Validation of Texture-Changing Tactile Coatings for Potential Use in Accessible At-Home Care
University of Delaware
Summary
At-home testing is an important part of mitigating the spread of COVID-19, but these tests are not accessible to people with low vision or blindness. Instead of adapting to a technology originally built for sighted people, investigators propose a no-power version that reports test results through a texture change, which people can feel by touch. This platform could be used not only for COVID, but also for other diagnostics, and will promote the independence and privacy for people with low vision or blindness by removing the need for human assistance or an internet connection.
Description
Current at-home COVID tests are not accessible to people with low vision or blindness. To interpret results, people with low vision or blindness may need a sighted assistant, an internet-based image recognition tool, or some other sort of powered implement. Instead of adapting to technologies developed for sighted people, investigators propose a new platform which provides a no-power tactile readout, i.e., a texture change, to interpret test results. Although COVID antigens are at relatively low concentrations in human saliva, by relying on surface chemistry effects, a relatively small amount…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 12+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Visual Impairment: Participants should be blind or visually impaired for greater than 10 years, either congenitally or acquired. * Tactile Aid Usage: Participants must use tactile aids regularly. * Mathematical Knowledge: Participants should have a basic understanding of mathematical plots, equivalent to at least high school geometry. Exclusion Criteria: * Limb Conditions: Participants with amputations or outer extremity conditions affecting hand use will be excluded.
Interventions
- Diagnostic TestInteraction with Mock COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test and Reference Surfaces
Participants will drop a saline solution with proteins onto the testing device. They will wait for it to dry and then report on the tactile sensation and overall feel of the surface. Feedback will include comparisons with the two reference surfaces. The primary goal is to determine the presence of mock COVID antigen in synthetic saliva using the device, which aligns with the goals of diagnostic testing.
- Diagnostic TestBiomechanical Measurements
Participants may have biomechanical measurements recorded, such as placing samples on a scale to measure downward force or using medical tape with a flexible wire to track finger motion. These measurements are likely aimed at objectively assessing how participants interact with the surfaces and their physical responses to tactile stimuli.
- BehavioralPsychophysical Tasks
Participants may alternatively be asked to perform standardized psychophysical tasks, such as Two Alternative Forced Choice tests, Odd-Man Out tests, or Magnitude Estimation tests. These tasks will provide structured comparisons and quantitative data on participants' perception and preferences regarding tactile qualities. The tasks are designed to evaluate participants' perception and preferences regarding tactile qualities, which involves behavioral responses to sensory stimuli.
Location
- University of DelawareNewark, Delaware