Using photoacoustic imaging to improve diagnosis of intestinal health in premature infants
Official title: Photoacoustic Imaging for Biophysical Physiological Indicators of Neonatal Intestinal Health and Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11060070 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, gentle imaging method to help doctors spot a serious intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis in premature babies, so they can catch it early and provide better care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $401,973 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135955-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060070 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants who are at high risk for developing necrotizing enterocolitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not premature or do not have risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new imaging technique called photoacoustic imaging (PAI) to help diagnose necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. NEC is a serious intestinal disease that can be life-threatening, and early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. The study aims to use PAI to non-invasively detect changes in the intestines of infants, allowing for better monitoring and management of this condition. By characterizing the blood flow and motility in the intestines, the research hopes to provide healthcare providers with more accurate diagnostic tools.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of NEC, potentially saving lives and improving outcomes for premature infants.
How similar studies have gone: While photoacoustic imaging is a novel approach in this context, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other medical applications, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
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Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weis, Jared Anthony — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Weis, Jared Anthony
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.