Soft robotic bronchoscope to reach and gently biopsy peripheral lung nodules
Official title: Extending Reach, Accuracy, and Therapeutic Capabilities: A Soft Robot for Peripheral Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11382060 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, tiny, air-powered robot helps doctors reach hard-to-access lung nodules and collect tissue samples more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $259,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB034286-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382060 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with suspected peripheral lung nodules requiring diagnostic biopsy or biopsy-guided therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without peripheral lung nodules or those not eligible for bronchoscopy-based biopsy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project designs and tests a small, flexible soft robot that can be guided through the airways to peripheral regions of the lung. It builds on previous work to improve dexterity, visualization, and precision during biopsy and treatment. The study will validate the robot’s performance in reaching difficult areas and obtaining high-quality tissue samples with reduced risk to patients. By enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses, it aims to shorten time to treatment and improve outcomes for people with early-stage lung cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from safer, more accurate biopsies and earlier treatment decisions for peripheral lung cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior miniaturized soft robotic bronchoscopes have shown promise in dexterity and reach, suggesting potential for improved diagnostic yield.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Russo, Sheila — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Russo, Sheila
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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.