A fast, lightweight handheld OCT for patients who can’t cooperate
Official title: A Widefield, Handheld OCT system for Patients who are Unable to Cooperate
Funded at Theia Imaging LLC · NIH-11542812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny, easy-to-use handheld eye scanner could help diagnose and monitor retinal conditions in patients who can’t stay still or communicate well.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Theia Imaging LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $60,860 |
| NIH project number | 3R44EY033604-03S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11542812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants, young children, or adults who cannot cooperate with standard OCT imaging and need widefield retinal assessment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who can participate fully with standard OCT devices may not benefit from this new handheld system.
What this research studies
Many people, including infants and others who can’t cooperate, can’t use normal eye scanners because they’re bulky and require the patient to sit still and fixate. This project aims to develop a fast, light handheld OCT device with a wide field of view so clinicians can image the retina at the bedside or in clinics with minimal cooperation needed. The approach focuses on creating a high-speed system that is practical for real-world use in young children and other patients who struggle with traditional equipment. If successful, this could lead to earlier detection of retinal problems like retinopathy of prematurity and better ongoing monitoring. The effort involves hardware design, testing, and user feedback from clinicians and patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients who cannot cooperate could receive quicker, more comprehensive retinal imaging leading to earlier diagnosis and better management of eye diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Handheld OCT approaches have shown promise, but current devices are heavier and slower; this project seeks to overcome those limits with a faster, lighter design.
Where this research is happening
-
Theia Imaging LLC
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Viehland, Christian — Theia Imaging LLC
- Study coordinator: Viehland, Christian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Ultrahigh-Speed Handheld OCTA for patients who can’t cooperate
A fast handheld eye scan device helps diagnose eye disease in infants, uncooperative children, and very ill adults who can’t stay still.
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Widefield handheld eye scanner for infants and patients who can't sit still
This project builds a lightweight, fast handheld retinal scanner to capture wide views of the back of the eye for infants, young children, and patients who cannot use standard tabletop machines.
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Widefield handheld retinal OCT for infants and patients who can't cooperate
A lightweight, fast handheld eye scanner that captures wide views of the retina for babies and patients who cannot sit still or fixate.
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A handheld device for eye imaging in patients who cannot cooperate
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A new imaging device for patients who can't hold still during eye exams
This study is testing a new, super-fast eye imaging tool that helps doctors see the tiny blood vessels in the eye without needing any injections, making it easier for babies, young kids, and older adults who might have trouble with regular eye exams.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.