Less-invasive brain blood flow and oxygen monitor for high intracranial pressure
Minimally Invasive Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygenation Monitoring for Intracranial Hypertension
This project develops a less-invasive optical device to measure brain blood flow and oxygen for people with traumatic brain injury, stroke, or brain hemorrhage who have high pressure inside the skull.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11160776 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive a thin, brain-surface optical probe (called FLOXBR) placed through a small opening to monitor blood flow and oxygen over a larger brain area than current probes. The device uses diffuse optical and correlation spectroscopies to read deeper than surface oximeters while avoiding bulky probes that penetrate deep tissue. The team will finalize the device design, test safety and accuracy, and then translate the technology to human patients in the hospital setting. Measurements will be compared to existing monitoring methods to see how well the new probe tracks clinically important changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with acute traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, or intracerebral hemorrhage who are suspected to have intracranial hypertension and are receiving neurosurgical or neurocritical care.
Not a fit: People with mild head injuries not requiring invasive monitoring, chronic stable neurological conditions, or those who cannot undergo a small brain-surface procedure may not benefit from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could give clinicians an earlier, safer, and more accurate way to detect low blood flow or oxygen in the brain so treatment for high intracranial pressure can be better targeted.
How similar studies have performed: Existing surface oximetry and intraparenchymal oxygen probes have shown limited clinical utility or coverage, and this brain-surface optical approach is a novel translation with limited prior human outcome data.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Floyd, Thomas Frederick — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Floyd, Thomas Frederick
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.