Developing a personal device to protect healthcare workers from infectious diseases.
Official title: Protecting Healthcare Workers Using a Patient-Worn Negative Pressure System to Prevent the Spread of Highly Transmissible Infectious Diseases
Funded at Inspire Rx LLC · NIH-10921441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device called the AerosolVE™ BioHelmet, which helps keep healthcare workers and patients safe from spreading infections by isolating patients with respiratory issues while still allowing them to receive oxygen therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Inspire Rx LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $295,924 |
| NIH project number | 1R43OH012719-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10921441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with highly transmissible respiratory infections who require breathing assistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-respiratory infectious diseases or those not requiring breathing support may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a personal negative pressure device called the AerosolVE™ BioHelmet, designed to protect healthcare workers and patients from highly transmissible infectious diseases. The BioHelmet isolates patients suffering from respiratory infections, preventing the spread of aerosolized pathogens while allowing for non-invasive oxygen therapies. This innovative solution addresses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the limited availability of negative pressure rooms. The device aims to provide a safe and scalable method for the initial treatment and transport of affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission in healthcare settings.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of personal negative pressure devices is innovative, similar approaches have shown promise in controlling infection spread in healthcare settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Inspire Rx LLC
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kota, Sridhar — Inspire Rx LLC
- Study coordinator: Kota, Sridhar
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.