Physical-plasma catheter for heart infection treatment
Official title: Physical-plasma device for catheter-based cardiovascular treatment
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-11384913 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A device that uses plasma to help treat infective endocarditis by targeting bacteria on heart tissue and prosthetic devices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $554,815 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB036563-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384913 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with infective endocarditis or prosthetic-valve infections where a catheter-based plasma treatment could be applicable in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cardiovascular infection or without access to catheter-based treatments may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will optimize, manufacture, and test a new plasma-based catheter designed for cardiovascular use. It will look at how the plasma treatment affects Staphylococcus aureus biofilms that cause endocarditis and test safety with endothelial cells. The work aims to move from lab development toward potential clinical use by demonstrating antimicrobial effects and compatibility with heart tissue. If successful, the approach could reduce infection-related surgeries and improve outcomes for patients with endocarditis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with infective endocarditis could benefit from a new therapy that helps clear infections more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show plasma devices can kill biofilm-associated bacteria and be safe for endothelial cells in preclinical tests.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knecht, Sean D — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Knecht, Sean D
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.