J. Hu
North Carolina State University,
United States
Keywords: embolic agent, minimally invasive procedure, transcatheter delivery
Summary:
Transarterial embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that selectively delivers embolic agents into arteries to occlude diseased or injured vasculature for therapeutic purposes - including the treatment of hemorrhage, aneurysms, vascular malformations, and hypervascular tumors. Clinically available agents such as metallic coils, microspheres, and liquid embolics are widely used, but they face key limitations such as imprecise deployment, risk of migration, and catheter occlusion. In this talk, we will share our efforts to develop gel-based embolic agents as a novel alternative. These materials transition from a high-viscosity gel to a fluid under shear stress, allowing smooth catheter delivery, then rapidly re-solidify in situ to achieve stable vascular occlusion. We will highlight our integrated experimental and modeling approaches that validate transcatheter injectability, offering improved predictability and physician control. Finally, we will explore the multifunctional potential of these gel embolic agents - including therapeutic delivery, imaging compatibility, and photothermal therapy - as a platform for next-generation vascular devices.