Real-Time Thrombus Characterization with Ultrasound Nanodroplets
Official title: Real-Time, Non-Invasive Thrombus Characterization using Ultrasound Responsive Nanodroplets
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11418489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing project to help doctors understand how clots change over time using ultrasound-enabled tiny bubbles.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $763,283 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL180433-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418489 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with suspected or confirmed thrombi or cardiovascular conditions where clot age and mechanics would influence treatment choices.
✕Less likely to help
If a patient does not have a thrombus or their care pathway does not involve decisions based on clot age or mechanics, benefit may be limited.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a non-invasive ultrasound method that can measure the age and stiffness of blood clots in real time. By using ultrasound-responsive nanodroplets, clinicians may get immediate information about a thrombus’s composition and mechanical properties at the bedside. The goal is to guide treatment decisions based on how mature a clot is, potentially improving outcomes for people with cardiovascular diseases. The study is designed to translate these lab insights into a real-time imaging approach that could be used in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more personalized clot-dissolving therapies and safer, faster diagnoses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in imaging clots and non-invasive diagnostics has shown promise, but real-time, age- and mechanics-focused thrombus characterization is an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aliabouzar, Mitra — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Aliabouzar, Mitra
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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.