Next-generation 3D views from endoscopy videos

Next-gen 3D Modeling of Endoscopy Videos

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11317125

This project will create computer methods that turn endoscopy videos into clearer 3D views to help doctors find and treat problems more completely.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11317125 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are building new computer algorithms that turn the video from your endoscopy into a 3D map of the organ so doctors can see hidden or missed areas. The work focuses on handling typical challenges inside the body like shiny mucus, moving or flexible tissues, and narrow winding pathways. The tools aim to guide clinicians back to unsurveyed regions, enable semi-autonomous navigation, and automate post-procedure measurements such as airway cross-sectional area. Developers will test the methods on recorded endoscopy videos and likely on clinical cases to improve accuracy and reliability.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People scheduled for endoscopic exams (for example colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, or bronchoscopy) would be the most likely candidates to be involved or benefit from this work.

Not a fit: Patients who are not having endoscopy, whose care uses other imaging methods, or who are treated at sites not using the new tools are unlikely to see direct benefit from this grant.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce missed lesions, shorten procedure times, lower patient discomfort, and give doctors dependable 3D measurements after the exam.

How similar studies have performed: Previous 3D reconstruction approaches using SLAM methods have had limited and unreliable success (often 40–50% for static shapes), so this work builds new methods to improve on those results.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.