EPIPHANY: Using AI to guide when to do tracheostomy for patients on long ventilators
Official title: EPIPHANY (machinE PredIction of Prolonged mecHAnical ventilatioN and tracheostomY)
Funded at Bauhealth, INC. · NIH-11315591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
An AI-based platform aims to help ICU teams decide the best time for tracheostomy in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation, potentially reducing complications and costs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Bauhealth, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Herndon, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $306,807 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HL184725-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11315591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients in ICUs who require prolonged mechanical ventilation and are considered for tracheostomy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to need prolonged ventilation or tracheostomy, or those not eligible due to contraindications or different care goals.
What this research studies
This grant seeks to develop an AI-driven system that supports clinicians in choosing the timing of tracheostomy for patients on extended ventilation. It will use real-world ICU data to build and validate models that predict how long PMV will last and when a tracheostomy is most beneficial. The project emphasizes patient-centered care by aiming to reduce unnecessary procedures and improve post-discharge outcomes. Phase I focuses on establishing feasibility and testing the AI framework in real-world settings with IRB-approved data agreements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience shorter ICU stays and better long-term outcomes with more appropriately timed tracheostomies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show ML models can predict PMV duration using ICU data, supporting feasibility but full clinical validation remains needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Bauhealth, INC.
Herndon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Advani, Aneel — Bauhealth, INC.
- Study coordinator: Advani, Aneel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Advancing Acute Respiratory Infection Care for Kids on Home Ventilators
This grant aims to improve how doctors and families manage acute respiratory infections in children who rely on invasive long-term home ventilation.
-
A Tablet-Based Emotion Regulation Program for Surrogate Decision-Makers of ICU Patients on Ventilation
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-
Optimizing pain relief for children on mechanical ventilation
A large, multi-site trial tests whether adding non-opioid pain medicines to standard opioid care can reduce pain and lower opioid use in children on breathing machines in PICUs.
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Novel Tracheostomy Alert Device for Children and Adults
A new, affordable sensor and loud alert system will warn caregivers if a tracheostomy tube is blocked or comes out, with a focus on protecting children who have the procedure.
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This grant studies how the diaphragm’s core proteins work together, especially titin and myosin, to understand why diaphragm weakness happens during mechanical ventilation.
-
Time-limited trials to guide invasive ventilation decisions
A scientific team is testing how short, structured trials of life-support in ICU patients with acute respiratory failure can help patients and families choose the best path.
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.