Safer automated muscle stimulation to prevent ICU-acquired weakness
Closed Loop Electrical Muscle Stimulation System (CL-EMS) with improved safety for ICU environment to mitigate ICU Acquired Weakness
This project builds an automated muscle-stimulation device to help people in the ICU keep muscle strength and make it easier to come off mechanical ventilation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Health Discovery Labs LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182586 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is creating a closed-loop electrical muscle stimulation system that uses skin electrodes to passively activate limb and breathing muscles even when a patient is sedated. The device will monitor feedback and automatically adjust stimulation to stay within safe limits for the ICU environment. The focus is on delivering early, non-volitional exercise for patients who cannot cooperate with physical therapy. The project includes engineering development and clinical testing in hospital ICUs to demonstrate safe use immediately after ICU admission.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people newly admitted to the ICU, especially those on mechanical ventilation or otherwise unable to take part in active physical therapy.
Not a fit: People with implanted electronic devices like pacemakers, extensive skin injuries where electrodes cannot be placed, or certain neuromuscular disorders may not be eligible or may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce muscle wasting in the ICU, shorten time on ventilators, and improve short- and long-term recovery and function.
How similar studies have performed: Some clinical studies of conventional EMS show early rehabilitation benefits for ICU patients, but a closed-loop, ICU-specific device with enhanced safety features is newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- Health Discovery Labs LLC — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hassan, Oussama — Health Discovery Labs LLC
- Study coordinator: Hassan, Oussama
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.