A new method to deliver drugs directly to blood vessels to prevent complications in kidney disease patients.
Official title: An Image-Guided Microrobotic Drug Delivery Method for Preventive Vascular Interventions
Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-11105106 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a tiny robot that can deliver a special medicine directly to the veins used in hemodialysis to help prevent problems like blockages, making life easier for patients with arteriovenous fistulas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | May 21, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $703,523 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL179093-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105106 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with end-stage kidney disease who are using arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have arteriovenous fistulas or are not undergoing hemodialysis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a microrobotic system that can deliver a specific drug, AZD8797, directly to the outflow veins of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) used in hemodialysis. The goal is to prevent complications such as venous stenosis and thrombosis, which can occur in over 30% of AVFs. By using soft microrobots, the researchers aim to provide localized treatment without causing damage to the blood vessel or systemic side effects. This innovative approach could significantly reduce the need for repeated surgical interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved long-term outcomes for patients with end-stage kidney disease by preventing complications associated with AVFs.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of microrobots for drug delivery is a novel approach, similar targeted drug delivery methods have shown promise in other areas of medical research.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ceylan, Hakan — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Ceylan, Hakan
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.