New hydrogel patches to stop air leaks after lung surgery
Official title: Novel innovative ultra-elastic and instantly adhesive hydrogel patches to prevent air leak after lung surgery
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11073523 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new stretchy patches that stick to the lungs after surgery to help stop air leaks, making recovery easier and possibly letting patients go home sooner without needing extra tubes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $229,971 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HL178129-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11073523 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for lung surgery who are at risk of developing air leaks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already undergone lung surgery without complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative hydrogel patches that can adhere to the lung surface to prevent air leaks following lung surgery. The patches are designed to stretch with lung movement and can be applied with therapeutic agents to enhance their effectiveness. By sealing air leaks, the patches aim to reduce the need for chest tubes, shorten hospital stays, and improve the overall quality of life for patients recovering from lung surgery. The approach has shown promising results in animal models, indicating potential for human application.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients undergoing lung surgery by preventing air leaks and reducing complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has demonstrated success with similar adhesive technologies in sealing air leaks in animal models, suggesting a promising avenue for human application.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Egan, Thomas M. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Egan, Thomas M.
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.