Using robots to improve catheter placement for pelvic cancer treatment
Official title: Robot-assisted catheter placement with novel shape-sensing stylet to facilitate adaptive image guided pelvic brachytherapy
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11138686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new robot-assisted system that helps doctors place catheters more accurately during radiation treatment for cervical and endometrial cancers, making sure the radiation targets the tumors while protecting healthy tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $637,461 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB036015-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with locally advanced cervical or endometrial cancers who are undergoing brachytherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancers or those not eligible for brachytherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the precision of catheter placement during brachytherapy for cervical and endometrial cancers using a robot-assisted system. The approach involves a novel shape-sensing stylet that provides real-time feedback on catheter positioning, allowing clinicians to adaptively adjust placements based on intraoperative imaging. By integrating advanced imaging techniques like CT and MRI, the study aims to optimize the delivery of radiation therapy directly to tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer brachytherapy treatments for patients with cervical and endometrial cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with robotic assistance in other medical procedures, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tokuda, Junichi — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tokuda, Junichi
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.