Vibration-based Heel Sticks to Reduce Pain in Newborns
Official title: Vibration-integrated Lancing System to Reduce Stress, Pain Response, Heel Damage and Developmental Harm from Recurring Heel Sticks in Neonates
Funded at Actuated Medical, INC. · NIH-11252698 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny, vibration-enabled tool helps lessen pain and stress from heel sticks in newborns during blood draws.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Actuated Medical, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bellefonte, United States) |
| Project start | May 18, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,040,504 |
| NIH project number | 2R44NS155776-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11252698 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Newborns in NICU settings requiring heel-stick blood sampling.
✕Less likely to help
Babies with conditions where vibration is unsafe or ineffective, or those not undergoing heel sticks.
What this research studies
This SBIR project develops and tests a device called BabyGentleStick Heel Stick Helper (BGS) that uses gentle vibrations to mask pain before and during heel sticks in newborns. The device delivers vibration through a standard lancet at the heel, aiming to reduce discomfort without drugs. The goal is to lower repeated pain exposure in NICU infants, which can affect development, especially in preterm babies. The work includes clinical testing to ensure the method is safe and comfortable for babies and feasible for NICU workflows.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could lessen neonatal pain during blood draws and improve short- and long-term well-being for newborns.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in analgesia for neonates support that non-pharmacologic pain reduction can be beneficial, but this exact vibration-based approach is being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Actuated Medical, INC.
Bellefonte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ocon-Grove, Olga M — Actuated Medical, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ocon-Grove, Olga M
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.