Assessing the safety of a tin-silver alloy used in a female sterilization device
Official title: Tin-Silver Alloy as a Degradable Biomaterial: Biocompatibility Assessment
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11119129 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how a special metal used in the Essure® birth control device interacts with the body to make sure it's safe for women who have had the procedure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $76,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R03EB037137-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11119129 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include women who have previously used the Essure® device or those interested in understanding the safety of similar sterilization methods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never used the Essure® device or are not considering sterilization options may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the biocompatibility of a tin-silver alloy used in the Essure® Micro Insert Female Sterilization device, which has raised concerns due to reported adverse events. The study aims to understand how this metal alloy behaves in the human body, particularly its degradation and potential health impacts. By analyzing retrieved devices, researchers will assess the corrosion of the alloy and its effects on surrounding tissues. This research is crucial for ensuring the safety of similar medical devices in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved safety standards for medical devices that use metal alloys, ultimately protecting patients from adverse effects.
How similar studies have gone: While this specific investigation into the tin-silver alloy is novel, similar studies on the biocompatibility of other materials in medical devices have shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilbert, Jeremy L. — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Gilbert, Jeremy L.
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.