# Minimally Invasive Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygenation Monitoring for Intracranial Hypertension

> **NIH NIH UG3** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2024 · $1,816,459

## Abstract

Contact PD/PI: Floyd, Thomas
ABSTRACT/PROJECT SUMMARY
 Traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, and intracerebral hemorrhage are frequently complicated by
intracranial hypertension leading to progressive ischemia and secondary brain injury. Recent efforts focused
on improving outcomes have therefore been focused upon improving cerebral oxygenation and the
development of monitoring devices to guide therapy. Current devices designed to measure tissue oxygenation
are, however, severely limited in their scope of surveillance and accuracy. Surface oximetry monitors
interrogate only superficial brain tissue, with contamination from intervening skin and skull. Intraparenchymal
brain tissue oxygen probes survey relatively metabolically less active white matter (compared to gray matter), a
volume of less than 3 mm3, and at a single location. Lastly, intraparenchymal tissue oxygen monitors are
bulky, incompatible with magnetic resonance imaging, and have yet to demonstrate clinical efficacy.
 To fill this need, we will finalize the development of a brain-specific, minimally invasive, optical blood flow
and oxygenation monitoring system (FLOXBR), then translate this device to humans. The FLOXBR, employing
diffuse optical and correlation spectroscopies via a brain surface probe, may offer improved sensitivity and
specificity compared to non-invasive probes and will probe larger volumes than currently available invasive
probes, such as the LicoxTM tissue pO2 probe. Unlike intraparenchymal probes, this device can lie above or
below the dura and will be more sensitive to highly metabolically active gray matter. Its small size and flexibility
will permit multiple probes to be placed through a single burr hole, thus allowing for the monitoring of regional
differences in flow and oxygenation. Unlike surface oximetry, the FLOXBR is not impacted by superficial trauma
or edema, improving reliability and sensitivity. Continuous, easily interpreted, and reliable minimally invasive
monitoring of cerebral oxygen delivery may enhance management and outcomes in patients suffering from
intracranial hypertension.
Our aims are succinctly summarized below.
Aim 1) Finalize development & manufacture the FLOXBR brain flow and oximetry monitoring device.
Aim 2) Pre-clinical device evaluation, measurement validation, and safety testing of FLOXBR.
Aim 3) Complete regulatory and safety requirements to support FLOXBR first-in-humans feasibility testing.
Aim 4) Conduct first-in-humans feasibility testing.
Project Summary/Abstract Page 7

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11085737
- **Project number:** 7UG3NS123191-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas Frederick FLOYD
- **Activity code:** UG3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,816,459
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2022-09-20 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11085737

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11085737, Minimally Invasive Cerebral Blood Flow and Oxygenation Monitoring for Intracranial Hypertension (7UG3NS123191-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11085737. Licensed CC0.

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