A new device to cool the brain and reduce injury after trauma or stroke
BREEZE: New Ventricular Direct Cooling Stylet to Mitigate Secondary Brain Injury
This study is testing a new device that quickly cools the brain to help protect it from damage after serious injuries or conditions like strokes and seizures, making it easier for doctors to care for patients who have an external drain to monitor brain pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10528204 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel device that can rapidly cool the brain to mitigate damage caused by severe traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and other conditions like status epilepticus and anoxia. The device is designed to be used with external ventricular drain catheters, which are commonly employed to monitor and manage intracranial pressure in patients. By cooling the brain effectively and safely, the goal is to reduce swelling and inflammation, ultimately preserving neurological function and enhancing recovery. This approach aims to overcome the limitations of current cooling methods that can harm other organs or are inconvenient to use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced severe traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or cardiac arrest leading to anoxia.
Not a fit: Patients with mild brain injuries or those who do not require intracranial pressure monitoring may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery outcomes for patients suffering from severe brain injuries and related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been some promising approaches to brain cooling, this specific device represents a novel solution that has not yet been tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maccarini, Paolo Francesco — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Maccarini, Paolo Francesco
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.