Wearable or small implanted sensors that continuously track heart-failure markers
Reagentless Sensor Technologies For Continuous Monitoring of Heart Failure Biomarkers
A reagent-free wearable or implantable sensor that continuously measures heart-failure biomarkers for adults with heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294193 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers would adapt a new reagent-free electrochemical sensor so a wearable or small implanted device can continuously detect proteins and other markers linked to heart failure. They have previously shown continuous, enzyme-free monitoring with an implantable sensor array in vivo and will now focus on markers such as NT‑proBNP and TNF‑α. The sensors are designed to work without blood processing and to send real-time readings that could be shared with your care team. Early work may include animal testing and lab validation before any human testing at Northwestern, which could require clinic visits for device placement and monitoring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older with diagnosed heart failure or at high risk of worsening heart failure who can attend visits at Northwestern and are willing to use or receive a wearable or implanted sensor.
Not a fit: People without heart failure, children, or patients unable or unwilling to have an implanted device or attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow earlier detection of worsening heart failure and support remote management to help prevent hospitalizations.
How similar studies have performed: Prior prototype work showed feasibility of continuous reagent-free monitoring in vivo with implantable sensors, but adapting this for routine human heart-failure monitoring is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kelley, Shana O — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Kelley, Shana O
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 below.