Vesico-amniotic shunt for fetal bladder obstruction
Official title: Developing a novel vesico-amniotic shunt to treat fetal lower urinary tract obstruction
Funded at Vortex Medical INC. · NIH-11382222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new fetal device is being developed to bypass bladder blockage in pregnancies affected by severe urinary tract obstruction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vortex Medical INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Woodside, United States) |
| Project start | July 25, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,146,235 |
| NIH project number | 5R44DK141388-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pregnant individuals carrying a fetus diagnosed with fetal lower urinary tract obstruction in the second or third trimester.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnancies without LUTO or where shunt placement is not clinically indicated may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve outcomes for babies with fetal lower urinary tract obstruction by creating a more reliable shunt from the bladder to the amniotic space. The researchers designed a novel vesicoamniotic shunt with better fixation, clearer ultrasound visibility, and a reinforced channel to grow with the fetus. So far, they have built prototypes and shown favorable results in bench tests and a fetal sheep pilot study. If successful, this could reduce the need for repeat surgeries and improve lung and kidney development before birth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the shunt could lower mortality and long-term organ complications for affected babies.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work and animal studies suggest the new design may perform better than current shunts, but human data are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Vortex Medical INC.
Woodside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Eric — Vortex Medical INC.
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Eric
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improved shunt for unborn babies with bladder blockage
Using a new tiny shunt designed to help unborn babies with lower urinary tract blockage keep their lungs and kidneys healthier before birth.
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Creating a new device to help treat fetal urinary tract blockages
This study is testing a new device to help babies with a serious condition called lower urinary tract obstruction, which can cause health problems before birth, by making it easier for doctors to perform surgery and improve the chances of a successful treatment.
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.