Portable tonometer for glaucoma prevention

We are addressing the specific problem of limited access to eye care services and late diagnosis of glaucoma, particularly in underserved communities. 

Glaucoma is a critical problem affecting millions of people globally, especially those in rural areas or low-income regions with limited access to quality eye care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma is the second leading cause of late onset blindness in the world, and the primary cause of blindness for people over 60. In 2020, about 76 million people aged 40 to 80 were diagnosed with glaucoma, of which almost 8 million people could have been prevented or have not yet been treated. 

In Mexico alone, approximately 1.5 million people are affected by glaucoma, and up to 50,000 cases of blindness are attributed to late detection. The burden of visual impairments, including glaucoma, is more prevalent in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with higher rates among people of African and Latin American descent.

Access to quality eye care is an important factor in the risk of glaucoma progression and the results of its treatment. It is estimated that around 111.8 million people will be affected by glaucoma by 2040. And if this projected increase is not accompanied by greater access to eye care services, the number of people with glaucoma and blindness will increase substantially, especially in third world countries.

Early diagnosis is critical to preventing vision loss, but glaucoma often progresses asymptomatically and remains undetected until later stages. One of the current methods of identifying glaucoma is intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, which can be done using a tonometer.

Our solution focuses on early diagnosis through the development of an affordable and easy-to-use patient-operated tonometer. This addresses the limitations of current tonometers that can only be used in clinical settings by healthcare professionals. By empowering patients to measure their own intraocular pressure outside of traditional healthcare settings and office hours, we aim to improve accessibility and quality of health services, especially for underserved groups like older adults and those with limited mobility. This approach enables early treatment for glaucoma without imposing significant expenses on users.

By ensuring more people receive timely diagnosis and appropriate care, we aim to improve continuity of care, reduce the likelihood of vision loss, and ultimately reduce the burden of visual impairments like glaucoma.

My solution, called E.T. (Eye Tonometer), is a portable and accessible patient-operated tonometer that is easy to use, affordable, and reliable. E.T. uses an air puff to measure the pressure of the eye (IOP), providing early diagnosis, prevention, and ongoing screening to facilitate the treatment of glaucoma. Additionally, E.T. is paired with a mobile application that receives the IOP results and stores them in a digital file shared with the user's ophthalmologist, allowing for constant monitoring and prompt attention from the doctor.

The objective of E.T. is to democratize and make visual monitoring services more accessible, offering integrated and person-centered eye care. Furthermore, E.T. aims to change the perception about the importance of visual health.

If you require more specialized information about the technology, feel free to contact me via email.

Both E.T. and the mobile application are focused on improving the quality of life of:

• Glaucoma patients 

• Patients at risk of glaucoma:

  • Developing country populations  

  • Older Age Groups (over 60 years)

  • Family Members with Glaucoma

  • Diabetics

  • People with high blood pressure

  • Myopic and hyperopic

Specifically, the target population of the solution are people over 60 years of age who suffer from glaucoma or are at risk, who must periodically attend an ophthalmologist for monitoring. However, they may face difficulties in following up on their treatment due to factors such as travel distance, limited mobility, financial costs, invasiveness of regular tonometers, or even situations like pandemics. Additionally, they may feel disappointed by the news of their illness and fearful of losing their sight.

My solution will give these people a portable and accessible tool with which they can remotely monitor their IOP, improving their treatment and reducing economic and travel difficulties. At the same time it will make them feel more confident with their medical follow-up and less fearful. 

As indirect beneficiaries, the aim is to generate a social benefit by favoring the relatives or individuals who share a household with the target population, who will also be able to monitor their intraocular pressure. Additionally, ophthalmologists and health systems will benefit by doubling or tripling the number of patients they can attend to, thus optimizing their time. 

Our team is composed of a wide range of experts and advisors with diverse skills and experiences. We have been fortunate enough to receive guidance and support from multiple stakeholders. For instance, Bioana is a company that has been advising us on the development of a commercially viable product, and they have also shown interest in investing in our project. Moreover, we have received support from experts in glaucoma at the country's most prominent ophthalmological hospital, "La Ceguera". They have provided us with valuable advice and guidance regarding the necessary research protocols and non-inferiority studies to ensure the safety and efficacy of our device. Our team also includes biomedical engineers, business and finance professionals, and researchers from our institution and Harvard University, who bring a diverse set of skills and expertise to the project. With their help, we have been able to develop a solution that meets the needs of our target population.

To ensure that our solution is meaningful and effective, we have engaged extensively with the communities we are serving. We have conducted interviews with glaucoma patients and ophthalmologists to understand their needs and challenges. We have also participated in numerous workshops, mentoring, and events related to healthcare entrepreneurship, including the Healthathon 2022 hackathon, INC Mty 2022 and South by Southwest 2023. Our participation in these events has allowed us to receive feedback from healthcare professionals and potential users, which has informed the development of our solution.

Furthermore, we are currently participating in an acceleration program by PepsiCo Mexico, where we have the opportunity to receive mentoring from entrepreneurs and experts who will guide us to improve our venture and launch our platform. We are also attending the first visual hackathon in the country, where we will have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from the Hospital de la Ceguera and national and international companies of ophthalmological devices.

Our design and implementation of the solution is meaningfully guided by the communities' input, ideas, and agendas. We have incorporated feedback from glaucoma patients and ophthalmologists into the design of our patient-operated tonometer, ensuring that it is easy to use, affordable, and provides reliable IOP measurements. We have also developed a mobile application that allows users to receive prompt attention from their ophthalmologists and store their IOP measurements in a digital file. This has been an important factor in ensuring that the solution is person-centered and accessible to underserved communities.

Overall, I am committed to improving the lives of glaucoma patients and underserved communities through our solution. Our team has the expertise, experience, and community engagement to deliver a solution that is effective, meaningful, and sustainable.

We have defined and valitated the technologies that will be utilized in our device, as well as the differential equations and mathematical models of the eye necessary for measuring intraocular pressure. Currently, we are running and training these codes on Matlab. We have also constructed and validated our technology transfer business model and identified our funding sources.

Moreover, we are collaborating with research professors at our university to develop the laser technology for the intraocular pressure sensor, as well as the air puff mechanism using sensors and actuators. 

Once we have a fully functional prototype, we plan to approach the medical device development company "Bioana", with whom we have agreed to support us in turning the functional prototype into a marketable product. We have also established an agreement with the "Hospital de la Ceguera" to conduct the required research protocols and non-inferiority studies.

We are applying to the Prize because it offers a unique opportunity
to address the specific financial, technical, legal, cultural, and
market barriers that we face in our venture.

Financially, the Prize funding will enable us to invest in research and development, enhance our technology, and conduct further testing and validation. It will also support the production and distribution of our patient-operated tonometer, making it more accessible to underserved communities.

Technically, the Prize can provide us with valuable resources and expertise to optimize our solution. This includes access to technical advisors and mentors who can guide us in refining our technology, improving its accuracy and reliability, and ensuring its compatibility with existing healthcare systems.

Legally, the Prize can help us navigate the complex landscape of medical device regulations and intellectual property protection. We hope to leverage the legal expertise available through the Prize to address issues related to patents, regulatory compliance, and licensing agreements, ensuring the successful commercialization and widespread adoption of our solution.

Culturally, the Prize allows us to connect with a global network of innovators, researchers, and healthcare professionals who can provide valuable insights and collaborations. This network provides an opportunity to foster collaborations and partnerships with patient advocacy groups, healthcare organizations, and communities affected by rare diseases. By actively involving patients and caregivers in our research and development process, we can better understand their unique needs and perspectives. This ensures that our solution is patient-centered, culturally sensitive, and effectively addresses the challenges faced by those affected by rare diseases.

In terms of the market the Prize can help us overcome market barriers by providing visibility and recognition. The platform and events associated with the Prize offer a chance to showcase our solution to a wide audience, including potential investors, strategic partners, and healthcare organizations. This exposure can facilitate market entry, increase awareness and adoption of our solution, and ultimately accelerate its impact in addressing the challenges of glaucoma diagnosis and management.

I, as the team lead, have a deep understanding of the challenges faced

by the communities we are serving. As a current student of a physician
degree at Tec de Monterrey and the daughter of an ophthalmologist, I
have firsthand knowledge of the difficulties faced by glaucoma patients
in accessing proper treatment, including financial costs, travel
distances, and invasiveness of current tonometers.

Additionally, I have collaborated with patient advocacy groups and participated in healthcare events and conferences, where I have had the opportunity to interact with individuals affected by glaucoma and raise awareness about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. These engagements have allowed me to build trust and establish relationships within the community, gaining their support and involvement in the development of our solution.

Furthermore, I have worked closely with research professors at our university and experts in the field of ophthalmology and optical systems to ensure that our solution aligns with the specific needs and cultural context of the community. By actively involving the community in our project, we are able to tailor our solution to their preferences and ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

Through these connections and collaborations, I have developed a deep sense of empathy and commitment to addressing the challenges faced by individuals with glaucoma. I am dedicated to improving their quality of life by providing accessible and effective healthcare solutions. By leveraging my connections and understanding of the community, I can ensure that our project is grounded in their realities and contributes to their well-being.

Our solution, HealTech+, is innovative and sustainable due to its unique approach to addressing the problem of limited access to eye care services and late diagnosis of glaucoma. We have developed a patient-operated tonometer that allows individuals to measure their own intraocular pressure (IOP) outside of traditional healthcare settings and office hours. This empowers patients, particularly older adults and those with limited mobility, to take control of their own health and enables early detection and treatment of glaucoma.

What sets our solution apart is its affordability, simplicity, and reliability. By leveraging technological advancements, we have created a tonometer that is easy to use, cost-effective, and provides accurate IOP measurements. This innovative approach eliminates the need for frequent visits to healthcare professionals and reduces the burden on healthcare systems. It also addresses the issue of late diagnosis by enabling individuals to monitor their intraocular pressure regularly, leading to earlier detection of glaucoma progression and improved treatment outcomes.

Our solution catalyzes broader positive impacts by democratizing access to glaucoma monitoring and care. By enabling individuals to measure their own IOP, we reduce barriers related to geographic location, financial constraints, and limited availability of healthcare professionals. This allows underserved communities, including those in rural areas and low-income regions, to receive timely and affordable glaucoma screening and monitoring. As a result, more individuals can receive early interventions, reducing the risk of vision loss and improving their quality of life.

Furthermore, our solution has the potential to change the market by disrupting the current model of glaucoma management. Traditional tonometers are primarily used in clinical settings by healthcare professionals, limiting accessibility and creating bottlenecks in the healthcare system. Our patient-operated tonometer shifts the paradigm by empowering individuals to take an active role in their own eye health. This not only improves efficiency and scalability but also transforms the patient experience, fostering a sense of empowerment and engagement in their own care.

In addition, the scalability of our solution allows it to be adapted for monitoring other ophthalmological conditions beyond glaucoma. By leveraging the same patient-operated approach, we can expand our impact to a broader range of eye health issues, further enhancing the sustainability of our solution.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are focused on transforming the lives of glaucoma patients and their families by providing accessible and innovative solutions for monitoring and managing the condition.

For the next year, our impact goals are centered around three main objectives:

1. Develop the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for our technology transfer model, collaborating with the Hospital dela Ceguera and the support of Bioana to create a marketable product.

2. Establish research protocols and conduct studies to ensure the effectiveness and safety of our solution.

3. Complete financial projections for the medical device, secure patent protection, and establish the company.

Our vision for the next five years is to create a home telemonitoring system targeted at people with glaucoma, those at risk for the disease, or family members of glaucoma patients. This system will:

1. Reduce the need for constant visits to the doctor, saving time and resources for both patients and healthcare providers.

2. Prevent vision loss by enabling early detection and intervention in glaucoma progression.

3. Improve patients' sense of security by providing continuous monitoring and access to their health data.

4. Empower patients to manage their chronic conditions, fostering independence and active engagement in their care.

In parallel with the development of the telemonitoring system, we plan to establish digital optics as one of our funding sources to support our growth and continued innovation.

To achieve these impact goals, we will leverage partnerships with key stakeholders in the medical and technological fields, continuously refine our product based on user feedback and research findings, and invest in marketing and outreach efforts to raise awareness about our solution and its benefits for glaucoma patients and their families.

We are measuring our progress toward our impact goals by focusing on specific indicators related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. Specifically, we are concentrating on Target 3.8, which aims to achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, affordable, and quality medicines and vaccines for all.

To track our impact, we use the following indicators:

1. Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services across the general population and the most disadvantaged, calculated based on tracer interventions related to non-communicable diseases and service capacity and access).

2. Indicator 3.8.2: Proportion of the population with large household healthcare expenditures as a percentage of total household expenditure or income.

In addition to these SDG-based indicators, we also employ the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) and KPI (Key Performance Indicator) methodologies to set quarterly and annual goals, along with their corresponding indicators (based on those from the SDGs) and metrics. This approach allows us to regularly monitor and evaluate our progress, ensuring that we stay on track to achieve our impact goals and effectively address the health and well-being needs of glaucoma patients and their families.

The specific metrics and indicators we have developed to measure our progress in validating the functionality of the prototype and its components include the following:

Objective: Validation of prototype functionality and its components
Metric 1: Number of tests conducted
Indicator 1: Percentage of successful tests out of the total tests conducted

Metric 2: Number of key features implemented in the MVP
Indicator 2: Percentage of key features implemented compared to the total planned

Metric 3: Number of sessions conducted with the research professor
Indicator 3: Percentage of these sessions resulting in significant advancements in the research and development of the MVP

By utilizing these indicators and methodologies, we can systematically measure our progress, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions to continuously enhance our solution's impact on the lives of those affected by glaucoma and other ophthalmological conditions.

Our theory of change outlines how our solution is expected to have a significant impact on the problem of limited access to eye care services and late diagnosis of glaucoma.

Immediate Outcomes
1. Partnership with a healthcare startup focused on preventive information about chronic degenerative diseases: Through this collaboration, we can leverage their platforms (social media, events, conferences, etc.) to disseminate valuable information about glaucoma prevention to the general population. 

This strategic alliance enhances our relationship with beneficiaries and
allows us to provide a more comprehensive and holistic experience to
our target audience.

Medium-Term Outcomes:

1. Patient-operated tonometer and mobile app: Our solution enables individuals to measure their own IOP and track their measurements over time. This empowers them to detect changes in their eye pressure and make informed lifestyle changes for better eye health.

Longer-Term Outcomes:
1. Timely diagnosis and treatment: By promoting self-monitoring and early detection of glaucoma, we aim to shorten diagnostic timelines. This will enable individuals to receive timely treatment and support, reducing the risk of vision loss and complications associated with the disease.

2. Adoption of a preventive lifestyle: Through tracking IOP measurements and identifying patterns, individuals can make informed choices to prevent further complications. This promotes a healthier lifestyle that supports overall eye health.

3. Cost savings and efficiency: By introducing a patient-operated tonometer, we disrupt the traditional model of glaucoma management that heavily relies on clinic-based measurements. This can lead to cost savings in the healthcare system by reducing the need for frequent clinic visits solely for IOP measurements.

4. Alignment with global initiatives: Our solution contributes to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, specifically by improving access to quality eye care services and promoting preventive measures.

To measure our progress toward these impact goals, we will conduct user surveys to gather feedback on changes in diagnosis timelines, adherence to treatment, and overall satisfaction with the self-monitoring process. This data will provide valuable insights for continuous learning and improvement.

By addressing the barriers to early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and promoting a preventive approach, our solution has the potential to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by glaucoma and their families. It also has the capacity to catalyze positive impacts beyond our immediate target population by introducing a patient-centered and cost-effective solution that disrupts the traditional market. We remain committed to evaluating our impact and refining our solution to maximize its benefits for individuals, communities, and healthcare systems.

Our solution, E.T. (Eye Tonometer), is powered by a combination of core technologies that make it portable, accessible, and user-friendly for the early diagnosis, prevention, and ongoing screening of glaucoma. The primary technology behind E.T. is the air puff tonometry system, which measures the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye in a non-invasive manner. This technology is designed to be easy-to-use, affordable, and reliable, making it suitable for patient-operated use at home.

In addition to the air puff tonometry system, E.T. is paired with a mobile application that serves as an essential component of our solution. The app receives the IOP measurements taken by the tonometer and securely stores them in a digital file that can be easily shared with the user's ophthalmologist. This enables constant monitoring and prompt attention from healthcare professionals, allowing for more effective management of glaucoma and the prevention of vision loss.

For more specialized information about the technology behind E.T., please feel free to contact me via email, and I would be happy to provide further details.

Full-time staff (partners): 4

Part-time staff (mainly advisors of the project): 10

I began HealTech+ in spring 2020 as a high school project. It won 2nd place in a national contest, leading to a scholarship and incubator access at Tecnológico de Monterrey. I've since participated in workshops, received mentoring, and attended events, growing HealTech+ and forming a team of women in STEM.

Our approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work centers on empowering women in STEM. We strive to promote gender equality and increase women's participation in entrepreneurship, science, and technology, encouraging them to become leaders in these fields. We take pride in the fact that our team is composed of women who are passionate about science, creating an environment where everyone is welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

In addition to empowering women in STEM, our solution also contributes to diversity, equity, and inclusivity by making eye care services more accessible to underserved communities, including rural areas and low-income regions.

Our business model consists of Research Licensing, as outlined in the Technology Transfer manual from IESE Business School. Through the licensing contract, we bring together our research MVP and the ophthalmic device company, combining two technologies to create and commercialize a single product.

Our business model generates revenue through the following methods:

1. Licensing the patent to ophthalmic device companies.

2. Strategic partnerships with medical device producers, research centers, and companies using the same telemonitoring system.

3. Investment rounds to raise capital from angel investors.

4. A secondary business to partially fund this project.

We will initially target doctors and health units in the states of Nuevo León, eventually scaling to the national, Latin American, and Caribbean levels.

Our value proposition is to develop an affordable, easy-to-use patient-operated tonometer for early diagnosis of glaucoma. This tonometer aims to increase local capacity and resilience in health systems by enabling patients to measure their intraocular pressure outside typical healthcare settings and office hours, improving accessibility and quality of health services for underserved groups, including older adults and those with limited mobility.

Beneficiaries: 

• B2B 

• Users. Patients with or at risk of glaucoma. 

• Clients: Ophthalmic device companies. 

• Stakeholders: Patients with or at risk of glaucoma, their families, and ophthalmologists. 

Channels: 

• Sales: Product licensing 

• Distribution: Managed by the company 

• Communication: In-person or video conference meetings, email

Social impact: Democratize and make visual monitoring services more accessible. 

Strategic partnerships: Strategic alliances with medical device producers (Bioana), research centers (Hospital de la Ceguera), and companies using the same telemonitoring system applied to other health areas. A Harvard professor will support us in connecting with ophthalmic device companies for patent licensing.

Key processes: 

• Permissions (research protocol) 

• Functional device Telemonitoring service 

Key resources: Patent/IP Team, advisors, and allies (Bioana, Hospital de la Ceguera).

Our plan for financial sustainability includes a multi-sectoral approach to funding the project:

1. Strategic Partnerships: We will collaborate with medical device manufacturers, research centers, and companies using the same telemonitoring system. These partnerships will enable us to tap into resources and expertise, as well as generate revenue through licensing agreements and collaborations.

2. Investment Rounds: We plan to raise capital through investment rounds with angel investors, providing necessary funds to scale our operations and further develop our product.

3. Benchmarking and Secondary Business: We are currently establishing a secondary business, to generate additional revenue and help finance part of the project. This approach will enable us to diversify our income streams and create a more stable financial foundation.

4. Grants from Foundations and Philanthropic Organizations: We can seek funding from foundations and philanthropic organizations that support initiatives in healthcare, technology, and social entrepreneurship. These grants could provide essential resources to help us scale and achieve our mission.

In addition to the strategies already mentioned, we could consider the following approaches to further diversify our funding sources:

1. Crowdfunding: Launching a crowdfunding campaign on platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo can help raise funds from individuals who are interested in supporting our mission. This approach can also generate awareness and build a community of supporters around our project.

2. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnering with companies that share our vision and values can lead to mutually beneficial sponsorships. Corporations may provide funding or in-kind support, such as equipment or resources, in exchange for brand visibility or other benefits.

3. Social Impact Bonds or Pay-for-Success Contracts: We could explore the possibility of working with governments or impact investors to develop social impact bonds or pay-for-success contracts. These innovative financing mechanisms tie funding to the achievement of specific social outcomes, aligning the interests of investors, service providers, and governments.

By exploring and implementing a combination of these strategies, we can create a robust and diverse financial plan, strengthening our project's financial sustainability and maximizing its impact.

HealTech+ was the winning project of the “Empoderador 2022 by Pepsico” call in the social impact category. Obtaining an incentive of $100,000 MXN and six months of mentoring with entrepreneurs and experts, who are guiding us to improve our venture and launch our platform.

Part of our funding involves bootstrapping, so we are developing a digital optic in Mexico that will serve as our market positioning and reputation.