Robot to avoid hysterectomy and preserve the uterus
A New Robot to Replace Hysterectomies with Minimally Invasive Uterine-Sparing Interventions
This project builds a tiny surgical robot to help women with fibroids get less-invasive, uterus-preserving procedures instead of hysterectomy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11287881 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient standpoint, the team is designing a miniature robotic system that fits through a standard endoscope to work inside the uterus. The robot uses two telescoping, curved, elastic tubes that act like tiny tentacles to hold and cut tissue while an electrosurgical probe and a variable-angle camera give the surgeon better vision and control. The goal is to give surgeons two-handed dexterity for retraction and resection so more women can get endoscopic fibroid removal. Early work focuses on building and testing the instruments and optics, with later steps likely moving toward safety testing and clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who are facing hysterectomy but might be candidates for minimally invasive, uterus-preserving endoscopic removal are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose uterine condition requires hysterectomy for cancer or whose fibroids are too large or anatomically unsuitable for endoscopic approaches may not benefit from this robot.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let many women keep their uterus and have less invasive surgery with quicker recovery and fewer long-term consequences than hysterectomy.
How similar studies have performed: Expert surgeons have removed fibroids endoscopically in select cases, but the proposed tentacle-like robotic instruments are a novel technology meant to expand access and remain largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- Vanderbilt University — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webster, Robert James — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Webster, Robert James
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.