Federal Grant Award Summary

Louisiana State University received a $143,201 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) under the Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health program (CFDA 93.286), effective April 14, 2026, with completion targeted for March 31, 2028. The project focuses on developing an implantable, stent-based sensor system capable of continuous, wireless monitoring of mechanical biomarkers in arterial walls during vascular disease progression. The deliverable is an integrated vascular stent platform that incorporates soft strain and pressure sensors to measure arterial stiffness and viscoelasticity—critical early indicators of atherosclerotic disease and risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

The proposed technology addresses a significant clinical gap by enabling long-term, localized monitoring of vascular health without reliance on invasive imaging or catheterization procedures. The system integrates capacitive sensors with a laser-machined stent structure that simultaneously functions as an inductor for wireless, inductive coupling communication, eliminating the need for internal power sources. By adapting the design of conventional vascular stents—already implanted millions of times annually—the platform maintains mechanical compatibility with existing catheter-based implantation procedures while providing unprecedented insights into patient vascular health through daily monitoring capabilities. The research is being conducted at Louisiana State University's Baton Rouge, Louisiana facility.