System, and method, for diagnosing and treating an eye condition using RF energy

Abstract

A method of treating an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens is disclosed. The method may include: radiating the eye with a radiofrequency (RF) energy dose in at least one frequency. The at least one frequency may be selected to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a-crystallins, P-crystallins, and y- crystallins

Description

SYSTEM, AND METHOD, FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING AN EYE CONDITION USING RF ENERGYCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a PCT Patent Application which claims the benefit of priority of IL patent application No. 314517, filed July 24, 2024, entitled “SYSTEM, AND METHOD, FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING AN EYE CONDITION USING RF ENERGY,” the contents of which are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods of diagnosis of eye diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to system, and method, for diagnosing and treating an eye condition using Radiofrequency (RF) energy.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In cataracts the clouding of the lens of the eye leads to reduced visual acuity. This condition can progress and even lead to blindness. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and are caused by protein aggregation within the lens. Cataracts become more common in the population with age; 9.14% of people aged 55-59 have cataracts, for those aged 80 and above the number reaches 68.30%. When cataracts lead to impaired vision and sensitivity to glare, cataracts surgery is recommended to remove the opacified lens and implant an artificial replacement. Currently, the estimate of global rates of cataracts surgery is 20 million per year. Yet, cataracts surgery is not without challenges. There are several complications that can occur during surgery including posterior capsular rupture, zonular weakness or suprachoroidal hemorrhage.

[0004] After surgery, there is a risk of developing posterior capsular opacification, elevated intraocular pressure, persistent anterior uveitis and retinal detachment. There are also risks of progression of underlying eye disease such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy with cataracts surgery. In addition, many countries around the world have low cataracts surgery coverage (CSC) with high percentages of people in need of cataracts surgery unable to obtain them, According to the world health organization (the WHO), only 17% of people with vision impairment due to cataracts have received access to an appropriate intervention. While antioxidants, herbal remedies and NSAIDs have shownpromise in preclinical models, to date, no treatments to prevent or retard cataracts have been successfully implemented in the clinic.

[0005] As indicated above, cataracts occur due to protein aggregation and pathological protein-protein interactions within the lens. The mammalian lens grows through the terminal differentiation of epithelial cells into elongated fiber cells. Protein synthesis and turnover in the mature fiber cell are halted, such that the proteins of the lens must remain soluble and transparent throughout life. An important class of proteins in the lens are the crystallin proteins. These proteins are organized into three families: a, P and y. While all of these three crystallin families have a structural role, the a-crystallin protein, a heat shock protein which is composed of two subunits aA-crystallin (cryAA) and aB-crystallin (cry AB) also serves as a molecular chaperone. Together, cryAA and cry AB comprise 30% of the protein content of the lens, where they help maintain the solubility of the other lens proteins, such as P- and y-crystallins. With time, the crystallin proteins can undergo changes in conformation and accrue damage, since the lens does not have the ability to synthesize new proteins, with time the a-crystallin proteins ability to serve as a molecular chaperone reaches its limit. At this point the unstable crystallin proteins assemble into amyloid-like fibers, forming a physical barrier to light. These changes can lead to age-related nuclear cataracts, which are composed of aggregated crystallin proteins.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a new approach for threating eye condition, or lens conditions such as cataract.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a method of treating an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens. The method may include: radiating the eye with a radiofrequency (RF) energy dose in at least one frequency. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency may be selected to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a- crystallins, P- crystallins, and y-crystallins.

[0008] In some embodiments, the at least one frequency is between 10 MHz to 10 THz, for example, at least one of 9 GHz and 25 GHz. In some embodiments, the RF radiation dose is radiated at less than 200 W / m2. In some embodiments, the method may further include providing one or more treatment cycles, and wherein each treatment cycle comprises at least one dose of RF energy.

[0009] Some additional aspects of the invention may be directed to a method of diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens. The method may include: radiating the eye with a first radiofrequency (RF) energy dose in at least one frequency; receiving a first reflection of the RF radiation from the eye; determining a portion of the radiated RF energy that was reflected; and diagnosing the eye condition based on the determined reflected portion of the RF energy. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency may be selected to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a- crystallins, [3- crystallins, and y-crystallins.

[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one frequency may at least one of 9 GHz and 25 GHz. In some embodiments, the RF radiation dose may be radiated at less than 200 W / m2.

[0011] In some embodiments, diagnosing may include determining the stage / severity of the protein aggregation based on the percentage of RF energy reflected.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method may further include: treating the eye by providing a second RF radiation dose at the at least one RF frequency. In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving a second reflection of the RF radiation from the eye; and determining, from the second reflection, a treatment progress based on the reflection of the portion of the RF energy. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining a third RF radiation dose to be provided based on the treatment progress. In some embodiments, at least one of the second RF radiation dose and the third RF radiation does may be provided at less than 200 W / m2.

[0013] In some embodiments, the RF radiation may have a beam diameter of between 5 to 100 mm.

[0014] Some additional aspects of the invention my be directed to a system for diagnosing and treating eye protein aggregation in the lens, comprising: an RF radiation generator; an RF antenna; and a controller configured to: control the RF generator to radiate the eye with a first radiofrequency (RF) energy dose at least one RF frequency; determine a portion of the radiated RF energy that was reflected; and diagnose an eye condition based on the determined reflected portion of the RF energy. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency may be selected to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a- crystallins, [3- crystallins, and y-crystallins.

[0015] In some embodiments, the system may further include an amplifier for amplifying the RF radiation. In some embodiments, the RF radiation generator generates the RFradiation at a beam diameter of between 5 to 100 mm. In some embodiments, the RF radiation dose is radiated at less than 200 W / m2. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency is at least one of 9 GHz and 25 GHz.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] Fig. 1A is a block diagram of a system for treating and / or diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0018] Fig. IB is a block diagram, depicting a computing device which may be included in the system for treating and / or diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0019] Fig. 2A is a flowchart of a method of diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0020] Fig. 2B is a flowchart of a method of treating an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0021] Figs. 3 A, 3B, and 3C are column charts of transmission recovery after treatment of pig lenses with cataracts according to some embodiments of the invention; and

[0022] Figs. 4A and 4B are column charts of transmissions measured in eye gels, and lenses without cataracts according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0023] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0024] One skilled in the art will realize the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoingembodiments are therefore to be considered, in all respects, illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

[0025] Some aspects of the invention may be directed to targeting crystallin protein aggregates in order to heal cataracts or other eye conditions associated with protein aggregation in the lens. It has been shown that regulated structural transitions of the a- crystallin proteins are capable of modulating their properties, leading to an increase in chaperone activity in vivo. Increased chaperone activity has potential to prevent the aggregation of crystallin proteins that lead to cataracts. Furthermore, the approach may directly target the crystallin aggregates. Beta - pleated sheets are one of the most stable secondary structures of proteins. Experiments using electromagnetic radiation demonstrated that the beta-pleated-sheet crystals can directly melt, changing from their solid states into random coils, helices, and turns. This technique was applied to the crystallin aggregates present in cataracts and show that electromagnetic radiation can alter their structure, releasing them and allowing for disaggregation.. This approach may target cataracts on two levels; it modulates the properties of a-crystallin, increasing its chaperone activity and melting the crystallin aggregates allowing for disaggregation.

[0026] Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a system and method for treating and / or diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens, for example, cataracts, presbyopia, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, eye floaters, and the like. The method and system may include radiating the eye with a radiofrequency (RF) energy dose in at least one frequency. The at least one frequency may be selected to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a- crystallins, [3- crystallins, and y-crystallins. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency may be in the high RF range, for example, from 1 MHz to 10 THz , from 1 MHz, to 10 MHz, from 10 MHz to 10 THz, from 10 MHz to 100 MHz, from 100 MHz to 500 MHz, from 500 MH, to 1 GHz, from 1GHz, to 3 GHz, from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, from 5 GHz to 20 GHz, from 10 GHz to 100 GHZ, from 50 GHz, to 400 GHz, from 200 GHz to 1 THz, from 500 GHz to 5Hz, from 1 THz to 10 THz (e g., 2THz, 3THz, 4THz, 5THz, 6 THz, 7 THz, 8 THz, 9 THz),and any value of range in between. In a nonlimiting example, the at least one frequency may be in the high RF range of 10 MHz to 10 THz.

[0027] In some embodiments, the RF energy provided to the lens at this at least one frequency may be dissipated / absorbed by the proteins in the lens, restructuring the chains of the aggregated proteins, and thereby, reaggregating the proteins. The outcome may include a lens with little to no aggregated proteins. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency is selected to be a resonance frequency of protein aggregates, for example, between 10 GHz to 10 THz, or between 3 to 30 GHz. In some embodiments, the RF energy may be precisely tuned to the resonant vibrational modes of the lens protein aggregates, to selectively disrupt pathological protein structures through a mechanism inspired by viral membrane fracture. Crystallin protein aggregates in aged lenses may exhibit distinct acoustic phonon modes, for example, in the Brillouin frequency range of -10-16 GHz in the stiffened lens nucleus. These aggregates, though not enclosed in membranes, can still possess coherent mechanical modes due to their dense, gel-like packing and internal hydrogen bonding, which may allow them to support GHz-scale and even THz scale collective oscillations.

[0028] In some embodiments, the effect of applying the RF radiation would be selective, since a properly tuned RF energy depends critically on the size, elastic properties, and dielectric contrast of the target structure. Intact lens crystallins that are not part of aggregates may not absorb the energy efficiently, sparing normal proteins from disruption.

[0029] In some embodiments, in order to find the at least one frequency, an eye or several eyes having the eye condition may be scanned by providing doses of RF energy at a plurality of RF frequencies, for example, from 10 GHz to 10 THz. The method may include receiving from the eye RF energy / radiation reflected from the lens, and detecting at least one frequency at which a portion of the RF energy was dissipated / absorbed in the eye.

[0030] Reference is now made to Fig. 1 A which is a block diagram of a system for treating and / or diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention. A system 100 may include: a controller / computing device 10, an RF generator 20, and an RF antenna 40. Controller / computing device 10 is discussed with respect to Fig. IB, herein below.

[0031] RF generator 20 may be any RF generator configured to generate RF energy, for example, in the high RF range from 10 GHz to 10 THz. RF generator 20 may be, for example, a solid-state RF generator. RF antenna 40 may be any radiating element configuredto radiate RF energy. RF antenna 40 may be connected to RF generator via an amplifier 30 that amplifies the RF energy generated by RF generator 20. RF generator 20, amplifier 30, and antenna 40 may be interconnected via one or more additional RF elements 50, such as, waive guide(s) 52, dielectric lenses 54, RF mirrors 56, and the like.

[0032] In some embodiments, system 100 may produce the RF radiation as a beam having a diameter of between 5 to 100 mm. For example, the beam may have a diameter of between 5 to 10 mm, 10 to 20 mm, 20 to 30 mm, 15 to 40 mm, 25 to 50 mm, 45 to 70 mm, 60 to 80 mm, 70 to 95 mm, 65 to 100 mm and any value or range in between.

[0033] Reference is now made to Fig. IB, which is a block diagram depicting a computing device, which may be included within an embodiment of a system for treating and / or diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0034] Computing device 10 may include a processor or controller 2 that may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) processor, a chip or any suitable computing or computational device, an operating system 3, a memory 4, executable code 5, a storage system 6, input devices 7 and output devices 8. Processor 2 (or one or more controllers or processors, possibly across multiple units or devices) may be configured to carry out methods described herein, and / or to execute or act as the various modules, units, etc. More than one computing device 10 may be included in, and one or more computing devices 1 may act as the components of, a system according to embodiments of the invention.

[0035] Operating system 3 may be or may include any code segment (e.g., one similar to executable code 5 described herein) designed and / or configured to perform tasks involving coordination, scheduling, arbitration, supervising, controlling or otherwise managing operation of computing device 1, for example, scheduling execution of software programs or tasks or enabling software programs or other modules or units to communicate. Operating system 3 may be a commercial operating system. It will be noted that an operating system 3 may be an optional component, e.g., in some embodiments, a system may include a computing device that does not require or include an operating system 3.

[0036] Memory 4 may be or may include, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), a double data rate (DDR) memory chip, a Flash memory, a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memoryunit, or other suitable memory units or storage units. Memory 4 may be or may include a plurality of possibly different memory units. Memory 4 may be a computer or processor non-transitory readable medium, or a computer non-transitory storage medium, e.g., a RAM. In one embodiment, a non-transitory storage medium such as memory 4, a hard disk drive, another storage device, etc. may store instructions or code which when executed by a processor may cause the processor to carry out methods as described herein.

[0037] Executable code 5 may be any executable code, e.g., an application, a program, a process, task or script. Executable code 5 may be executed by processor or controller 2 possibly under control of operating system 3. For example, executable code 5 may be an application that may be directed to treating and / or diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention as further described herein. Although, for the sake of clarity, a single item of executable code 5 is shown in Fig. IB, a system according to some embodiments of the invention may include a plurality of executable code segments similar to executable code 5 that may be loaded into memory 4 and cause processor 2 to carry out methods described herein.

[0038] Storage system 6 may be or may include, for example, a flash memory as known in the art, a memory that is internal to, or embedded in, a micro controller or chip as known in the art, a hard disk drive, a CD-Recordable (CD-R) drive, a Blu-ray disk (BD), a universal serial bus (USB) device or other suitable removable and / or fixed storage unit. Data related to eye disease may be stored in storage system 6 and may be loaded from storage system 6 into memory 4 where it may be processed by processor or controller 2. In some embodiments, some of the components shown in Fig. IB may be omitted. For example, memory 4 may be a non-volatile memory having the storage capacity of storage system 6. Accordingly, although shown as a separate component, storage system 6 may be embedded or included in memory 4.

[0039] Input devices 7 may be or may include any suitable input devices, components or systems, e.g., a detachable keyboard or keypad, a mouse and the like. Output devices 8 may include one or more (possibly detachable) displays or monitors, speakers and / or any other suitable output devices. Any applicable input / output (VO) devices may be connected to Computing device 10 as shown by blocks 7 and 8. For example, a wired or wireless network interface card (NIC), a universal serial bus (USB) device or external hard drive may be included in input devices 7 and / or output devices 8. It will be recognized that any suitablenumber of input devices 7 and output device 8 may be operatively connected to Computing device 10 as shown by blocks 7 and 8.

[0040] A system according to some embodiments of the invention may include components such as, but not limited to, a plurality of central processing units (CPU) or any other suitable multi-purpose or specific processors or controllers (e.g., similar to element 2), a plurality of input units, a plurality of output units, a plurality of memory units, and a plurality of storage units.

[0041] Reference is now made to Fig. 2A which is a flowchart of a method of diagnosing an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens according to some embodiments of the invention. The method of Fig. 2A may be executed by system 100 under the supervision of computing device 10 or any other suitable controller.

[0042] In step 210, the method may include radiating the eye with a first RF energy dose in at least one frequency. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency is selected to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a- crystallins, [3- crystallins, and y- crystallins. In a nonlimiting example, the at least one frequency may be at least one of 9 GHz and 25 GHz. In some embodiments, the at least one frequency may be determined by scanning lenses of eye diagnosed with the eye condition over a range of RF frequencies and finding at least one RF frequency at which at least a portion of the RF energy is absorbed / dissipated by the lens proteins.

[0043] For example, controller 2 of computing device 10 may control RF generator 20 to generate RF energy at the at least one frequency, or to generate a scan comprising a plurality of RF frequencies at a specific range (e.g., from 10 GHz to 10 THz).

[0044] In some embodiments, the RF radiation dose is radiated at less than 400 W / m2. For example, RF generator 20 may generate RF energy at at most 400 W / m2, at most 300 W / m2, at most 200 W / m2, for example, 50 W / m2. In a nonlimiting example, amplifier 30 may amplify the RF energy generated by RF generator 20 to 100 W / m2. In some embodiments, the RF energy may be provided as a single continuous pulse or as a series of pulses.

[0045] The RF energy may be directed towards the eye by antenna 40.

[0046] In step 220, the method may include receiving a first reflection of the RF radiation from the eye. At least some of the RF energy directed by antenna 40 towards the eye, may be reflected from the lens and received at antenna 40. This portion of the RF energy may be determined by controller 2 of computing device 10, in step 230.

[0047] In step 240, the method may include diagnosing the eye condition based on the determined reflected portion of the RF energy. For example, controller 2 of computing device 10 may determine that the reflected RF energy (at a specific frequency) intensity is substantially the same (e.g., at least 90 %) of the RF energy radiated towards the eye. In such a case, little to no absorption of the RF energy is detected, therefore, the diagnosing step may conclude that the lens of the eye does not have protein aggregation.

[0048] However, if the intensity of the RF energy (at a specific frequency) reflected from the lens is lower than a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 80 % of the radiated RF energy), controller 2 of computing device 10 may determine that the lens suffers from some amount of protein aggregation. In some embodiments, the higher the dissipation / absorption of the RF energy the larger is the amount of protein aggregation. In some embodiments, the diagnosing may include determining the stage / severity of the protein aggregation based on the percentage of RF energy reflected.

[0049] In some embodiments, the method of diagnosing the eye condition may be used to diagnose protein aggregation in the lens, at early stages. At these stages, common methods based on visible light, are limited in their ability to detect small amounts of protein aggregation. The method according to embodiments of the invention may be used as a screening diagnosing test, that may be conducted to patients at a specific group age (e.g., above 40 years old) and / or having medical conditions that may result in protein aggregation in the lens. These patients, not yet suffering from the outcome of the eye condition, may not be aware of the condition at all. Therefore, diagnosing the eye condition at early stages may allow providing treatment and avoiding the suffering all along.

[0050] In some embodiments, the method may further include treating the eye condition based on the diagnosis. In step 250, the method may include treating the eye by providing a second RF radiation dose at the at least one RF frequency. If the eye condition (e.g., cataracts) were diagnosed, in step 240, controller 2 of computing device 10 may control RF generator 20 to generate another RF radiation dose at the at least one RF frequency, for treating the eye. In some embodiments, the second RF radiation dose may have a higher intensity than the first RF radiation dose.

[0051] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving a second reflection of the RF radiation from the eye; and determining, from the second reflection, a treatment progress based on the reflection of the portion of the RF energy. For example, if thepercentage of RF energy that has been found to be dissipated / absorbed by the proteins in the lens, have been reduced (in comparison to the first reflection), controller 2 of computing device 10 may conclude that disaggregation of the lens proteins have been be achieved.

[0052] In some embodiments, controller 2 of computing device 10 may further determine if a third RF energy dose is required to be provided based on the treatment progress. In some embodiments, at least one of the second RF radiation dose, and the third RF radiation dose is provided at less than 200 W / m2.

[0053] Reference is now made to Fig 2B which is a flowchart of a method of treating an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens, according to some embodiments of the invention. The method of Fig. 2B may be performed on an eye of an already-diagnosed patient. The method of Fig. 2B may be executed by system 100 under the supervision of computing device 10 or any other suitable controller.

[0054] Step 210 of the method of Fig. 2B may be substantially the same as step 210 of the method of Fig. 2A. In some embodiments, the amount of RF energy provided for treating the eye condition may be higher than the amount of RF energy provided for diagnosing the eye condition.

[0055] In some embodiments, the method may include providing two or more treatment cycles, and wherein each treatment cycle comprises at least one dose of RF energy. In some embodiments, the treatment may include repeating the RF energy provision at least twice or until an improvement or even elimination of the protein aggregation on the lens is achieved / detected.Examples

[0056] Lenses originated from pig eyes were used to assess the claimed methods and system. For the baseline transmission of a fresh lens was placed in a cuvette containing Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS), and the transmission was measured over the visible spectra 400 - 700 nm wavelength range using a V-730 UV-Visible spectrophotometer. Cataracts were induced via the standard microwave induction method on the extracted pig lenses to derive different grades of cataracts. To measure the extent of cataracts, the cataract- induced lens was placed in a cuvette containing PBS and transmission was measured over the visible spectra 400 - 700 nm wavelength range using a spectrometer. The pig lens with induced cataracts was treated with radiation treatment, according to embodiments of the invention, using system 100 at the calibrated dosage.

[0057] To measure the recovery the treated lens was placed in a cuvette containing PBS and transmission was measured over the visible spectra 400 - 700 nm wavelength range using a spectrometer. For analysis the baseline transmission was set at 100% with measures of cataract and recovery compared to the baseline. Antenna 40 was a horn antenna with a gain of 10 dBm.

[0058] The treatments include radiating the pig eyes with RF energy at 9 GHz. The intensity levels were 20 dB (directly from RG generator 20) and 200 dB (after amplification). The durations of the treatments were half an hour or an hour when the treatment was done sequentially and divided into 15 minutes periods.

[0059] Aqueous and vitreous humor were extracted from fresh eyes and transferred to a cuvette. Transmission of untreated gels was measured over the visible spectra 400 - 700 nm wavelength range using a spectrometer, this measurement was used as the baseline. Gels were transferred from the cuvette to a tissue culture plate and the gels were treated with radiation treatment. After treatment, the gels were transferred to the cuvette and transmission was measured.

[0060] Results

[0061] Considering some level of variability in the lens transparency due to biological factor, the initial lens transparency of each lens, was considered to be 100%. Cataracts can exist at varying levels of severity, therefore, the efficacy of treatment on lenses was measured for different levels of opacity ranging from 7-50% that would represent the different stages of cataracts as seen in the clinic. The treatment allowed the recovery of transparency from 17% to over 100%, meaning there was an improvement of the base level.

[0062] Reference is now made to Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3C which are column charts of transmission recovery after treatment of pig lenses with cataracts according to some embodiments of the invention. The lenses were grouped to reflect cataracts of different severity. Each group include between 3-7 lenses. The transmission of each group of lenses were tested at 3 stages 1) prior to the induction of cataracts, 2) after the induction of cataracts, and 3) after providing RF treatment according to embodiments of the invention.

[0063] Fig. 3A shows the transmission measurements for group A that includes lenses diagnosed with 0-20% reduction in transmission after the induction of cataracts. As shown in the first test for fresh lenses the average transmission was 100% (column 1), after theinduction of cataracts the average transmission was reduced to 86% (column 2), and following the RF treatment the transmission increased to 96 % (column 3).

[0064] Fig. 3B shows the transmission measurements for group B that includes lenses diagnosed with 21-40% reduction in transmission after the induction of cataracts. As shown in the first test for fresh lenses the average transmission was 100% (column 1), after the induction of cataracts the average transmission was reduced to 71.46% (column 2), and following the RF treatment the transmission increased to 93.16 % (column 3).

[0065] Fig. 3C shows the transmission measurements for group C that includes lenses diagnosed with over 40% reduction in transmission after the induction of cataracts. As shown in the first test for fresh lenses the average transmission was 100% (column 1), after the induction of cataracts the average transmission was reduced to 49.47% (column 2), and following the RF treatment the transmission increased to 59.37 % (column 3).

[0066] As noticed, the treatment was more effective in early to medium stages of cataract, where the reduction in transmission of lens is lower than 40%. In these stages, the treatment proved to almost completely restore the transmission of the lens to more than 93%.

[0067] Reference is now made to Figs. 4A and 4B which are column charts of transmissions measured in eye gels, and lenses whiteout cataracts according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0068] In order to evaluate whether the treatment is safe and specific to the lens and will not damage other elements in the eye the treatment were performed on a sample of aqueous humor and vitreous humor extracted from the dissected eyes, see Fig. 4A. It was demonstrated that there was no change in transparency. In order to evaluate whether the treatment is safe and specific to the lens and will not damage other elements in the eye, the treatment was performed on a sample of aqueous humor and vitreous humor extracted from the dissected eyes and saw that there was no change in transparency, shown in Fig. 4A.

[0069] In order to demonstrate the specificity of the treatment the treatment was performed on non-cataract-induced lenses, see Fig. 4B. No change in lens transparency, was demonstrated, before and after the treatment. This provides evidence that the change in transparency in the treated lenses after cataract induction is due to treatment and not due to physiological changes in the lenses over time such as protein degradation.

[0070] Initial preclinical experiments showed that the potential of a system according to embodiments of the invention in reversing cataracts caused by crystallin aggregation. In thepig lens a recovery of lens transmission from 17 to over 100% was demonstrated. The treatment does not affect the transparency of the aqueous or vitreous humor.

[0071] Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Furthermore, all formulas described herein are intended as examples only and other or different formulas may be used. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof may occur or be performed at the same point in time.

[0072] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

[0073] Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments presented, and embodiments not specifically described may include various features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system for treating an eye condition associated with protein aggregation in the lens, the method comprising: a radiofrequency (RF)radiation generator; an RF antenna; and a controller configured to: control the RF generator to radiate the eye with a RF energy dose in at least one frequency, directed towards an eye; wherein the at least one frequency is selected to restructure chins, and to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a- crystallins, P- crystallins, and y-crystallins.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one frequency is between 10 GHz to 100 10 GHZTHz.

3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one frequency is at least one of 9 GHz and 25 GHz.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the RF radiation dose is radiated at less than 200 W / m2.

5. The system of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising providing one or more treatment cycles, and wherein each treatment cycle comprises at least one dose of RF energy.

6. A system for diagnosing and treating eye protein aggregation in the lens, comprising: an RF radiation generator; an RF antenna; and a controller configured to: control the RF generator to radiate the eye with a first radiofrequency (RF) energy dose at least one RF frequency; determine a portion of the radiated RF energy that was reflected; and diagnose an eye condition based on the determined reflected portion of theRF energy,wherein the at least one frequency is selected to cause disaggregation of lens protein aggregates of groups: a- crystallins, P- crystallins, and y- cry stallins.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising an amplifier for amplifying the RF radiation.

8. The system of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein an RF radiation generator generates the RF radiation at a beam diameter of between 5 to 100 mm.

9. The system of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the RF radiation dose is radiated at less than 200 W / m2.

10. The system of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the at least one frequency is at least one of 9 GHz and 25 GHz.

11. The system of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the at least one frequency is between 10 GHz to 10 THz.

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