Implantable ultrasound-read brain pressure sensor
iPPSIS: implanted Passive Pressure Sensor Interrogated with (ultra)-Sound
A tiny implant that lets doctors read brain pressure with ultrasound for people at risk of dangerous intracranial pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322579 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would get a small implanted device placed near the brain that changes how it reflects ultrasound as pressure inside your skull changes. Clinicians would use an external ultrasound probe to read intracranial pressure without wires and in ways that are compatible with MRI. The design aims to avoid the common problem of sensor drift by using a pressure-sensitive target and ultrasound-based wireless transduction. Early work will include bench and animal testing with the goal of moving to safer, more stable monitoring for patients who need ongoing ICP measurements.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who need intracranial pressure monitoring, such as those with traumatic brain injury, hydrocephalus, brain hemorrhage, or other conditions that raise ICP, and who are candidates for a small implant and follow-up care.
Not a fit: People without a clinical need for ICP monitoring or those who cannot undergo a neurosurgical implant procedure (for example due to active infection, bleeding risk, or other surgical contraindications) would not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give patients more accurate, stable, and MRI-compatible brain pressure readings to guide care.
How similar studies have performed: Wired and fiber-optic implanted ICP sensors are used clinically but have known limitations like drift, while ultrasound-interrogated implanted pressure targets are a novel approach with limited prior human data.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Myers, David Richard — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Myers, David Richard
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.