A new medical scaffold for airway collapse
Lazzaro Medical Scaffold System for improved treatment of tracheobronchomalacia
This project is developing a special medical scaffold to help surgeons more easily fix collapsed airways in people with tracheobronchomalacia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lazzaro Medical, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11091573 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) happens when the main airways in your lungs collapse, making it hard to breathe and potentially leading to serious health issues. Current surgical options to fix this are often very complex, requiring highly specialized surgeons to custom-fit mesh during the procedure. This new scaffold is designed to be easier for surgeons to use, helping them reconstruct the airways more effectively. Our goal is to make this life-changing surgery available to more patients who need it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for adult patients, 21 years and older, who suffer from acquired tracheobronchomalacia, a condition where the airways collapse.
Not a fit: Patients whose airway issues are not due to structural collapse, or those who are not candidates for surgical intervention, may not directly benefit from this specific device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this scaffold could make a complex, life-saving airway surgery more widely available and safer for patients with tracheobronchomalacia.
How similar studies have performed: While a minimally invasive robotic repair procedure has been pioneered, a commercially available, easy-to-use scaffold system for this specific repair is a novel development.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, United States
- Lazzaro Medical, INC. — Boulder, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bitz, Dawn Dawn — Lazzaro Medical, INC.
- Study coordinator: Bitz, Dawn Dawn
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.