Creating a new device to help babies with heart defects breathe better
Official title: DEVELOPMENT OF A PULMONARY FLOW RESTRICTOR FOR HYPOPLASTIC LEFT HEART SYNDROME
Funded at Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. · NIH-11059188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, less invasive device to help babies with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome by controlling blood flow to their lungs, which could help them grow stronger before needing more surgeries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 15, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $999,901 |
| NIH project number | 5R44HL162218-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns diagnosed with congenital heart defects, particularly those with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than infancy or those without congenital heart defects may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a percutaneous flow restrictor designed to replace the traditional surgical banding method for infants with congenital heart defects, specifically Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The device aims to reduce excessive blood flow to the lungs, allowing for a more balanced circulation between the lungs and the rest of the body. By using a less invasive approach, the goal is to improve the survival rates of newborns and minimize damage to their pulmonary arteries, ultimately enabling them to grow stronger before undergoing further surgeries. The research involves testing the device's effectiveness and safety in clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a safer, less invasive treatment option for infants with congenital heart defects, improving their chances of survival and overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous attempts to create percutaneous solutions for similar conditions have shown promising results, indicating potential for success with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Starlight Cardiovascular, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Beverly — Starlight Cardiovascular, INC.
- Study coordinator: Tang, Beverly
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Pulmonary flow restrictor for newborns with congenital heart disease
A new device being developed to safely reduce blood flow to the lungs in babies with certain heart defects, aiming to avoid open-chest surgery.
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Percutaneous Flow Restrictor for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) in newborns
A new device-based approach aims to safely limit blood flow to the lungs in very young patients with HLHS, potentially avoiding risky open-heart surgery.
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Ductus Arteriosus Stent to Help Babies with Heart Defects
A new ductus arteriosus stent designed for babies with certain heart defects could reduce the need for surgery and lower complications.
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A new stent to keep a vital blood vessel open in newborns with heart defects
This study is testing a new stent designed just for newborns with heart issues to help keep an important blood vessel open, making it safer and easier for doctors to treat these tiny patients without needing more surgeries.
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Improving treatment for newborns with congenital heart defects using a specialized stent
This study is working on a special stent for newborns with heart defects that need a crucial blood vessel to stay open, aiming to make it safer and more effective than the adult stents currently used, which can cause problems and extra surgeries.
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.