A new guidewire system for easier treatment of brain blood vessel issues
Official title: MicroRobot Guidewire for Telerobotic Maneuvering in Tortuous Neurovascular Interventions
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11060002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a tiny robot guidewire that doctors can control from a distance to make brain procedures, like those for strokes, safer and more precise, helping to reduce risks and improve outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $73,545 |
| NIH project number | 5R03EB035724-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from cerebrovascular diseases, particularly those at risk of stroke or requiring neurovascular interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-neurovascular conditions or those who do not require endovascular procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a micro robot guidewire that can be maneuvered remotely during neurovascular interventions. The goal is to improve the precision and control of guidewires used in treating conditions like strokes, which affect blood flow in the brain. By automating the steering of the guidewire, the research aims to reduce complications and improve the safety of procedures that currently rely on manual control. This innovative approach could lead to shorter operation times and less exposure to harmful radiation for both patients and medical staff.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the safety and effectiveness of treatments for cerebrovascular diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using automated systems for medical procedures, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cho, Sung Kwon — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Cho, Sung Kwon
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.