Computer model to improve balloon treatment for severe internal bleeding
Development of a multi-scale closed loop model for hemorrhagic shock: a platform to assess REBOA performance
This project creates a computer model to help doctors find safer ways to use REBOA (a balloon placed in the aorta) for people with life-threatening internal bleeding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Engineering Experiment Station NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10897824 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are building a detailed virtual model of the heart, blood vessels, and whole-body circulation that links 3D blood flow with systemic physiology. The model will simulate different REBOA balloon sizes, positions, timings, and occlusion strategies to show how they change blood flow and organ stress without risking patients. The team will validate the simulations using existing animal and clinical data so the virtual responses match real biology. This platform is designed to speed safer device use and reduce reliance on lengthy large-animal experiments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with severe non-compressible torso or abdominal bleeding who might be considered for REBOA are the group most likely to benefit from the findings.
Not a fit: Patients with minor injuries or externally compressible bleeding, or those who would not be treated with REBOA, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make REBOA treatments safer, lower complications like kidney injury, and improve survival after major trauma.
How similar studies have performed: REBOA has prior clinical and animal experience, but integrating multi-scale 3D flow models with whole-body closed-loop simulation is a newer approach with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
College Station, United States
- Texas Engineering Experiment Station — College Station, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rahbar, Elaheh — Texas Engineering Experiment Station
- Study coordinator: Rahbar, Elaheh
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 below.