Personalized nasal models to improve how medicines reach the sinuses
Official title: Subject specific modeling of drug absorption in nasal cavity
Funded at Morgan State University · NIH-11325424 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will build person-specific computer models to show how nasal sprays move through the nose and where medicine lands for people with chronic rhinosinusitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morgan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $152,437 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM153629-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325424 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic rhinosinusitis who use or might use intranasal steroid sprays and who can undergo nasal imaging (CT or similar) would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sinonasal inflammation, those who do not use nasal sprays, or those unable to have imaging are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
The team will use CT scans or images of patients' nasal anatomy to create individualized computer fluid dynamics models that map airflow and particle deposition. They will simulate different spray angles, droplet sizes, and nasal shapes to see what changes help medicine reach the paranasal sinuses. The approach aims to identify simple technique changes or device features that could improve delivery to inflamed areas while reducing systemic side effects. Results may guide doctors and patients on better nasal spray use or inform future spray designs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help nasal sprays deliver medicine more effectively into the sinuses, improving symptoms and lowering need for systemic steroids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CFD studies have shown most spray deposits land at the front of the nose and reaching the sinuses is difficult, so personalizing models builds on known findings though direct clinical improvements remain to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Morgan State University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Zheng — Morgan State University
- Study coordinator: Li, Zheng
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.