Using a 3D printed device to prevent vein graft failure after heart surgery
Official title: Preclinical testing of a 3D printed external scaffold device to prevent vein graft failure after coronary bypass graft surgery
Funded at Biograft, INC. · NIH-10385132 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new biodegradable device that helps keep vein grafts working well after heart surgery, aiming to help many patients avoid complications and improve their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Biograft, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | September 14, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $345,103 |
| NIH project number | 1R41HL162397-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10385132 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting who may benefit from improved graft longevity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing CABG surgery or those with alternative treatment plans for coronary artery disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a biodegradable external scaffold device designed to prevent the failure of saphenous vein grafts used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The project aims to address the significant issue of vein graft failure, which affects a large number of patients undergoing CABG surgery. By gradually increasing mechanical loading on the grafts, the researchers hope to improve graft adaptation and reduce the risk of occlusion. The study builds on previous successful findings in animal models and seeks to create a scalable manufacturing process for the device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rate of vein graft failure, improving outcomes for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in animal models using similar approaches to prevent graft failure, indicating potential for success in human applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Biograft, INC.
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilson, Nathan Marshall — Biograft, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wilson, Nathan Marshall
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeted NAD+ Replenishment to Protect Vein Grafts After Bypass
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Gene therapy to protect vein grafts after bypass surgery
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-
Targeted gene therapy to protect prosthetic leg bypass grafts
This project uses targeted gene-silencing treatments to prevent narrowing and failure of synthetic bypass grafts in people with blocked leg arteries.
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Improving vein graft success after heart bypass surgery
This project uses computer models to design better ways to prevent vein grafts from failing after coronary artery bypass surgery.
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Gene therapies to prevent vein graft failure in heart and leg surgeries
This study is looking at a new way to help improve the success of vein grafts used in heart and leg surgeries, especially for people with coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease, by using a special gene therapy that could help keep the grafts healthy and working better for longer.
-
Understanding why transplanted hearts fail over time
This study is looking at how heart transplants can sometimes fail over time, especially when the heart muscle gets too thick, and it aims to understand the different types of cells involved in this process to help improve the health and longevity of transplanted hearts for patients.
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.