Biocarpet: a biodegradable implant for blocked leg arteries
Official title: Biocarpet: The Next Generation Endovascular Device for Peripheral Arterial Disease
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11327516 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new biodegradable, flexible implant that molds to your artery aims to keep blood flowing in people with peripheral artery disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $371,023 |
| NIH project number | 4R33HL170300-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327516 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with peripheral artery disease affecting the femoral or popliteal (thigh/knee) arteries who are candidates for endovascular treatment could be ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with heavily calcified or very small arteries, active infections, or who are not eligible for endovascular procedures may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project develops a thin, fully biodegradable 'Biocarpet' that doctors can deliver through a catheter into narrowed leg arteries. Once in place it conforms to the vessel and supports blood flow without the rigid outward force of traditional stents. The material is designed to gradually dissolve while encouraging healing, which could reduce vessel damage and repeat procedures. Early work will focus on laboratory and preclinical testing with the goal of moving to human trials if safety and durability are shown.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could lower the chance of artery re-narrowing, reduce repeat procedures, and help prevent limb loss.
How similar studies have gone: Existing treatments like angioplasty, stents, and drug-coated balloons have limited two-year patency and this biodegradable, conforming 'carpet' approach is novel with little prior human data.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vande Geest, Jonathan Pieter — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Vande Geest, Jonathan Pieter
Related research
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Understanding how CKD worsens leg artery disease at the cellular level
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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.