Ultrahigh-Speed Handheld OCTA for patients who can’t cooperate
Official title: Ultrahigh Speed, Widefield OCT Angiography System for Patients who are Unable to Cooperate
Funded at Theia Imaging LLC · NIH-11403192 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A fast handheld eye scan device helps diagnose eye disease in infants, uncooperative children, and very ill adults who can’t stay still.
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 | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,031,041 |
| NIH project number | 2R44EY034418-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11403192 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Infants, young children, and adults who cannot cooperate during standard retinal imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who can easily cooperate with conventional imaging may not see additional benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a very fast handheld OCTA imaging system to capture detailed retinal blood flow without contrast, even when patients cannot remain still. It aims to reduce scan time, improve comfort, and provide high-quality images for those who typically can’t access advanced imaging. The approach involves translating ultrafast imaging technology into a portable handheld tool and validating its performance in real-world clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients who are too sick or too young to cooperate could receive clearer eye images that support earlier diagnosis and better management of retinal diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous handheld imaging efforts show promise but have not yet achieved universal reliability in uncooperative patients.
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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A fast, lightweight handheld OCT for patients who can’t cooperate
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.
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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
This study is working on a new, easy-to-use handheld imaging device that helps doctors take pictures of the eyes in babies and young children who can't sit still for regular tests, making it easier to spot and treat eye problems like retinopathy in premature infants.
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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.