Multimodal KeyScope Laparoscope to broaden access to keyhole surgery
Official title: Multimodal KeyScope Laparoscope: Increasing Access to Laparoscopic Surgery
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11450214 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new laparoscope-based system is being developed to help more patients get minimally invasive surgery, including in rural and combat-zone settings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $663,736 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA304407-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450214 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients needing chest or abdominal laparoscopic procedures, especially in rural or resource-limited settings, and military or field contexts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit are those requiring open surgery due to contraindications for laparoscopy or lack of access to required facilities that cannot be improved.
What this research studies
This project focuses on improving access to laparoscopic surgery by addressing barriers in rural and resource-limited environments. It aims to enhance availability of equipment, training, and support so that more patients can benefit from smaller incisions and quicker recovery. The approach leverages a multimodal keyscope laparoscope to enable safer, faster procedures and broader geographic reach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients in underserved areas could have faster access to minimally invasive surgery and better outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that expanding laparoscopic access can reduce complications and shorten recovery, though access gaps remain.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mueller, Jenna Lynne Hook — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Mueller, Jenna Lynne Hook
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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.