Research

Development of a radiopaque resorbable inferior vena cava filter infused with nanoparticles

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are effective adjunctive therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism, a common life-threatening condition in high-risk patients. However, retrieval of conventional IVC filters is problematic with long-term implantation often presenting with complications.

Our laboratory is working on the synthesis and incorporation of nanoparticles in resorbable IVC filters to confer radiopacity; thus, providing a safe, non-invasive, real-time monitoring modality that would mitigate the complications associated with conventional IVC filters.

Synthesis of electrospun polymer nanofiber composites as drug-eluting medical devices

Electrospinning has gained attention in recent years due to a surging interest in nanotechnology as this method can be used to easily fabricate various polymers into fibrous scaffolds with submicron diameters. Nanofibers are produced through the stretching of a viscoelastic polymer solution when subjected to a large electric field and are deposited in a grounded collector. The nanofibers can be tailored to specific applications by modifying the electrospinning parameters and by post-synthetic functionalization of the surface structure.

Our laboratory specializes in optimizing different polymer solutions of varying properties that can be loaded with a multitude of agents such as contrast agents, drugs, and cell-based materials.

Exploring irreversible electroporation as an adjunct modality in bone tumor treatment

Current approaches to the local control of bone metastasis include radiation therapy and ablative procedures. These are however limited either by dose limit restrictions and/or collateral damage to adjoining structures. This is also complicated by the frequent proximity of bone metastasis to tissues of significance such as nerves where damage can result in debilitating paraplegia or radiculopathy. Similar damage to bone marrow in long bone metastasis can result in various morbidities associated with bone marrow failure.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a procedure that delivers short electrical pulses to destroy cancer cells. The technique accomplishes this without generating heat allowing the preservation of healthy tissue matrix. Provided this benefit, our lab is exploring the utility of IRE in combination with drug delivery for the treatment of skeletal metastasis.