A new robot for less invasive surgeries that preserve the uterus
Official title: A New Robot to Replace Hysterectomies with Minimally Invasive Uterine-Sparing Interventions
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11086053 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of surgical robot that helps doctors perform gentle procedures for women with fibroids, aiming to save the uterus and improve recovery, so fewer women need to undergo major surgeries like hysterectomies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 8, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $447,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB035591-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086053 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with uterine fibroids who are considering surgical options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already undergone a hysterectomy or those with conditions that contraindicate uterine-sparing interventions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a novel surgical robot designed to perform minimally invasive procedures that spare the uterus, particularly for women suffering from fibroids. The robot will utilize needle-sized instruments delivered through an endoscope, allowing for precise tissue manipulation and electrosurgical actions. By enhancing the surgeon's dexterity with two miniature robotic instruments, the approach seeks to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the need for hysterectomies, which can have lifelong consequences for women. The project addresses a significant gap in current surgical options, as only a small fraction of women currently benefit from uterine-sparing techniques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the number of hysterectomies performed, allowing women to retain their uterus and avoid associated long-term health issues.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of robotic-assisted surgery is established, this specific approach to uterine-sparing interventions is innovative and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webster, Robert James — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Webster, Robert James
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.