Bias-aware wearable that measures both SpO2 and PtcO2 for neonates at home
Official title: SCH: A Novel Bias-mitigated Multimodal Oxygen Monitor
Funded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute · NIH-11415114 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, easy-to-use wearable device is being developed to noninvasively monitor two key blood oxygen measurements in premature or fragile babies after NICU discharge, helping families and clinicians keep a closer eye on breathing issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Worcester Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $283,057 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL172293-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415114 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Neonates recently discharged from NICU with fragile respiratory status and a need for enhanced home monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Newborns without respiratory complications or those not transitioning to home care may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a compact wearable that can simultaneously track SpO2 and PtcO2 to give a clearer picture of a newborn’s oxygen status at home. It builds on existing sensors but combines two important metrics in one device to improve safety beyond SpO2 alone. The team will validate the device against standard blood gas measurements and explore how well families can use it in a home setting. If successful, the technology could reduce readmissions and support earlier, safer discharge for infants with respiratory risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable safer home monitoring for newborns with fragile respiration, potentially reducing hospital readmissions and guiding timely medical decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows SpO2-based monitoring can be helpful, but dual-parameter noninvasive monitoring like SpO2 and PtcO2 is a newer approach with promising potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guler, Ulkuhan — Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Guler, Ulkuhan
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.