National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (NIHCC); Opportunity for Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) in the Fields of Rehabilitation Medicine and Speech-Language Pathology Using Ultrasound Imaging or Similar Technology

Resumo

The Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Speech-Language Pathology Section, of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (NIHCC), seeks a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with one or more collaborators in the ultrasound imaging or related technology fields. The purpose of the collaboration will be to develop a method to examine the movements of the oral pharynx including the tongue base, pharynx, and soft palate during sleep using ultrasound imaging. The objectives of the research include the development of a noninvasive and reliable procedure to examine the components of sleep apnea and the development of an ultrasound transducer that can be used to assist the physician in determining which patients will benefit from tongue base or palatal reduction procedures. Obstructive sleep apnea currently affects more than four (4) percent of the population, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Due to a current deficiency in methods of examination and diagnosis, the location of the obstruction(s) and the physiology of the response remain unknown. Because surgical procedures are considered as possible treatment for this disorder, it is necessary to know th