Computers are becoming an integral part of the workplace and home environments. Without use of the angers and hands, however, the standard computer workstation is impossible to use, and people with such disabilities are isolated from career, educational, and social opportunities. … More

DESCRIPTION (From the Applicant's Abstract): The proposed phase 1 SBIR project will develop and evaluate a proof of concept prototype of a touchable window interface designed to enable blind and visually impaired computer users to use graphical user interfaces such as Windows… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This R&D project will develop a novel wireless product for delivering power and control signals to implanted neural prosthetic devices. The new wireless technology uses the human body as a transmission medium, eliminating many of the undesirable side effects of… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In Phase I of this work, Vortant Technologies created a new point-and-click (VPAC) device for non-invasive computer input. The new device tracks the position and orientation of the user's head, but requires no attachment of devices, markers, or dots to the user.… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): I In Phase I of this work, Vortant Technologies created a new device that significantly improves the ability of unsighted individuals to explore and understand what is on a Windows TM computer display. Using a surface about the size of a mouse pad, the Touchable… More

The goal of this Phase I research project is to create a product to revolutionize the planning, installation, damage resistance, and cost effectiveness of in situ, real-time water quality monitoring systems. The proposed project will develop a water quality telemetry system that eliminates the… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term aim of this project is to develop a novel wireless cardiac pacemaker electrode system. With the proposed technology, multiple such electrodes can be positioned at optimal sites within the coronary veins of the heart for cardiac resynchronization… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will create a Dynamic Tactile Display (DTD) prototype with the look, feel, and functionality of the real-world product, and it will demonstrate that the DTD makes it easier to learn and use computers than existing screen reader… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This SBIR project will create a miniature, non-intrusive device for blind individuals, to in effect, extend the sense of touch beyond the fingertips to several feet away. The device will be most useful for newly or completely blind individuals, and its utility… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will create a Dynamic Tactile Display (DTD) prototype with the look, feel, and functionality of the real-world product, and it will demonstrate that the DTD makes it easier to learn and use computers than existing screen reader… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project aims to improve the quality of life and employment potential for spinal cord injured (SCI) and other individuals who cannot use a standard computer keyboard and mouse. Some assistive products, such as head trackers, are suitable for controlling the… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project aims to provide a simpler, more user-friendly system for eye-controlled communication and computer interaction. Although eye-tracking systems are currently available, the existing systems tend to be very ex pensive, typically costing thousands of… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This RandD 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 a s a longer-range sensing device for… More

Situation and Problem: Real-time monitoring of water quality data currently requires costly equipment and involved installation procedures. However, many water quality applications would benefit from an easy-to-install, low-cost monitoring sensor, so that more accurate and up-to-date decision-making… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project aims to improve the quality of life, computer accessibility, and employment potential for spinal cord injured (SCI) and other individuals who cannot use a standard computer keyboard and mouse. Some assistiv e products, such as head trackers, are… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term aim of this SBIR project is to develop an aid to enhance the ability of people with tunnel vision or functional blindness to keep track of their own orientation and that of multiple targets of interest in the surrounding environment. The proposed… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this SBIR project is to develop a new tool to improve the ability of blind and visually impaired people to quickly get to the right web pages, to avoid ending up on the wrong web pages, and to reach the d esired part of the web page efficiently.… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Freezing of Gait (FOG) effects the majority of the approximately one million individuals who have Parkinson's disease nationwide and causes a cessation of movement that patients describe as feeling as if their feet areglued to the ground . FOG most often… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This SBIR project will create a new tool to improve health tracking of older adults in research and in clinical settings by automating user-friendly, in-home assessment of walking speed, which has emerged as one of thestrongest predictors of health status and… More

It is currently time consuming and expensive to install water quality monitoring stations to report data on water quality to researchers and monitoring agencies quickly and efficiently. In this project, we will develop the technology to improve the gathering and reporting of such data. The end… More