Ultrasound method to break up and drain brain clots from bleeding strokes
Official title: Novel Ultrasonic Technique for the Treatment of Hemorrhagic Stroke
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11057991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Using focused ultrasound through the skull to liquefy and drain blood clots for people with intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding stroke).
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| 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 30, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $683,855 |
| NIH project number | 2U01NS108042-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with an acute intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding stroke) whose clot size and location make them eligible for minimally invasive clot drainage and who meet safety criteria.
✕Less likely to help
People with very small or widely scattered bleeds, unstable medical conditions, uncontrolled bleeding disorders, or clots in locations that cannot be safely targeted may not benefit or be eligible.
What this research studies
If I had a bleeding stroke caused by a clot inside my brain, this project would use a guided focused‑ultrasound system placed outside my skull to break up the clot. The ultrasound pulses (histotripsy) create tiny bubbles that quickly liquefy the clot without clot‑busting drugs or large open surgery. The liquefied clot would then be removed through a small catheter to reduce damage to normal brain tissue and lower the chance of rebleeding. The team has built a prototype NaviTH system and is working to make it safe and ready for patient use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could allow faster clot removal with less damage to healthy brain tissue, improving recovery after hemorrhagic stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Other minimally invasive clot‑removal approaches have shown benefit in trials, while histotripsy is a newer ultrasound‑based method with promising preclinical and early feasibility results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pandey, Aditya S — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Pandey, Aditya S
Related research
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Cross-talk between SARM1-driven axon damage and ferroptosis in brain hemorrhage
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Recombinant factor VIIa given very early for bleeding stroke
This trial gives a clotting medicine called rFVIIa very soon after a spontaneous brain bleed to adults to try to improve recovery.
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Early Factor VIIa treatment for bleeding stroke
This project tests whether giving a clotting medicine called recombinant Factor VIIa very soon after a spontaneous brain bleed helps adults recover better than standard care alone.
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Early clotting-factor treatment for sudden brain bleed
This research gives a clotting medicine called rFVIIa very soon after a sudden brain bleed to see whether people with intracerebral hemorrhage do better than with standard care alone.
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Ultrasound method to safely treat brain bleeds without open surgery
A new ultrasound-based technique aims to liquefy and drain intracerebral hemorrhage through the skull in a minimally invasive way.
-
Early Factor VIIa treatment for bleeding stroke
This research compares early intravenous recombinant Factor VIIa plus usual care with usual care alone for people who have a sudden brain bleed (intracerebral hemorrhage) to try to improve recovery.
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.