Texture Changing Coatings for Low Vision and Blindness

Overseen By Charles Dhong, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Delaware

Disqualifiers: Limb conditions

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 11

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to make at-home COVID-19 testing accessible for people with low vision or blindness by developing a test that changes texture to show results. This method allows individuals to feel the results by touch, promoting independence and privacy without needing assistance or internet access. The trial evaluates a special coating on a device to determine if it can indicate the presence of COVID antigens (substances that trigger an immune response). Ideal candidates are those who have been blind or visually impaired for over 10 years and frequently use tactile aids. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions for accessible healthcare.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this texture changing coating is safe for use by people with low vision or blindness?

Research has shown that texture-changing coatings have been used to enhance windshield safety in the rain. However, specific safety information about these coatings for humans is not yet available. This trial is in a phase that does not involve testing safety in humans.

It's important to note that coatings can contain various chemicals. Some may include ingredients like acrylates or acetone, which can be harmful if not handled properly. However, research has not provided clear evidence of any harmful effects from the specific coatings used in this study.

Prospective participants should consider asking the researchers about the materials used and any potential risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this treatment because it introduces a novel way for individuals with low vision or blindness to interact with their environment. Unlike traditional methods that rely on assistive devices or technology, this approach uses a unique polymer-antibody coating that changes texture in response to specific stimuli, such as the presence of certain antigens. This texture-changing feature allows users to detect changes through touch, providing a direct, tactile feedback mechanism. By harnessing this innovative technology, researchers hope to offer a more intuitive and accessible option for people with visual impairments.

What evidence suggests that this texture changing coating is effective for low vision and blindness?

Research has shown that textured coatings can assist people with vision impairments by enabling them to rely on touch to understand their surroundings. These coatings change texture upon contact with certain materials, such as a COVID antigen, making them useful for touch-based tests. In this trial, participants in the "Interaction with Coated Surfaces" arm will interact with surfaces coated with the polymer-antibody coating to detect the presence of a COVID antigen. An experimental study found that this technology enhances how surfaces convey information through touch. This could allow people with low vision or blindness to obtain COVID test results without visual assistance. Early findings suggest these coatings enable individuals to feel the difference between positive and negative test results, promoting independence. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with low vision or blindness. Participants will interact with a mock COVID-19 rapid antigen test designed to report results through texture change, which can be detected by touch.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been blind or visually impaired for over 10 years.

Participants must use tactile aids regularly

Participants should have a basic understanding of mathematical plots, equivalent to at least high school geometry.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any amputations or conditions that affect my hand use.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Participants are trained with a 'positive' test and 'negative' test prior to device testing

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Testing

Participants administer synthetic saliva and determine if there is COVID antigen by touch

10 weeks

10 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants provide ongoing feedback on usability and preferences of the tactile aid

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Validation of Texture Changing Coatings

Trial Overview The study tests a new type of at-home COVID-19 rapid test that doesn't require sight. It uses texture changes to convey results, aiming to make testing accessible and private for people with visual impairments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Interaction with Coated Surfaces Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants in this arm will interact with the device and surface coated with the polymer-antibody coating. Subjects will be trained with a "positive" test and "negative" test prior to device testing. Subjects will then administer the synthetic saliva themselves and asked to determine if there was COVID antigen in the saliva by touching the device to compare the test patch to the positive and negative control patches. Subjects will also rate device usability.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Delaware

Lead Sponsor

Trials

167

Recruited

25,700+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11406215/

Self-assembled thin films as alternative surface textures in ... For people who are severely visually impaired or blind, touch serves as a critical means to obtain spatial data through accessible tactile aids and graphics.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452199X25001859

Progress in visible-light-activated photocatalytic coatings to ... This comprehensive review aims to summarize the latest advancements in design principles, physicochemical modifications, and surface optimizations.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11643459/

Meta-Analysis of Materials and Treatments Used in ... This meta-analysis evaluates the evolution, applications, and recent advancements in the materials and treatments used in ophthalmic lenses.

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2079-6412/14/8/973?

Experimental Study and Mechanism Analysis of the ... Textured coating technology is an effective method to improve the friction and wear performance of mold surfaces. The adhesion strength at the interface ...

5. semanticscholar.org semanticscholar.org/paper/d788858897c06eb4cc3a24fad4527c66fd33dc9e

Untitled JavaScript is disabled. In order to continue, we need to verify that you're not a robot. This requires JavaScript. Enable JavaScript and then reload the page.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11910081/

Anti-smudge superhard transparent coatings via ultra-small ... Remarkably, this coating can improve driving safety during rainy weather, as reducing raindrop retention can prevent rain-induced poor ...

7. odiesoil.com odiesoil.com/content/Finishers-and-Specifiers-Handbook-of-Coating-Material-Toxicity-and-Environment-Hazards.pdf

Coating Material Ingredient Toxicity & Environmental ... Beware of finishes containing any of the following ingredients: Acrylates. Acrylamide. Acetone. Benzene. Ethylbenzene. Benzene Derivatives. Page 4. 4.

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/367962578_NIR-Triggered_High-Efficiency_Self-Healable_Protective_Optical_Coating_for_Vision_Systems

NIR-Triggered High-Efficiency Self-Healable Protective ... When subjected to near-infrared (NIR) radiation (1064 nm), the surface temperature of the coating increased to 75 °C via the photothermal effect ...

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785423000157

Fundamentals of antifogging strategies, coating techniques ... In this review, the fundamentals of antifogging strategies and materials choice are covered as well as the different techniques used to prepare inorganic ...

10. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2079-6412/11/2/116

Recent Progresses of Superhydrophobic Coatings in ... Windshield surfaces are prone to fogging under certain conditions, which obstructs a driver's vision and causes safety issues due to the refraction, reflection ...