Smartphone ultrasound to speed trauma diagnosis 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-11596290 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A low-cost smartphone ultrasound program is being tested to help frontline trauma teams in Cameroon quickly find life-threatening injuries.
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) | $98,107 |
| NIH project number | 3R33TW012609-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596290 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Frontline trauma patients in Cameroon who have suspected life-threatening injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Providers or facilities without access to the smartphone ultrasound may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project tests a smartphone-based ultrasound probe to perform rapid injury checks in Cameroonian trauma patients. It will train providers with limited ultrasound experience to use the device at the point of care. The study will measure how well the training works, how feasible it is to implement, and whether it improves timely diagnosis and access to needed care. The aim is to boost diagnostic capacity in a resource-limited setting and ultimately reduce injury-related mortality.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with traumatic injuries could receive faster, more accurate diagnoses and timely treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in similar settings show promise, but rigorous evaluation of smartphone ultrasound in LMIC trauma care is 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
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Smartphone ultrasound to speed diagnosis and care for trauma patients in Cameroon
A low-cost smartphone ultrasound approach is being tested so frontline clinicians in Cameroon can quickly identify life-threatening injuries and improve trauma care.
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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.