Award
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 1R21DC023404-01
New low cost technology for early detection of ear disorders
Recipient
University of Southern California
Award Amount
$445,861.00
Ceiling
$445,861.00
Awarded
September 17, 2025
Identifier
1R21DC023404-01
Development of an affordable, portable 3D imaging device for early detection of ear disorders to improve screening and prevent conductive hearing loss.
Description
This project aims to develop a real-time, 3D visualization device based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect ear disorders early. The goal is to reduce the cost of the current system from approximately $60,000 to under $5,000 using advanced 3D printing to develop a planar waveguide structure, enabling full-field OCT in the spectral domain. The project will develop a prototype and validate its performance in healthy volunteers and patients, facilitating broader adoption in primary care settings.