Summary: UCLA researchers in the Department of Bioengineering have developed a novel magnetoelastic vascular graft to provide real-time, wireless, and continuous stenosis monitoring. TITLE: Hemodynamics Driven Magnetoelastic Vascular Graft
Background: Vascular grafts are commonly used to restore blood flow in patients with blocked or damaged blood vessels. However, post-implantation complications such as stenosis, or narrowing of the blood vessel due to scar tissue formation or blood clots, pose significant risks to patient health. Current approaches for vascular graft stenosis diagnostics, including X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and Doppler ultrasound, are cumbersome, operator-dependent, and often fail to provide timely stenosis detection until complete occlusion of the artery. Early detection of stenosis is critical, yet current diagnostic methods often require invasive procedures or periodic imaging, which may miss transient changes or early-stage blockages. These current limitations in the state of the art further highlight the need for a real-time, continuous monitoring solution that is minimally invasive and capable of providing immediate, reliable feedback on vascular health.
Innovation: Researchers at the UCLA Department of Bioengineering have developed a magnetoelastic vascular graft (MVG) for post-implantation stenosis monitoring that is hemodynamics-driven, biocompatible, and intrinsically waterproof. This MVG enables wireless, real-time, and continuous diagnosis for post-implantation stenosis diagnosis by converting arterial hemodynamics into high-fidelity electrical signals with a signal-to-noise ratio of 41dB. The grafts have the potential for scalable manufacturing and facilitate patient personalization by incorporating customizable diameters. . The inventors have successfully tested these grafts in vivo within the femoral arteries of rats and swine. Specifically, a four-month in vivo study verified the stability, biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, and seamless integration of the MVGs within the host biological system. Most notably, the anastomosed MVG successfully restored blood flow and accurately identified the location and severity of induced stenosis with no detection of significant immune response. This transformative biotechnology is poised to revolutionize vascular disease monitoring by enabling early detection of complications and reducing the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.
Potential Applications: • Continuous monitoring of vascular grafts • Aneurysm management • Stenosis detection in peripheral arteries • Transplant monitoring • Monitoring graft patency in coronary artery bypass graft patients • Remote patient monitoring for post-surgical recovery or for patients with vascular conditions
Advantages: • Real-time, wireless diagnosis for continuous monitoring • Minimally invasive • Real-time feedback • Scalable and customizable manufacturing • High signal-to-noise rate delivering high-fidelty signals for precise detection • False negative reduction • Long-term stability and integration due to biocompatible nature
State of Development: A manuscript was submitted to the journal Nature Biotechnology, and it is currently under 2nd round review. It will be accepted and published in 2 months.
Related Publication:
Pending review.
Reference: UCLA Case No. 2025-124
Lead Inventor: Jun Chen, UCLA Associate Professor of Bioengineering.