AI-powered portable colposcopy device to guide cervical cancer screening
Official title: Development and Validation of an Artificial-Intelligence-enabled Portable Colposcopy Device for Optimizing Triage Alternatives for HPV-based Cervical Cancer Screening
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11416400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A portable, AI-assisted device aims to triage HPV-positive women in low-resource settings to quickly and accurately identify who needs treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,031,758 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA269192-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals undergoing HPV-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings who could benefit from a portable triage tool.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in settings with ready access to standard colposcopy and pathology may see limited added value.
What this research studies
This project develops a low-cost imaging device for the cervix combined with an automated machine-learning diagnosis to support single-visit cervical cancer screening in areas with limited health infrastructure. It targets settings where cytology and specialist pathology are scarce, aiming to reduce follow-up losses and unnecessary referrals. The approach emphasizes a user-friendly tool that can be used with minimal trained staff to help make rapid, accurate triage decisions. The work involves validating the AI system against standard diagnostic methods and testing its performance in real-world, resource-limited environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could enable timely, accurate triage and treatment decisions, potentially reducing cervical cancer deaths in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show promise for AI-assisted imaging tools in cervical cancer screening, but real-world deployment in low-resource settings remains challenging and ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramanujam, Nirmala — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ramanujam, Nirmala
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mSaada: a mobile tool to boost cervical cancer screening in western Kenya
A mobile app helps community health volunteers manage cervical cancer screening tasks and follow-up for women in low-resource areas.
-
HPV self-collection in HIV care to screen for cervical cancer in Ethiopia
A patient-centered program tests a simple HPV self-collection approach within HIV clinics in Ethiopia to help detect cervical cancer earlier.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening for LMICs using CRISPR and fluorescence
A low-resource, rapid test called CODA uses CRISPR and light signals to detect cervical cancer markers in women in sub-Saharan Africa to improve screening.
-
CODA-based cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings
A new, quick, low-cost test using CRISPR and fluorescence readouts to help screen for cervical cancer in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
-
CATSystem: a digital tool to boost cervical cancer screening and follow-up in Kenya
A digital tracking system helps doctors and patients in Kenya improve cervical cancer screening, treatment referrals, and follow-up, especially for women living with HIV.
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.