Creating models to simulate blood flow in the brain
Official title: Optical Phantoms Mimicking Microvascular Cerebral Blood Flow (Supplement)
Funded at Kennesaw State University · NIH-11160251 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating special models that imitate how blood flows in the brains of children with sickle cell disease, so researchers can improve a tool that measures blood flow and help doctors better understand and screen for stroke risks in young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kennesaw State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kennesaw, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2024 |
| Project end | September 20, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $152,347 |
| NIH project number | 3R15EB034986-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11160251 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, especially those diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 0-11 years or those without cerebrovascular conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced optical phantoms that mimic the microvascular blood flow in the brain, particularly for children with conditions like sickle cell disease. By constructing multilayered microfluidic models, the researchers aim to replicate the complex features of cerebral blood flow, including varying thicknesses and flow rates. These models will be used to test and improve an optical flowmeter designed for clinical applications, ensuring accurate measurements of blood flow in real patients. The project seeks to enhance the understanding of cerebrovascular circulation and improve diagnostic tools for stroke risk screening in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools for assessing stroke risk in children, particularly those with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using optical phantoms for blood flow studies, but this specific approach is innovative and aims to address limitations of existing models.
Where this research is happening
-
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Seung Yup — Kennesaw State University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Seung Yup
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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.