Teal Wand at-home HPV self-collection kit for cervical screening
Evaluation of the Teal self-collect device for cervical cancer screening
This project checks whether the Teal Wand lets people collect a reliable at-home vaginal sample for HPV testing to help detect cervical cancer early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Teal Health INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11196220 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your home, you would use the Teal Wand’s textured sponge to collect a vaginal sample that can be tested for high-risk HPV on FDA-approved assays. The device is designed to store samples dry and then be eluted into approved preservatives so labs can process them using existing workflows. The team plans clinical and analytical testing informed by prior FDA feedback to support an at-home use approval. If approved, the device would be offered through Teal telehealth visits to reach people who face barriers to clinic-based screening.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a cervix who are eligible for HPV-based cervical cancer screening and who prefer or need an at-home option would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without a cervix, those already up-to-date with clinic-based screening, or those who need clinician-collected samples for specific follow-up may not benefit from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could expand access to cervical cancer screening by making reliable at-home HPV testing available to people who cannot or do not attend clinic visits.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows HPV self-collection can increase screening uptake and often performs similarly to clinician samples on validated HPV tests, but at-home self-collection devices have not yet received FDA approval in the U.S.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- Teal Health INC — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Depel, Trena — Teal Health INC
- Study coordinator: Depel, Trena
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.