Observation of microwave-induced eye lens surface motion in vitro

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Med. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.596028· OSTI ID:6121178

Wyeth, N C

Previous experiments have shown that murine ocular lenses immersed in saline in vitro suffered microscopic physical damage (including cataractogenic changes) after exposure to pulsed microwaves under conditions in which the temperature rise was negligible. The suspected coupling mechanism is thermoelastic transduction (TET). To test this hypothesis, laser interferometry was used to measure the lens surface motion induced by pulsed microwaves. Although experimental constraints delayed the recording of surface motion data until 0.5 ms after the microwave pulse, damped oscillatory motion was measured over an interval of several milliseconds. A theoretical model is presented to explain the observed motion as natural oscillation modes of an elastic sphere excited by TET waves produced in the surrounding saline. Effects of the lens capsule are also discussed. The conclusions reached are that the observed motion is TET induced, but the lens damage occurs during the passage of the initial excitatory TET waves through the lens, an event which could not be monitored by this experiment.

• Research Organization: Science Applications International Corporation, McLean, VA
• OSTI ID: 6121178
• Journal Information: Med. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Med. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 14:4; ISSN MPHYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CRYSTALLINE LENS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EYES
FACE
HEAD
IN VITRO
MAMMALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
MOTION
ORGANS
RADIATIONS
RATS
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
SENSITIVITY
VERTEBRATES