New optical guidewires for treating blocked coronary arteries

Metasurface Optical Guidewire for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-10865571

This study is testing new, flexible guidewires that use special light technology to help doctors treat blocked arteries in patients with hard, calcified arteries, making heart procedures safer and more effective.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-10865571 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing innovative metasurface optical guidewires to improve the treatment of coronary artery disease, particularly in patients with calcified arteries. The approach involves creating small, flexible guidewires that can deliver energy effectively to help open up blocked arteries during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). By enhancing the delivery of therapeutic energy, these guidewires aim to overcome the challenges posed by arterial calcification, which complicates traditional stent deployment and expansion. The project utilizes advanced fiber-optic technologies to create a device that can improve the safety and efficacy of coronary interventions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from coronary artery disease with significant arterial calcification.

Not a fit: Patients with non-calcified coronary artery disease or those who are not candidates for PCI may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with severe coronary artery disease, reducing complications and improving outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using advanced optical technologies for medical devices, indicating potential success for this novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.