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Dual frequency intravascular ultrasound for super-resolution imaging of vasa vasorum and thin fibrous cap of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

Award Number: R01HL178101
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/22/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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Dual frequency intravascular ultrasound for super-resolution imaging of vasa vasorum and thin fibrous cap of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques - PROJECT SUMMARY The underlying mechanism for up to 75% of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) of myocardial infarction is considered to be due to vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques (AP) rupture. The increased density of coronary vasa vasorum (VV) around AP has known to be associated with plaque instability and plaque rupture, especially when the fibrous cap is thin. This strongly suggests that imaging both VV and thin fibrous cap can be a new strategy for accurate classification, timely intervention, and effective management of the rupture- prone AP to prevent ACS. Although Intravascular optical coherence tomography (IV-OCT) has shown promise for vulnerable AP evaluation at high resolution, it has limited imaging depth. Conventional Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has the advantage of improved imaging depth, however, despite successful clinical investigations in the past decades, a critical technical limitation with spatial resolution remains unsolved. To overcome the technical challenge and address the unmet clinical need, the goal of this project is to develop and validate a new super-resolution intravascular ultrasound (SR-IVUS) technology enabling effective imaging of VV to assess plaque vulnerability with unprecedented high resolution and deep penetration depth. Specifically, we will develop an innovative, first-of-its-kind 1.75D array at 20 MHz, which will provide a high-resolution 3D mapping of the VV network at depth. The major benefit of the 1.75D array is its ability to reject out-of-plane clutter artifacts which are currently challenging in SR realization with a 1D array. We will also combine a 60 MHz single element broadband transducer for accurately identifying the thin fibrous cap with the 1.75D array to make a dual mode probe. This enables comprehensive imaging capabilities for combined, co-registered 3D VV network imaging with morphology and location of the fibrous cap. Our specific aims are: SA 1: Develop a dual mode SR-IVUS catheter and system. SA 1a: Develop 60 MHz single element transducer and 20 MHz 1.75D array transducer. SA 1b: Integrate 60 MHz single element transducer and 20 MHz 1.75D array transducer with a configurable high-frequency imaging system. SA 2: Implement the algorithm of SR-IVUS imaging for vasa vasorum and the fibrous cap thickness measurement. SA 3: Evaluate the developed prototype SR-IVUS system for imaging the VV and fibrous cap using rabbit AP model. If successfully developed and validated, the new SR-IVUS device equipped with high resolution comparable to IV-OCT and at large imaging depth will push forward clinical validation of IVUS and widespread adoption in clinics with high impact. In particular, during the percutaneous coronary intervention, the vulnerability of the target culprit plaques and nearby unspecified plaques but have high potential of future rupture can be more accurately characterized for timely, effective intervention, providing a paradigm shift in the contemporary management of the vulnerable plaques, a major reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with AP rupture, and a lasting clinical impact.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $672,079 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION	4200 FIFTH AVENUE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15260	ALLEGHENY	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	001	2	3/24/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$20,572
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION	4200 FIFTH AVENUE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15260	ALLEGHENY	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	2	2/24/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$651,507
														Subtotal = $672,079

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $726,205 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION	4200 FIFTH AVENUE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15260	ALLEGHENY	USA	Cardiovascular Diseases Research	000	1	4/22/2025	NEW	$726,205
														Subtotal = $726,205

Grand Total All Awards = $1,398,284

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Dual frequency intravascular ultrasound for super-resolution imaging of vasa vasorum and thin fibrous cap of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques

Award Number: R01HL178101

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, & BLOOD INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/22/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2029

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