Development of a miniaturized HIFU device for glaucoma treatment with conformal coagulation of the ciliary bodies

This study examined the feasibility of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for glaucoma treatment with conformal coagulation of the ciliary bodies (CB). A miniaturized high frequency (21 MHz) device was developed, based on the geometry of the eye and adapted to the anatomy of the rabbit eyeball. Six line-focus lesions were distributed along a circle and produced by six cylindrical transducers. To be conformal, the numerical model predicted an intensity of 6.9 W/cm², with exposure duration of 3 s ON (powered per sector). In vivo experiments were conducted on two rabbits. A significant intraocular pressure reduction was noted (-45% and -31%). Histology demonstrated conformal and homogeneous coagulation of the CB without side effects. (E-mail: thomas.charrel@inserm.fr)