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Next-Generation Catheter Developed to Examine Dangerous Plaques Inside Coronary Arteries
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have completed the first human trials of a device that enables real-time examination of the structure and chemical composition of atherosclerotic plaques inside coronary arteries, according to a university statement.
The new technology could help doctors assess the risk of plaque rupture more accurately and make better-informed treatment decisions.
The flexible catheter was developed by specialists at the National Center for Interventional Biophotonic Technologies (NCIBT). It combines two imaging techniques: fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIm) and polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). The first method assesses the biochemical composition of tissue based on its natural fluorescence, while the second examines its microstructure.
During the procedure, the catheter is inserted into the coronary arteries, where it rotates and is gradually withdrawn while capturing images. The device can scan an 80-millimeter section of an artery in just two seconds. It can detect plaque buildup before significant stenosis — an abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel that can impair normal blood flow — develops.
Existing intravascular imaging techniques, including optical coherence tomography and ultrasound, help doctors assess blood vessel structure but do not provide the same level of information about biochemical composition. Yet the characteristics of plaques can indicate inflammation and an increased risk of rupture. This is important because detached plaque fragments and the blood clots that form can cause heart attacks and other serious complications.
“This technology could help physicians better understand the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and tailor treatment to each patient’s individual characteristics,” said Laura Marcu, founder of NCIBT.
The device was previously tested on animals and samples of human coronary arteries. This year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a study involving 10 patients. In August, the research team completed imaging procedures on the final participant.
The next step will be to expand the study. Ultimately, the developers hope to introduce the catheter into cardiac catheterization laboratories, where it could help clinicians characterize plaques more precisely and select optimal locations for stent placement. Stents are small devices used to keep narrowed arteries open.
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