Creating surfaces that help clear mucus from medical devices
Official title: An Engineered Surface of Mucociliary Transport for Medical Devices
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11079436 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating special surfaces for medical devices that touch mucus, like airway tubes and eye prosthetics, to help the body clear mucus better and reduce infections, so patients can enjoy devices that are easier to care for and last longer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $306,847 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB033395-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079436 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who use airway devices or eye prostheses and experience issues related to mucus accumulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use mucus-contacting medical devices or have no issues with mucus accumulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing engineered surfaces for medical devices that come into contact with mucus, such as airway devices and eye prostheses. The goal is to enhance mucociliary transport (MCT), a natural process that helps clear mucus, thereby reducing the accumulation that can lead to infections and blockages. The approach involves fabricating cilia-like structures on surfaces, modifying these surfaces to improve mucus interaction, and testing the effectiveness of these surfaces using acoustic methods in laboratory and animal models. Patients may benefit from devices that require less frequent cleaning and replacement, ultimately improving their quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to medical devices that significantly reduce mucus-related complications and improve patient comfort.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered surfaces and acoustic methods to enhance mucus clearance, suggesting a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Yuliang — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Xie, Yuliang
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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.