The National Institutes of Health-National Eye Institute has awarded a grant to Vivakor in Coralville, IA through the Small Business Innovation Research Awards.
Vivakor will use the grant to help fund a vision research project entitled, “Development of a digital photo-refractor (DPR) to detect amblyogenic risk factors.” The Small Business Innovation Research Awards – Phase I help establish the technical merit and feasibility of proposed research and development efforts that may ultimately lead to a commercial product or service.
Vivakor’s VivaSight is a digital photo-refractor device that will modernize screening of children for ocular disorders. This type of screening is increasingly being required by State governments in the kindergarten population.
In addition, the VivaSight device is in the final stages of a clinical validation study being conducted at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in the prestigious and top-ranking Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences.
Vivakor said that VivaSight technology will be easily integrated into the outreach programs in developing countries.
Tannin Fuja, CEO of Vivakor, said: “Vivakor is proud of its achievements in this area and we are honored to receive this grant to assist us in furthering our development of this critically necessary tool.”