Personalized treatment for blocking diseased blood vessels

Integrated experimental and computational approach for accurate patient-specific vascular embolization

NIH-funded research North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11097369

This project aims to make a common procedure that blocks diseased blood vessels more precise and effective for patients using tiny beads.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorth Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Raleigh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11097369 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on a procedure called embolization, where doctors use small beads to block off problem blood vessels, for example, in cases of abnormal blood vessel connections or certain tumors. Currently, it's hard to predict exactly where these beads will go, and they sometimes lack features like visibility on X-rays or the ability to deliver medicine. Our goal is to create a new system that combines lab experiments and computer models to understand how different types of beads behave in the body. This will help doctors choose the best beads and predict their movement more accurately. Ultimately, this could lead to more precise and safer treatments tailored to each patient's unique needs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for patients who might need or have undergone transcatheter embolization for conditions like arteriovenous malformations or hypervascular tumors.

Not a fit: Patients without conditions requiring blood vessel embolization would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more precise and safer embolization treatments, reducing side effects and improving outcomes for patients with diseased blood vessels.

How similar studies have performed: While embolization with microspheres is a common procedure, this project aims to develop a novel systemic platform to correlate microsphere properties with embolic outcomes and predict their trajectory, which is currently lacking.

Where this research is happening

Raleigh, 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.