Improving kidney stone surgery using eye gaze training
Official title: Development and Validation of Gaze-based Training for Endoscopic Kidney Stone Surgery
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-10870644 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new training tool for kidney stone surgeons that uses eye tracking to help them find and remove stones more easily during surgery, making it better for patients and reducing the chances of needing more surgeries later.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $398,487 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB035783-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10870644 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing endoscopic kidney stone surgery who are at risk of having residual stones.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already undergone multiple surgeries or those with conditions that prevent them from receiving endoscopic treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of endoscopic kidney stone surgery by developing a training system that utilizes eye gaze tracking. The approach focuses on helping surgeons visualize and locate kidney stones more effectively during procedures, which is crucial for achieving a stone-free status. By analyzing the gaze patterns of experienced surgeons, the project seeks to provide real-time feedback to trainees, thereby improving their skills and reducing the likelihood of repeat surgeries due to residual stones. The methodology involves creating a gaze-based guidance system that complements traditional training methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the number of repeat surgeries needed for kidney stone patients, leading to better outcomes and less pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that gaze-based training can improve surgical skills in robotic and laparoscopic settings, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in endoscopic surgery.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Jie Ying — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Jie Ying
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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.