New ultrasound technology for heart and artery procedures
Official title: Flexible piezo film intravascular ultrasound arrays on guidewires and catheters
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-10790169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new ultrasound technology that can be added to the tools doctors use during heart procedures, making it easier for them to see and measure artery blockages in real-time, which could help make your treatment safer and more effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | September 19, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $366,006 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB035257-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10790169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing procedures for coronary heart disease or peripheral artery disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not require interventional procedures or those who are not candidates for angioplasty or stenting may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new type of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) technology that can be integrated into standard guidewires and catheters used in heart and artery procedures. By utilizing a flexible piezoelectric material, the team aims to create ultrasound arrays that provide real-time imaging and measurements during interventions like balloon angioplasty and stent deployment. This technology seeks to simplify the imaging process, making it easier for doctors to assess conditions such as artery blockages without extending procedure times. The goal is to enhance the safety and effectiveness of cardiovascular interventions through improved imaging capabilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective cardiovascular procedures by providing real-time imaging during interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches in integrating imaging technologies into medical devices have shown promise, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Degertekin, F. Levent — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Degertekin, F. Levent
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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.