AI-assisted ultrasound guidance to reduce traumatic lumbar punctures in kids with leukemia
Official title: Reduced Traumatic Lumbar Puncture Rates in Pediatric Oncology Patients Through Development of an AI-Assisted, Ultrasound-Based Interventional Guidance Platform
Funded at Rivanna Medical, INC. · NIH-11370213 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at making spinal taps safer for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia by using an AI-enabled ultrasound system to guide needle placement.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rivanna Medical, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,104,515 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA302033-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370213 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who require lumbar punctures and may benefit from ultrasound-guided techniques.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for LPs or those without access to ultrasound-guided guidance may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project plans to develop an ultrasound-based guidance platform that uses AI to identify landmarks and select the best injection site for pediatric lumbar punctures. The system will be built under strict quality standards and integrated into clinical workflows to reduce traumatic punctures. By making LPs safer and more reliable, it could lower complications and improve treatment accuracy for children with ALL.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could reduce painful TLPs and improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for pediatric ALL patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pediatric studies show ultrasound guidance improves LP success, suggesting potential for substantial gains with AI-enhanced technology.
Where this research is happening
-
Rivanna Medical, INC.
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mauldin, Frank William — Rivanna Medical, INC.
- Study coordinator: Mauldin, Frank William
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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.