Injectable conductive gel electrodes to stop dangerous heart rhythms
Injectable Hydrogel Electrodes to Prevent Ventricular Arrhythmias
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · NIH-11261538
This project is creating an injectable conductive gel that can turn tiny heart vessels into flexible electrodes to help people with scar-related ventricular arrhythmias.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AUSTIN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11261538 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team is developing a biocompatible, in‑situ curing hydrogel that conducts electricity and can be injected into small coronary tributaries to form flexible pacing electrodes. They have shown early feasibility pacing heart tissue with this hydrogel in a pig model and will refine the material and delivery system to reach scarred regions. Researchers will run lab tests and additional animal studies to check safety, durability, and compatibility with existing pacemaker hardware. If those preclinical results are promising, the approach could be adapted for human trials in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with scar-related ventricular tachycardia or recurrent dangerous ventricular arrhythmias not controlled by medications, ablation, or existing device therapy would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose arrhythmias are not caused by focal scar tissue, those with diffuse coronary disease that prevents delivery, or those seeking only already‑approved immediate treatments may not benefit from this early-stage approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could restore electrical conduction across scarred heart tissue and reduce life‑threatening ventricular arrhythmias, potentially expanding options beyond current pacemakers and ablation.
How similar studies have performed: The concept is novel for this application but the investigators have demonstrated early pacing success in a pig model using an in‑situ curing hydrogel, while human testing has not yet occurred.
Where this research is happening
AUSTIN, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN — AUSTIN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: COSGRIFF-HERNANDEZ, ELIZABETH MARIE — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- Study coordinator: COSGRIFF-HERNANDEZ, ELIZABETH MARIE
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.