A two-in-one catheter that images what artery plaque is made of and how it's structured
Dual-modality FLIm and PSOCT for intravascular imaging of plaque in patients
This project uses a combined light-based catheter to image plaque composition and structure in people with coronary artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171703 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a very thin catheter passed into your coronary artery during a planned heart catheterization so doctors can take detailed, near–real-time pictures. The device combines fluorescence lifetime imaging (which highlights biochemical makeup like lipids and collagen) with polarization-sensitive OCT (which shows tissue layers and structure) to give a fuller picture of plaque. The team will build the catheter, make software to display the images during the procedure, and test the approach for safety and usefulness in patients. If safe and practical, this imaging could be integrated into procedures you already might have for blocked arteries.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with known coronary artery disease who are already scheduled for percutaneous coronary procedures and agree to the additional intravascular imaging.
Not a fit: People without coronary artery disease or those not undergoing invasive coronary procedures would not be eligible and would not directly benefit from this imaging approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors spot unstable plaques during catheter procedures and tailor treatments to lower your risk of heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Standard intravascular OCT and related imaging have improved plaque visualization, but combining FLIm with PSOCT in patients is a novel approach that has had limited clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcu, Laura — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Marcu, Laura
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.