Investigating how shear flow affects blood using a special device
Official title: Quantifying the Effects of Shear Flow on Blood using a Magnetically Levitated Device
Funded at Rochester Institute of Technology · NIH-11064017 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how blood gets damaged when it flows through certain medical devices, like rotary blood pumps, to help make these devices safer and better for patients who need them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rochester Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $148,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153645-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064017 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who require the use of ventricular assist devices or other blood-contacting medical devices.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use blood-contacting medical devices or have no history of blood coagulation disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the damage that blood can experience when it comes into contact with medical devices, particularly rotary blood pumps. The team has developed a unique device that can simulate the shear flow conditions that blood encounters in these pumps, allowing for precise control over the shear rate and exposure time. By studying the effects of this shear flow on red blood cells and platelets, the researchers aim to create a better predictive model for blood damage, which could lead to improved designs for future medical devices. This work is crucial for enhancing patient safety and outcomes in those requiring blood-contacting devices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer blood-contacting medical devices, reducing the risk of blood damage and associated complications for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the effects of shear flow on blood have been studied, this approach using a novel device represents a significant advancement and is expected to yield new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Day, Steven — Rochester Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Day, Steven
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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.