Smartphone ultrasound to speed diagnosis and care for trauma patients in Cameroon
Official title: Smartphone ultrasonography to improve diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening injuries for trauma patients in Cameroon
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11387944 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A low-cost smartphone ultrasound approach is being tested so frontline clinicians in Cameroon can quickly identify life-threatening injuries and improve trauma care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $173,256 |
| NIH project number | 5R33TW012609-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387944 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Trauma patients in Cameroon who would benefit from rapid bedside imaging using smartphone ultrasound.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit include those with injuries not detectable by ultrasound or in settings without access to trained personnel.
What this research studies
This project tests affordable smartphone-based ultrasound probes to help clinicians in Cameroon perform rapid injury assessments like eFAST. It will evaluate how well providers with little ultrasound experience can learn and use the technology, and whether it improves timely diagnosis and treatment. The study will take place in a real-world setting to understand educational impact, feasibility, and effectiveness in increasing diagnostic capacity. If successful, the approach could expand access to critical imaging in resource-limited environments and reduce delays to care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could receive faster and more accurate injury assessment, leading to timely treatment and potentially better outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows smartphone ultrasound has promise in LMICs, but rigorous educational and clinical effectiveness data are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christie, Sabrinah Ariane — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Christie, Sabrinah Ariane
Related research
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Smartphone ultrasound to speed trauma diagnosis in Cameroon
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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.