Creating a system to help doctors use regional anesthesia for hip fracture pain without opioids
Official title: Development of a regional anesthesia guidance system to increase patient access to opioid-sparing analgesia for hip fracture pain
Funded at Rivanna Medical, INC. · NIH-10927446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new ultrasound tool to help doctors give better pain relief to patients with hip fractures, making it easier for them to find the right spots to inject anesthesia and reducing the need for strong pain medications.
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 | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,005,539 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AR083337-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who are hospitalized due to hip fractures and require pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have hip fractures or those who are not hospitalized may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an ultrasound-based guidance system to assist healthcare providers in administering regional anesthesia techniques for patients with hip fractures. By utilizing advanced 2D and 3D imaging algorithms, the system aims to simplify the process of identifying anatomical landmarks, thereby reducing the training required for medical staff. This approach seeks to enhance patient care by providing effective pain relief while minimizing the use of opioids, which can lead to adverse effects. The project addresses the urgent need for improved pain management solutions in emergency departments, particularly for the over 330,000 patients hospitalized annually for hip fractures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve pain management for hip fracture patients while reducing reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques can effectively reduce opioid use and improve patient outcomes, indicating a promising approach.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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MAC-STILA: Safer, gentler anesthesia for hip fracture in older adults
A multi-center trial tests a new anesthesia approach (MAC-STILA) to reduce delirium and other problems after hip-fracture surgery in older adults with dementia.
-
HIP ATTACK-2: Faster surgery for hip fracture patients with heart injury
A multicenter trial tests whether operating within 6 hours after hip fracture improves survival and recovery for patients who also have acute heart injury.
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Hip fracture risk in people with chronic kidney disease
A study focused on why hip fractures happen and how to prevent them in people with chronic kidney disease.
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How bones weaken in different ways that lead to hip fractures
This project looks at how differences in bone size, mineral content, and bone area relate to hip fracture risk in older men and women.
-
Monitored sedation with local anesthetic injections for older adults with hip fracture
This project compares monitored sedation plus local anesthesia injections to standard general anesthesia for older adults having hip fracture surgery to reduce postoperative delirium.
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Developing a new treatment to improve muscle recovery after hip fractures in older adults
This study is testing a new pill called RT-002 to see if it can help older adults heal better and regain strength after a hip fracture, with the hope of making their recovery easier and improving their overall quality of life.
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.