VINE: A new robotic tool for delicate internal procedures
VINE Catheter: Soft, Tip-extending, Robotic Catheters with Shape Control for Endovascular Surgery
This project develops a new robotic tool, called VINE, to make complex internal surgeries safer and more accessible for patients with conditions affecting the brain, heart, liver, and blood vessels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159665 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many patients, especially older adults, need internal surgeries for conditions like aneurysms, but their complex anatomy can make these procedures risky and difficult for surgeons. Current tools are hard to steer through winding blood vessels, limiting who can perform these life-saving operations and where they are available. The VINE approach uses a soft, plant-like robotic tool that extends from its tip, allowing it to gently navigate through the body's intricate pathways. This innovative design aims to make these delicate procedures easier and safer, potentially expanding access to treatment for more patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who might benefit from this research are those requiring endovascular surgeries for conditions affecting the brain, heart, liver, or other vascular diseases, especially those with challenging or complex internal anatomy.
Not a fit: Patients who do not require endovascular surgery or those whose conditions are not related to the areas targeted by this surgical tool would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new robotic tool could make complex endovascular surgeries safer, reduce recovery times, and allow more patients to receive necessary treatment for brain, heart, liver, and vascular diseases.
How similar studies have performed: This project introduces a novel soft-robotic approach called VINE, which is a new method for navigating internal body structures.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morimoto, Tania Kiyoye — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Morimoto, Tania Kiyoye
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 below.