# Ideal Embolic for Portal Vein Embolization

> **NIH NIH R43** · ARSENAL MEDICAL, INC. · 2020 · $367,201

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Significance: Portal vein embolization (PVE) is a procedure that is performed to induce hypertrophy of the non-
diseased future liver remnant (FLR) to a sufficient volume to enable surgical resection of the diseased portion of the
liver. One of the most important factors governing FLR hypertrophy is the embolic agent used. A review of the
literature indicates that embolization with cyanoacrylate glue (“glue”) induces the greatest amount of FLR
hypertrophy. Despite this evidence, physicians in the United States prefer PVE using microspheres, which are
technically easier to administer than glue; additionally glue is only FDA-approved for neurovascular indications.
Development of an embolic agent FDA indicated for PVE that induces the same (or better) amount of FLR
hypertrophy as glue but without the associated risks and challenges would represent a significant advance in
standardizing PVE and have potential applicability in other embolization applications.
Approach: In this Phase I SBIR, Arsenal Medical, will evaluate its shear-thinning biomaterial technology as a distal
penetrating embolic (DPE) therapy for PVE. In order to be effective, complete and distal embolization of the portal
vein and its branches is desired in order to minimize the formation of porto-portal collaterals, which diverts portal
flow away from the FLR and reduces hypertrophy. Therefore, in Aim 1, we will use a PVE swine model to identify a
formulation with shear-thinning properties that adequately responds to the dynamic blood flow environment such
that maximal distal penetration and occlusion are achieved. Subsequently, in Aim 2, we will evaluate the kinetics of
FLR hypertrophy (and determine any differences with distal penetration and/or porto-portal collateralization)
following embolization with our material compared to glue. Success will be demonstration of FLR hypertrophy
similar to or better than the glue. The proposed studies would be the first to characterize the impact of distal
penetration of different embolic agents on porto-portal collateralization and subsequent FLR hypertrophy kinetics,
filling an important void in the literature.
Innovation: Our DPE biomaterial has unique shear-thinning properties, making it adaptive and responsive to blood
flow, becoming a low viscosity fluid under high shear that penetrates and fills the portal vein and distal branches. As
flow decreases due to the embolization procedure, the shear decreases, and the viscosity of the material increases.
In doing so, an entire cast of the vasculature is generated that provides complete occlusion, eliminates re-
canalization, and minimizes collateralization. Unlike glue, the solidification mechanism of the DPE is independent of
its microenvironment, thereby allowing a longer working time and making distal penetration unsusceptible to
injection rate. Further, the material is not adhesive, so there is no risk of adhesion to the catheter, and is formulated
to be radiopaque, enabling...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10081195
- **Project number:** 1R43HL154865-01
- **Recipient organization:** ARSENAL MEDICAL, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** QUYNH P PHAM
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $367,201
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-24 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10081195

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10081195, Ideal Embolic for Portal Vein Embolization (1R43HL154865-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10081195. Licensed CC0.

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