Using cold to trigger local anesthesia for pain relief
Official title: Equipment Supplement - Cold triggered Local Anesthesia for Pain Management
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-11096165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help numb pain using a special cold-activated method, which could make getting local anesthesia safer and easier for patients when they need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $166,649 |
| NIH project number | 3R01GM144388-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11096165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who require local anesthesia for surgical or medical procedures and may benefit from a more controlled pain management approach.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require local anesthesia or those with allergies to the components used in this research may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to local anesthesia that can be activated by cold temperatures. By combining a potent anesthetic called tetrodotoxin with cold therapy and special polymers, the goal is to create a system that allows for on-demand pain relief without the drawbacks of current methods. This method aims to improve the effectiveness and safety of local anesthesia, making it more accessible and easier to use in clinical settings. Patients may receive an initial injection that can be activated later as needed, providing flexibility in pain management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer pain management options for patients undergoing various medical procedures.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been successful studies using light and ultrasound to trigger local anesthesia, the cold-triggered approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Chao — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Chao
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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.