Developing a low-cost navigation system for brain surgery in resource-limited settings
Official title: Atlas Neurosurgical Navigation System for Low-Resource Settings
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-10902968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new, affordable tool to help doctors place special drains in the brains of patients with serious head injuries, especially in areas where medical resources are limited, so they can provide better care and save more lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | August 15, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F30EB035932-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients in low-to-middle income countries experiencing severe traumatic brain injuries requiring emergency neurosurgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild traumatic brain injuries or those in high-resource settings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a surgical navigation system designed to assist in the placement of external ventricular drains (EVD) for patients suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The project aims to address the lack of neurosurgical resources in low-to-middle income countries (LMIC) by developing a low-cost, easy-to-use device that can guide emergency care providers through the EVD placement process. By utilizing preoperative imaging and a coordinate measuring system, the device will help ensure accurate and effective treatment for patients experiencing severe neurological emergencies. The goal is to improve access to life-saving interventions and reduce mortality rates associated with TBI in underserved regions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce preventable deaths from traumatic brain injuries in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches have shown promise in improving surgical outcomes in resource-limited settings, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Alexander Daniel — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Smith, Alexander Daniel
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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.