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FEEL-BEYOND-FINGERS DEVICE FOR THE BLIND

Award Number: R44EY014528
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2003
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2011

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FEEL-BEYOND-FINGERS DEVICE FOR THE BLIND - DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This R&D project will provide a miniature, inconspicuous device for blind individuals to sense what is in front of their hand - both as a short-range sensor for finding small, nearby objects in daily living, as well as a longer-range sensing device for mobility enhancement. The device will be most useful for newly or completely blind individuals, especially in unfamiliar, hazardous, or unsanitary environments. Based on an innovative infrared distance-sensing technology, the proposed Feel-Beyond-Fingers device has several significant advantages that make it unique among solutions for blind users. The Phase l project began with a Focus Group activity at subcontractor Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI). A proof of concept device was fabricated and tested after detailed packaging and electronics design. Visually impaired participants used the device in simulated everyday scenarios at ACBVI. The participants showed a high level of enthusiasm for the device. In Phase II, the completed SBIR project will result in a device whose effectiveness has been evaluated by users in everyday life, over an extended period of time. Commercialization will produce an attractively priced product that will enable enhanced participation in a wider range of social, vocational, and educational activities. The proposed Feel Beyond Fingers (FBF) device provides an important function that is of interest to a significant portion of the blind and visually impaired population, which currently numbers about 3 million individuals. The proposed device would be of greatest interest to the totally blind, who lack most visual cues about the immediate environment. This is estimated to be about 200,000 people in the U.S. In agreement with previous data, the Phase I user evaluations found that these users face significant issues in locating small and large objects, getting around in social situations, and avoiding inadvertent contact with objects in the environment. The low cost of the production device will also make the technology accessible to a much wider range of people than higher-cost object detection and range-finding technologies.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2010 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2010	2008	VORTANT TECHNOLOGIES LLC	88 HIGH COUNTRY ROAD	WEAVERVILLE	NC	28787	BUNCOMBE	USA	Vision Research	000	3	5/25/2010	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2009 ( Subtotal = $220,014 )
2009	2009	VORTANT TECHNOLOGIES LLC	88 HIGH COUNTRY ROAD	WEAVERVILLE	NC	28787	BUNCOMBE	USA	Vision Research	000	3	9/17/2009	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$220,014
														Subtotal = $220,014

Issue Date FY: 2008 ( Subtotal = $298,474 )
2008	2008	VORTANT TECHNOLOGIES LLC	88 HIGH COUNTRY ROAD	WEAVERVILLE	NC	28787	BUNCOMBE	USA	Vision Research	000	3	8/1/2008	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$298,474
														Subtotal = $298,474

Issue Date FY: 2007 ( Subtotal = $312,262 )
2007	2007	VORTANT TECHNOLOGIES LLC	88 HIGH COUNTRY ROAD	WEAVERVILLE	NC	28787	BUNCOMBE	USA	Vision Research	000	2	8/6/2007	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$312,262
														Subtotal = $312,262

Grand Total All Awards = $830,750

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FEEL-BEYOND-FINGERS DEVICE FOR THE BLIND

Award Number: R44EY014528

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2003

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2011

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