Portable tonometer for glaucoma prevention & monitoring.

Glaucoma is a critical problem affecting millions of people globally, especially those in underserved communities in fragile contexts, such as rural areas or low-income regions, where access to eye care services is limited. 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. The burden of visual impairments, like glaucoma, is not evenly distributed and is more frequent in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with people of African and Latin American descent having high rates of glaucoma. It is estimated that in Mexico there are about 1.5 million people affected by this disease and there are up to 50 thousand cases of blindness due to late detection.

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. However, most existing tonometers can only be used in clinical settings by healthcare professionals, and IOP fluctuates throughout the day, requiring measurements outside typical healthcare professional office hours.

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

Our solution also aligns with the WHO's call to provide quality eye care services that are affordable and accessible to all, without exposing users to catastrophic expenses. By providing an affordable tonometer that is easy to use and provides reliable IOP measurements, we could help ensure that more people receive early diagnosis and treatment for glaucoma, ultimately improving continuity of care and reducing the likelihood of vision loss and blindness.

In conclusion, for earlier diagnosis of glaucoma and to address the burden of visual impairments, patient-operated tonometers that are easy to use, provide reliable IOP measurements, and are affordable in cost are essential. By developing a patient-operated tonometer, we aim to make a significant impact in reducing the burden of visual impairments like glaucoma, especially in underserved communities in fragile contexts.

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 well-positioned to deliver this solution to the target population because 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.

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 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 simulating 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 detection 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.

Currently, our solution is in the prototype stage and not serving anyone. However, we are aware of the pressing global issue of glaucoma and the necessity for innovative solutions. Glaucoma is a leading cause of late-onset blindness, particularly impacting those over 60 years old, with a disproportionate effect on Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In Mexico alone, around 1.5 million people are affected by glaucoma, with numerous cases of blindness due to late detection.

Access to quality eye care is crucial for preventing glaucoma progression and ensuring effective treatment. By 2040, an estimated 111.8 million people will be affected by glaucoma. If this increase is not accompanied by greater access to eye care services, the number of people with glaucoma and blindness will rise substantially, particularly in third-world countries.

As we move from the prototype stage to a marketable product, we expect our solution to have a significant positive impact on the lives of those in underserved communities with limited access to eye care services. Our solution aims to substantially improve access to visual health monitoring services, empower patients, and contribute to better health outcomes for a large number of people affected by glaucoma and other ophthalmological conditions. By providing affordable and accessible eye care services, we aim to prevent the progression of glaucoma and reduce the risk of blindness, particularly in underserved regions where access to quality eye care is limited.

We are applying to Solve because we believe it offers a unique opportunity to connect with a network of experts, organizations, and resources that can help us overcome the various challenges we face in bringing our innovative solution to fruition. Solve's holistic approach to supporting Solver teams aligns with our objectives, and we are confident that the program can provide invaluable assistance in our journey.

Some of the specific barriers we hope Solve can help us overcome include:

1. Financial: Although we are aware that Solve is not solely a fundraising platform, we believe that the connections we make through the program can help us access financial resources and support to further develop our prototype and scale our solution.

2. Technical: As we progress from the prototype stage to a marketable product, we would greatly benefit from the expertise and guidance of technical advisors in the fields of medical devices, digital health, and telemedicine. Solve can provide access to such experts and mentors who can help us refine our product and ensure its efficacy and reliability.

3. Legal: Navigating the legal landscape of medical devices and intellectual property can be challenging. We hope to leverage the legal expertise available through the Solve community to help us address issues related to patents, regulatory compliance, and licensing agreements.

4. Cultural: Our solution targets underserved communities in fragile contexts, which often present cultural barriers to the adoption of new technologies. We believe that Solve can help us connect with organizations and individuals experienced in implementing solutions in similar contexts, enabling us to develop a culturally sensitive approach to ensure the successful adoption of our product.

5. Market: As we enter the market, we anticipate challenges in reaching our target audience and creating sustainable distribution channels. Solve can help us connect with partners who have experience in marketing and distributing health-related products, particularly in underserved areas, to ensure our solution reaches those who need it most.

Our solution, HealTech+, is innovative in several ways. First, it addresses the pressing need for a non-invasive and accessible method for monitoring intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients, a population that currently faces numerous barriers to proper treatment. The portable tonometer and mobile app we have developed provide a person-centered and integrated approach to glaucoma management that is both affordable and easy to use.

Second, our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts by democratizing access to visual health monitoring services and changing the perception of the importance of eye health. With the increasing prevalence of glaucoma and other visual health issues, our solution has the potential to not only benefit underserved communities in Latin America but also other regions facing similar challenges.

Finally, our solution is an incremental innovation that has the potential to disrupt the ophthalmological device market in Latin America. With the ability to scale for monitoring other ophthalmological conditions, our solution has the potential to revolutionize the way eye health is managed and monitored, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.

Overall, HealTech+ is a solution that offers a significant improvement over current methods of intraocular pressure measurement and management for glaucoma patients. It has the potential to create broader positive impacts, change the market, and pave the way for the democratization of visual health monitoring services. Our solution addresses the need for improved accessibility and quality of health services for underserved groups, particularly older adults with glaucoma. Our patient-operated tonometer and mobile application provide a simple and affordable solution for measuring intraocular pressure, enabling earlier detection of glaucoma progression and facilitating continuity of care. By allowing users to monitor their own intraocular pressure and share the data with their ophthalmologists, our solution empowers patients to take control of their own health and stay engaged with their care.

Furthermore, our solution can be adapted for monitoring other ophthalmological conditions, potentially increasing accessibility and quality of health services for a broader range of underserved groups. We believe that our solution has the potential to catalyze positive impacts in the space of ophthalmology, changing the market by providing a new, accessible and innovative tool for monitoring and managing glaucoma.

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 progress, 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.

By using these indicators and methodologies, we can systematically measure our progress and make data-driven decisions to continuously improve our solution and its impact on the lives of those affected by glaucoma and other ophthalmological conditions.

Our theory of change is based on a combination of three main mindsets, the objectives of our health-focused entrepreneurship, and the fundamental pillars of public health principles, which aim to address the future health needs of the population. These needs include an increase in the elderly population, known as "population aging," and a rise in non-communicable and chronic degenerative diseases.

Mindsets:

1. Think Big, Be Bold: We believe in setting ambitious goals and embracing challenges, drawing inspiration from monumental achievements like the moon landing. We strive to make a meaningful impact by following our passions, being curious, and learning from our failures.

2. Empowering Women in STEM: We aim to promote gender equality and women's participation in entrepreneurship, science, and technology, and to encourage more women to become leaders in these fields. We are proud to say that our team is made up of women who are passionate about science.

3. Transforming Medicine Through Technology: As future health professionals, we feel responsible for addressing the health needs of our population and changing the way medicine is approached by incorporating technology.

Health-focused entrepreneurship objectives:

1. Democratize and make visual monitoring services more accessible.

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

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

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

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

Fundamental pillars for healthcare innovation, based on public health principles:

1. Disease prevention (non-communicable and chronic degenerative diseases).

2. Health promotion.

3. Reduction of health inequities.

4. Addressing the challenges of population aging and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable and chronic degenerative diseases.

Our theory of change posits that by embracing these mindsets, focusing on our objectives, and adhering to the fundamental pillars based on public health principles, we can create a significant impact on the problem of inadequate access to visual health monitoring services. 

We expect our solution to lead to immediate outputs, such as increased access to visual health monitoring services and a reduced need for frequent doctor visits. In the longer term, we anticipate that our solution will contribute to improved health outcomes, including reduced vision loss, greater patient empowerment, and a better sense of security for patients and their families.

By incorporating these public health principles and future health challenges into our theory of change, we are better equipped to develop and implement a solution that has a lasting and transformative impact on the lives of glaucoma patients, addresses the needs of the growing elderly population, and tackles the increasing prevalence of non-communicable and chronic degenerative diseases.

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 technologies behind E.T. are the detection and air puff tonometry systems, 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.

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:

• 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.

So far, our plan to achieve financial sustainability has shown promising results. For instance, HealTech+ was the winning project in the social impact category of the "Empoderador 2022 by Pepsico" call. This achievement provided us with an incentive of $100,000 MXN and six months of mentoring from entrepreneurs and experts who are guiding us in improving our venture and launching our platform.

Additionally, we have focused on bootstrapping as part of our funding strategy. In this regard, we are developing a digital optics business in Mexico, which will serve to establish our market positioning and reputation. We anticipate generating our first sales within the coming month, which will further demonstrate the viability of our financial sustainability plan and contribute to the growth of HealTech+.