At-home measurement of blood electrolytes using advanced sensors
Official title: Self-calibrated ionophore-based ion-selective electrodes for at-home measurements of blood electrolytes
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10592523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a simple device that helps people, especially older adults and those with bipolar disorder, easily check their blood electrolyte levels at home, so they can take better care of their health without needing to go to the hospital often.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $426,938 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB034113-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10592523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include elderly individuals and patients with chronic conditions such as bipolar disorder, heart failure, and end-stage renal disease who require regular electrolyte monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic health conditions requiring electrolyte monitoring may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing self-calibrated ion-selective electrodes that allow patients to measure their blood electrolytes at home. It addresses the need for frequent monitoring of electrolytes in patients with chronic conditions, particularly the elderly and those with bipolar disorder, who may struggle to access regular hospital visits. The project aims to create a user-friendly, affordable device that eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures, making it easier for patients to manage their health from home.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower patients to monitor their electrolyte levels conveniently and accurately, leading to better management of their health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing home-use sensors for health monitoring, but this specific approach using self-calibrated ion-selective electrodes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xuewei — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xuewei
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.