Developing soft robotic catheters for safer endovascular surgeries
Official title: VINE Catheter: Soft, Tip-extending, Robotic Catheters with Shape Control for Endovascular Surgery
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10897797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of soft robotic catheter that helps doctors perform less invasive surgeries on the brain, heart, and blood vessels more easily and safely, so more patients can get the treatments they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $481,121 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB032417-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients requiring endovascular procedures for conditions such as aneurysms or vascular diseases, particularly elderly patients with complex vascular anatomies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require endovascular surgery or have conditions that are not amenable to this type of intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative soft robotic catheters designed to improve endovascular surgeries, which are less invasive procedures used to treat conditions affecting the brain, heart, and blood vessels. The VINE catheter utilizes a unique tip-extending mechanism that mimics plant growth, allowing it to navigate complex vascular anatomies more effectively. By enhancing the ability of surgeons to maneuver through challenging blood vessel structures, this technology aims to reduce the risks and improve the outcomes of these surgeries. The project seeks to make these advanced tools accessible to more surgeons, thereby increasing patient access to necessary treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective endovascular surgeries, improving recovery times and outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing robotic tools for surgical applications, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in endovascular surgery.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morimoto, Tania Kiyoye — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Morimoto, Tania Kiyoye
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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.