Noninvasive Acoustic Brain Oxygen Imaging for Neonatal Care
Official title: A New Method for Acoustic Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) imaging
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-11359391 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new ultrasound-based method aims to monitor brain oxygen use in newborns with hypoxic injury using tiny oxygen-sensitive bubbles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,156 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EB039167-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359391 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Neonatal patients with hypoxic brain injury in intensive care who require continuous brain oxygen monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neonatal hypoxic brain injury or without a clinical need for bedside brain oxygen monitoring may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a first-in-kind bedside ultrasound tool that uses oxygen-responsive microbubbles to visualize deep brain oxygenation in real time. It focuses on neonates with hypoxic brain injury, where current treatments haven’t significantly reduced mortality or disability. The researchers will create and test HbMBs (hemoglobin-based microbubbles) that produce detectable signals when hit by ultrasound, enabling loco-regional monitoring of brain oxygenation. The approach seeks to provide clinicians with continuous, noninvasive information to guide treatment decisions at the bedside. If successful, this technology could transform how we monitor and respond to brain oxygen levels in newborns in critical care settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could give clinicians real-time insights into brain oxygenation, potentially guiding timely interventions and improving outcomes for newborns with hypoxic brain injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on ultrasound-based sensors and noninvasive monitoring has shown promise, but this specific HbMBs-based Acoustic BOLD approach is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sirsi, Shashank Ramesh — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Sirsi, Shashank Ramesh
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.