Patient-specific regenerative larynx implant to restore voice, breathing, and swallowing
Optimizing a patient-specific regenerative larynx implant for restoration of voice
A personalized implant made to help people who have lost normal larynx function get back breathing, swallowing, and speaking with their own voice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146503 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project develops a custom-shaped, regenerative implant to replace part of the larynx so you can breathe, swallow, and speak more normally. The team will design implants matched to individual anatomy, test voicing, breathing, and swallowing on removed larynx specimens, and use animal models to refine the shape and materials. Work focuses on improving healing and implant integration to avoid repeat surgeries. If preclinical results are promising, the implant approach would move toward use in people needing laryngeal reconstruction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with severe laryngeal damage or loss of function after injury, cancer surgery, or long-term tracheostomy who need reconstruction of the larynx.
Not a fit: People with widespread active cancer, certain neuromuscular disorders affecting swallowing and voice, or those who cannot undergo surgery may not benefit from this implant approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the implant could restore natural voice, improve breathing and swallowing, reduce dependence on tubes, and greatly improve quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Tissue-engineering and animal-model studies have shown promise for laryngeal scaffolds, but fully patient-specific regenerative larynx implants are largely novel and unproven in humans.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Mayo Clinic Arizona — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lott, David G — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Lott, David G
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 below.