New device to support a weak cervix during pregnancy
Official title: A Novel Device for Cervical Insufficiency in Pregnant Women
Funded at Cx Therapeutics, INC · NIH-11193996 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is testing a small silicone-plate device to help keep the cervix closed during pregnancy for women with cervical insufficiency.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cx Therapeutics, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,214,257 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HD116620-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193996 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be pregnant people diagnosed with cervical insufficiency or a history of mid-trimester pregnancy loss or short cervix who are candidates for cerclage.
✕Less likely to help
People without cervical insufficiency, those not pregnant, or those with active uterine infection or other contraindications to cerclage are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
From a patient's view, the team is building a device made of four soft silicone plates that sit around the cervix with sutures threaded through them to provide stronger, gentler compression than a standard stitch. The developers aim to improve how well cerclage prevents early cervical opening and to reduce complications that can happen with current surgery. Work will include refining the design, bench and safety testing, and steps toward testing in pregnant patients. If the device moves forward, it would be used by doctors during pregnancy to try to prevent preterm birth caused by a weak cervix.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could lower the risk of preterm birth from cervical insufficiency and reduce surgery-related side effects for some pregnant patients.
How similar studies have gone: Traditional cervical stitch (cerclage) is an established treatment and vaginal pessaries have had mixed results, while this silicone-plate approach is a novel device that is not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Cx Therapeutics, INC
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: House, Michael Douglas — Cx Therapeutics, INC
- Study coordinator: House, Michael Douglas
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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.