Pulmonary flow restrictor for newborns with congenital heart disease
Official title: Commercialization Readiness of a Pulmonary Flow Restrictor for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Funded at Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. · NIH-11313619 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new device being developed to safely reduce blood flow to the lungs in babies with certain heart defects, aiming to avoid open-chest surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Starlight Cardiovascular, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,952 |
| NIH project number | 1SB1HL184388-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11313619 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are newborns with CHD who require reduction of pulmonary blood flow and are suitable for percutaneous procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose condition cannot be treated with a flow restrictor or who are not candidates for percutaneous delivery may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating a percutaneous flow restrictor to replace surgical banding in newborns with congenital heart disease like Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. If successful, it could balance blood flow between the lungs and body, helping babies grow stronger before later surgeries. The team notes current surgical banding has risks and may limit artery growth, so a less invasive option could improve early outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this device could reduce the need for open-heart surgery in newborns and improve early growth and stability.
How similar studies have gone: Early, handmade percutaneous attempts show promise but face technical challenges that this project aims to overcome.
Where this research is happening
-
Starlight Cardiovascular, INC.
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Beverly — Starlight Cardiovascular, INC.
- Study coordinator: Tang, Beverly
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.