Affordable laparoscopic tools for cancer surgery in Uganda
KeyScope: The Key to Sustainable Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in Uganda
['FUNDING_U01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11385686
This project builds low-cost, easy-to-use laparoscopic tools and tele-mentoring to help surgeons perform less invasive cancer surgeries in Uganda and similar low-resource settings.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11385686 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As a patient, this project aims to bring small, less invasive cancer operations to hospitals that currently lack expensive equipment. The team is making KeyScope, a $150 laparoscope that plugs into a laptop and can be sterilized by immersion, and KeyLoop, a manual retractor that avoids the need for continuous power and medical-grade CO2. They will connect local surgeons with experienced mentors through a tele-mentoring application and introduce the devices at partner hospitals in Uganda. The goal is to reduce pain, shorten hospital stays, lower infection risk, and speed recovery for people having chest and abdominal cancer surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People in Uganda with chest or abdominal cancers who are candidates for laparoscopic approaches at participating hospitals would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients needing large open resections, complex reconstructions requiring advanced equipment, or emergency operations unsuited to laparoscopy may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could make minimally invasive cancer surgery more available in Uganda, reducing pain, infections, recovery time, and hospital costs.
How similar studies have performed: Laparoscopic cancer surgery is standard in high-income countries and some low-cost laparoscopic innovations have shown promise, but KeySuite's combination of ultra-low cost, sterilizability, and power-independent design is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FITZGERALD, TAMARA N — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: FITZGERALD, TAMARA N
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.
Conditions: Cancer Treatment, Cancers