<a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en.html\">91´óÉñ Children's Health</a> | <a href=\"https://kidshealth.org/\">91´óÉñ KidsHealth</a> </p>\r\n"}} id=text-b0f8b48d01 class=cmp-text>
Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation Lab
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Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation Lab
Innovating Noninvasive Approaches to Pediatric Lung Evaluation
The Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation Lab at 91´óÉñ Children’s in the Delaware Valley focuses on understanding how infants and children with complex medical conditions breathe. Many of the kids we see are too young or have conditions that limit their ability to participate in standard breathing tests. By creating gentler, developmentally appropriate methods, we make it possible to evaluate lung function in patients who may otherwise go unmeasured.</p>\r\n<p>As part of the <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/pediatric-research/centers-programs/pediatric-lung-delaware-valley.html\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Center for Pediatric Lung Research</a>, our work emphasizes capturing reliable respiratory information in real clinical environments. These approaches support evaluation across a wide range of care settings and help clinicians track changes in breathing over time. This leads to better treatment decisions for medically complex patients.</p>\r\n<p>Over several decades, our team has advanced the science of noninvasive pulmonary evaluation. This expertise has contributed to a deeper understanding of respiratory patterns in newborns and children with complex needs.</p>\r\n<p>The tools we develop and refine continue to support safer, more informed care for children whose needs fall outside the limits of traditional lung testing.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-fb817ce2bb class=cmp-text>
The Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation Lab at 91´óÉñ Children’s in the Delaware Valley focuses on understanding how infants and children with complex medical conditions breathe. Many of the kids we see are too young or have conditions that limit their ability to participate in standard breathing tests. By creating gentler, developmentally appropriate methods, we make it possible to evaluate lung function in patients who may otherwise go unmeasured.
As part of the Center for Pediatric Lung Research, our work emphasizes capturing reliable respiratory information in real clinical environments. These approaches support evaluation across a wide range of care settings and help clinicians track changes in breathing over time. This leads to better treatment decisions for medically complex patients.
Over several decades, our team has advanced the science of noninvasive pulmonary evaluation. This expertise has contributed to a deeper understanding of respiratory patterns in newborns and children with complex needs.
The tools we develop and refine continue to support safer, more informed care for children whose needs fall outside the limits of traditional lung testing.
Principal Investigators
Thomas H. Shaffer, MSE, PhD </h2>\r\n"}} id=text-567cd4b616 class=cmp-text>
Thomas H. Shaffer, MSE, PhDÌý
Director, Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation Lab </h3>\r\n"}} id=text-c474df54e1 class=cmp-text>
Director, Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation LabÌý
Robert Heinle, MD</h2>\r\n"}} id=text-7f51975994 class=cmp-text>
Robert Heinle, MD
Director, Pulmonary Function Testing Laboratory</h3>\r\n"}} id=text-7e7cd0b06a class=cmp-text>
Director, Pulmonary Function Testing Laboratory
Tariq Rahman, PhD</h2>\r\n"}} id=text-ca0894c09a class=cmp-text>
Tariq Rahman, PhD
Associate Director</h3>\r\n"}} id=text-84ccbce59e class=cmp-text>
Associate Director
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ON THIS PAGE:
- Research Interests
- Notable Projects
- Lab Services
- Grants & Support
Our Areas of Focus
Our work centers on studying lung function in infants and children with complex medical conditions. Our key areas of focus include:</p>\r\n<h3><b>Noninvasive Evaluation of Breathing in Infants & Medically Complex Children</b></h3>\r\n<p>We evaluate lung function in those who cannot perform standard pulmonary tests, including newborns, preterm infants, and patients with conditions that limit cooperation or mobility. Our approaches prioritize safety and comfort while capturing meaningful respiratory data in early life and complex care settings.</p>\r\n<h3><b>Respiratory Pathophysiology Across Development & Disease</b></h3>\r\n<p>By examining breathing mechanics across early development, we study how illness, growth, and clinical supports influence respiratory function. This work helps identify breathing patterns that may not be detected through conventional testing and supports more informed monitoring of vulnerable patients.</p>\r\n<h3><b>Tools & Methods That Guide Clinical Decisions</b></h3>\r\n<p>We develop and refine noninvasive technologies that measure airflow, chest wall motion, and gas exchange. These tools help clinicians interpret small changes in breathing and follow respiratory status over time across inpatient and outpatient settings.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-2be402b4b1 class=cmp-text>
Our work centers on studying lung function in infants and children with complex medical conditions. Our key areas of focus include:
Noninvasive Evaluation of Breathing in Infants & Medically Complex Children
We evaluate lung function in those who cannot perform standard pulmonary tests, including newborns, preterm infants, and patients with conditions that limit cooperation or mobility. Our approaches prioritize safety and comfort while capturing meaningful respiratory data in early life and complex care settings.
RespiratoryÌýPathophysiology Across Development & Disease
By examining breathing mechanics across early development, we study how illness, growth, and clinical supports influence respiratory function. This work helps identify breathing patterns that may not be detected through conventional testing and supports more informed monitoring of vulnerable patients.
Tools & Methods That Guide Clinical Decisions
We develop and refine noninvasive technologies that measure airflow, chest wall motion, and gas exchange. These tools help clinicians interpret small changes in breathing and follow respiratory status over time across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Selected Research Highlights</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>Noninvasive monitoring of breathing in premature infants</b>, using respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) to assess work of breathing and respiratory mechanics during clinical support.</li>\r\n<li><b>Development of the <i>pneu</i>RIPâ„¢ system</b>, a compact, wireless respiratory monitoring platform designed to support breathing assessment in settings where traditional pulmonary testing is not feasible.</li>\r\n<li><b>Application of noninvasive respiratory evaluation in neuromuscular and rare diseases</b>, supporting longitudinal assessment of breathing patterns as conditions evolve.</li>\r\n<li><b>Automated breathing pattern analysis</b>, including approaches that assist with identifying thoracoabdominal asynchrony and other markers of respiratory dysfunction.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2>Research Collaborations</h2>\r\n<p>We work in collaboration with clinical and research partners across 91´óÉñ and beyond. These relationships support method development and shared research questions and helps us apply noninvasive pulmonary evaluation in real-world care settings.</p>\r\n<p>Internal collaborations include pulmonology, neonatology, critical care medicine, and orthopedics at 91´óÉñ. We also work closely with Tariq Rahman, PhD, and the <a href=\"/content/nemours/us/en/pediatric-research/research-labs/engineering.html\">Pediatric Engineering Research Lab</a>.</p>\r\n<p>In addition, we collaborate with academic partners such as <a href=\"https://profiles.jefferson.edu/display/25841142\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kelley Kovatis, MD</a> at Thomas Jefferson University to advance respiratory evaluation in infants and children.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-2d4ebe009f class=cmp-text>
Selected Research Highlights
- Noninvasive monitoring of breathing in premature infants, using respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) to assess work of breathing and respiratory mechanics during clinical support.
- Development of the pneuRIPâ„¢ system, a compact, wireless respiratory monitoring platform designed to support breathing assessment in settings where traditional pulmonary testing is not feasible.
- Application of noninvasive respiratory evaluation in neuromuscular and rare diseases, supporting longitudinal assessment of breathing patterns as conditions evolve.
- Automated breathing pattern analysis, including approaches that assist with identifying thoracoabdominal asynchrony and other markers of respiratory dysfunction.
Research Collaborations
We work in collaboration with clinical and research partners across 91´óÉñ and beyond. These relationships support method development and shared research questions and helps us apply noninvasive pulmonary evaluation in real-world care settings.
Internal collaborations include pulmonology, neonatology, critical care medicine, and orthopedics at 91´óÉñ. We also work closely with Tariq Rahman, PhD, and the Pediatric Engineering Research Lab.
In addition, we collaborate with academic partners such as at Thomas Jefferson University to advance respiratory evaluation in infants and children.
Services We Provide
Although we are a research lab, our methods directly support clinical care. We provide noninvasive pulmonary evaluation for children who cannot complete traditional assessments.</p>\r\n<p>These services help clinicians evaluate breathing patterns, airflow, gas exchange, and chest wall movement in patients who need gentler, developmentally appropriate approaches.</p>\r\n<p><b>Capabilities include:</b></p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Pneumotachography, expired COâ‚‚, and oxygen saturation monitoring.</li>\r\n<li>Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP).</li>\r\n<li>pneuRIP, a 91´óÉñ-developed motion-based respiratory monitoring system.</li>\r\n<li>Spirometry for children able to participate in limited testing.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>Evaluations take place in the pulmonary function testing laboratory, neuromuscular and cerebral palsy care settings, and the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU).</p>\r\n"}} id=text-de263090f0 class=cmp-text>
Although we are a research lab, our methods directly support clinical care. We provide noninvasive pulmonary evaluation for children who cannot complete traditional assessments.
These services help clinicians evaluate breathing patterns, airflow, gas exchange, and chest wall movement in patients who need gentler, developmentally appropriate approaches.
Capabilities include:
- Pneumotachography, expired COâ‚‚, and oxygen saturation monitoring.
- Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP).
- pneuRIP, a 91´óÉñ-developed motion-based respiratory monitoring system.
- Spirometry for children able to participate in limited testing.
Evaluations take place in the pulmonary function testing laboratory, neuromuscular and cerebral palsy care settings, and the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU).
Grant Funding
Our work is supported by federal funding that recognizes the clinical importance of noninvasive respiratory evaluation and enables continued innovation. Select awards include:</p>\r\n<h3><b>National Institutes of Health (NIH)</b></h3>\r\n<p><b>National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)</b><br>\r\nCenter for Pediatric Research (CPR) (2015-2022) |Shaffer, T. (PI/PD)</p>\r\n<p>Delaware CTR Program Support (2013-2019) | Shaffer, T. (PI)</p>\r\n<p><b>National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)</b><br>\r\nAirway Delivery of Fibrinolytic Therapy for ISALI (2014-2019) | Idell, S. (PI); Shaffer, T. (Co-PI)</p>\r\n<p><b>National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)</b><br>\r\nR41 Grant (2022-2024) | Rahman, T. (PI)</p>\r\n<p><b><i>Eunice Kennedy Shriver</i> National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)</b><br>\r\nR21 Grant (2023-2026) | Rahman, T. (PI)</p>\r\n<p><b>National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)</b><br>\r\nR21 Grant (2021-2024) | Yue, X. (PI); Shaffer, T. (Mentor/Co-PI)</p>\r\n<h2>Recognition & Awards</h2>\r\n<p>Researchers in the Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation Lab have been recognized for long-standing contributions to pediatric respiratory science and biomedical innovation. This includes leadership in federally funded research programs and participation in national scientific societies.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-1b5e498fe9 class=cmp-text>
Our work is supported by federal funding that recognizes the clinical importance of noninvasive respiratory evaluation and enables continued innovation. Select awards include:
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Center for Pediatric Research (CPR) (2015-2022) |Shaffer, T. (PI/PD)
Delaware CTR Program Support (2013-2019) | Shaffer, T. (PI)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Airway Delivery of Fibrinolytic Therapy for ISALI (2014-2019) | Idell, S. (PI); Shaffer, T. (Co-PI)
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
R41 Grant (2022-2024) | Rahman, T. (PI)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
R21 Grant (2023-2026) | Rahman, T. (PI)
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)
R21 Grant (2021-2024) | Yue, X. (PI); Shaffer, T. (Mentor/Co-PI)
Recognition & Awards
Researchers in the Noninvasive Pulmonary Evaluation Lab have been recognized for long-standing contributions to pediatric respiratory science and biomedical innovation. This includes leadership in federally funded research programs and participation in national scientific societies.
Research in Context
Our lab contributes to research that informs pediatric care and connects to broader areas of scientific study at 91´óÉñ.</p>\r\n"}} id=text-3eef7a8f2c class=cmp-text>
Our lab contributes to research that informs pediatric care and connects to broader areas of scientific study at 91´óÉñ.
Center for Pediatric Lung Research
DELAWARE VALLEY
Our center improves pediatric respiratory care by translating scientific discoveries into innovative diagnostics, specialized lab research, and cross-specialty clinical studies.
Neonatal Intensive Care
CLINICAL CARE
Expert intensive care for premature and critically ill newborns at advanced facilities at 91´óÉñ Children’s hospitals in Delaware and Florida.
Orthopedics Center, Delaware Valley
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric orthopedic care including neuromuscular, spine, and limb conditions at 91´óÉñ Children’s Hospital, Delaware and throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Orthopedics Research
RESEARCH AREA
Our teams study bone, joint, and muscle development to improve care for children with orthopedic conditions through innovation and collaboration.
Pediatric Intensive Care
CLINICAL CARE
Critical care for children with serious illness or injury in specialized units at our Delaware and Florida children's hospitals.
Pulmonology
CLINICAL CARE
Comprehensive care for children with lung, airway, and breathing disorders provided by 91´óÉñ pediatric pulmonologists.
Pulmonology Research
RESEARCH AREA
Our teams explore lung development and respiratory disease to improve care for children through imaging, monitoring tools, and treatment innovation.
Radiology Research
RESEARCH AREA
Our researchers advance pediatric imaging by developing safer, clearer techniques that improve diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of childhood conditions.