A new device to diagnose anemia without invasive procedures in low-resource areas
Official title: Accuracy and Feasibility of Non-Invasive Anemia Screening Assistant (ASIST) Device in Resource-Limited Settings
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10912427 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a handy and affordable device that can help diagnose chronic anemia in pregnant women and young children by simply measuring carbon monoxide in their breath, making it easier for people in low-income areas to get the care they need without painful tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD110817-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912427 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women, young children, and adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries who are at risk for anemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in high-resource settings with access to conventional anemia testing methods may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a portable and low-cost device that can accurately diagnose chronic nutritional and hemolytic anemia without invasive procedures. The device aims to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and young children. By utilizing exhaled carbon monoxide to differentiate the causes of anemia, the device seeks to provide a reliable diagnostic tool in settings where traditional testing is not available. The project will assess both the accuracy and feasibility of this innovative approach in real-world conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the prevalence of anemia and improve health outcomes for millions of individuals in resource-limited settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using non-invasive methods for anemia diagnosis, but this specific device and approach are novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Judkins, Allison — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Judkins, Allison
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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.