VINE Catheter

We are developing a novel tip-extending catheter that grows through vessels in a manner analogous to how plants grow, termed Vascular Internal Navigation by Extension (VINE). The VINE catheter efficiently navigates tight turns and extreme angles due to its low bending stiffness and lack of sliding friction with vessel walls. Further, the soft, growing construction of VINE catheters results in reduced force on the leading edge, potentially reducing the risk of arterial injury compared to standard push-catheters.