By Bill Brizzard, Director of Technology Transfer, IURTC Bloomington Campus
A new technology invented by Dr. Ann Elsner and her coworkers in the IU School of Optometry is featured in the 2010 edition of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Better World Report. The new technology is a digital camera for imaging the human eye. Unlike the currently available devices, the new camera will be a low cost device that will be affordable in underserved regions of the world. A primary application of the new camera will be the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, a condition affecting diabetics that is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
The camera is the subject of two issued US patents and foreign patent applications owned by Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation (IURTC). IURTC is a nonprofit corporation that manages and commercializes intellectual property for Indiana University. IURTC has granted an exclusive license under the patent rights to Aeon Imaging, LLC , a start-up company founded by Dr. Elsner that is working to commercialize the device. Aeon has successfully attracted federal grant funding including phase I SBIR funding that was matched by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and a phase II SBIR award in August of 2010.
AUTM is a nonprofit professional organization of technology managers from both the academic and commercial sectors. The Better World Report is produced by the AUTM Better World Project to enhance public understanding of the positive benefits of academic research and technology transfer for quality of life worldwide. The Better World Report has been produced since 2005 and new technologies are solicited for possible inclusion in the report on an annual basis. The inclusion of Dr. Elsner’s technology in the 2010 edition of the report speaks to its significant potential for improving human health.
Bill Brizzard can be reached at:
Phone: (812) 855-3597
bbrizzar@iu.edu
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