Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Southern California received a $291,496 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). The award, effective July 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029, funds the development of a novel balloon-deployable electrical impedance tomography (EIT) platform for detecting and mapping metabolically active atherosclerotic plaques within coronary and peripheral arteries. The research will advance intravascular imaging beyond current structural-only modalities by integrating ultrathin, highly stretchable microelectrodes fabricated from liquid metal particles, enabling high-resolution three-dimensional electrical impedance mapping with over 150 electrodes and 15,000 impedance measurement permutations.

The project delivers a technologically advanced medical device platform that addresses critical gaps in rupture-prone plaque detection by combining stretchable liquid metal electronics with embedded pressure sensors for real-time contact feedback during catheter deployment. The stretchable electrode design enables intimate conformational contact with arterial walls, improving measurement stability and tissue engagement compared to rigid systems. By integrating strain-insensitive capacitive pressure sensors and advanced inverse modeling algorithms, the platform will enhance mapping fidelity while providing clinically actionable information to guide safer endovascular intervention and reduce vascular injury risk. This research aligns with NIBIB's mission to develop transformative technologies that improve disease detection and prevention.