Self-fitting vaginal stent to prevent narrowing after pelvic radiation
Model-directed Design of Vaginal Stents to Prevent Post-radiation Stenosis
A compressible foam vaginal stent that expands with body warmth and moisture to keep the vagina open for people who receive pelvic radiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248351 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is designing a self-fitting vaginal stent made from a shape-memory polymer foam that is compressed for easy insertion and expands with body temperature and hydration to fit each person. The team will add an antifouling (anti-bacterial attachment) coating and change the stent shape to make removal easier and reduce infections. They will use computer models that mimic pelvic geometry and material behavior to speed design and will build on prior benchtop and pilot animal tests. The work aims to produce a patient-friendly device that could move toward human testing and clinical use.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had or are planning pelvic radiation and are at risk of developing vaginal stenosis, including survivors of gynecologic cancers, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without radiation-related vaginal narrowing, those with active pelvic infection, or anatomical conditions that prevent stent placement are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the stent could reduce painful vaginal narrowing, preserve sexual and gynecologic function, and decrease the need for corrective surgery after pelvic radiation.
How similar studies have performed: Related benchtop experiments and a pilot rabbit study have shown the self-fitting foam can deploy and stay in place, but human use has not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cosgriff-Hernandez, Elizabeth Marie — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Cosgriff-Hernandez, Elizabeth Marie
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.