Designing vaginal stents to prevent narrowing after radiation treatment
Official title: Model-directed Design of Vaginal Stents to Prevent Post-radiation Stenosis
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11025539 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new vaginal stent made to help women who have had pelvic radiation avoid painful narrowing of the vagina, using a special material that expands to fit comfortably and includes a coating to keep it clean and effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | December 16, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $598,983 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD116968-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11025539 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone pelvic radiation therapy and are experiencing or at risk of developing vaginal stenosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone pelvic radiation or those without symptoms of vaginal stenosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of vaginal stent specifically designed to prevent vaginal stenosis, a painful condition that can occur in patients who have undergone pelvic radiation. The stent will utilize a shape-memory polymer that expands to fit the individual patient's anatomy after insertion, helping to maintain vaginal openness and alleviate symptoms. The study will also incorporate an antifouling coating to reduce bacterial attachment, enhancing the stent's effectiveness. By using advanced computational models, the research aims to streamline the design process for gynecological devices, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of vaginal stenosis and improve the quality of life for patients recovering from pelvic radiation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using shape-memory polymers for medical devices, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cosgriff-Hernandez, Elizabeth Marie — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Cosgriff-Hernandez, Elizabeth Marie
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.