to achieve all that is potentially possible. We are using OCT to ensure the dosage and duration is highly controlled. This is the first time a specific, personalized treatment can be provided for these patients. As the neurosensory retina is not damaged, it should be possible to perform treatments close to, or even within, the fovea.”
This form of selective retinal therapy (SRT) has, until now, faced the challenge that laser transmission through the eye, and the pigmentation of the retina, varies greatly from person to person. Each individual laser spot requires a different pulse energy, and this has been a challenge for many researchers.
“For more than 20 years we have known that this treatment works but what was missing was a reliable, noninvasive control mechanism, which we believe we now have," Dr. Burri said. "It has been very good working with Heidelberg Engineering to develop the Spectralis Centaurus prototype. Our work together commenced in 2017, and we believe this new research device integrates the treatment laser as an extension of the imaging platform.”
Approved by Swissmedic for clinical trials, the prototype has been used recently for a first-in-human safety study in a cohort of diabetic retinopathy patients, as part of a 4-year study. They commenced in 2021 at Inselspital, Bern University Hospital. Another cohort of AMD patients is due to start soon at the same hospital. Promising preliminary clinical trial data was presented at last year’s ARVO in Denver and will be presented in more detail within the next year, hopefully providing the clinical evidence needed to transition the technology from scientific research into clinical practice in the future.