Developing a system to use electrical stimulation for preventing muscle weakness in ICU patients
Closed Loop Electrical Muscle Stimulation System (CL-EMS) with improved safety for ICU environment to mitigate ICU Acquired Weakness
This study is testing a new device that uses gentle electrical pulses to help keep your muscles strong while you're in the ICU, so you can recover better and avoid weakness from being in bed for a long time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Health Discovery Labs LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10920531 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to create a closed loop electrical muscle stimulation (CL-EMS) system designed specifically for use in intensive care units (ICUs) to help prevent ICU acquired weakness (ICUAW). ICUAW can develop quickly due to factors like prolonged bed rest and the effects of medications, leading to significant muscle weakness and complications. The CL-EMS system will use electrical pulses to stimulate muscles passively, allowing for early intervention even in patients who are critically ill and unable to participate in traditional rehabilitation. This approach seeks to improve patient outcomes by mitigating the effects of muscle atrophy during their ICU stay.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are critically ill patients admitted to the ICU who are at risk of developing ICU acquired weakness.
Not a fit: Patients who are not critically ill or those who do not require ICU care may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce muscle weakness and improve recovery times for critically ill patients in the ICU.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using electrical muscle stimulation for rehabilitation, but this specific application in the ICU setting is novel.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- Health Discovery Labs LLC — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hassan, Oussama — Health Discovery Labs LLC
- Study coordinator: Hassan, Oussama
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 below.