# TBI identification and monitoring through retinal scanning

> **NIH NIH R44** · REBISCAN, LLC · 2022 · $517,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Rebion has produced a portable device – with support from NS117553 – that shows potential for serving as a
tool that can identify functional impairment as a result of TBI. The device uses a retinal scan to measure
disruptions between the retina and the visual pathway of the brain. The long-term vision of this work is to
develop a tool that can serve as a functional assessment of injury at the time of injury, as well as during
recovery, and to be paired with currently-available blood-based biomarkers to provide a comprehensive report
for patients and providers. The device’s approach, unlike eye-tracking or any other available eye technology, is
to assess the quality of signals between the retina and the brain. Accurate monitoring of function and overall
recovery from TBI are underserved problems in the healthcare system that Rebion is seeking to help solve.
TBI (traumatic brain injury) is the leading cause of long-term disability and death for individuals under the age
of 45. Over 2.5 million cases of TBI are reported each year in the United States, with ~3-5 million individuals
living with TBI-related disabilities. About 75% of patients diagnosed with TBI are classified as mTBI, which can
be difficult to diagnose, as history is often incomplete and symptoms are nonspecific and overlap with a broad
range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Although most patients with mTBI make a full recovery, as many as 20%
do not. These are the patients that Rebion is ultimately focused on helping. Individuals who experience
multiple mTBI are at increased risk of persistent post-injury symptoms and long-term complications, including
serious sequelae such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Simple interventions such as removing the
patient from risky environments may prevent these complications by allowing time for the brain to heal and
preventing further injury.
Grant support is being requested to support a human-subject study which will compare the Rebion device to a
battery of clinical tests – blood biomarkers and neurocognitive assessments – in participants suspected of TBI.
Pilot data collected to-date shows promise that this rapid, non-invasive method can serve a useful purpose in
the patient’s journey through TBI.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10383172
- **Project number:** 2R44NS117553-02
- **Recipient organization:** REBISCAN, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** LEE E. GOLDSTEIN
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $517,500
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10383172

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10383172, TBI identification and monitoring through retinal scanning (2R44NS117553-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10383172. Licensed CC0.

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