Better Lung Imaging for Conditions like Pulmonary Fibrosis
Official title: Quantitative Ultrasound for Interstitial Lung Diseases
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11193973 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores a new ultrasound method to better track lung conditions like heart failure-related fluid buildup and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $665,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175513-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193973 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for future participation might include individuals living with pulmonary edema due to heart failure or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without lung conditions like pulmonary edema or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
We are developing a special type of ultrasound, called Quantitative Ultrasound (LQUS), to get clearer and more precise pictures of changes in the lungs. Currently, doctors use X-rays, CT scans, or breathing tests, but these can expose patients to radiation, be uncomfortable, or give inconsistent results. Our goal is to create a real-time, non-invasive, and radiation-free way to monitor lung health. This new method aims to overcome challenges with traditional ultrasound in the lungs, which struggles with air-filled spaces, by providing specific measurements rather than just general observations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new ultrasound method could offer a safer, more comfortable, and more accurate way to monitor lung diseases, potentially leading to earlier and more personalized treatment adjustments.
How similar studies have gone: While conventional ultrasound has limitations in lung imaging, this quantitative approach is a novel development aiming to provide more specific and reliable biomarkers.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muller, Marie — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Muller, Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Quantitative Ultrasound for Lung Diseases in People
A new ultrasound approach to measure how bad heart- or fibrosis-related lung problems are, using real-time, noninvasive imaging in people.
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Using ultrasound to assess lung diseases like pulmonary edema and fibrosis
This study is looking at how low-quality ultrasound can help check the severity of lung problems like fluid buildup from heart failure and lung scarring, aiming to offer a safer and cheaper way to monitor these conditions without the radiation from X-rays or CT scans.
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How lung cells and their surroundings drive fibrosis in interstitial lung diseases
A study to understand how airway cells, surrounding tissue, and their environment contribute to progressive scarring in interstitial lung diseases.
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How lung cell and tissue interactions cause scarring in interstitial lung disease
This project looks at how injured lung lining cells talk with nearby cells and the surrounding tissue to cause scarring in people with interstitial lung disease.
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Investigating personalized treatment options for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis using genetic information.
This study is looking to help people with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) by using their genetic information to find the best treatments for them, so they can get care that’s more personalized and effective.
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Investigating personalized treatment options for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis using genetic information
This study is looking to make treatments for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) better by using genetic information to find out how different people respond to medications like N-Acetylcysteine, so that doctors can provide more personalized care for patients with lung diseases.
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.