Creating a wearable device to monitor heart failure symptoms
Official title: Development of wearable monitor to detect decompensation in cardiac failure patients
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10949969 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new wearable device that helps people with heart failure by spotting early signs of worsening health, so doctors can step in sooner and keep them out of the hospital.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $187,875 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB036367-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10949969 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have been admitted to the hospital due to decompensated heart failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable heart failure who are not experiencing any symptoms of decompensation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a wearable monitor that can detect early signs of decompensation in patients with heart failure. By using a previously established technology, the FlexNIRS platform, the team aims to create a device that can non-invasively measure physiological parameters related to fluid retention and microcirculation. This will allow healthcare providers to receive timely alerts about changes in a patient's condition, potentially leading to earlier interventions and reduced hospital readmissions. The research includes a pilot clinical trial to validate the effectiveness of this monitoring approach in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the management of heart failure by enabling earlier detection of worsening symptoms, thus reducing hospital visits and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches using wearable technology for monitoring chronic conditions have shown promise in improving patient outcomes, indicating potential success for this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carp, Stefan Alexandru — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Carp, Stefan Alexandru
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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.