Evaluating risks of aerosol-generating medical procedures
Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS) Visualization for Evaluation of Risk in Aerosol-Generating Procedures
This study is looking at how certain medical procedures can spread tiny infectious particles in the air and aims to find a better way to see and measure these particles to help keep healthcare workers safe, especially during illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10768637 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the risks associated with aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) that can release infectious aerosols into the air, posing a threat to healthcare workers. By adapting a visualization technique called background-oriented schlieren (BOS), the study aims to develop a method to detect and assess aerosol flows during these procedures in real clinical settings. The goal is to create a reliable way to evaluate the risks of AGPs and to test strategies to mitigate these risks, especially in the context of infectious diseases like COVID-19 and influenza.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients undergoing aerosol-generating procedures who may be infected with respiratory viruses.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing aerosol-generating procedures or who do not have respiratory infections may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the safety of healthcare workers by providing effective methods to evaluate and mitigate risks associated with aerosol exposure during medical procedures.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel and high-risk with no prior published data, similar visualization techniques have shown promise in related applications.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Bryan — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Bryan
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.