Wearable ultrasound patch to monitor heart health after pediatric heart surgery
Official title: Wearable ultrasound patch for noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring after pediatric cardiac surgery
Funded at George Mason University · NIH-11438465 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, disposable ultrasound patch worn on babies and young children after heart surgery will measure heart function and blood pressure in real time, aiming to catch problems early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Mason University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairfax, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $265,018 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB040377-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438465 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are neonates and infants (0–1 year) who have undergone cardiac surgery and require close post-operative hemodynamic monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
The device may not benefit patients who do not have immediate post-operative monitoring needs or who are not surgical candidates.
What this research studies
This project develops a lightweight, wearable ultrasound patch made with 3D printing to monitor cardiac output and blood pressure continuously in neonates and infants (0–1 year). Researchers will test the device in lab settings and in vivo using a juvenile pig model to show it can provide accurate, angle-insensitive measurements. The goal is to enable real-time bedside monitoring so clinicians can intervene sooner and improve outcomes after pediatric cardiac surgery. The approach combines a miniaturized patch, a tunable steering array, and advanced signal processing to extract meaningful hemodynamic signals from ultrasound. If successful, this could change how post-operative care is managed for the smallest patients and reduce complications related to LCOS and graft issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive earlier intervention for hemodynamic instability after surgery, potentially reducing complications and improving survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for noninvasive monitoring with ultrasound, but this specific disposable wearable patch for real-time pediatric post-surgical monitoring is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
George Mason University
Fairfax, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sikdar, Siddhartha — George Mason University
- Study coordinator: Sikdar, Siddhartha
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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.