Improving access to pediatric healthcare for ear infections using smartphone technology
Improving Rural Access to Pediatric Healthcare with Accurate Telehealth Diagnosis of Acute Otitis Media using Smartphone Acoustic Reflectometry
This study is testing a new smartphone tool that helps doctors quickly and accurately diagnose ear infections in kids, especially for families in rural areas who might find it hard to visit a doctor in person.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wavely Diagnostics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10710056 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a smartphone-based tool that allows for the accurate diagnosis of acute otitis media (AOM), a common ear infection in children. By utilizing acoustic reflectometry and machine learning algorithms, the tool aims to detect middle ear fluid during telehealth visits, which is crucial for diagnosing AOM. The project includes creating a calibration process for different smartphones, validating the tool's accuracy against physician assessments, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. This innovative approach seeks to enhance healthcare access for rural children who may struggle to visit a doctor in person.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing symptoms of acute otitis media.
Not a fit: Patients with ear infections who have access to in-person healthcare services may not benefit from this telehealth-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the diagnosis and treatment of ear infections in children, particularly in rural areas with limited access to healthcare.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using telehealth and smartphone technology for medical diagnostics, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Wavely Diagnostics, INC. — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stoll, Arna Ionescu — Wavely Diagnostics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Stoll, Arna Ionescu
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.