Noninvasive wireless sensors to monitor shunts and reduce imaging for hydrocephalus patients
Official title: Enhancing Healthcare Delivery and Patient Outcomes: Noninvasive Wireless Sensors to Improve Ventricular Shunt Monitoring, Reduce Imaging, and Alleviate the Burden on Providers, Patients, and Families
Funded at Rhaeos, INC. · NIH-11241988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A wearable device called FlowSense would help monitor hydrocephalus patients by checking CSF flow without radiation and with quick checks to reduce unnecessary tests.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhaeos, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Evanston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $965,691 |
| NIH project number | 5R44NS121555-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11241988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with hydrocephalus who have shunts and are undergoing ongoing monitoring or at risk of shunt malfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without hydrocephalus or without shunt implants are not the target for this device.
What this research studies
This project aims to use a flexible, wearable sensor to measure CSF flow in patients with shunts, enabling non-invasive and rapid assessments in clinical settings. By providing rapid data on shunt function, it could cut down on emergency visits and reduce the need for frequent imaging. The approach focuses on bedside use in hospitals and clinics to support clinicians and families in managing hydrocephalus. If successful, it could lower costs, lessen patient burden, and streamline care pathways. The grant supports the development and validation of this technology with real-world use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience quicker, safer monitoring of shunt function with less radiation exposure and fewer unnecessary tests.
How similar studies have gone: Similar non-invasive flow monitoring concepts exist, but FlowSense offers a faster, radiation-free assessment method.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhaeos, INC.
Evanston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Somera, Anna Lisa — Rhaeos, INC.
- Study coordinator: Somera, Anna Lisa
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.