NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: Transport Navigation for the Visually Impaired (Vin)
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: Navigating public transport can be challenging for passengers especially when they are visually impaired, stations can represent a complicated and daunting environment. This greatly reduces their access to public transport options impacting the lives of many and also increases the logistics of supporting passengers whilst travelling. GoMedia have partnered with the RNIB and technology provider Navilens, to develop a technical solution that can improve public transport accessibility for the visually impaired. Our solution will help the visually impaired find their way around stations guiding them to platforms, coffee shops, facilities and more with the use of simple visual markers recognised by a standard mobile phone that delivers relevant timely information. We are also combining this with our real time passenger information system to ensure passengers are kept up to date with the latest changes on the network. RNIB's knowledge, GoMedia's advanced Passenger Information Systems, Navilens's innovative visual recognition system will liberate the visually impaired travelling on Public Transport. Information can be sent to passenger devices that will empower visually impaired passengers to navigate around stations and onto their correct vehicle, even if they are unable to read standard signage and information screens. The information can be consumed by a passenger using the standard accessibility tools on their devices translating it in to a format that they are familiar with. The technical solution can be either standalone, or be integrated into the Train Operator's or National Rail Enquires App when available maximising access to the solution and access to the UK train network. Our focus is on the visually impaired, however, we will also investigate the impact on non visually impaired understanding if the solution will also assist other members of society, for example the elderly, school children or rural places where no screens can be installed at bus / tram stops. We have also been considering the benefit as we restart the economy of how our solution can be used to trigger information for all and reduce the number of physical touch points during a journey, increasing confidence to travel.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: EYE
Title: PVE - empowering the visually impaired
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: Formed in 2017, Sensivision aims to bring innovative assistive technology to the market to help people with a visual impairment lead a richer and more fulfilling life. Sensivision empowers the disadvantaged, creating effective and efficient solutions to enable independence and raise awareness of the challenges surrounding visual impairment. In the UK, visual impairment affects more than 2 million people, this number is predicted to reach over 4 million by 2050 \[www.rnib.org\]. Despite increasing awareness and improvements by local and national governments, the majority of infrastructure is not intended for people with physical disabilities to navigate. This project will address challenges faced by current state-of-the-art technology for the visually impaired by developing a cost-effective, usable device for end-users.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: EYE
Title: Synthetic Amniotic Membrane
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: For many of us, there is hardly any more life-changing disability imaginable than loss of sight. Whether through trauma or disease, the inability to rely on visual cues impacts on all matters of daily life; doing your job or bringing your kids to school are no longer straightforward activities. Blindness or reduced sight is often caused by a damaged conjunctiva, a super-thin layer of cells covering the white of your eye and inside of your eye-lids. Fortunately for many in the western world, repair of this damaged tissue is possible through established surgical procedures, many of them using a tissue graft sourced during birth called the amniotic membrane (AM). Microscopically, the AM closely resembles the damaged ocular tissue and can be used as a patch (Amniotic Membrane Transplantation, AMT) to help the body regenerate the damaged tissue. There is however a caveat, our population is ageing and AMT is expected to rise. As it can only be sourced during birth (usually during C-section), AM supply is not available in (virtually) unlimited supply, increasing its price and healthcare costs. Furthermore, AM is often stored in expensive facilities with a significant administrative burden (donor tissue traceability), further adding to the costs. Last but not least, donor tissue regulation, unlike medical device regulation, is complicated for international deployment. In developing countries such as India and China, loss of sight is closely correlated with occupational hazards (i.e. chemical burns of the eye) and is estimated that over 2M people in India alone would benefit from AMT procedures. However, high costs and non-existent national tissue donation regulation literally leave these people in the dark. The aim of the proposed project is to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of developing a fully resorbable synthetic AM alternative. The use of nano-fibre technology, called electrospinning, to fabricate such a device will closely mimic the native AM and ocular tissue. Successful adoption of such a device would directly address the global shortage in AM, easing the pressure on tissue banking and simplifying regulation for swift market deployment (medical device). Furthermore, the manufacturing process can be scaled to meet global demand, allowing cost-effective production for low-income countries and making a truly impact on a global level, made in Great Britain.


Research activity codes: 5.2 CELLULAR AND GENE THERAPIES
Health categories: EYE
Title: University of Strathclyde and GWSSB KTP 22_23 R1
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: To embed a product development process and to develop affordable technology that enables early functional visual assessment and then provides visual rehabilitation/treatment for people that have experienced a neurological visual field loss. This will be complemented by an accredited rehabilitation training programme for allied health professionals.


Research activity codes: 4.1 DISCOVERY AND PRECLINICAL TESTING OF MARKERS AND TECHNOLOGIES;5.3 MEDICAL DEVICES
Health categories: EYE
Title: Towards Dropless Cataract Surgery: MEDILens, a Drug-eluting Intraocular Lens
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: VisusNano is a medtech start-up company that is developing a drug-eluting intraocular lens, for use in patients undergoing cataract surgery. By improving patient outcomes, removing the need for eye drops after surgery, our technology has the potential to revolutionise cataract surgery in both the human and veterinary markets. Cataract, defined as opacification of the lens within the eye, is the commonest cause of blindness worldwide. The only cure is surgery and it main risk is postoperative inflammation that causes pain and, if left untreated, visual loss. This can be prevented with an intense administration of eye drops. 20k domestic animal cataract operations are performed each year in the UK. Each requires postoperative drops up to 6 times per day for 3 months. Often dogs and cats owners cannot afford this intensive treatment schedule, so the animals do not have surgery and become blind. In the UK, more than 400k surgeries are performed each year in humans. After surgery care requires drop administration up to 4 times/day for a month. If patients cannot self-administer the drops, family is asked to support their older relatives, adding to the unpaid carer burden. Unfortunately families cannot always help, so nurse's support is needed at a high cost to the NHS (\>£55M/year) and burden for a hospital eye service that is already "on its knees". MEDILens is a biodegradable lens that can release anti-inflammatory drugs into the eye, obviating the need for eye drops without compromising the properties of the lens. The innovation is protected by patents. The Innovate UK funding would allow us to test the safety and efficacy of MEDILens on animals, so to develop a veterinary product and a prototype for the human market within 18 months. We are planning to present our results to conferences and publish them on high impact factor journals. With MEDILens growth opportunities and secondary markets are substantial. Not only the IOL market is growing because of the ageing population, but MEDILens can be easily modified to incorporate other drugs to treat different diseases. Our company's success lies in our diverse skill mix. Our team has expertise in drug delivery development, ophthalmic surgery, clinical trials and project management. An ophthalmologist and a veterinary ophthalmologist are integral to the team and ensure that the developed product is fit for their end-users.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS
Health categories: EYE
Title: MEDILens, a Drug-eluting Intraocular Lens
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: VisusNano is a medtech start-up company that is developing a drug-eluting intraocular lens implant, for use in patients undergoing cataract surgery. By improving patient outcomes, removing the need for eye drops after surgery, our technology has the potential to revolutionise cataract surgery. Cataract, defined as opacification of the lens within the eye, is the commonest cause of blindness worldwide. The only cure is surgery. The main risk of treatment is postoperative inflammation that causes pain and, if left untreated, visual loss. This can be prevented with an intense administration of eye drops. In the UK, more than 400k surgeries are performed each year in humans. Postoperative care requires drop administration up to 4 times/day for a month. If patients cannot self-administer the drops, family is asked to support their older relatives, adding to the unpaid carer burden. Unfortunately families cannot always help, so nurse's support is needed at a high cost to the NHS (\\\>£55M/year) and burden for a hospital eye service that is already "on its knees". MEDILens is a biodegradable lens that can release anti-inflammatory drugs into the eye, obviating the need for eye drops without compromising the properties of the lens. The innovation is protected by patents. The Innovate UK funding would allow us to test the safety and efficacy of MEDILens in humans, so to develop a product for the human market within 18 months. We are planning to present our results to conferences and publish them on high impact factor journals. With MEDILens growth opportunities and secondary markets are substantial. Not only the IOL market is growing because of the ageing population, but MEDILens can be easily modified to incorporate other drugs to treat different diseases. Our company's success lies in our diverse skill mix. Our team has expertise in drug delivery development, ophthalmic surgery, clinical trials and project management. An ophthalmologist and a veterinary ophthalmologist are integral to the team and ensure that the developed product is fit for their end-users.


Research activity codes: 5.1 PHARMACEUTICALS;5.3 MEDICAL DEVICES
Health categories: EYE
Title: Developing, Implementing, and Verifying the Integrity of an Indoor Navigation System for Visually Impaired People
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: There are an estimated 250million visually impaired individuals worldwide(Ackland\_et\_al\_2017), many of whom use a cane to help them get around. The most familiar type of cane, known as a "long cane", is used by visually impaired individuals with extremely restricted or no vision to help them find their way and avoid obstacles. However, a long cane can only detect obstacles below knee height and within approximately 1 m of the user. This makes it particularly challenging for visually impaired individuals to navigate safely in busy urban areas, especially where cars, bicycles, and pedestrians are found in close proximity. To address this challenge, WeWALK have developed a revolutionary "smart" device that screws onto a user's existing cane. Our cane detects obstacles(e.g.,trees) at knee-to-head height and uniquely connects to a user's smartphone(Android/Apple) to provide audio-based navigation via integration with Google Maps. However, our existing audio-based navigation relying on GPS cannot be used indoors and does not provide sufficiently high spatial resolution with the level of confidence(integrity) required to help visually impaired individuals independently navigate indoor urban spaces such as transport hubs and shopping centres. Recent indoor navigation systems rely on detecting Bluetooth signals transmitted from "beacons" installed across an indoor space. Beacon signals are detected by smartphones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices and can be used to locate the user, warning them, for example, when they are approaching escalators, ticket barriers, and platforms. Such beacons have been trialled with Transport for London since 2015\. However, to date, they have not demonstrated adequate system performance(accuracy/reliability/usability) for use in a safety-critical application such as enabling a visually impaired user to navigate, avoiding hazards, around a tube station using beacon signals alone. Here, WeWALK in collaboration with Astra-Terra (a London-based SME specialising in intelligent transportation systems), the Centre for Transport Studies at Imperial College London, and the Royal National Institute for the Blind will address the technical/safety challenges that have prevented widespread uptake of beacons for indoor navigation. We will build on the existing installed base of beacons and the available open standard by developing a novel integrity-monitoring layer (providing safety-critical functionality) and usability framework, detecting the beacons signals directly with our smart cane to provide high-accuracy, turn-by-turn indoor audio-based navigation. This project has the potential to play a vital role in ensuring that the rising numbers of visually impaired people have full access to the urban spaces where we live, work, and play.


Research activity codes: 5.3 MEDICAL DEVICES
Health categories: EYE
Title: Developing a Self-Calibrating Navigation System to Address the Orientation Challenges faced by Older People with Visual Impairments
Funder: Innovate UK

Abstract: There are over 2 million older people with sight loss in the UK(AgeUK\_2015); globally, it's estimated to be 253 million(Ackland\_et\_al\_2017). As the population ages, this figure will increase as sight loss disproportionally impacts older people. People with sight loss benefit from the white cane to get around, often in conjunction with smartphone navigation apps. These can include accessibility features such as screen readers, colour filters, and dexterity tools. However, a long cane can only detect obstacles below knee-height and within approximately 1m of the user. Moreover, most smartphone interfaces are not developed with sufficient compatibility for these accessibility features, limiting their usefulness. This makes it particularly challenging for visually impaired individuals(VIIs) to navigate safely in busy urban areas, especially where cars, bicycles, and pedestrians are found in close proximity. To address this challenge, WeWALK have developed a revolutionary "smart" device that screws onto a user's existing cane, upgrading a tool relied on by over 50 million people. Our cane detects obstacles at knee-to-head height and uniquely connects to a user's smartphone to provide audio-based navigation via integration with Google Maps, Moovit, and Microsoft services. Efforts to enhance WeWALK's indoor positioning by the project partners have uncovered that seamless wayfinding in all environments, including outdoors, is possible with situational awareness. This project will address this challenge, including the last-mile problem where individuals fail to locate their final destination or transport route, creating a fully autonomous, comprehensive, safety-critical, and accessible navigation system for older VIIs. Recent assistive smartphone apps have included computer vision for object recognition in addition to environmental mapping and localisation through the concept of simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM). Their underlying principle can be very useful in solving WeWALK's navigation constraints; however, to date, they have not demonstrated adequate system performance(accuracy/reliability/usability) for use in a safety-critical application such as enabling a VII to navigate, avoiding hazards, around an urban environment. We will address the technical/safety challenges that have prevented widespread uptake of computer vision-aided navigation including environmental mapping and overall situational awareness for older and VIIs. We will build on the existing WeWALK architecture with new hardware and software, incorporating spatial sensing and advanced data analytics, providing safety-critical functionality and usability frameworks. This project has the potential to play a vital role in ensuring that the rising numbers of visually impaired people have full access to the urban spaces where we live, work, and play.


Research activity codes: 5.3 MEDICAL DEVICES
Health categories: EYE
Title: Generating in vitro human optic vesicles to dissect the genetic modifiers affecting ocular maldevelopment
Funder: National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research

Abstract: Ocular maldevelopment is responsible for more than one-third of blindness and severe visual impairment in children worldwide. It encompasses whole eyeball abnormalities e.g. microphthalmia [abnormal small eye], anophthalmia [complete absence of the eye] and ocular coloboma [cleft of the eye], collectively known as MAC. It is the most common cause of childhood sight impairment certification in England and Wales, accounting for 18.4%. The UK incidence of MAC is 10.4 per 100,000 live births, with only 2% considered related to environmental factors e.g. maternally vitamin A deficiency and teratogenic exposure.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: EYE
Title: ResearchInvestigating the molecular basis of cataract formation using time-resolved crystallography
Funder: The Academy of Medical Sciences

Abstract: This project will involve the application of state-of-the-art X-ray crystallographic techniques, developed by the PI, to investigate the molecular processes that lead to the formation of cataracts, the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Using time-resolved X-ray crystallography to make molecular movies allows us to observe the structural changes that occur when proteins and enzymes undergo their natural functions. This can help us to design new drugs and materials, improve the properties of biological molecules and more fundamentally, understand the relationship between protein structure and function. This information can even be used to enhance computer simulations, used to predict the effect of changing the protein sequence or determining the interaction of novel drug targets. Time-resolved crystallography will allow us to directly observe the effect of UV light on the proteins contained within the eye lens. This will give unique insight into the molecular basis of UV induced cataract formation, and provide a way to investigate new drugs for the prevention and treatment of cataracts. With the advent of free-electron laser X-ray sources, time-resolved crystallography has become the state-of-the-art for the experimental determination of protein dynamics. This project will use a unique method developed by the PI (Hadamard time-resolved crystallography, HATRX) which has been cited as a significant contribution to the emerging field of multiplexing crystallography.

Lay abstract: Cataracts are the world's leading cause of blindness, by the age of 65 over 90% of people will develop a cataract and half of these will lose some vision by the age of 75. This project will use an exciting new technique called time-resolved crystallography to investigate the early stages of cataract formation. Using this method we will be able to make molecular movies, showing in 3D how the proteins that form the eye lens are damaged by UV light and how they then clump together to form the cloudy deposits known as cataracts. These movies will help us to design drugs that can disrupt the formation of cataracts and prevent the loss of vision. Futhermore, this exciting new technique will have much wider application and in the future will be used to investigate a wide range of important biological questions relating to changes that occur on the molecular level such as disease, renewable energy production and the design of new materials.

Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS
Health categories: EYE
Title: Towards a therapy for late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD).
Funder: LifeArc

Abstract: Late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD) is a rare inherited eye disease that leads to blindness in older people. Sadly, there are currently no treatments that can help prevent sight loss. L-ORD is caused by faults in a gene called C1QTNF5, which is highly active in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) – the thin layer of pigmented cells that supports and nourishes the retina at the back of the eye. In people with this faulty gene, the specialised light-sensing cells (rods and cones) in their retina stop working and eventually die, causing sight loss. The Edinburgh research team is aiming to develop a new cutting-edge treatment that can correct the most common C1QTNF5 gene fault in RPE cells – offering the hope of preventing sight loss in these patients. They will carry out laboratory experiments to establish a suitable ‘gene-editing’ strategy that can correct the gene fault in RPE cells – and then test its effectiveness in stem cells and other RPE cell models of L-ORD. The researchers will also study L-ORD patients with this gene fault to gain a better understanding of how the disease progresses over time. This will help them to determine the most appropriate timing for the treatment (delivered by an injection under the retina) and how to measure its effectiveness – laying the foundations for future clinical trials of this novel technology.


Research activity codes: 2.1 BIOLOGICAL AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS;5.2 CELLULAR AND GENE THERAPIES
Health categories: EYE
Title: Biomedical Catalyst – Retinal Progenitor Cell Therapy Product for Ocular Disease
Funder: Medical Research Council

Abstract: Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is the leading cause of inherited blindness, with onset ranging from infancy to mid-thirties. Without any treatment options available, RP is severely debilitating to a patient population with many productive years of life ahead. Stem cells are recognised as offering unique therapeutic potential to treat diseases of the retina. ReNeuron owns exclusive commercialisation rights to a patented human retinal progenitor cell (hRPC) technology which offers a ground-breaking therapeutic opportunity for patients with RP to arrest on-going degeneration and regenerate sight. ReNeuron proposes to translate this opportunity through a milestone-driven and cost-effective preclinical efficacy, toxicology and safety development plan, leading to regulatory approval for a Phase I/II clinical trial in RP. ReNeuron’s hRPCs can be manufactured at scale and differentiate into photoreceptors leading to vision improvement in preclinical rodent models of degenerate retina.


Research activity codes: 5.2 CELLULAR AND GENE THERAPIES
Health categories: EYE