Creating a new device to help treat fetal urinary tract blockages
Official title: Developing a novel vesico-amniotic shunt to treat fetal lower urinary tract obstruction
Funded at Vortex Medical INC. · NIH-11008082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new device to help babies with a serious condition called lower urinary tract obstruction, which can cause health problems before birth, by making it easier for doctors to perform surgery and improve the chances of a successful treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vortex Medical INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woodside, United States) |
| Project start | July 25, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $301,151 |
| NIH project number | 1R44DK141388-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals whose fetuses have been diagnosed with severe lower urinary tract obstruction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose fetuses do not have lower urinary tract obstruction or have mild cases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel vesico-amniotic shunt to treat fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), a serious birth defect that can lead to significant health complications. The approach involves fetal surgery to implant a new type of shunt that aims to improve the success rate of treatment by reducing the chances of dislodgement and enhancing visibility during ultrasound. The device has been tested in preliminary studies, showing promise in improving outcomes for affected fetuses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for fetuses diagnosed with lower urinary tract obstruction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar approaches to treating fetal urinary tract obstructions can be effective, but this specific device is novel and has not been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Vortex Medical INC.
Woodside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Eric — Vortex Medical INC.
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Eric
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.