Dissolving zinc staples for bowel surgery
Bioresorbable Zinc Staples for Anastomoses in the Digestive Tract
Developing zinc surgical staples that hold digestive tract connections and then safely dissolve so children and adults avoid permanent metal hardware and related problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11293389 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work aims to make metal staples from zinc that are strong enough to close the bowel but slowly break down inside the body. Researchers will test how well the staples hold tissue, how they corrode over time, and whether they cause inflammation, bleeding, or infection using laboratory and animal experiments. The team is especially focused on effects in growing patients, imaging compatibility, and whether dissolving staples reduce the need for removal surgeries. If preclinical results are promising, the technology could move toward human testing at the medical center.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who need gastrointestinal anastomosis—including children whose growth or future imaging could be affected by permanent metal staples—would be the main candidates for eventual trials.
Not a fit: People who do not require internal stapling, who need permanent nonresorbable support, or whose care cannot be delayed for device testing are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these staples could reduce complications, avoid a second surgery to remove hardware, and eliminate metal-related imaging problems, especially for children.
How similar studies have performed: Biodegradable metals such as magnesium and early zinc implants have shown promising results in lab and animal studies, but they are not yet widely used for gastrointestinal anastomoses in humans.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Donghui — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Donghui
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 below.